Otago Witness, Issue 1177, 20 June 1874, Page 3

Section 1: Port Chalmers & Harbour View

Very pleasant is an excursion to Quarantine Island on a fine day, when the placid waters of the harbour are bathed in sunshine, and ripple round many picturesque headlands, clothed with native verdure to their bases. On such a day Port Chalmers and its neighbourhood look their best, especially when viewed from seawards, and discover a rare commingling of nature unadorned, and nature embellished by the art and ingenuity of man.

Evidences of thriving prosperity, of the substantial progress of this land of our adoption, are apparent on all sides. Stately merchantmen in every stage of loading and unloading throng the harbour and line the jutting piers, whilst the scream of the railway whistle, the rattle of the heavily laden train, and the thud-thud of the paddles of the steamers which ply about the bay, tell the tale of the advance of science as applied to everyday affairs, and indicate that a share of the abundance of knowledge which pervades the world is not wanting here, and that man has profited and is profiting thereby.

The sea view of the Port is pleasantly contrasted by the smiling landscape with its patches of civilisation hewed out of the dense bush. There is the snug township, embracing a long range of suburban residences radiating from the central cluster of buildings, on the outskirts of which the temples reared by man's adoration and reverence to the Almighty Creator and Benefactor lift their tall spires heavenwards.

There are not many prettier places in the world than that stretch of the harbour extending from Carey's Bay to Portobello, and its beauties are seen to the best advantage if viewed in detail from water level when the tide is in. On the one hand, the Bay extends without a break for miles to the opposing shore of the long Peninsula, whilst, on the other, the shore line is indented with bays and coves, is dotted with houses and verdant gardens, and docks and shipbuilding yards, and is crowned with masses of dark, heavy bush, through which peep the grey faces of quarries, where the ring of the hammer and drill is heard, whilst every now and then the reverberating report of the powder blast tells of rocks riven that man may progress.

This is one section of the scene. Another opens up beyond Observation Point, where the harbour takes a sweep to the right, and, at first sight, appears to terminate in an extensive bay, at the far end of which a high headland projecting from the Peninsula seems to almost touch the ground upon which the Quarantine station is established. But a narrow strait, through which the tide rushes with great velocity, separates them, and as the station is approached the Quarantine Island, and its neighbour the Goat Island, become defined, and the idea of cul de sac is dissipated, for through the channel that separates them the harbour is to be seen extending far away Dunedinwards, whilst beyond the narrow strait above-mentioned, the white houses of Portobello appear in pleasing relief to the foliage in which they are embowered.

Port Chalmers Peninsula flanks this part of the harbour to the right, and is bedecked with many charming residences, which look down somewhat with contempt upon the new building that might be mistaken for a penitentiary, and which constitutes in itself the township of Goat Island, on which it has been recently erected for the accommodation of young men immigrants who may be unfortunate enough to fall into the meshes of quarantine. A narrow channel alone separates Goat Island from the Peninsula, and another of greater width—the main ship channel, in fact—separates Goat Island from Quarantine Island proper. Both islands are densely scrubbed, excepting where clearances have been effected; and we presume that Goat Island has been so named because it swarms with rabbits.

Section 2: Arrival & Washing-House

We were induced to pay a visit to Quarantine Island on Saturday for the purpose of generally inspecting the station, and also to ascertain what was the condition of the immigrants who had been transferred to it from the steamer Atrato. The opportunity, too, of inspecting the Barracks when occupied was not to be lost, because, as a rule, the island when inhabited is in strict quarantine; the existing circumstances were quite exceptional.

The landing-place is situated at the end of the island nearest to Portobello, and, we were pleased to observe, was in the course of being rendered worthy of the name by the addition of a wooden pier to the old stone causeway that for so many years sufficed, albeit very imperfectly, to serve the purpose. The new jetty will, when finished, at least render the Island comfortably accessible to boats and small steamers at any time of tide.

From the jetty a flight of steps, hewn out of the face of the hill, leads to a sloping plateau, upon which the principal in point of size and number of the quarantine buildings are erected. The first of these to catch the eye is the residence of Mr Dougall, officially designated the Barrack-Master, but whose occupation will be better understood if he is described as the person in charge of the Quarantine Station. He lives in a nicely constructed four-roomed cottage, built upon a bluff overlooking the bay. We, of course, applied to him in the first instance, and met with a ready acquiescence to our request that he would conduct us through the Station.

"Really," we observed, as we glanced around at the handsome buildings in sight, and the well-kept paths leading to them, "you have a very charming place here."

"Yes," he rejoined, "it is well enough now, but before those buildings"—pointing, as he spoke, to a large block which he termed the Main Barracks—"were erected, we were pushed for room. This," he continued, as we approached a low shed-like domicile, "was then one of the principal habitations. My family and I lived in one end of it, and the remainder of the space was devoted to the accommodation of cabin passengers. Now it is put to a variety of purposes. My old quarters are converted into a storeroom, and the other part is sometimes used as a luggage-room, and sometimes, as you see it at present, is converted into a washing-house."

The scene about the entrance and inside explained this remark. Groups of immigrant women, with one or two men amongst them, were elbow-deep in tubs of foaming soapsuds: the wash-up after the voyage was in progress. A dozen or two of children were also scattered about, and with their elders, looked the personification of health and robustness. Smiles and civility welcomed us, and our occupation being mistaken for that of officialdom, we were interrogated again and again as to whether the Government intended to soon remove the immigrants to town.

