14

up the anchor and the Tug took us in tow until
we got all sail on the ship, then the Tug left us. And we
shaped a course down the Irish Channel as far as the
wind would allow us. And we found she was a good old
ship, but unfortunately not a very fast sailer. So we got
clear of the land and shaped away for Dunedin, New Zealand
and unfortunately made a very long passage of one hundred
and thirty five days, before we sighted Otago Heads. And in
those days there was no tugs to tow you in to Port Chalmers
as that was the name of the seaport for Dunedin. there was
two passenger steamers that used to tow a ship in occasionally
But there was no of them about. so we had a fair wind in
and the Captain sailed her up near the mooring bouys and
dropped her anchor. as there was no even any pilots in those
days. So as soon as we got all her sails furled, we lowered
one of the working boats and ran a line to the mooring
bouys. And hove up our anchor. And hove the ship up
to the mooring bouys. And shakled on both cable chains
and moored her in a nice quiet and safe harbour.
then commenced the next day to get clear of all the passengers
in a little steamer that was chartered for the purpose. to
take those passengers up to Dunedin a distance of ten
miles. As there was no trains on the South Island in those
days. So after the passengers had gone we commenced to
get ready for the stevedores to discharge her cargo. and
that night a boats crew was ordered to man the boat and
run some of the custom house officers along with the ships officers
on shore. But unfortunately some of the boats crew could not be
found to bring the officers of to the Ship again. So they just had to
man the boat themselves and pull of from the jetty to the ship
so those men had bolted. and the captain didn't seem to
put himself about loosing some of his crew. So the next day I
says to one of my shipmates called David Emslite. What do you say
if we board the Captain. and see if he will pay us off with a shilling
a month. and a clean discharge. As we never intended to go
outside Otago heads with her again. and we thought it would