Robert Lees 1875 Diary

N.M. 845. The Nautical Museum Port Adelaide

Presented on 29th July 1944, Field Naturalists Section of the Royal Society of South Australia. Ida Holland (a member of the Committee) Visited the Nautical Museum, with other members, and friends, who always enjoy the pleasure of the excursions to the Museum.

Voyages to Australia. per ship "Robert Lees", 1875

I started from Oxford at twenty minutes past nine o'clock on the morning of the eleventh of September, one thousand eight hundred and seventy five with my wife We had a pleasant journey to Plymouth. the Emigrants Depot - from our starting till we got to Swindon we rode in a first class carriage, and from the latter place till we reached Plymouth in a second class railway carriage and arrive in Plymouth at 6 o'clock - We found the Depot a strange affair - about one hunded people sleeping in one room with only a small partition to pat them and the hard mattress we did not find very comfortable but we managed to get on pretty well.

12th Sept. We passed the Depot Doctor who said I was rather nervous. We had several hymns in the room and sunday amusements. Have learnt today that we have to wait three weeks before our vesssel starts. There being a large number disappointed in going to Australia by Ship "Clyde" as it wasto have our intention to have done. Consequently some have to be left for the next vessel, by name "Robert Lees." One man was taken ill in a fit today!

13th Sept. Making myself generally useful in the Depot, attended a service by Mr Barnes the Depot Minister - who spoke to the Emigrants on the journey they were undertaking and [spiritualism] in.

14th Sept. Rode to the ship "Clyde" with the single Dorset girls in the morning. Bid them "good bye" in the afternoon went with my wife round the town. [?] took tea at Mr Wallings. Bid farewe[ll] to Mr. Hobson.

15th Sept. Assisted in scrubbing and brushing one of the rooms of the Emigrant's Depot. Had fish for dinner. Went for a walk with my better half round the town, and bought several little things. The children that are left behind here make a fearful noise. Saw the "Clyde" in full sail going on her journey.

16th Sept. Went for a ride in the steamer, to a fortress which I walked around.

17th Sept. Went to the Temperance hall in the morning to the Brethren service. Had a walk round the town in the evening.

18th Sept. Got a severe cold. Fishing.

19th Sept. Generally useful in the Depot.

20th Sept. Walked round the public bathing places, and on Plymouth Green where the band was playing.

21st. Received two letters. Bathing after breakfast. Walked round the Great Western Dock Yards in the morning, studying in the evening.

22nd. Learning knowledge.

23rd. Went to the Government Dock Yards at Devonport where our [men] of war are built etc. Stormy day. In the afternoon heard the sweet strains of music from the Marine Band in the [Hoe].

24th. Wesleyan chapel in the morning. stormy day. Sailors' Bethel in the evening.

25th. Went on board "Northumberland." Saw the Emigrants leave the Plymouth Depot for Melbourne. Had two sea biscuits given me.

26th. Stormy day. Went round Plymouth suburbs. Saw the Congregational College for Students. Went round the Pleasure Garden, belonging to which is the Reservoir.

27th. Generally useful in the Depot. Walk in the town.

28th. Ditto. Mrs. W[alling] called to seeme. Made my wife a present of a pound of tea.

29th. Had a bathe in the sea. Fresh arrival of Irish Emigrants in the Depot.

30th. Wet day. Bought some apples and sugar to take on board the "Robert Lees." More Emigrants arrived. Wrote three letters, one to Mrs G[ayleand] 1 to Rose & the other to my brother.

October 1. Congregational Chapel in the morning. A very fine place of worship. More Emigrants arrived. We have now in the Depot French, German, Welsh,Irish, Scotch, and English.

2. Large influx of Emigrants. Making myself useful in the Depot. Wrote an application for Schoolmaster on board "Robert Lees."

3. Two letters., one from Rose, the other from Mrs Gay{leand]. Giving out labels in the Depotfor pasting on boxes. Wet day. Passed the Ships Doctor [?]

4. had to give out letters in the Depot. Giving more labels away etc.

5. Row with the missus. Making myself useful in the Depot. Passed the doctor again. Boxes went to the ship.

6. Rose at 5 o'clock. Breakfasted early. Sailed form the Depot in the steamer to the "Robert Lees," at half past seven a.m. Passed the first night in No 21 berth on board.

7. A[stir] early. Appointed Mess Constable to the single journey women, and Captain of Mess No.15. Towed out in the Channel by the steamer "Secret" at ten minutes past twelve o'clock on Saturday morning. Began to feel sick in the afternoon. Good dinner. Plenty of beef.

8. Sunday. Vomiting early . feeling very ill. Stormy weather. 9. Still sick and weak.

10. In the bay of B[iscay]- very rough weather - Rolling one side to the other. Still weak and droll- Wife nurses me. One of the sailors cut his face by falling |Found the apples

11.No wind - Stopping in the Bay rolling about. Feeling better today. Wet. (Found the apples useful in the ship when sick)

12. Much better in health. Able to attend to my duty as Constable. Wife has not been sick at all. Dull day. Pickles and Raisins etc. during the day. Part of our mess very {cautious} with regard to the diet.

13.Fine day. Ship going at a good pace. Porpoises following us.

Oct. 14. Contrary Wind. Supposed to have come about 350 miles in a direct course. Waiting on the single girls. We are now in the North Atlantic Ocean.

15. Sunday. - Service on deck at half past ten. Sankey's [hymns] were sung. Mr. Jarvis conducted & read the prayers. No service in the evening being rough weather. One or two little children in the hospital with the Fever. Reading during part of the day. One or two vessels near us! Beautiful day.

16. Monday. Change of wind in our favour.Stormy and dull day, Caught a Turkey. washing on board. Many of the Emigrants recovering from their sickness [might court] death - as some of them stated they did not care whether they lived or died.

17. Fine day, but ind rather cold. We are making head way today. Mr. Hart consented to take his position as Captain of Mess No. 15 visited of myself. About five children in the Hospital with the fever. Salty Beef. [Zanitone rast] and C[olou?] for dinner today.

18. Great dissatisfaction among the Emigrants in regard to the food given to them. Going very steadily. Nothing of any importance occured. A vessel opposite us.

19. Beautiful day. The sailors commenced changing their new sail for old as we are getting nearer the tropics. Found or stole a book "The History of England. An Irishman shaved me on board. Dancing on board in the evening. children with fever no better in the hospital . Very bad butter given out today to the Emigrants. The Captains of Messes carried it to the [poop] to throw it to the doctor, who told them they were to use what they had given them and he would see that no more of the same kind should be given out in future. The carpenter repaired the windows near my berth today.

20. Rice [spurted] today on account of being cooked in salt water. Splendid day. Mr. Burke's baby will not be long for this world, I think by its appearance. Jam tart for tea through the kindnes of Mr and Mrs Hart, The single girls were robbed today of about fifty pounds of potatoes.

21. Fell down stairs, and injured my arm. Fine day. Half starving for want of digestible food. Had a drop of tea and lime juice.

22. Sunday. Great disturbance with the passengers on board. Service by Mr. Jarvis at half past . After which Mr. Burke's baby was thrown from the side in the water. The baby died at a quarter to one. a.m. Saturday morning. Pleasant day.

23. Beautiful day. A lot of [Stormy] Petrels, and a big fish near the vessel. Had a chat with the first mate about town of Plymouth, that being his native place. Very [close?] today. Rice, Potatoes and Preserved [meat] for dinner.