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The ZEALANDIA's
The 1870 voyage
Three passenger transcriptions out online, all slightly different.
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Seybe
The Zealandia, a full rigged ship, built in 1852, made her maiden voyage to Lyttelton in 1858 in 98 days under the command of Captain Foster for Willis, Gann and Co. She made voyages to Lyttelton in 1858 (another 1858 listing), 1859, 1862, 1863 and 1865 and to Auckland in 1861. On the 1862 voyage she called into Cape Town about March 2nd them on to Lyttelton. There have been many vessels named Zealandia including an iron clipper ship built in 1869. (1116 tons.) By 1869 she was carrying guano from Callao to Cork.
Captain John Edward Foster was born in 1816 (probably in London) and married Elizabeth Mouat in 1841 at St. Ann's Church, Limehouse, Middlesex. He traded to the West Indies in his early days and rose to command. He first came to N.Z. commanding the "Joseph Fletcher" from 1852. He captained this "Zealandia" (there were two others) on all her voyages from 1858, 1859, 1861, 1862, 1863 and 1865. He brought his family out in 1854 to settle in Auckland but bought land in the Whangarei district. Problems with Maori in the district caused him to sell up and move back to Auckland and then back to London. It is thought he brought his family back about 1859 (I have been unable to confirm this from passenger records) and he bought land in the Otira Gorge area. The station, then known as Rockcliffe, was a wilderness. All furniture etc. (including a piano) had to be packed in by horse. Ill health as a result of dysentery caught in China, plus the loneliness for his wife caused him to move to Oxford, Canterbury. He had five sons: William (my great grandfather), Edward, Walter, Alec and Joe and one daughter Annie. He died in Oxford in 1878, aged 62 years. An original oil painting of the Zealandia remains in the possession of my brother, Bill Foster, in Wellington. This is all we have as recorded by my grandfather Captain Philip John Foster, son of William. Information courtesy of Elizabeth Foster. Posted Dec. 21, 2000.
From an old paper clipping (undated).
"Seventy years rolled away
imperceptibly to the party of passengers by the good ship Zealandia, who gathered
yesterday afternoon in Ballantyne's tearooms to celebrate their seventieth anniversary of
their arrival in Canterbury." There were 17 passengers present with the Rev. Canon
W.S. Bean presiding. The date of arrival at Lyttelton was Sep. 21st, 1858 (Capt. John
Foster). The report notes the celebration was delayed a day or two so the paper must have
been some days after the 21st in 1928.
Present were Mrs Pratt, Mrs Winny and Miss Gordon, Rev. Bean, Messrs S. Ayers, T. Tankard,
J.H. Parker, C. Skevington, James Goodman, Walter Johnson, Gibbs Stanton, George
Mehrtens,
Amos Wright, James Wright, Vincent W. Wright, F. Whitcombe.
The oldest present was Mr Ayers at 82 years. He was 12 when he arrived. The Rev. was only
1 year old when he arrived. There is reference to a Mr Skevington present on the voyage
who nursed Mr Ayer's father. Mr James Goodman was seven when he arrived. Walter Johnson
was Secretary and kept records of the passengers which he said was difficult as there were
444 passengers. Apologies from Mrs George Scott (nee Smart), Mrs Newton (nee Gordon), Mrs
W.J. Moore (nee Whitcombe), Miss Nora Clark, Mrs Pritchard (nee Proctor)."
Anyone wanting more information from the clipping - which describes the event in more
detail is welcome to contact Elizabeth Foster.
Posted Oct 7, 2000
(from the "Lyttelton Times", May 24, 1862)
Arrived Lyttelton: May 24, ship Zealandia, 1032 tons, J. Foster, from London.
Passengers:
Mr and Mrs Cox and child
Mr and Mrs Blakiston and child
Mr and Mrs Symington
Rev. Mr and Mrs Clifford and two children
Messrs Coffin, Fielden, E.C. and A. Hilton, Henry, Mitchel, Coare, Helm, Johnstone,
Murdoch, Whitten (2), Draper, Gregory, Millers, Walker, Urquhart, Hall, Gethin, Rose, and
247 intermediate and steerage passengers.
