THE DECISION TO LEAVE
The reasons behind Charles & Mary's decision to emigrate will never be known for certain. The following factors may have influenced their decision making.
It is reasonable to assume the distressing social and economic conditions which prevailed in Cambridgeshire and other parts of England in the mid nineteenth century, were responsible for many families deciding to emigrate.
It was rare for farm labourers such as Charles to own their cottages. Quite often more than one family had to share crowded accommodation under the same roof in a tenement. Many cottages and tenements lacked sanitation and water supplies were often polluted. Rural workers experienced unemployment throughout the year and at other times long periods of under-employment, perhaps working as little as two to three days a week. From about 1811 the rural population showed a steady increase, while the need for rural workers declined. The effects of this were disastrous, particularly for the inhabitants of smaller villages such as Fowlmere. There was simply no other industry in Cambridgeshire for rural workers to turn to. They faced increasing unemployment and poverty. It is little wonder that many families, including our own, must have looked to this country in the hope of finding a better life.
It's also fair to assume that other influences must have played a part too. Influences such as the emigration of other family members. My grandfather Arthur Gordon Sherwood is remembered as saying that his grandfather's brother was the first member of the family to settle in Australia. Arthur’s grandfather was Charles Sherwood. According to the family story, Charles’ brother and wife were said to have sent word back to England encouraging other family members to follow. By the time Charles and Mary arrived in Adelaide, the brother had left his wife and disappeared. It was said that Charles and family met up with the brother's wife but not the brother. Charles’ only surviving brother was William Sherwood. William was born about 1818, and was six years younger than Charles. William arrived in South Australia in 1847, not with his wife, but with Sarah Hayles, a young woman from the village. Only a matter of weeks before Charles and Mary landed in Port Adelaide, William had left his wife and made his way to Melbourne. The family story, having survived for over 160 years has proven to be remarkably accurate.
In 1853, six years after William arrived in South Australia, Charles’ younger sister Jane and her husband Thomas Morley left Fowlmere for Portland Victoria. Perhaps they also sent word back encouraging Charles and Mary to join them in Australia.
SECURING A PASSAGE
Having decided to leave, the family had to apply to the Emigration Commissioners for an assisted passage to Australia.
In the early 1850’s preference was given to female servants, agricultural (farm) labourers, shepherds, shoemakers and tailors. Eligible candidates were expected to be sober, hard-working, of good moral character and in good health. Once accepted the family would have received an ‘Approval Circular’ stating the amount of money that they were required to contribute towards the cost of the voyage. Married agricultural labourers under 45 and their wives paid one pound (Charles and Mary fell into this category) single men (Alfred, Charles and William) paid two pounds, and single women, Harriet, one pound. The remaining children all under 14 paid ten shillings each.
The money paid by the emigrants towards their passage was used by the Commissioners to supply meals, medical care, and cooking utensils. The emigrants were provided with mattresses, bedcovers, pillows, blankets and a canvas bag to hold linen. Each passenger was supplied with a knife and fork, a tablespoon and teaspoon as well as a tin plate and a pint-tin drinking mug. The emigrants were able to keep these articles provided they behaved well on the voyage.
Once accepted, each family member was required to bring with them suitable clothing for the voyage. For males it was recommended that they take at least six shirts, six pairs of stockings (socks) two pairs of shoes and two complete suits of exterior clothing. For females it was suggested that they take six shifts, two flannel petticoats, six pairs of stockings, two pairs of shoes and two gowns. For both sexes, hats and handkerchiefs were advised. Shoes and slippers were considered more comfortable onboard the ship than boots. Three sheets were recommended for each berth, along with four towels and 2 pounds of soap for each person.
Having made payment, the emigrants were allocated a ship, port of embarkation and departure date. For our family, the port of departure was Plymouth Sound, on the south coast of England.
TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
For many emigrants, leaving home must have been one of the hardest decisions they ever had to make. All left family and friends behind with little or no prospect of ever returning. We can barely imagine how difficult it was when it came time to leave. It would have been very difficult for Mary as she left behind her father James, her siblings, cousins and nephews and nieces. Those last goodbyes must have been especially hard for Mary's 66-year-old widowed father James Perry. He would eventually farewell three of his children, Mary, Susan, and Frederick and his grandchildren, knowing full well that he would never see them again.
Our family’s departure from Fowlmere was soon followed by other family members. Six months later, on 12 October 1856, Mary’s nephew Arthur Harrip arrived in Port Adelaide. He was followed five months later (17 March 1857) by his parents Susan and Raynor Harrip. Susan was Mary’s younger sister. In March 1858, Mary’s youngest brother Frederick Perry arrived in Port Adelaide.
The Sherwood, Perry and Harrip families accounted for 23 people who left Fowlmere and settled in South Australia between 1856 and 1858. This was four percent of Fowlmere’s population.
And so it was, on a day in early December 1855, that our family left Fowlmere for the last time. It was more than likely a cold day as December was the start of winter. They made their way south to Portsmouth where they would set sail for Australia. Fourteen family members made the journey. Mary and Charles, their ten children and Charles’ widowed mother Elizabeth. With them most likely was Mary's nephew William Harrip age 20. William was the son of Mary’s younger sister Susan and her husband Raynor Harrip. All up a total of 14 family members would set sail, making them the largest family group on the ship.
THE AMAZON
The ship that would bring the family to Australia was the Amazon. While I have been unable to find a photo of the Amazon, there is a painting of a ship named the 'Amazon' housed in the Stranraer Museum, Scotland.(9) It could very well be the ship our ancestors sailed on. I am seeking further confirmation.
A painting of The Barque 'Amazon' by Thomas Maxwell. Oil on canvas. H: 84.3 X W: 116cm. Stranraer Museum, Stranraer, Scotland
The text below accompanies the painting of the Amazon on the Stranraer museum web site...
'The 'Amazon' carried emigrants from Britain to South Australia in the 1850's.'
THE AMAZON'S SURVEY REPORT
The 791-ton Amazon was built in Scotland during a depression in the ship building industry. She has the distinction of being the first ship of her size to be built undercover on the Tay river, at Marine Parade, Dundee. According to a Survey report (10) ...
The Amazon was built by Alex Stephen in 1850. She was launched in the autumn of that year. Her owners were two brothers, Joseph, and Fredrick Somes, of London. She was initially built as a cargo carrier for trade in the east Indies.
The survey report states that her masts were in best condition and sufficient in size and length. That she was rigged at yard No. 14, with two fore sails 240 fathoms, two fore top sails 80 fathoms, 2 fore topmasts stay sails, 80 fathoms two main sails 80 fathoms two main topsails 80 fathoms and two full sails and a full equipment/compliment of other sails. The vessel was given an A1 classification. According to the surveyor...
'She’s been built under a roof and upwards of fourteen months in building, is sheathed in yellow metal in patent form and abundantly fitted.'
Metal covering was applied below a ship’s waterline as a protection against damage by toredo worms. These were mollusks which sometimes grew to a metre in length. The depth of her hold where cargo, luggage and provisions were stowed measured 21 feet. She was fitted out with one long boat and three other boats. The report said...'This is a superior built vessel of excellent material and workmanship.'
FITTING OUT FOR THE VOYAGE
Immigrant Ship Papers (11) for the Amazon provide a unique insight into the conditions onboard the vessel as she made her way to South Australia. These papers include a brief description of the ship, the accommodation and diet of the emigrants, the surgeon’s reports, and other things of interest. According to the papers...
'The length of the Amazon’s lower deck was 136 feet (41.45m) The width of the lower deck was 28 feet four inches (8.5m)'
She was moored at West India Dock London and was to be ready to be fitted out for passengers by the 15 October 1855. Her previous cargo was coffee. The Commissioners laid down specific conditions for the fitting out of the ship, and the equipment to be carried.
