"MEROPE"
SHIP MEROPE, FROM PLYMOUTH TO TIMARU
Lyttelton Times Monday 27 September 1875
The Merope, from London, arrived ship, Timaru, 24 September 1875 with 264
(250 immigrants and 20 cabin) passengers. 81 single men,
43 married couples and 31 single women and 66 children. She is 84 days out
from Plymouth. There were three deaths 9children) during the voyage, and
three births.
This fine composite vessel arrived in harbour yesterday morning, came to an anchorage off Diamond Harbour at 9.30 p.m. Her arrival at Timaru has already been notified, and the following account of the voyage is taken from the Timaru Herald; -The ship Merope, one of Messrs Shaw, Saville, and Co.,s line, arrived here yesterday from Plymouth, with immigrants. The arrival of an immigrant ship being such an unusual occurrence here, the Merope attracted no little attention, She was first seen early in the morning to the southward, but did not reach Timaru till between two and three o'clock in the afternoon. Just before the vessel reached the roadstead the harbour-master went aboard and bought her to anchorage about a mile from the shore. Shortly afterwards a boat containing the immigration officer (Mr. F. Le Cren), the health officer (Dr M'Intyre), the Rev. E.A. Lingard, and other gentlemen, proceeded to the vessel. The health having found that no disease existed among the immigrants, cleared the vessel. An inspection of the immigrants and the vessel was then made, everything appearing to be in capital order. The vessel was well fitted up for the accommodation of immigrants, and the sleeping place being arranged on the most approved principles. From the Doctor, Mr Hassart, it was elicited that there had been but little sickness during the voyage, no disease of any serious nature had broke out. Three deaths of infants he stated, had occurred, one form tabes mesenterica, another from diarrhoea, and the third from premature birth. The births on board were two in number. The single men, who there are eighty, are study looking fellows, evidently use to hard work. The married men are clearly the right stamp for the Colonies. The majority of the men are agriculture labourers, the others mostly following useful trades. The single women, who came under charge of Mrs Bartropp, are healthy and strong in appearance, nearly all being domestic servants. The immigrants all appear to be in capital spirits, and they speak well of the manor they have been treated by the captain, doctor and others in authority. The Captain is Mr J. Sutherland, who was formerly in command of the Crusader, in which he made several trips to Canterbury. The present is his first voyage in the Merope, and he speaks highly of her sailing qualities. The voyage, he says was a very favourable one, extending over eighty five days. The Captains report as follows - "Left Plymouth at noon on July 1, wind Southwest. Continued so for three days. Afterwards, had light but favourable winds, which carried the vessel to the North-east trades. These were light throughout, and were lost in 11 North, when the usual light variable winds and calm prevailed for some days. The Equator was crossed on the morning of July 27, in 27.30 West. Hence across the Southern tropics the wind came from S.S.E. to S.S.W., and in consequence the ship was carried so far West that several tacks had to be made before weathering the coast of Brazil, which was not finally cleared until August 8. The meridian of the Cape was crossed on August 23 in Lat. 45. From that till off the south coast of Tasmanian, which was passed on Sept, 13, strong west and South-west winds prevailed, several times amounting to a gale with very high seas. , the ship making good runs, often logging 300 and as much as 320 miles a day. From off Tasmanian, till making the Snares, which were sighted at 2.a.m. on Sept, 20; had light northerly winds mostly, calms prevailing during three days. On Monday last light North-east wind was experienced, lasting till Wednesday, when a light South0west breeze sprang up, and continued until the ship's arrival at Timaru. She will not, however unload any cargo here. The immigrants on board the vessel seemed very pleased to see visitors from shore, and the Rev. L.E. Lingard was perfectly loaded with correspondence, which he kindly took to post for them. The immigrants will be landed this morning early, and conveyed to the Timaru barracks. Numbers of them will afterwards be taken to several country barracks.
After the landing immigrants and their luggage, the ship got under weigh on Friday night, the wind blowing from the Southward, made Lyttelton heads on Saturday night and anchored as above.
The following is a list of the Assisted Emigrants to Timaru:-
Columns represent Surname, given name, age, origin, occupation and remarks.