Strangers, in such a place, invariably prove a source of attraction, so that when we turned to leave the washing-shed, quite a crowd had gathered about the place, and a pleasant-looking crowd it was—men, women, and children were clean, stout, and to all appearances, strong and healthy, and, moreover, looked respectable. Upon the latter point our conductor spoke very decidedly. They were about the best looking immigrants he had had any dealings with; they were quiet, orderly, and gave no trouble.

"Was there any disease worth mentioning amongst them?" we enquired.

"Certainly not," he replied, "they were as healthy as could be desired; two children had died, it was true, but then the one was a weakly little thing, said to be consumptive, whilst the other had given way to cold and exhaustion, superinduced by a severe attack of measles on ship board."

Section 3: Main Barracks & Single Men's Quarters

From the luggage-shed we proceeded to the main barracks, which may be briefly described as three large buildings, two of them two-storeyed, and each opening into the kitchen in the centre. The buildings stand a little apart from each other, and are connected by a central shed that covers in the kitchen, scullery, cooks' room, &c.

Our inspection of the barracks commenced with the building set apart for the accommodation of single women. It is two-storeyed, and is fitted up on both floors with cabins, each of which contains four sleeping berths. Between the vestibule and the lower dormitory, there are a bath-room, lavatory, closets, &c. The lavatory is fitted up with rows of pewter basins, each having a water tap and a pipe in the bottom through which the dirty water escapes. The water is derived from iron tanks overhead, and the bath-room, plunge and shower, is also so supplied, and at the same time commands a hot water tap. The offices and building throughout were beautifully clean and neat. Ninety-eight single women can be accommodated in it.

On the opposite side of the kitchen, and standing in a line with the last building, is the one devoted to the accommodation of married people. Like the other, it is two-storeyed, and is fitted up with ranges of side rooms or cabins, one to each family. There are 24 of these—twelve on each floor, or six on each side, with a central passage. This part of the barracks was also clean and comfortable, and amply ventilated and lighted. The side rooms were also roomy, and so were those in the single women's building. The offices, lavatory, water-closets, bath-room were also similar.

The third building stands at right angles to the others, and is the eating room. It is a large commodious apartment, with a double brick fireplace in the centre, and furnished with ranges of tables and benches. It was occupied at the time of our visit by several of the immigrants and their children, all variously employed.

The centre of the barracks—the kitchen—we found a model of comfort and convenience. There was a double cooking range, and a bewildering paraphernalia of cooking appliances. A large scullery leads from it one way and a sort of pantry another. There is a large hot water boiler that supplies the baths and other parts of the establishment. The kitchen arrangements were perfect in their way, and entirely in keeping with the other parts of the main barracks, which have certainly been constructed on very liberal principles indeed. The water supply of the barracks is stored in iron tanks, of which there are 24, besides a large cistern of 4000 gallons capacity attached to the kitchen.

After inspecting the main barracks, we turned to a building at the rear of them, and which our conductor informed us was once the main barrack, but was now used as a residence for the single men. It was unfurnished, even lacked sleeping stretchers, the men having to shake down upon the floor. A large open fireplace stood at one end of the room, and the latter was open from end to end, and appeared to be rather superabundantly provided with doors and windows. It was a most uncomfortable looking place—very barnlike.

However, henceforth it will be only used for housing people during emergencies, inasmuch that, excepting they are fit subjects for hospital treatment, single men immigrants will find no footing on Quarantine Island, ample accommodation for as many as are likely to be quarantined at one time having been provided for them on the adjoining Goat Island. Still it is within the compass of probable contingencies, especially if immigration is to be forced at high pressure rate, that Quarantine Island may be flooded with unfortunates to a degree quite disproportionate to the accommodation at command for housing them; and we would therefore suggest the advisability of rendering the old barrack a little more fit than it is for occupation by human beings. Young men may be able to rough it, but married people with families, and women, ought to be differently provided for.

Section 4: The Hospital

From the main barracks, we proceeded to the hospital, over the hill. That is to say, we were about to instinctively follow our nose along a narrow path leading over the hill, when our conductor suggested that we should take a new path, which he modestly remarked he had recently constructed round the hill—and a very good gravelled path we found it to be.

In one place, by its side, was a commodious rustic bench, open to the sun, and sheltered behind by the growing bush. "I made that bench," said Mr Dougall, "for the convenience of the convalescents; the poor things like to sun themselves, and it commands a pretty view." This remark was accompanied by a sweep of the arm towards Portobello, which was plainly in view across the mile or so of intervening water that rippled and glinted as the sunlight danced upon it, save where dark shadows were cast by the projecting bluff that forms one side of the bay at the bottom of which nestles the town of Portobello.

"You sometimes rig a tent here," we remarked, as we pointed to a familiar-looking frame that stood on an excavation on the lower side of the path.

"That, sir," he replied, "is where the constable lives when we have one here. Ah, I don't know what we should do without one sometimes, for although as a rule the people who come here are orderly, yet there are exceptions. Them Brogdenites is the worst. There was a nice crowd came in the Christian M'Ausland. I should have been lost without a constable to assist me."

"Fighting, eh?" we suggested.

"Fighting!" he rejoined. "Indeed yes; and the women were worse than the men—a bad lot, truly. However, it isn't often that we are troubled like that."

