16/10/2026
To follow on from the series of 'Voyage' posts, over the next few weeks we will share extracts from some of the passenger diaries , which gives us a great account of life on board. We are starting with the famous 'Manning' diary, William was travelling with his pregnant wife and children on the 1875 voyage into Wellington.
Manning Diary:
27th December 1874 -Got under way at 9am being still towed by the tug, passed the Cliffs of Dover at 10am, and here the Thames pilot left us, and the Channel pilot took the command. 28th-Sighted Portland about 7pm, the pilot left us off Plymouth, and shortly after the tug left us to our own resources. Two children died and were buried today. 29th-Sighted the lizards, the wind having now increased to almost a gale caused the first unpleasantness of a sea voyage in the shape of sea sickness, which seemed to reach men as well as women and children. I myself was no exception, wife and children joining in, with the exception of the baby, we found ourselves incapable of standing up so were compelled to lie down anywhere, and when we had recovered enough to again move about found we presented a truly pitiable appearance, having come in contact with flour, mustard, pepper and butter, our clothes were covered with the said articles of domestic use in a manner not calculated to improve our general appearance. Arrow root was issued ready mixed by the doctor’s order but was not in much demand as our appetites appeared to have entirely deserted us, we went to bed early but not for sleep. The wind moderate towards evening and had the effect of mending matters a trifle for the better.
Photo supplied by family members.
