| The Boko, tug, left town on Saturday morning for the Scottish
Hero and returned about half-past 1 o'clock in the afternoon, with
the immigrant vessel in tow. The Scottish Hero had previously been
boarded by Dr. Wray, health officer for the port, and admitted to
pratique. Upon her arrival in town Mr Horricks, acting immigration
agent, went on board.
The Taldora went alongside to disembark the new arrival and convey
them and their luggage round to the depot. The transhipment occupied
some time, but the new-comers were all snugly quartered in the depot
and their luggage stored before sundown. They are, on the whole, a
rather superior class of people, and will, no doubt, procure early
employment. They will be open for engagement at 9 o'clock this morning.
The voyage throughout was pleasant there having
been no sickness worthy of note, and the weather during the greater part of the
passage was
favourable. Good discipline and cleanliness were strictly kept up
by those in authority, with the best results; and the usual monotony of
a long sea voyage was greatly relieved by various amusements. Six
or eight concerts, all well attended and thoroughly appreciated, were
given during the passage.
A comparatively well-stocked library
was also provided for the use of the voyagers, and many availed themselves
of the opportunity of attending a school, which was regularly held.
The spacious 'tween deck of the Scottish
Hero is well adapted for the use it has been put to, the compartment
being lofty and well ventilated. The married people were accommodated
in the centre, the single women in the after-part, and the single men
in the fore-part.
The immigration authorities expressed themselves
highly satisfied with the perfect condition in which the vessel was found.
There were five births,
the last occurring in the Brisbane roadstead; and the following deaths
took place -
William Holmes, 30 years old, on the 25th November, from a severe cold and
exhaustion from seasickness; Nathaniel Snape, 45 on the 16th January, of consumption
(advanced stage); Elizabeth Baulch, 4 1/2 , on the 29th January,
of
inflammation of the windpipe; and Sarah Sargent, wife of Joseph Sargent,
43, on the 8th February, of dropsy.
The following is Captain Fraser's
report of the voyage. The Scottish
Hero left Plymouth on the morning of the 19th November in
tow of a steam tug. Experienced a succession of strong westerly gales
and
heavy seas throughout the first seven days; sighted Start Point light
on the evening of the 21st November; at 8 p.m. on the 24th November,
sighted St. Agnes and Bishop Rock lights, from which I take my departure.
Afterwards had a continuation of strong
to moderate winds from north-west to north; took north-east trades latitude 27° 40'
north, longitude 20° 30' west, which continued fresh until the parallel of 5° 30'
north was reached; winds now very light and variable, mostly from
the eastern quarter; 12th December crossed equator, longitude 31° 50'
west, the south-east trades being now fully established. On the 16th
sighted the Brazilian coast, vicinity of Cape St. Roque. We were compelled
to make several tacks to the eastward owing to the strong westerly
current, which we found to prevail about this locality. The southern
portion of south-east trades very light and variable - altogether lost
on the parallel of 25° south, longitude 29° 15' west.
25th December
the barque British Duke passed to the northward; the 26th December
spoke to the barque Doune Castle, from San Francisco to Cork, eighty
days out. 6th January 1883, crossed the meridian of Greenwich, latitude
41° 50' south; the following day sighted numerous icebergs, also a
large amount of fragments very dangerous to shipping; compelled to
stop this night until daylight; winds light to moderate, from the westward;
position of icebergs, &c., latitude 42° 40' south, longitude 7' to
12' east.
11th January, passed the meridian of Cape Aguilas in latitude 42° 40'
south; weather very unsettled, and winds veering and hauling from north
to south-west, and mostly overcast, with occasional rain; run casting
down on or near the parallel of 44° south; on the meridian 60° east,
experienced a strong gale from east-south-east, and thick fogs for
several days.
The wind now getting very unsettled;
on two occasions had the wind from all points of the compass inside twenty-four
hours;
thence to Cape Leewin had moderate and light winds from the north-west
to south-west and overcast damp weather.
February 1st crossed the meridian of 115° east in latitude 44° 10'
south, winds light westerly and sea smooth until we reached the meridian
of 140° east, being now in latitude 44° 0' south, and intending to
pass southward of Tasmania. We encountered a fresh gale from south-south-east
to south-east, which compelled us to bear away for Bass's Straits.
February 10th, sighted Cape Otway; gale still blowing strong from east-south-east,
and thick, overcast weather. 11th February, spoke the ship Loch
Ryan,
form Glasgow to Melbourne. 13th February, passed through Bass's Straits;
noon, reported ship at Wilson's Promontory; winds light from the westward;
the following noon abreast of Gabo Island, with a light wind from south-east
(81 days from Scilly Islands); thence to port experienced very unsettled
weather, northerly winds and calms, accompanied with hot, sultry weather.
22nd February, 6 a.m., rounded Cape Moreton; 9.30 a.m., got pilot on
board; 10 p.m., came to anchor in Brisbane roadstead after a tedious,
but fine, passage of eighty-nine days form Scilly Islands. |