Reference: Passenger list National Archives Christchurch & South Canterbury Museum
Families and Children Batton Wm 21 Devon Farm Laborer Batton Jessie 22 Beswick Karl 26 Cornwall Blacksmith Beswick Maria 20 Burborough Joseph 47 Oxon Laborer Burborough Eliz'th 44 Burborough James 19 Transfered to S.M. Burborough Wm 16 Transfered to S.M. Burborough Mary 14 Burborough John 11 Burborough Thomas 4 Drake Edward 41 Nottinghamshire Laborer (birth & death) Drake Catherine 33 Drake Edward 17 Transfered to S.M. Drake Sarah 15 Transfered to S.W. Drake Reuben 2 Ellis Mark 23 Yorks Plaster Ellis Hannah 23 birth Fifield Jonas 35 Oxon Laborer Fifield Caroline 35 Fifield Wm 14 Transfered to S.M. Fifield Fanny 8 Fifield John 7 Fifield Eliz'th 3 Fifield Joseph 8/12 Fifield John 38 Oxon Laborer Fifield Ann 40 Fifield Edward J. 18 Transfered to S.M. Fifield Sarah A. 15 Transfered to S.W. Fifield Joseph 13 Transfered to S.M. Fifield Amy 3 Fifield Ellen 6 George Frank 29 Surrey Hair Dresser George Ada 22 George Ada 6/12 Hulbert Alfred 23 Wilts Blacksmith Hulbert Emma M. 22 Harton Tho' 28 Devon Sawyer Harton Sarah C. 27 Harton Thomas 6 Hawkey Tom 22 Cornwall Shoemaker Hawkey Jane 21 Hollow Henry N. 26 Dornwall Joiner Hollow Lousia J. 24 Hollow Lousia N. 3 Hollow Henry M. 8/12 Jarvis John 31 Cornwall Navvy Jarvis Jane 31 Johns Fred' 21 Cornwall Farm Laborer Johns Jane 18 Johnson Cha's 22 Nottinghamshire Farm Laborer Johnson Kate 22 Johnson Osborn C. 6/12 Killworth George 23 Essex Farm Laborer Waimate Killworth Jessie 20 Karton Wm 31 Devon Sawyer Karton Sophia 30 Karton Fred'k 6 Karton Anne 4 Karton Florence 3 Langford John 25 Kerry Laborer Langford Ellen 25 Langford Bridget 6/12 Leahy B.J.F. 25 Dublin Carpenter Leahy Eliz'th 25 Mann Arthur B. 23 Cornwall Laborer Mann Jinfor 24 Necklen Wm Jnr 37 Dorset Farm Laborer Necklen Eliz'th A. 26 Necklen Henry J. 6 Necklen Eliz'th 2 Necklen Mary 5/12 Power Richard 26 Kings Laborer Power Mary A. 23 Power Mary 2 Power Anne 1 Pye George 23 Devon Farm Laborer Pye Eliz'th 29 Pye Mary J. 8 Pye George 5 Pye Martha 3 Pye Louisa 1 Roskilley George 22 Cornwall Butcher Roskilley Eliz'th 22 Sturges Wm 30 Northampton Laborer Sturges Ann 24 Sturges Emily 9/12 Stanton Wm 28 Cornwall Stanton Emily 24 Stone John 35 Kent Printer Stone Susannah C. 38 Stone Susannah C. 11 Stone John 9 Stone Lousia M. 8 Stone George A. 6 Stone Harry 5 South George 35 Northampton Laborer South Susan 32 South John 9 South George 6 South Alfred 3 South Wm 8/12 died Tee Thomas 48 Northampton Farm Laborer Waimate Tee Mary 47 Tee Lydia 17 Transfered to S.W. Tee Clara 14 Transfered to S.W. Tee Thomas 11 Tee David 9 Tee Ada 7 Thomas John 35 Monmouth Farm Laborer Thomas Susannah 35 Thomas Eliz'th 3 Thomas Wm A. 1 Triggs John 39 Cornwall Farm Laborer Triggs Eliz'th A. 33 Triggs Annie 9 Uren Wm 26 Cornwall Farm Laborer Uren Mary 24 Yorks Farm Laborer Treffery George 26 Devon Laborer Treffery Amelia 28 Treffery Olvelina 3 Treffery Charlotte 10/12 died Wakelin Henry 32 Northampton Farm Labourer Wakelin Jane 23 Wakelin George 3 Wakelin Martha 1 Warren Thomas F. 23 Cornwall Farm Laborer Warren Alice 22 Warren Eliz'th A. infant Watts David 26 Berks Carpenter Waimate Watts Charlotte 27 Watts Wm 2 Watts Harry 1 Whealon Martin 34 Clare Farm Laborer Whealon Mary 31 Whealon Kate 16 Transfered to S.W. Whealon James 14 Transfered to S.M. Whealon Morty 13 Transfered to S.M. Whealon John 10 Whealon Bridget 5 Whittaker Wm J. 21 Yorks Tailor Whittaker Fanny 19Additional families from the South Canterbury Museum list BISHOP George 40 Labourer BISHOP Mary 41 BISHOP Mark 12 BISHOP Elizabeth 5 BOWDEN William 29 Shoemaker BOWDEN Mary 21 BOWDEN Frederick 19 Navvy BUSSELL John 41 Shepherd BUSSELL Susan 37 BUSSELL William 17 BUSSELL Mary 16 BUSSELL Agnes 14 BUSSELL John 12 BUSSELL Thomas 11 BUSSELL Edwin 9 BUSSELL Kate 7 BUSSELL Bertha 5 BUSSELL Clara 3 BUSSELL Alice 6/12 FISHER George 24 Carpenter FISHER Jessie 25 FISHER Harry GILES Joseph 29 GILES Sarah 27 GILES John 5 GILES Samuel 2 Single Men and Women ADKINS George 17 Carpenter ANDREWS Ellen 17 Housemaid BARREY Michel 23 Farm