The pathway led to the top of the ridge, where the hospital is situated. It is an imposing building—lofty and well built—and comprises two wards, each about 26 feet long by 18 feet wide, and, say, 16 feet high. The arrangements for ventilation are perfect, and each ward is provided with an open fireplace, and each connected with a central range of offices, comprising closets, bath rooms (hot and cold water), and lavatories. Beyond these again are the kitchen, dispensary, surgery, doctor's room, and the nurse's room. The wards are merely furnished with the ordinary folding up stretchers, but looked exceedingly comfortable for all that, and also cheerful.

"Had the wards ever been fully occupied?" enquired we.

"Never," said Mr Dougall, "and I hope they never will be."

There appeared to be about room for twelve patients in each ward, although a few more might be squeezed in on a pinch. We did not fail to notice the primitive character of the quarters provided for the medical man who may happen to be in charge. They consisted of two very small rooms, absolutely unfurnished, excepting a deal table and bench in the one, and a stretcher, suggestive of anything but easy repose, in the other.

The kitchen was large and well appointed, and so was the dispensary—at any rate there seemed to be plenty of medicine of one kind and another on the shelves, with brass bound cases of sinister aspect, and splints, bandages, lint, &c. Indeed the hospital appointments throughout were commendable, save and except the water supply, which does not exceed 4000 gallons, stored in iron tanks, and is dependent on the rainfall.

The hospital was not entirely unoccupied at the time of our visit. Death was there, his chill grasp resting on the remains of a little child who had died on the previous day. The body lay in a rough deal coffin in one of the wards, and when the lid was lifted the placid, wax-like features of what had been an engaging girl were revealed.

"And the cause of her death," observed a medical friend who accompanied us, "was—?"

"She is supposed to have died of consumption, Sir," said Mr Dougall. "She was a pretty little thing, but very delicate, and had not suffered from measles on board ship. She is to be buried to-morrow. There is another dead child at the convalescent ward, where, if you please, we will now go."

Section 5: Convalescent Ward, Reservoir & Cemetery

To the convalescent ward we accordingly proceeded. Once it was the hospital proper, and is situated a good stone's-throw from the main building. We found it inhabited by a family of whom the dead child was once a member. Decent, substantial people they looked, and, according to their own showing, were natives of Jersey; the man a baker by trade, with a portly, smiling helpmate, and several children; we really omitted to count them. All, however, wore the livery of good health and strength.

"A healthier family there never was, gentlemen," said the woman, "and but for the horrid scroodging on board that Atrato, and the heat of the donkey-boiler, which was close to our berths, I believe we should not have lost our little one. The poor child took the measles, and didn't seem able to rally afterwards—when we landed here died of cold or something."

In reply to an interrogatory, the man said they were very well treated on the voyage, and had nothing to complain of excepting the crowding, and also, that "they could not always get food prepared for the children. There was a deal of favouritism shown at the galley."

Man and wife were exceedingly communicative, and after the children had disposed of a large bowl of porridge of some kind upon which they were engaged when we entered, they sidled about their parents and looked on according to their wont.

The convalescent ward is a low building of one floor, and subdivided into three apartments, of which one is used as kitchen and eating-room. Considered as an abode for convalescents, it appeared to us to be a questionable kind of a place for the purpose—ill-arranged and small, it certainly was the size, being only 30 feet in length by 15 feet wide, whilst the rooms wore a higgledy-piggledy air. The season of convalescence is, perhaps, as critical, or more so, than any other period of an invalid's illness, and excessive care, to prevent a relapse, is demanded in the majority of cases. Hence particular care ought to be lavished upon patients during the convalescent stage, outward influences should be studied, and every practicable comfort bestowed.

We are of opinion that the convalescent ward is not a place suitable for the purpose it is put to. A larger building, more conveniently arranged internally, is demanded. It should be provided with a reading-room, with chess and draughts, and a common bagatelle table would not be out of place in it. The convalescent ward at the Quarantine Island reminded us of a bush accommodation house of the old days of Australia. Upon entering it we instinctively glanced upwards to where the sign-board might have been, with its inscription of Travellers Rest, or the Jolly Diggers, or Shepherd's Home.

The ward commands a pretty view of the harbour, and is placed close to the wide road that has been cleared through the scrub, and winds along the ridge and round the west side of the island towards the ship channel. The island rises in that direction, and forms a high hill, the summit of which must be a couple of hundred feet above the level of the hospital.

"That hill is the spot for a water reservoir, Sir," said our conductor. "Mr Miller proposed to have one constructed there, and to have pipes leading from it to the hospital and main barracks. It would have given a fine pressure in case of a fire, and then we should never be short of water, which we are sometimes. You see," he continued, "there is tank storage for about 21,000 gallons, which at first sight seems a lot; but, bless you, when people come ashore here after a long voyage they soon make it fly in washing clothes. I have had to put a stop to washing when water ran low, and sometimes we have to obtain water from Port Chalmers, and that, you know, comes expensive. What is needed is a good large reservoir on that hill. The water shed is not very extensive, it is true, but the reservoir would fill in a month or two, and once full would, with the tanks, be ample for all ordinary purposes. Yes, there has been a good bit of clearing done here," he rejoined; "I cut the most of it away myself. Perhaps you would like to see the cemetery."

We promptly assented, and were conducted along the road to another that led to about half way down the east side of the Island; and there, surrounded by the dead and living bush—its only enclosure—reposed "God's acre." No stately monuments elaborately sculptured and inscribed, were to be seen there; but instead the places of the dead were marked by modest mounds of earth that lacked even the simple garnishing that, where the means to provide more assuming trappings of remembrance are wanting, are so often bestowed by loving hands. Only four of the graves were fenced in, and provided with head boards, two of them being where the remains of two of Mr Dougall's children lay, whilst in the other, a dual grave, rest the bodies of two young women who died aged 20 and 17 respectively. But the other graves were not entirely unmarked. At the head of each of them was a small slip of board with the name of the deceased written on it.

