ARRIVAL OF THE GERTRUDE
The Daily
Southern Cross February 10th 1863
Arrival of the 'Gertrude' - Last
evening at nine o'clock, the good ship Gertrude, 1300 tons, Captain J C Congdon, from
London, being the fourth vessel chartered for conveyanceto this port of Nonconformist
special settlers, anchored in the stream off the Queen-street Wharf. She has on board 365
passengers, and brings a general cargo of merchandise. She is 97 days from Gravesend, 95
from the Downs, and 91 from final start. She first sighted New Zealand on Friday. Two
births occurred on board and six deaths - five children; and a woman dying ten days after
confinement. Limited space will not permit our giving a more extended notice of the
vessel's passage in this day's paper. Mr D Nathan is the agent.
ARRIVAL OF THE GERTRUDE
The New
Zealander February 10th 1863
Yesterday evening about 5 o’clock, signal was
made for a ship inside Tiri Tiri , which turned out to be the Gertrude, Capgain J C
Congdon, 97 days from Gravesend and 91 from the Start.
Had a severe gale in the Channel, which was the only heavy weather
experienced throughout. Was 28 days fetching
the line. The first land made on the NZ coast
was Hokianga harbour which she fetched on Friday; making the North Cape on Saturday and
from thence had a fresh breeze from the N.Z. Capt
Congdon reports that he never experienced such a voyage of fine weather before. The ship has arrived in beautiful order; she brings
a total of 365 all told, chiefly Non-conformists and all in good health. There were 3 births and 6 deaths (five children and
one adult). Every one on board speaks in the
highest terms of Capt CONGDON and all his officers; testimonials were presented to them,
as also to the Doctor, Mr FISHER. Owing to the
lateness of the hour at which she fetched to her anchorage we are unable to give a
detailed report but full particulars will be publish in tomorrow’s issue as also the
testimonials. We regret we are unable to
obtain the names of the saloon passengers; they will appear in our next.
The following is our detailed report of the passage
of the ship Gertrude – left Gravesend on 4 November, the Downs on the 6th;
experienced very heavy weather in the Channel taking her departure from the Start on the
10th. Sighted Cape Antonio on 27
November, distance 30 miles. Caught the N.E.
trade which was moderate; passed outside the Cape de Verds and crossed the Equator on 7
December. The S.E. trade, which proved
variable and very light, was picked up. Passed
the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope on 27 December and ran down her longitude in the parallel
of 45 deg S, experiencing fine weather and passing a long way to the southward of Tasmania. The first land made on this coast was Hokianga
harbour which she fetched on Friday last and made the North Cape on the
following day; had a fine breeze from the N.E. down coast, arriving off the Little Barrier
on Monday afternoon. The whole passage seems
to have been one of fine weather throughout; the passengers have all arrived in good
health, no sickness whatever having occurred, although there were six deaths – five
infants, and one lady through child birth. The
following vessels were spoken – 26 November, ship Albenus from Glasgow bound
to Calcutta; 29 January ship Bengollen off Tasmania; 6 February ship Dawson
from Melbourne to Callao, 12 days out, and off the Northe Cape the schooner Amelia
(which arrived in harbour the same evening as the Gertrude). The Gertrude is a fine roomy ship of 1300
tons, built at St John’s, New
Brunswick, in 1853. she sails fast, judging by the number of miles
logged; her greatest day’s run was 254 miles which was done repeatedly. She has made a very fair passage. Being only 97 days from Gravesend and was off Van
Dieman’s Land on her 80th day out. The
ship has arrived in clean and creditable condition. The
names of the saloon passengers by this vessel appeared in our yesterday’s impression. On discharge of her inward cargo the Gertrude
proceeds to Bombay for which place she has a quantity of iron on board. The total number of passengers b y the Gertrude is 365. The
following is a list of their professions – 40 farmers; 5 drapers; 1 accountant; 1
dentist; 19 female servants; 1 merchant; 1 jeweller; 3 warehousemen; 2 millwrights; 1
gardener; 1 groom; 2 leather merchants; 7 clerks; 2 agents; 2 engineers; 16 labourers; 2
painters; 1 watchmaker; 3 blacksmiths; 1 dressmaker; 5 butchers; 1 mason; 2 millers; 8
carpenters; 1 mechanic; 3 joiners; 2 mariners; 1 ropemaker; 2 lacemakers; 7 farm servants;
1 pawnbroker; 3 printers; 1 chemist; 1 guager; 1 cook; 1 plasterer; 1 grocer; 1 shopman; 1
cabinetmaker; 1 schoolmaster; 1 tailor.
On the Gertrude nearing Auckland the passengers assembled and presented the
following testimonials:
Ship Gertrude, February 7 1863 (February 10 1863 in Daily Southern Cross)
To Capt Congdon
- Sir
– We, the undersigned passengers on board the above vessel, beg to offer to you our
thanks for the kind consideration you have shown for the health and comfort of all classes
committed to your care during the speedy and pleasant voyage from London to Aucklandunder your command.
We also tender our thanks for the unwearied attention you have paid to the
navigation of the vessel, as well as extreme sobriety of your conduct by which you have
set an example to all under your charge and we trust that peace, happiness and prosperity
will attend your future career.
[Here follow the signatures] New
Zealander
[Here follow 76 signatures] Daily
Southern Cross
Ship Gertrude, 4th February 1863
To Mr Allen Chief Officer
(First Mate) of the ship "Gertrude"
Dear Sir –
after a voyage from London of a most prosperous character, we the undersigned passengers
of the Gertrude cannot separate without expressing our thanks to you for the many kind
services you have rendered us and at the same time to congratulate ourselves in having so
able a seaman as second in command of the ship and to whose skill and experience, under
Divine providence, so much is owing that our course to Auckland will terminate so
favourably. With our hearty good wishes for
your health and welfare, we remain,
[Here follow the signatures] New
Zealander
[Here are appended 103
signatures] Daily Southern Cross
TO MR DUFF, SECOND OFFICER
Sir – We the undersigned
passengers by the ship Gertrude from London to Auckland, before landing desire to present our
sincere thanks to you for your very obliging and gentlemanly conduct towards all on board
and to express our best wishes for your happiness and future success. [Here follow the signatures]
TO R E FISHER, Esq, SURGEON
Sir – We the passengers on
board the Gertrude desire before separating to tender to you
our grateful thanks for your kind and unwearied attention during the voyage from London and to congratulate you on the success of your professional services. As a small token of our esteem we beg your
acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns. With
best wishes for your future prosperity and happiness, we remain, yours etc. [Here follow the signatures]
After these testimonials, which
were numerously signed, had been presented, suitable replies were made by each party
respectively.
ARRIVAL OF THE GERTRUDE
The Daily
Southern Cross February 11th 1863
We announced in Arrival of the
'Gertrude' - Last evening at nine o'clock, the good ship Gertrude, 1300 tons,
Captain J C Congdon, from London, being the fourth