20th Apr, 2011 12:00
Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Princess)
124
[M] A RARE EMIGRANT'S JOURNAL, WRITTEN ON PASSAGE...
A RARE EMIGRANT'S JOURNAL, WRITTEN ON PASSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND, 1863/4
kept by John Griffith and written in a bold, florid hand in a chatty and informative prose on eighty sides of folded laid paper watermarked for Harris & Tremlett 1843-4, commencing London/Gravesend Sunday 20th December 1863 aboard the Indian Empire: and comprising a witty and articulate account of life on board a square-rigged emigrant ship: "having little to do, I sit down to write an item in this book. I.. found my bunk in a small house on deck... fitted up to accommodate 14 adults..", descriptions of his fellow passengers, accommodation, rations and activities, the last entry made for Wednesday, Feb 10th 1864 at 'Lat 39½ S, Long 14½ W', the pages stitched together with tarred twine and covered with jute sacking -- 9¼ x 6in. (23.5 x 15cm.); together with a typed transcript, notes on the Indian Empire, contained in a fitted cardboard box
John Griffith was 20 years old when he boarded the 1,351 ton Indian Empire and makes an engaging companion for the two month span of this journal. During the voyage the ship was stricken with fever and Griffith records several deaths, including the head cook and a fellow passenger. Shortly after celebrating his 21st birthday, the manuscript stops as he himself had succumbed and died, being buried at sea. On arrival in New Zealand, the ship was quarantined and it seems the Captain took it on himself to see his possessions, including this rare journal, were returned to his family in Bangor, North Wales. This voyage is recorded in Sir Henry Brett's study of 19th Century sail White Wing, Brett Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand, 1924. (2 Vols)
kept by John Griffith and written in a bold, florid hand in a chatty and informative prose on eighty sides of folded laid paper watermarked for Harris & Tremlett 1843-4, commencing London/Gravesend Sunday 20th December 1863 aboard the Indian Empire: and comprising a witty and articulate account of life on board a square-rigged emigrant ship: "having little to do, I sit down to write an item in this book. I.. found my bunk in a small house on deck... fitted up to accommodate 14 adults..", descriptions of his fellow passengers, accommodation, rations and activities, the last entry made for Wednesday, Feb 10th 1864 at 'Lat 39½ S, Long 14½ W', the pages stitched together with tarred twine and covered with jute sacking -- 9¼ x 6in. (23.5 x 15cm.); together with a typed transcript, notes on the Indian Empire, contained in a fitted cardboard box
John Griffith was 20 years old when he boarded the 1,351 ton Indian Empire and makes an engaging companion for the two month span of this journal. During the voyage the ship was stricken with fever and Griffith records several deaths, including the head cook and a fellow passenger. Shortly after celebrating his 21st birthday, the manuscript stops as he himself had succumbed and died, being buried at sea. On arrival in New Zealand, the ship was quarantined and it seems the Captain took it on himself to see his possessions, including this rare journal, were returned to his family in Bangor, North Wales. This voyage is recorded in Sir Henry Brett's study of 19th Century sail White Wing, Brett Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand, 1924. (2 Vols)
Sold for £1,612
Estimated at £500 - £800
(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)
A RARE EMIGRANT'S JOURNAL, WRITTEN ON PASSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND, 1863/4
kept by John Griffith and written in a bold, florid hand in a chatty and informative prose on eighty sides of folded laid paper watermarked for Harris & Tremlett 1843-4, commencing London/Gravesend Sunday 20th December 1863 aboard the Indian Empire: and comprising a witty and articulate account of life on board a square-rigged emigrant ship: "having little to do, I sit down to write an item in this book. I.. found my bunk in a small house on deck... fitted up to accommodate 14 adults..", descriptions of his fellow passengers, accommodation, rations and activities, the last entry made for Wednesday, Feb 10th 1864 at 'Lat 39½ S, Long 14½ W', the pages stitched together with tarred twine and covered with jute sacking -- 9¼ x 6in. (23.5 x 15cm.); together with a typed transcript, notes on the Indian Empire, contained in a fitted cardboard box
John Griffith was 20 years old when he boarded the 1,351 ton Indian Empire and makes an engaging companion for the two month span of this journal. During the voyage the ship was stricken with fever and Griffith records several deaths, including the head cook and a fellow passenger. Shortly after celebrating his 21st birthday, the manuscript stops as he himself had succumbed and died, being buried at sea. On arrival in New Zealand, the ship was quarantined and it seems the Captain took it on himself to see his possessions, including this rare journal, were returned to his family in Bangor, North Wales. This voyage is recorded in Sir Henry Brett's study of 19th Century sail White Wing, Brett Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand, 1924. (2 Vols)
kept by John Griffith and written in a bold, florid hand in a chatty and informative prose on eighty sides of folded laid paper watermarked for Harris & Tremlett 1843-4, commencing London/Gravesend Sunday 20th December 1863 aboard the Indian Empire: and comprising a witty and articulate account of life on board a square-rigged emigrant ship: "having little to do, I sit down to write an item in this book. I.. found my bunk in a small house on deck... fitted up to accommodate 14 adults..", descriptions of his fellow passengers, accommodation, rations and activities, the last entry made for Wednesday, Feb 10th 1864 at 'Lat 39½ S, Long 14½ W', the pages stitched together with tarred twine and covered with jute sacking -- 9¼ x 6in. (23.5 x 15cm.); together with a typed transcript, notes on the Indian Empire, contained in a fitted cardboard box
John Griffith was 20 years old when he boarded the 1,351 ton Indian Empire and makes an engaging companion for the two month span of this journal. During the voyage the ship was stricken with fever and Griffith records several deaths, including the head cook and a fellow passenger. Shortly after celebrating his 21st birthday, the manuscript stops as he himself had succumbed and died, being buried at sea. On arrival in New Zealand, the ship was quarantined and it seems the Captain took it on himself to see his possessions, including this rare journal, were returned to his family in Bangor, North Wales. This voyage is recorded in Sir Henry Brett's study of 19th Century sail White Wing, Brett Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand, 1924. (2 Vols)
Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Princess), 20th Apr, 2011