"I marked most of them myself, sir," said Mr Dougall; and, as we turned to leave the spot he observed: "There are forty-one bodies buried there, most of them children."

Section 6: Departure & Conclusion

With the cemetery terminated our inspection of Quarantine Island. But one other little scene had to be enacted, and although trying to the feelings we shrank not from it but performed our duty manfully.

"Would we step into the cottage," said Mr Dougall.

We assented, and found ourselves in a snug comfortably furnished apartment with a presiding divinity in the form of a buxom dame.

"Visitors," observed Mr Dougall, with a sly twinkle of the eye, "do sometimes run the risk of infection here. Perhaps the doctor," at the same time nodding to my companion, "would prescribe."

The doctor did so, and presently two bottles—one labelled Ol: Junip:; the other G: Ammon:—were placed on the table, and their contents having been duly administered by our friend of the faculty, we shook hands with our host and hostess, and were soon once more afloat, and on our way back to Port Chalmers.

In conclusion we may state that the result of our visit to the Island was, altogether, satisfactory. There was not a case of sickness of any kind under treatment, and the whole of the immigrants who were located there looked the personification of vigorous health.

Diary of Christen Christensen

A passenger onboard The Palmerston

Written and translated from Danish

July 1872

• 21st July: Arrived in Hamburg.

• 29th July: Left Hamburg. Two children died in Hamburg.

August 1872

• August 1: Entered into North Sea in heavy storm; nearly everybody seasick.

• August 4: One little child dead. Strong head wind, which drove the ship backwards for a good number of miles, which nearly brought the ship on the Cliffs of Heligoland.

• August 6: Entered the English Channel.

• August 7: Dropped anchor opposite Dover on the coast.

• August 8: Left the Channel in fine weather and fair wind from the North.

• August 9: A female child born by an unmarried woman from Jutland.

• August 10: Bad behaviour of two German girls who went to bed in the evening with two of the ship's sailormen. It came before the Captain, who went to the sailors' quarters with a whip in his hand and laid it on pretty heavy on the cohabiters in bed. The unlucky poor girls had to leave the sailors' sweet company with the only garment of a nightdress and had to wait for their clothing till late next morning. Small quantities of black rye bread were supplied to each platoon or ward, and then dog biscuits. All our black bread we had from Hamburg is consumed by this time; only liquid now. Wind West.

• August 14: We are now in the Atlantic Ocean with good wind from the West.

• August 15: One little child dead; the parents belong to Sweden.

• August 23: A female child dead; belongs to Sealand's parents. South East wind. We can at this time see fishes double the size of horses.

• August 24: One little child dead, belonging to Polish parents.

• August 25: Last night we came into trade wind, and the passengers therefore had some enjoyment as a number of rockets and other fireworks were sent heavenward. We passed today the Island of Madeira. Now we have sailed one month, and have a steady eastern wind.

  One man dead today belonging to Norway. He was a widower and had 4 children. The three he left in Christiania and the fourth, which was 10 years of age, was on board.

  With him, a rumour was circulated amongst the passengers that the man had been stealing a bottle of poison from some person on board so as to poison himself thereby. But that was not so—that was done so as to hide away the real fact, which was done by one of the stewards on board who had to attend to the fumigation of all the occupied quarters below the main deck. It was done once a week by ordering all the passengers below up onto the main deck for the time of fumigation, and the steward's duty was to see everybody had left below before he started the steaming or rather smoking, and to see all hatches and ventilators closed up so as to keep all the fumes from escaping. Then the steward brought down two or three buckets of Stockholm tar and placed them on a grating and lighted a coal fire so as to bring the contents to boil for about an hour.

  But the steward had overlooked to see into the beds so as to make certain that all the people were out; and they were not, because this Norwegian was still in his bed sleeping. Afterwards, when the people went down again, the man was discovered dead in his bed—of suffocation, no doubt, from the strong poisoned gases from the boiling tar.

  Some ugly rumour soon passed amongst the passengers relating to the poor man's death, that gave the Captain some concern, as he did not like to have an investigation of the unlucky circumstances after the arrival in New Zealand, because he would know it would likely be a serious matter for him and the steward. Therefore, he told the people on board that it was his intention to take the boy belonging to the dead man to bring him up himself, as he had no children. That promise gave satisfaction to some of the passengers, not knowing the devious side of that promise by the Captain. The boy (later noted) was kept on board the ship until the last day before going away; then the boy was told that he was to travel along with some person to serve in Oamaru district and to have a different name instead of his own. That was meant so he could not be traced by any of his ship's companions—so ended that honourable promise of a German ship's Captain.

• August 27: Died my lovely little daughter, Annabel Christensen, at 11:00 pm after 5 weeks' illness. She was born on the 12th of December 1870 and was 1 year, 8 months, and 15 days old.

September 1872

• September 9 (Monday): Died a four-year-old child born in Thyland, north part of Jutland. These people had two children and both have died on the ship.

• September 12: Dead a three-year-old child belonging to Polish parents.

• September 16: A Norwegian girl gave birth to a stillborn child.

  We are nearly over the strong hot climate which is just the middle center between the North and South Poles called the Sun Line. Our passage across that Godforsaken part of our travel lasted almost for three weeks, and full of suffering for a good many of the passengers.