'The ship is to be seaworthy and well found. She shall also be provided with not less than two chronometers, (used for fixing longitude at sea) with suitable anchors, cables (two of chain) lightning conductors, an efficient fire engine and also fire annihilators, four lifebuoys, a sufficient number of good boats, including a long boat, two cutters, a lifeboat and a jolly boat, with a sufficient number of properly fitted scuttles in each side of the ship, and such deck light ventilators and ventilating apparatus as may be required...'
Once the ship was fitted out, she was loaded with cargo. The cargo was put onboard in London before she sailed to Plymouth to pick up her passengers. The South Australian Register newspaper gave a good account of the cargo she was to bring to South Australia. Below are some of the items carried.
'Fifty cases of white wine, confectionery, two cases of candles, 100 cases of glass, 10 cases of cutlery, 8 bundles of broom handles, one case of books and stationery, 33 casks of beer, agricultural implements, 2 cases of snuff, 2 trunks of boots and shoes, one winnowing machine, one dog cart, 50 boxes of clay pipes, body of waggon wheels and drills, a cart and harness...'
The Amazon ‘cleared out’ of London on the 30 November and sailed the following day. She arrived in Plymouth Sound on the 2nd of December 1855. She was to be ready to receive her passengers no later than the 10 December. Food and drink, which included fresh meat and bread was to be provided at the owner’s expense. With the ship properly fitted-out and all the necessary provisions placed onboard, there was a problem. There were not enough emigrants to fill up the ship. The South Australian Register newspaper reported the matter on the 7 April 1856, which coincidently was the day the Amazon arrived in Port Adelaide. The article was written in England by a British newspaper correspondent and dated the 20 December 1855.
Emigration is at a standstill. The Commissioners have now three ships for your colony lying, two at Southampton and one at Plymouth, for which they are unable to find emigrants. The Violet has been at Southampton ever since the 22nd of November, and is now on demurrage; so also is the Amazon at Plymouth; the Auroa at the former port has still some “lay days” to run; each is short of the minimum number. The Commissioners have, however, at length done what they should have done years since, viz, sent a special officer into the country districts to select emigrants. Mr. Chant, the dispatching officer at Birkenhead, who has had the entire selection of the Scotch emigrants for the Highland Society under Sir Charles Trevelyan, has been sent into Wales, and he has already sent forward 45 emigrants to Plymouth for the Amazon, which it is expected will enable her to get away at last...
The following is another of the above correspondent’s reports. Although it was dated London, January 7th, 1856, it too was published in the Register the day the family arrived. News did not travel fast in those days!
Emigration is almost brought to a standstill. One ship has departed for Adelaide since my last letter, (20 Dec.) viz, the Amazon, which sailed from Plymouth on the 2nd inst, having onboard 45 married couples, 79 children, 94 single men, and 35 single women, making a total of 298 souls, equal to 255 statute adults. Of these 212 were English, 22 Scotch, and 64 Irish.
The Amazon was the seventh ship from England to South Australia with government passengers in 1856.
SETTING SAIL
With two hundred and ninety-eight emigrants onboard, their luggage stowed away in the hold, and the final farewells said, the Amazon made its way out of Plymouth harbour and into the English Channel. When she set sail on Wednesday 2 January, there were fourteen members of our family onboard. This included Mary’s nephew William Harrip. The Sherwood family spanned three generations and were the largest family group on the ship. Charles’ mother Elizabeth at 67 was the oldest emigrant to sail. Charles was 44 and Mary was 43. Their children’s ages were Alfred 21, Charles junior 20, William 18, Harriet 16, Arthur 14, Allen 12, Elizabeth 9, Mary 7, Stephen 5 and Frederick the youngest family member was 2. On the passenger list, Charles and his three eldest sons Alfred, Charles and William’s occupations were given as labourers. The term labourer included agricultural or farm workers. Elizabeth senior and Harriet both gave their occupations as (domestic) servants.