Government Immigrants:
Married Couples:
Ahrews Carl Franz Y 2 Germany Blacksmith Bowie John Y 4 Ayrshire Farm Labourer Bradley Edward Y 2 Tyrone Brown John Y 5 Down Farm Labourer Coleman Robert Y Cowan? Farm Labourer Colter Henry Y 2 Ayrshire Farm Labourer Cornforth John Y 2 Yorkshire Farm Labourer Dailey Robert Y 1 Waterford Labourer Dixon Hanse Y 2 Down Farm Labourer Farrow Chas. Y 2 Suffolk Plumber Finlay Samuel Y 3 Down Farm Labourer Gilpin George Y 1 Armagh Farm Labourer Hale Wm. Y Hants Carpenter Hamilton Lewis Y Down Farm Labourer Hampton Robert Y 2 Down Farm Labourer Horn John Y Kinross-shire Ploughman Jardine Alex Y 1 Farm Labourer Jebson John Y 5 Yorkshire Kennedy Samuel Y Antrim Labourer M'Conkey John Y Down Farm Labourer O'Neill Hugh Henry Y 2 Tyrone Farm Labourer Sheridan Patrick Y Tyrone Farm Labourer Skilling James Y 2 Down Blacksmith Smith John Y Armagh Farm Labourer Someville George Y 1 Armagh Farm Labourer Sowry Joseph Y 1 Yorkshire Carpenter Talbot John Y 3 Devonshire Farm Labourer Uprichard Joseph Y 3 Down Farm Labourer Walsh Henry Y Sussex Labourer Ward James Y 3 Down Farm Labourer
Single Men:
Bailey George Cheshire Farm Labourer
Benson James L. Yorkshire Farm Labourer
Branagh Thomas Antrim Farm Labourer
Brown Wm. Down Farm Labourer
Callan William Lanarkshire Ploughman
Campbell David Down Farm Labourer
Christie James Down Farm Labourer
Cromie John Down Farm Labourer
Doak James Down Farm Labourer
Duan John Tipperary Labourer
Duff William Ayrshire Shepherd
Easton George Yorkshire
Easton Samuel Yorkshire Bookbinder
Findlater Alexander Wigtonshite Ploughman
Finlay Samuel Down Laundress
Glover John Leicestershire Farm Labourer
Haskitt John Tipperary Farm Labourer
Hill Peter Middlesex Labourer
Hogan Michael Tipperary Labourer
Huddy Thomas Cornwall Farm Labourer
Hutchinson John Hy. Isle of Man Farm Labourer
Jebson David Yorkshire Labourer
Jebson Joseph Yorkshire Labourer
Jebson Richard Yorkshire Labourer
Johnston Philip Down Farm Labourer
Johnston James Down Farm Labourer
Johnstone Thomas Down Farm Labourer
Laffey Patrick Galway Farm Labourer
Livingstone Wm. Fifeshire Farm Labourer
Lyndon Thomas Cole Devonshire Farm Labourer
Macartney Hugh Antrim Farm Labourer
Macartney John Antrim Farm Labourer
Macartney Thomas Antrim Farm Labourer
Macartney Willism Antrim Farm Labourer
M'Auntley Travers Armagh Farm Labourer
M'Caw William Ayrshire Shepherd
M'Cullough Hugh Antrim Farm Labourer
M'Cullough John Antrim Farm Labourer
M'Cullough Thomas Antrim Farm Labourer
M'Cullough William Middlesex Tailor
M'Cullough William Antrim Farm Labourer
M'Cutcheon Hugh Down Farm Labourer
Morrissey Edmund Kerry Labourer
Price Samuel Down Farm Labourer
Rier Hans Down Farm Labourer
Rose Daniel Lanarkshire Joiner
Smellie Robert Lanarkshire Joiner
Stewart Robert Down Farm Labourer
Talbot George Devonshire Joiners
Talbot John Devonshire Joiners
Ward John Yorkshire School Master
Welch John Ayrshire Farm Labourer
Wetherall William Armagh Farm Labourer
Wilson Archibald Down Farm Labourer
Wilson Arthur Antrim Farm Labourer
Wood Benjamin Middlesex Labourer
Single women:
Atkinson Margaret Down Atkinson Mary Margaret Down Bennets Celia Ann Cornwall Bowie Agnes Domestic Servant Bowie Helen Domestic Servant Bowie Mary Domestic Servant Bradley Ellen Tyrone Domestic Servant Bradley Isabella Tyrone Domestic Servant Brown Jane Down Domestic Servant Brown Leitita Down Domestic Servant Carr Ellen Galway Domestic Servant Duan Eliza Tipperary Domestic Servant Easton Ann Yorkshire Domestic Servant Failey Fanny Down Domestic Servant Gainry Ellen Cork Laundress Hadrorn Mary Cumberland Domestic Servant Hanmer Sarah Ann Middlesex Housekeeper Jobson Elizabeth A. Yorkshire Henry Catherine Kirkudbrightshire Domestic Servant Johnstone Anne 1 Limerick M'Auntley Mary Armagh Domestic Servant Madden Mary Tyrone Domestic Servant Mahon Isabella J. Galway Domestic Servant Maxwell Kitty Tipperary Domestic Servant Moren Sarah Tipperary Domestic Servant Russell Mary Ann Tyrone Domestic Servant Skilling Sarah Down Needlewoman Smith Elizabeth Yorkshire Domestic Servant Talbot Ellen Devonshire Warner Eliza Suffolk Domestic Servant Warner Emma Suffolk Domestic Servant Watson Isabella Lanarkshire Dairywoman
Summary: Land: Farm labourers 55 General labourers 14 Ploughman 3
Stock: Shepherds 2 Iron: Blacksmiths 2 Wood: Carpenters 2 Joiners 2 Miscellaneous: Bookbinders 1 Plumber 1 Schoolmaster 1 Tailor 1 Single Women: Dairywoman 1 Domestic Servants 22 Laundress 1 Needlewomen 1
Cabin: 32 Couples: 30 Children: 50 Single men: 56 Single women: 32 My Total: 230 (missing 49)
A ship, which proved to be the Zealandia, with immigrants from London, was signalled at
midday on Thursday. The wind blowing fresh from the sou'west, she did not reach the heads
before nightfall. The passengers are all well. Two deaths occurred during the voyage.