  The first part of the three weeks was very still—scarcely a breath of wind—and in consequence thereof did the rigging of ropes and tackle stretch and constantly slack and therewith make an intolerable noise, to such an extent that it seemed that the whole rigmarole would break down; and so did the topyard on the main mast. It was brought on deck in two pieces in the awful rolling of the ship on account of the heavy seas.

  But the worst of all was that our water tanks were almost empty at these times, and the little which was left got rotten of the abominable heat and was churned backward and forward in the tanks. Then there was the rust from the old iron chains, so a good dose of vinegar was put down in the few buckets of water so as to take away the bad taste of rust; for all that, it was a horrible drink. It made even coffee or tea smell and taste rotten. A lot of people could be seen after drinking to spit and cough for to cleanse their mouth.

  But the last half of their ungodly time was a relief so far as water is concerned, because it started with a downpour of rain like it came from a sluice gate. Men and boys undressed themselves and laid down on the deck for a warm bath and drank rainwater till they were nearly bursting. Canvas was spread in the lower rigging so as to catch the rainwater for the tanks.

• September 17: We saw cliffs of stone as big as an ordinary City—that was what is called St. Paul's Rock, Height 3,042 ft. A young single man dead.

• September 18 (Wednesday): My wife has born us a daughter at half-past eleven last night.

• September 29: Very calm.

October 1872

• October 2: Today's sailing has been very slow as the wind is coming from the West, which is against our course. Just now it blows almost in full force and heavy waves dash against the ship and some of them come aboard. A person cannot stand or go without holding on to something. During the day heavy snow has been coming down. It is the first snow we have seen on this side of the Equator.

• October 5: It is very cold. We must take to our woolen garments and underwear. We have still stormy weather in the passage at the southwest coast of Africa, which is called the Cape of Good Hope (or in Danish det Gode Haabs Forbjerg), but of course the ship was perhaps 400 or 500 miles out in the ocean at the time.

• October 6: There was some misunderstanding between Danish and Norwegian companions against some Germans.

• October 7: Last night at 2 o'clock died a boy of one and a half years belonging to Sealand parents, Yensen by name. The little fellow had been ill for about three weeks.

• October 11: A girl born by a Polish married woman.

• October 29: Died a girl by name of Serinne, belonging to some place in Jutland.

November 1872

• November 1: A son is born to a Swedish man's wife. My son Christian has been laid up in the Hospital for 8 days suffering from scarlet fever, but will soon be well again.

• November 3: My son Christian is out from Hospital today. A Polish married woman has born a female child.

• November 8: Died a boy seven and a half years old; his parents come from Jutland.

• November 13: Died a one-and-a-half-year-old boy belonging to Polish parents.

  Until today's date, 17 children are born and 15 dead in this ship all told, out of less than 300 passengers, and far from the end of the voyage.

  It is today the Captain's Birthday, consequently a great flare-up in the evening: all the men got a big knobbler of brandy and the womenfolk got wine, the children each a packet of currants and prunes, and afterwards dancing and also some sing-song. For all that, the corpse of a boy was laying ready to be sent to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. But he was put at the one end and the dancing was at the other end of the married passengers' saloon.

  I will give a little description of the interior of that Compartment which serves for bedrooms, dining room, sitting room, tea room, and I may mention dressing room also—and in bad weather as laundry. Therefore it cannot be wondered at that so many unlucky children have to go overboard.

  And the worst of all: in extra bad weather, the Gangway from below onto the deck is always blocked by fastening the hatches over the stairwell to prevent seawater and heavy rain from coming down into the Saloon, which contains first, second, and third class passengers, but no distinction in the crowd. We are all as one in our unhappiness and painful surroundings, because here in this ship are happenings going on which can baffle and astonish the most astute person. Our Quarter/Saloon is midship, about 130 feet long and the full width of the ship (40 ft).

  The bunks—or shall I call them beds—are on the two-and-two principle, one above the other, and 3 ft 6 in broad, but how long I will not mention. In front of all the beds are nice seats made of pine boards, no doubt for comfort. The dinner tables are constructed so as to be hung up under the deck to allow more floor space when not needed to serve for our dainty menu or meals. The seats along the tables, for we have no chairs, are top-heavy and cannot stand by themselves when they are not lashed by weight of occupation when heavy seas are running, and that is almost every day and night. This is called the Pacific Ocean, but oh what a misnomer—truly.

  The single men's habitation is forward of ours, and girls or unmarried women just behind. The reverse would not do, as the crew occupy the forward part, and the Captain, the Doctor, and other officers as well, alongside the Hospital and Chemist Shop.

• November 17: A girl is born to a Shetland parent.

• November 27: A girl born to Polish parents.

• November 29: We had a narrow escape as the ship, in a dense dark spell, was within a few feet of a towering cliff which the Captain stated in the morning was not marked on the sea chart. If the ship had got in touch with the rock, there would likely not have been anybody left to tell the horrible result of such a casualty, because the ship at the time was running under full pressure with all sails set in a half storm on account of fair wind blowing right into every stick of canvas on the four masts. It was stated by the sailors that the ship for the last 36 hours had been running fully 19 Miles per hour; at such a speed, hitting the rock would result in the ship going to atoms.

December 1872

• December 4: A child dead, belonging to married parents from Thyland in North Jutland. Also a middle-aged girl from Bavaria; she had been laid up in the Hospital nearly the whole voyage.