The occupations of the ship’s emigrants were as follows. Ninety-three labourers, three shoemakers, one joiner (furniture maker) one wheelwright (maker or repairer of wagon wheels) one brickmaker, fourteen carpenters, six masons, eight miners, one baker, one smith, one miller, three gardeners, two bricklayers, one sawyer (timber cutter) one cooper (maker or repairer of casks) and two servants. Of the female emigrants thirty-three were domestic servants and two were seamstresses.
Before sailing from Plymouth and for the first couple of days after sailing, each adult emigrant received one and a half pounds of fresh bread, two thirds of a pound of fresh meat, a pound of potatoes and a suitable supply of vegetables. They were also entitled to tea, coffee, sugar, and butter.
Under full sail and headed out into the North Atlantic Ocean the passengers entrusted their lives to the officers and crew of the ship. The ship’s captain was Frederick Coote, the Chief Mate Christopher Johnston, and the Issuer of Stores James Owens. The crew numbered 27 or there abouts, half of which had to be able bodied seamen. They were to receive the same rations as the emigrants and if required had access to medical attention from the surgeon.
As far as the emigrants were concerned one of the most important people onboard was Dr Edward W Doman the ship’s doctor. He was appointed to look after the health and welfare of all those onboard. His responsibilities were wide ranging. Among other things he was responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of the vessel and making sure that the quality and quantity of the food was adequate. He was required to maintain discipline and settle any disputes that would inevitably arise from time to time. Dr. Doman was entitled to his own cabin and a pint of ‘good’ wine each day. He and other first-class passengers dined with the captain at the captain’s table. This was Dr. Doman’s fourth voyage as surgeon-superintendent. He received 12 shillings for each emigrant who survived the voyage.
Elizabeth Morson was the ship’s nurse and Thomas Cook was the hospital assistant. Eliza Goodrich was the matron. Her primary responsibility was to supervise the single women onboard. Eliza was either selected or volunteered for the role of matron. She appears on the passenger list as a 30-year-old, unmarried domestic servant from Middlesex. The immigration agent reported that the matron ‘acted well’ and as such received five shillings for services rendered.
The sub-matron was Charlotte Daly. She too was from Middlesex. She was 29, single, and had worked as a servant. Dr. Doman in his report on the behaviour of the passengers had this to say...
With one or two exceptions amongst the married people the general conduct has been good. The conduct of the single women has been very good with the exception of three who have given the matron some trouble their names are Mary Ann Prince, Alice Skinner and Flora McLardy they being desirous of attracting the attention of the crew whilst on the poop. I have found it necessary to keep them below...
Mary Ann Prince 18, and Alice Skinner 28, were servants from Middlesex. Flora McLardy 16 was from Renfrew, near Glasgow in Scotland. She also gave her occupation as a servant. Keeping them below probably meant that the young women were confined to the single women’s quarters in the steerage.
Married men took on the role of ship’s constables. Part of their job was to patrol the married quarters at night as a safeguard against fire, theft or anything else untoward. Forty-four-year-old Charles Allwood a labourer from Middlesex was chief constable. Other constables were the labourer William Mc Leary, 33, Charles Gray, a 34-year-old bricklayer, John Buckland 34, a carpenter from Hertfordshire, Henry Jeffery, James Murphy and John Brazill a 32-year-old, carpenter from Warwick.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation for the passengers was in the ‘between decks’ or steerage. The between deck, more commonly referred to as the steerage was divided into three sections with a partition between each section. One end of the steerage accommodated the single females. They were required to share a bunk, six feet by three feet. On the passenger list we find Elizabeth senior and her granddaughter Harriet 16, listed together as single women. They were part of the thirty-five single females who shared accommodation together in the single women’s’ quarters.