Labourer BARTRUP Ellen 40 Housemaid BENNETT Charles 24 Brickmaker BENNETT Frank 21 Sawyer BIRD Thomas 19 Farm Labourer BOWERS Thomas 24 Farm Labourer BROWN Jessie 17 Servant BROWN Nanny 21 Housemaid BURGESS John 20 Porter BYRNE John 23 Farmer CAHILL Laurence 24 CAHILL Michel 21 Farm Labourer CARROLL Jane 18 Servant CAVERBY Mary 30 Laundress CHEGWIDGEN Eliza 27 Dairymaid COFFEY James 24 Farm Labourer COMMINS John 28 Farm Labourer CONDEL William 21 Labourer CORBETT Robert 23 Farm Labourer COX Emily 16 Servant CRONIN William 15 Herdsman DODLIN Clara 27 Housemaid DOROTHY Elizabeth 26 Servant DUNSTAN Mary 22 Servant DWYER John 22 Labourer FANNEN John 27 Farmer FENNESSEY Catherine 20 Servant FENNESSEY Thomas 22 Farm Labourer FINCH William 27 Farm Labourer FORD William 25 Ploughman GANNING Hugh 21 Farm Labourer GILMOUR John 26 Farm Labourer GRENFELL Richard 21 Carpenter HALL William 20 Farm Labourer HARVEY Frederick 22 Platelayer HENNESSY James 22 Labourer HORTOP Charles 20 Farm Labourer HOSKING Ulta 22 Farm Labourer HOSKING Jane 36 Servant HOSKING Emily 14 Servant HUDSON William 18 Farm Labourer HUME Arther 26 Farm Labourer HUNT Emmas 21 Wife HUNT Emma 6/12 HYDE Isaac 34 Navvy KEANE Joseph 21 Farm Labourer KERR William 31 Farm Labourer KIRBY Osmyn 22 Farm Labourer LEHANT Melanie 22 Servant MAHONEY Dan 21 Farm Labourer MARSDEN Frederick 22 Brickmaker McGONIGLE Daniel 24 Constable MITCHELL Samuel 25 Farm Labourer MITCHELL Thomas 19 Farm Labourer O'CONNELL Margaret 20 Dairymaid O'CONNELL Patrick 25 Farm Labourer O'LEARY John 20 Ploughman O'NEIL Alexander 20 Farm Labourer O'NEIL Alexander 23 Farm Labourer PEACH Alfrey G 20 Labourer POUND Thomas 21 Labourer PRESTON Emily 24 Housemaid PRIOR Reuben 28 Farm Labourer PURCEL Mary 17 Housemaid PURCELL John 26 Labourer RAYNEL Alexandrina 20 Servant RICHARDS Phillip 20 Farm Labourer ROTHWELL Henry 22 Labourer ROWE James L 21 Blacksmith SAMUEL Michael 22 Farm Labourer SEWARD William 28 Dairyman SHANKS John 21 Labourer SKEDGWELL William 20 Labourer SMITH Susie 20 Housemaid SPENCE Samuel 30 Labourer SULLIVAN Cornelius 22 Farm Labourer SULLIVAN John 20 Farm Labourer TANGEY Jane 31 Servant TAYLOR David 20 Farm Labourer THOMAS Thomas 22 Farm Labourer UREN John 19 Farm Labourer WARREN Jonathan 18 Farm Labourer WHITTINGHAM William 27 Blacksmith WILLIAMS John 19 Farm Labourer WILLIAMS Henry 23 General Labourer WILLOUGHBY William 30 Carpenter WORTH Ellen 22 Servant WORTH Thomas 47 Farm Labourer WORTH Thomas 18 Farm Labourer WORTH William 6 Farm Labourer
Other Merope links:
The Timaru Herald September 6 has a full list of names, ages and
occupations.
Passenger
list 1870 to Lyttelton
A photo of the Merope appears in the National Maritime Museum catalogue
volume 2 Merchant Sailing Ships 1976 G2262. and White Wings Vol. 1.
page 89. She was a full rigged clipper of 1050 tons built in 1870 and completed eighteen
voyages to New Zealand. She mostly sailed from London Docks but on several occasions
departed from Glasgow.
Evening Post, 4 October 1875, Page 2
TIMARU. 4th October.
The Herald's special London correspondent, writing on the 6th August, says : —
"Both Sir Julius Vogel and Dr. Featherston were abroad recruiting their health,
and the agency was in the sole charge of Mr. Walter Kennaway. The ship
Edinburgh, 2000 tons, was to sail that day direct for Timaru with immigrants."
The Merope's people are rapidly finding employment at good wages. There is a
good deal of building going on here in stone, brick, concrete, and timber.
North Otago Times, 18 November 1875, Page 2
TIMARU. November 17.
A woman named Drake, one of the immigrants per Merope, bad been committed
to the Lunatic Asylum by the Resident Magistrate, and was left in charge of her
husband in the barracks awaiting removal. At 8 o'clock last night Drake went out
for a moment, when his wife locked him out. On the door being broken open she
was found to have killed her son of two years old, almost severing the head from
the body with a razor, and to have cut her own throat severely. She is in a
dying state. This is the second case of lunacy from the Merope.