• December 5: Great joy on board as we can see New Zealand, but unfortunately no wind to bring the ship forward.

• December 6: A Steamer is in sight which will take our ship into Port Chalmers Harbour. Here is beautiful forest on both sides of the Harbour where the birds are singing and cattle are grazing on grass amongst the trees. We have received provisions from Dunedin consisting of fresh white bread, milk, bacon, vegetables, also liberality of freight and good fresh water.

• December 16: Two families who had each a sick child were sent from the ship to Quarantine on a small island near Port Chalmers.

• December 24: We left the ship for the Emigrants' Barracks, Princes Street, Dunedin, and had dancing and music there for Christmas Eve, after a fortnight's spell on board with a liberal supply of victuals from Dunedin.

Historical Records & Extracts

Polish Births

(From information received from family & school records, with dates supplied from the diary of Christen Christensen)

• 1872, October 11th: Girl (Married woman) – Mary Buchols

• 1872, November 3rd: Girl (Married woman) – Mary Kowalewska

• 1872, November 27th: Girl (Polish parents) – Martha Michalska

Polish Deaths

• 1872, August 24th: Little child

• 1872, September 12th: 3-year-old child

• 1872, November 13th: 1-year-old boy

Contemporary Newspaper Extracts

Otago Witness, 14th December 1872

"The Christian McAusland from London, and the Palmerston from Hamburg, both with a large number of immigrants, arrived at Otago Heads, the former on the 5th inst., and the latter on the 6th. On enquiry, the Health Officer learned that there was a case of scarlatina on board the Christian McAusland, and she was at once placed in quarantine.

On the arrival of the Palmerston, it was found that a number of deaths from typhoid fever and scarlatina had occurred during the voyage, and that there was one patient still ill, supposed to be suffering from scarlatina. (This, however, was found a few days later to be a mistake). The vessel was therefore towed to an anchorage off the Heads Spit till admitted to pratique.

As there is no housing accommodation on the small island, bunks for the single men have been fitted up in several lighters, which are moored off the island. Another case of scarlatina having been reported on Monday, the Health Board resolved to have lighters fitted up with sleeping apartments, and to take the whole of the Palmerston's passengers to the spit, the lighters to be grounded at high water, and the people to have easy access to the shore, so that they could ramble about. Tents have also been provided for any ailing ones, so as to keep them apart from the healthy passengers. Everything is being done to check the disease, and make all our quarantine prisoners as comfortable as possible under the circumstances."

Otago Witness, 14th December 1872

"We are informed that the Dunedin German Society, the Deutscher Verein, sent, through Mr. Colin Allan, a quantity of fruit, &c., to the children on board of the Palmerston. Mr. Marsh, of the Harbour Office, also kindly sent them a box of balls."

Otago Witness, 21st December 1872

"...As regards the Palmerston, some of the passengers were removed to the quarantine hospital, and the remainder of the immigrants to lighters prepared for them off the small island vacated by the single men per Christian McAusland. But the doctor of the ship, after inspecting the accommodation provided in the lighters, disapproved of it; and the passengers becoming aware of the fact, and having every confidence in him, declined to take advantage of the hulk accommodation.

The authorities then decided to allow the passengers to remain on board the ship till the end of the term of their imprisonment, with the exception of the family to which the person suffering from sickness belongs, and which has been removed to the best of the lighters. The Palmerston is well fitted up, clean, and comfortable, and all on board enjoy good health. The passengers get an unlimited supply of the best provisions, including bread, fresh meat, tea, sugar, butter, milk, vegetables, potatoes, barley, and rice. The liberal dietary scale makes them somewhat reconciled to their lot."

Otago Witness, 28th December 1872

"The German and Scandinavian passengers per Palmerston were admitted to pratique on Monday, and brought to town by the first trip of the P.S. Golden Age. They look a fine, tall, and healthy lot. The families from this ship who have been infected with scarlatina are located at the small island, the two cases affected being looked after in isolated tents on the island, while the others are located in lighters in attendance."

Otago Witness, 11th January 1873

"I have a few more remarks to make about the 'little people', and I am glad that this time they are of a pleasant character. In common with many more, I was not a little interested and amused the other evening by seeing a number of the German women who lately arrived in Dunedin standing with their children outside a toy-shop, and eagerly gazing at its contents. The children were in ecstasies, clapping their hands with pleasure at the sight of the toys, while the mothers—well, they seemed, if that were possible, to be even more happy than their children, at seeing them so delighted. I wish a Dickens or a Hans Christian Andersen had passed by at that moment. He would have done the scene justice. I can't."

Bruce Herald, 21st January 1873

"East Taieri (From our own Correspondent)

The German immigrants, especially the feminine sex, are not being very well taken care of by our Government, if the following is a sample. On Thursday last, a young woman who could not speak a word of English—a Dane, I think—was sent out to the Taieri with a couple of slips of paper about 1 inch wide, bearing the names of two farmers, one in the East and the other in the West Taieri, to seek for a situation from either. But not being able to speak English, no one could direct her, and so she wandered up and down the road until mid-day, when some persons saw her who managed to make out what was wanted, and put her into the cart of one of the parties whose name was on one of the slips.

The slips did not bear any signature, so that no one is to blame in particular, but there is reason to believe she came from the depot. Surely if they are worth bringing out here they deserve better treatment than that accorded to this one; and this is not, I believe, a solitary instance of the paternal care shown to the new importation, the Germans."

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1872 Dec 6, Friday

Reported myself to Mr Allan, Immigration Officer, as ready to commence my duties as Baracks Master Dunedin.