Information above courtesy of Jean Price. Page created 3 Dec. 2000. Jean is researching her husband's great grandfather Samuel PRICE, who travelled as a sixteen year old. They are now in touch with a second cousin, once removed, who still lives on the original Price property in County Down.
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There is a diary (1862) by G. Fleming at the Otago settlers Museum and a copy at the Canterbury Museum Archives. The passenger list can also be found at the The Aotearoa New Zealand Centre, Christchurch City Libraries on microfilm. Press 26 June, 1862 and on the microfilm Immigrant ships to Canterbury 1853 -1885.
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A testimonial from passengers on board "The Zealandia" to Auckland dated 13th Feb, 1861 and signed by Chief Cabin Passengers.
Dear Sir ,
Allow us to offer you our most hearty congratulations upon the termination of our agreeable and prosperous voyage from England to New Zealand on board "The Zealandia" which left England on the 3rd day of November last, and of which vessel you are commander and part owner. We are happy to be able to say that the superior sailing qualities of your noble ship have been proved to demonstration, as with one exception only, she passed every other vessel which was seen travelling in the same direction as ourselves. Towards the conclusion of our journey we were becalmed for several days, otherwise it seemed probable that our voyage on the Zealandia would have been one of the most speedy ever accomplished. We have thankfully to acknowledge, the liberal manner in which our daily table had been supplied, as well as the great care which has been taken to render the ship as commodious as it is, and to reduce to the smallest amount, the discomforts inseparably attendant upon a long voyage. These commendations belong to myself as well as the other owners of "The Zealandia" in common with each other, but the main object we have now in view is, to assure you personally, how highly we estimate the kindness and suavity of manners you have at all times during our voyage displayed to us collectively as well as individually, as also (so far as our observation has extended) to all on board: whilst at the same time we admire the firmness you have shown when necessary in maintaining peace and good order in the Ship. To these qualifications inherent in yourself as Commander we must attribute in no small degree the meritorious conduct of your Officers and Crew and the regularity and decorum observable in the discharge of the daily business of the Ship. Our journey has been characterized by cheerfulness and harmony and altho such a state of things must almost entirely depend upon the conduct and temper of the Passengers themselves, yet it would be most unjust, if we were not to acknowledge how much we are indebted to Mrs Foster (your amiable Lady and our fellow passenger) for the success which has attended her constant endeavours to promote a feeling so agreeable. Finally we beg to assure you, that we shall always remember Your Name as connected with The Good Ship Zealandia with pleasure and reflect with pride on the qualities belonging to a true and kind hearted British Sailor.
Wishing you and all your family much success and happiness, we remain, Dear Sir, Yours very truly,
Geo. Pearson, William Atkin, W.H. Turner, K.H. Harman, Arthur Heather, Emma Turner, Charles Turner, Emma Turner Junr., John Laman, Jane Turner, Rutland Turner, Emily Turner, J.R. Knighte, Mary Turner, T.L.B. Lloyd, Eleanor Turner, R. Stewart, Olive Knighte, William Mann, Anne Francis Fayres?, H. Somervell, Catherine Mens, Fred Crowley, J.E. Mens, Sarah E. Crowley, W. Hobson, Robert Thompson Inglis, L. Hobson, W? Moon.
The original letter from which this information was
copied is in the possession of the grandchildren of Capt. Philip Foster. Courtesy of Elizabeth Foster. Posted 7 Oct. 2000.
This page may be freely linked to but not duplicated in any fashion, wholly or in part, except for private study.