Charles and Mary together with Arthur, Allen, Elizabeth, Mary-Ann, Stephen and Frederick shared accommodation in the married persons quarters with forty-five other married couples and their seventy-three children. There were thirty-four boys and thirty-seven girls between the ages of one and twelve. There were two male and five female infants under the age of one.
Married couples were allocated a bunk six feet by three feet, which they shared. The bunk below was occupied by two of their children. There was very little privacy with the sleeping arrangements. On either side of a couple were another couple separated by a plank. Sometimes this plank ran from the floor of the deck to the ceiling. In some ships this dividing plank was no more than twenty-three inches high. Where curtains were fitted as they were in the Amazon, these were suspended on rings and could be drawn across the open ends or sides of the bunks.
Alfred 21, Charles 20 and William 18 were listed as single men. They were part of the ninety-four single males who were housed together in the single men’s quarters. The single men’s bed space was six feet by two feet, a foot narrower than the space allocated for couples. This was because single men were required to sleep alone.
Accommodation onboard the Amazon was no doubt similar to the accommodation provided on many other sailing ships for that period. Government emigrants ate, slept and passed away the hours in the steerage.
In many emigrant ships the beds in the steerage were double bunks, which ran all the way round the sides of the vessel. When in position, feet pointed towards the centre of the ship. Beneath the lower bunk was a space of about six inches to store some of the passenger’s belongings.
MEALS
Meals were eaten in the steerage on a long central table that often ran the length of the between decks area. The seats were fixed on both sides of the table. The edge of the table was raised to stop knives and forks and the plates with the emigrant’s meals on them from disappearing over the edge, in heavy seas. When the weather was fine, passengers quite often chose to eat their meals on deck. Joshua Fergo was the ship’s cook and Tobias Blackler his assistant. Blackler was a 23-year-old, labourer from Middlesex, England. He either volunteered or was selected from the passengers to act as the cook’s assistant. Just three weeks after landing in Adelaide he sailed for Portland, Victoria on the White Swan.
On some emigrant ships each adult passenger was given a mess form which listed what he and his family were entitled to. This ensured that he or she would not be shortchanged by the issuer of stores. This was all very good provided the person could read. The Issuer of Stores was James Owens. He was to be paid one shilling for each passenger landed alive. He was paid fourteen pounds and seventeen shillings in wages for his work.
As far as meals were concerned, the following rations were allocated during the voyage.
Sunday’s rations included eight ounces of biscuit, 8 ounces of preserved meat, 6 ounces flour, 3 ounces of oatmeal, 2 ounces of raisins, one and a half ounces of suet, 4 ounces of preserved potatoes, 1/4 ounce tea 2 ounces of treacle and 3 quarts of water.
‘As for the biscuits which figure so largely in the dietary and in immigrant’s complaints, these were four inches square and at least an inch thick. They were baked very hard, presumably as a way of preserving them, and that made it impossible to bite them.’
Monday: The immigrants received eight ounces of biscuit, eight ounces of pork. The pork had to be prime Irish India pork, six ounces of flour, 3 ounces of oatmeal, 1/4 of a pint of peas. The peas must be issued in a cooked state, as the surgeon may direct. Half an ounce of ground coffee, 4 ounces of sugar, 1/4-ounce tea, 2 ounces of butter and 3 quarts of water.
Tuesday’s rations were much the same as the previous days. The obligatory eight ounces of biscuit (biscuit was on the menu every day) eight ounces of preserved meat, six ounces flour, three ounces of oatmeal, two ounces of raisins, one and a half ounces of suet, four ounces of rice, a quarter of an ounce of tea, two ounces of treacle and three quarts of water.
Wednesday’s rations included eight ounces of biscuit six ounces of pork, six ounces flour, three ounces of oatmeal, 1/4 of a pint of peas, half an ounce of ground coffee, four ounces of sugar and three quarts of water.