Sat 7th

Received instructions from Mr Allan to go into Quarantine with the passengers per Christian McAusland to take charge of and serve out Stores. Arrived at the Island about 5 p.m., great confusion and a fight before bedtime.

8th Decr Sunday

Miserable night, wind blew right through the Building. No sleep all night [with] Constable and D Miller. A wet day, nothing but discontent and the usual growl all round.

Monday Dec 9th

Slept well, did not feel the wind in consequence of hanging calico round our stretchers. Carpenters came back to resume work, having slept in their [house] had to gather up my traps, and Quite Decided to sleep in the Store Room and Milk all turned Sour as soon as brought on the Island. Complaint about deficiency of stores got a pretty good supply during the day and in consequence the people more contented. Board of Health visited the Island today. No new case having broke out we hope to be out in 3 weeks. There is a decided improvement in the People in their Language and appearance but some of Brogdens [men] and their [wives] are very low and most of them come from England. I am ashamed of them, they Disgrace the old Country, [greedy and] ungreatful, I have not heard them sing individually or collectively. How different when I was in Quarantine 9 years ago the people used to sing from morning till night. I trust they will improve.

Tuesday 10th

No case has broken out since we have been here and all things are going on more satisfactory as a whole, except in 2 cases, one the case of a young Woman suffering from white swelling in the knee, Dr thinks she will not leave the Island, the other a little girl who caught a severe cold which settled in her throat. I have just spoken to her Father who told me she said today she was going to heaven to see her little Brother who died on the voyage after a short illness — if they loose the Girl they will be Childless. I have seen several children who have had the Fever, also one man, they Look very sickly and their skin peels off and this is the danger, the particles of skin are no doubt floating in the air and hanging about their clothes. Their clothes are to be burnt tomorrow and I have received instructions from the Board of Health to value them, this is not a pleasant thing to do but I will try to do what is right for all parties. Dr Miller in walking round the ground caught a man thrashing his wife, she in return swore at her husband, the case was reported to the Dr who said "Ho, this is nothing new," on the way out the men were constantly knocked their wives down and jumped upon them. M was rather officious today over the [sergt] who put him Down Beautifully. I have not received that consideration from the Dr which I had a right to expect, and Miller told things which were spoken in confidence about the newspaper, the newspapers were prohibited as having a bad effect on the passengers. I stated to M it was my duty to obey and I would strictly carry out the order but in my Judgment I differ from him as a most unheard of thing, so he thought to put me down but he found he had got a very tough customer. Snubbing went on more plentifully even before the Board of Health but today I am most happy to say we are becoming more friendly, he began to see that I know something about Quarantine regulations, my past 2 years experience is of great value to me.

Wed Dec 11th

The Dr reports a case of scarlet fever today the first that has occured since the passengers came here so we are sure to remain 3 or 4 weeks from this date. We have received our first Lot of Government Stores today. A carpenter cut his leg, I got my arnica applied some and Bandaged it up for him, he appeared very greatful. 24 sheets of Iron blew off a Tempory Building, we are thankful no one was hurt seriously. Mrs Duguld was knockd down and seems to hav got a bad shaking, her finger was cut which I [bond]ed up for her. The Dr pointed out a woman to me as being the worst Devil on board the ship. She heard him and said nothing to the contrary. They are many of them a Blackguard Lot, I had a very great difficulty to get them to carry up their own food from the jetty, they are so lazy. There was a great cry out this afternoon that the water was nearly out, we stop all washing. Mrs [Blesby] hoisted a lynch and the police boat came and an order was sent for water. I had a very long job today weighing Tea Sugar and Butter for one week for the passengers, their conduct is improving, the Dr says he cannot understand it, they are so Different now.

Thursday Dec 12 (10 p.m.)

Capt Thompson came this morning in the Pensular at 7 a.m. Told us that the present board of Health has been superceded by another, that the genl Government were not satisfied. That no unnecessary expense is to be incured. I have no Doubt that we shall have new regulations. Julia[n] who supplied us 9 years ago with Water fill our Water Tanks this Morning so Washing Tea Making and Cooking may go ahead now.

Miss Forbes the matron in charge of the girls, she is well able to Look after herself, she got her meat for dinner from me and also sent to the cook and got 2 Chops and Dr allows her 2 Eggs and a pint Milk Daily and this dose not seem half enough for her capacious appetite. Received letter from wife. Will and Mr — the Flowers Mr Murray sent me I took round and showed the People, who were Delighted to see such Beautiful Flowers, I clap them up to their noses, and they almost danced with satisfaction. I then sent them up to the Hospital for the patient with the white swelling. Short of Bread today, I counted my Loaves, only had one pound for each adult and the Grumbling was not more than I expected. I require 73 four pound loaves and all I had to give them was 47. They are allowed it 1½ per day. How can I give it them if it is not sent, I am afraid we have another case of Fever, a child, I shall hear about it tomorrow. A Boat came off, Capt C with 18 loaves, I Distributed it immediately, and with a few pounds of Potatoes managed to satisfy them pretty well.