Thursday. Eight ounces of biscuit, eight ounces of preserved meat, six ounces flour, three ounces of oatmeal, two ounces of raisins, one and a half ounces of suet, four ounces of preserved potatoes, a quarter of an ounce of tea, two ounces of treacle and three quarts of water.
Friday. Eight ounces of biscuit six ounces of pork, six ounces flour, three ounces of oatmeal, 1/4 of a pint of peas, half an ounce of ground coffee, four ounces of sugar, two ounces of butter and three quarts of water.
Saturday. Eight ounces of biscuit, eight ounces of beef, (the beef had to be prime new Irish or American East India beef) six ounces flour, three ounces of oatmeal, two ounces of raisins, one and a half ounces of suet, four ounces of rice, a quarter of an ounce of tea, two ounces of treacle and three quarts of water.
In addition to the above, the passengers received one gill of mixed pickles, 1/2 an ounce of mustard, 2 ounces of salt and 1/2 an ounce of pepper each week. Every person over the age of twelve received six ounces of flour a day. The flour was used by the emigrants to prepare bread for baking. It was then taken to the baker for baking into bread and perhaps even rolls. Baking tins and an oven for baking the bread were to be provided onboard. The ship employed a baker by the name of John Daly and paid him to bake the passenger’s bread.
On many emigrant ships the quality and quantity of the meals and water left much to be desired. Copious quantities of water had to be carried onboard to cater for the passenger’s needs. Storing water over any length of time often resulted in the water turning foul. Because of its scarcity, supplies of water had to be rationed. On the Amazon each person over the age of twelve received three quarts a day.
The water and meals onboard the Amazon were, according to a report by the emigration agent, ‘both abundant and good’ in terms of their quantity and quality. The report was made the day after the ship landed at Port Adelaide. Dr. Doman confirmed this in his report saying that that the provisions and water were ‘ample and good.'
PASSENGERS' WELLBEING
For the passenger and crews’ wellbeing there were separate hospitals onboard for males and females. Each was fitted out with beds and swing cots. Under the direction of Dr. Doman, hospital patients were allowed additional daily supplies of water. A detailed list of medicines to be carried on the ship included; a tin bath, a set of copper scales and weights, sponges, bed pans, saucepans of different sizes, trusses for hernia, disinfecting powder, scissors an enema apparatus and a bleeding porringer. All volatile medicines and acids were to be put in stopper bottles.
After one month at sea a young boy by the name of Frederick Buckland died. His death was attributed to inflammation of the lungs. Inflammation of the lungs referred to pneumonia and related diseases. He died on the 2 February, age just two years. Burials at sea usually involved wrapping the body in canvas, adding weights and placing it overboard following the funeral service. In the absence of a clergyman onboard, the ship’s captain would conduct the service.
According to Dr. Doman…
There has not been any sickness of any consequence- a few cases of diarrhoea at the early part of the voyage. Some cases of dysentery after reaching the 40th degree south latitude where we often experienced thick foggy weather.
LIFE ONBOARD
The days and nights spent onboard revolved around a well-established routine, which may have helped relieve the boredom of being confined to the ship for 3 months. The day began at 7 am when every passenger was expected to rise. They dressed, rolled up their beds, swept the decks including the space beneath the bottom bunk, and threw the dirt overboard. No breakfast until this was done. Breakfast was between 8 and 9am. Dinner was at 1pm and supper at 6pm.
The passengers had to be in their beds by 10pm, when the lights went out. Three safety lamps were lit at dusk, at least one was to be kept burning all night in the main hatchway. The emigrant had to ensure that his berth was brushed out, the beds were shaken well and aired on deck at least twice a week. Two days in the week were appointed as washing days. The clothing was to be washed and dried on the deck weather permitting.
Every third or fourth week the passengers were able to choose what clothing and luggage they wanted brought up from the hold. On Sunday the passengers were to be mustered on deck at 10 am where they were expected to appear clean and dressed in decent clothes. Divine service was held ‘regularly’ each Sunday weather permitting on the deck. In the absence of a clergyman, the service was conducted by the captain.
The passengers were able to use the upper deck for exercise and to escape the crowded and uncomfortable conditions in the steerage. For the children with so much idle time on their hands, attending school while at sea was a great opportunity to learn to read and write. Attendance at school does not appear to have been compulsory, with many children on the Amazon deciding not to attend. The teacher appears to have been appointed from among the passengers. They were paid a gratuity or bonus in carrying out their responsibilities. The schoolmaster on the Amazon was William Henry Morson. He was paid a gratuity of 5 shillings for instructing the children. Lessons were, weather permitting, held on the deck. This presented its own problems as is evident in Dr. Doman’s report.
The only suggestion I have to make is that if possible a portion of the ship be fitted up for a school. The difficulty of fixing the attention of the children was found very great. The surrounding objects constantly attracting their attention. I would have used the washhouse but that I found it operated for the single females. Thereby preventing the necessity of their washing on the deck and the possibility of the sailors mingling with them. I think if such a plan could be adopted, the school would be attended with greater benefit.
He went on to say that school was ‘Attended with tolerable regularity. Average numbers thirty-seven. Tolerable results.’
The Immigration agent commented in his report that the schoolmaster ‘acted well’, and that there were as far as complaints among the emigrants ‘None, except a dispute between the schoolmaster and another occupant.’
According to Dr. Doman the behaviour of the passengers during the voyage was good with the exception of several of the young women and a number of young men.
I have had a great deal of trouble with some of the young men who are of very dirty and disorderly habits. The regulations have been very well observed, but amongst the single men I have had to enforce things especially with regard to keeping their part of the ship clear. None were reported for punishment.
THE VOYAGE
The only newspaper report of the Amazon’s voyage to Australia appeared in the South Australian Register.
‘Miscellaneous’ The voyage of the emigrant ship Amazon, elsewhere reported has been protracted by a continuance of light winds. After the departure from Plymouth the equator was reached in 30 days, and the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope in 60 days. The logbook entries of vessels spoken during the voyage do not happen to posses any interest here.
An event, which the family would have seen just two days short of landing in Port Adelaide, was a solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the sun and the earth, casting a shadow on the earth. While a partial eclipse of the sun is of little scientific interest, a total eclipse is quite rare, of great importance and stunningly beautiful.
Charles Todd, the Superintendent of the Magnetic Telegraph, wrote to the Editor of the Register newspapers with his account of the event.
The wind throughout was very light, at times dying away to a calm. It was southwest at 1.16 pm and gradually veered round to S.S.E by 5.33 pm. About one tenth of the sky was covered with cloud between 1 and 2 o’clock but less during the eclipse...
It will be seen that the temperature of the air in the sun at the commencement of the eclipse was about 89 degrees (Fahrenheit) and declined to 76 degrees shortly after the greatest phase, after which it again rose to 83 degrees at the end of the eclipse...
The diminution of light was probably not so great as many of your readers anticipated. All however must have been struck with the peculiar somber hue of the sky and country, altogether unlike that arising from the sun’s setting, when the predominating red rays of the spectrum give a gorgeous glowing tinge to every object. Towards the middle of the eclipse the clouds became darkened, and very sharply defined. In a room facing the N.N.E it was difficult to read small print. The fowls manifested a desire to roost. Venus, I believe, was visible to the naked eye, although I did not see her myself. (12)
This eclipse began at 2.35 pm Saturday afternoon, and ended at 4:51 pm. It was visible in Adelaide from beginning to end.
ARRIVAL IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
After three months and five days at sea the Amazon arrived at the Lightship, Port Adelaide late at night on Monday the 7 April. 1856.(13) A lightship was a navigational aid which displayed lights at night.