Friday 13 1872

Capt Thompson came at 7 a.m. in the Pensular, brought our Bread and meat, 70 Loaves. I am thankful we are all right for Bread today, meat and Potatoes were all served and by eleven the Child suspected yesterday has turned out to be a fever case and of course sent to The Hospital, the place were the child slept has been thoroughly Fumigated with Chlorine Gas. The Dr seems to take a great interest in his patients. Yesterday he shot a Rabbit the day before, and sent them to the young woman in the Hospital. The Sergent Mr Blesby is a great service to us, he maintains his position in a very Gentlemanly manner, He is respected by us all and he deserves it. I receive very great kindnefs from Mr & Mrs Dougell. The Sergt has his pitched tent in a suitable place and has borad up with the Word Police. I hear the passengers by the Palmerston are likely to be free before ourselves. D Miller has been in contact with one of the Hospital Patients. He took money from the Patient, an old man, and brought it down to Mr Dougell, to purchase tobaco for him, and when I remonstrated with him he said he would take the Money back to the old man, thus breaking the Quarantine Regulations twice in one day. For the Goat Hunt I must refer to a letter Sent Home.

Saturday Decr 14

Capt Thompson, Dr O'Donnoghue came over about six this morning. In the Pensular, Bread and meat came, I am still short of Bread I require 73 loaves and on Thursday I only received 16 Loaves. On Wednesday I received 3 Bags of Bread from Dunedin and it was not enough for 2 days even with the 18 Loaves sent from the Port, and I have been short every day since. The Dr wrote to the Board of Health telling them that they treated him in the parsimonious manner, "Quite different, quite different to that he received on Board the Ship and in the Australian Colonies." He told them that the articles he ordered were not sent promptly and he hoped in future to receive that consideration which he Had a right to expect. His letter had the following effect: an apology, Ham, new potatoes, sausages, Leg of Mutton, Cheese — after this he appeared satisfied. Bye the bye I had a parcel sent to me as Store Keeper, Leg of Mutton and some sausages [HG]. I heard the young men were to be liberated on Monday and the Palmerstone passengers were to be put on that Island. I have received a full compliment of Bread today and the passengers are satisfied. The Young woman is not expected to live through the night, a change has taken place. Dr said 3 Gallons of water came from her and he could not account for it. Came and filled our water Tanks. Dr has very grand views concerning good Breeding and Blood — if a man has got good Blood in his veins even if he is illegitimate he is to be prefered to one of Low origin born in Wedlock. I combated the argument, quoted Major Richardson and the Poetry, "Honour and Shame from no condition rose, Act well your part, there all the Honour lies." He evidently is disgusted with the free and easy manner of the Colonials. Went to bed about eleven.

Sunday Decr 15/72

Capt Cumming came over this morning with a matrefs and pillow, if the Doctor is correct the poor girl will not want it for long. I gave yesterday a man's wife some pain killer, she was suffering from Diarhoeha, Drs medicin failed, PK cured her. This evening the young woman is somewhat revived. This afternoon a man tharashed his wife because she was not Quick enough in reaching his food from the Schelves, Sargt put him Down at once, soon after two Women were falling out close to my window, I ordered them to separate. The little Girl with the abcess looked better today. A young Man named Tapp is a consumptive, his Lungs are gone, he seems better since he has been here, he gets new Milk, Eggs, Wine and Brandy, Dr thinks he will not recover. I missed the service very much today, no one was thoughtful to send us suitable reading for the day.

Monday 16/72

Capt Cummin came at the usual time this Morning, Brought [letter] and C went and fetched our milk. Dr O'Donoghue came over to tell us that the Patients on Board the Palmerston were to be landed here, when the Men and Women became aware of it they got into a rage and swore that they would not allow them to land the Patients, soon after Capt Thomson came with stretchers and the men went down and told him what they intended to do if they attempted to Land the Patients. By this time the Pensular was coming from the Palmerston with the Patients, the excitement among the People was intense, so Capt Thompson had to Hurry back to the Pensular and the result is the Patients will not be landed here.

Tuesday 17/72

Last night the Dr told us about bed, it was likely a woman would be confined and he had no place for her except the Surgery just above, we were not interrupted, and today a large Tent is to be pitched with all speed. The Goat Hunt has made the Dr very poorly, in fact he is afraid he is going to have the fever, I hope not, we shall be in a Dilemma if he dose. Yesterday finding that I had sufficient meat for two days I served out two Days rations of meat accordingly, I have not required meat from shore today and sent word to that effect yesterday and none came, one man brought his meat back this morning because it was Fly Blowed, it had been in his possession 24 hours, he has a lot to learn About the Blow Flies of N.Z. Saw the little girl this evening, took her two Pictures and some nice Pudding, she was very Pleased with the Pictures and I think she is somewhat better. I took the young man Tapp his Eggs, he is very ill today, told me he had been vomiting Blood, which I saw. An other Child is very poorly, this evening the Dr too is still very ill, I hope he will not take the Fever, a very large Tent has been pitched for the confinement. Had a good stock of provisions sent today, served out Tea.

Wednesday 18th

The Pensular is knocked off, Capt Cummin came over in a waterman Boat, Dr is still very poorly but he manages to see his Patients and we see him once or twice a day. Dougall and Sergt is very busy today fumigating the Building, they say it will take them all the week to do them.

The Heating Apparatus dose not answer, it was tried two days ago. It was heated up to 210 (Boiling Heat) and it Burnt some beding, at this heat to Destroy the infection it is necessary it should be as high as 220 & 30. The Washing still goes on, I have just commenced my fourth Box of Soap. One of the Children taken with the fever here last, was out in the Hospital ground today. I hear favourable accounts of the young woman (Grace), the porter told me she was Mending. Tapp is very ill today, I think Dr has changed his medicin.

The little Girl (Connor) with the Bad throat is somewhat better, the People hope to get away on Saturday.

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