The following day the immigration agent bordered the ship and assembled the passengers on the deck. The purpose of which was to determine whether they were satisfied with their diet and treatment throughout the voyage. They were, according to the immigration agent's report, satisfied with their treatment and the meals they received. The arrival of the Amazon was reported in the Adelaide Times on the 9 April. (14)
ARRIVAL OF THE AMAZON WITH 298 GOVERNMENT EMIGRANTS. — The Amazon left Plymouth on the 2nd of January, and arrived at the Lightship on the night of the 7th instant, at a late hour, bringing a living freight of 298 souls to our shores. They are under the superintendence of Dr Doman, who has been here twice before in charge of emigrant vessels.
This gentleman, as well as Captain Coote, speaking in very favourable terms of the conduct of the emigrants during the passage, which has happily terminated with only one death. No birth has taken place, nor has any sickness of any serious nature made its appearance, some few cases of dysentery being the only patients on the voyage. The national classification is as follows:-
English 241, Irish 57
The trade classification is as follows: agricultural labourers, 91 ; shoemakers, 3 ; millers, 3 ; matron, 1 ; laundress, 1 ; bricklayer, 1 ; carpenters, 16 ; brickmaker, 1 ; wheelwright, 1 ; baker, 1 ; gardeners, 2 ; miners, 9 ; sawyer, 1 ; servants, 31 ; brewer, 1 ; masons, 7. From the general appearance of the emigrants, we are inclined to think that more judgment has been used in their selection than is usual, and the number of single men in this case far surpasses that of the single females. The vessel is in a very creditable state, but this is easily accounted for by the surgeon-superintendent's previous experience.
An incident involving the mooring of the ship took place on 8 April. It involved five crew members and resulted in four of them being found guilty of refusal of duty. (15)
The five men took the harbour boat and went ashore without leave. They did this to buy alcohol. They returned too intoxicated to assist with the mooring. As a consequence, men from the shore had to be engaged to carry out their duties. Later in the evening, during the dinner hour they again made their way to shore this time swimming from the ship. The police were summoned and the thirsty crew members voluntarily went into the police boat.
The matter was brought before the magistrate Mr. Chambers at the Police Court, Port Adelaide. Four of the five men were were found guilty and were given two months jail with hard labour. The fifth, a man by the name of Slater was spoken of in high regard by Captain Coote, and was allowed to return to the ship.
On the afternoon of the same day a second incident took place on board. It Involved an assault on the second mate Felix Dunolly. Dr. Doman had asked Dunolly to go with him to the single women's quarters where they saw the crew member Collins striking some of the girls. The constables were called and were able to restrain Collins. Alerted by the screaming women, the remaining five accused came below and several more blows were received by Dunolly. The midshipman was sent ashore for the police. The crew members Collins and McCarthy were found guilty of striking the second mate and both were jailed for three months with hard labour. Charges against the remaining four crew members were dismissed. No doubt our family was well aware of both incidents as they prepared to disembark.
Once docked in Port Adelaide the passengers had fourteen working days before they had to vacate the ship. Their beds were not to be removed or disturbed allowing them to return to the ship to sleep until alternate accommodation or employment had been found. One of the family's first priorities would have been to find work before the expiration of the fourteen days. Agricultural or farm labourers were in demand, so to were single domestic servants. According to The Adelaide Times (16) All those looking for work would be able to find it before they left the port.
Charles and Mary were both 43 when they first stepped ashore. Their oldest son Alfred was 21, and their youngest child Frederick was just 2 years old. The ages of the other siblings were Charles Jr. 20, William 18, Harriet 16, Arthur 15, Allan 13, Elizabeth 10, Mary Ann 7, and Stephen 5. Charles’ mother Elizabeth Sherwood was either 67 or 68 years old. * Mary’s nephew William Harrip was 20. William was the son of Susan and Raynor Harrip and had sailed with the Sherwood family.
See the story of Charles and Mary Sherwood in the Ancestors' Story for where the family went after disembarking.