The Missionaries 6

Voyage to Australia (2)

Friday 20. Fortieth day at sea. A very strong breeze from
the south producing a head sea ; vessel lurching and pitching, and
lying on one side ; it is very difficult to move, such tumbling and
upsetting of dishes; some laughing, others crying; indeed, we
have here a sore life.

Saturday 21. We have a head wind, tacking to keep off the
American coast, being only ninety miles from land. Ship's motion
very trying. I am languid and poorly to-day ; rather disposed to be
fretful. My Father, help me !

Sunday 22. Last night was very wet: fine morning, a dead
calm ; very unusual in these latitudes : numbers of sharks, whales,
and grampuses, play about our ship. When under the water and
near the surface, these monsters of the deep look very beautiful.
Occasionally they roll their huge carcases upon the surface, and,
snorting, send up a volume of water, as from a large water engine.
We were cut short in our morning prayers by a sudden squall of
rain and wind. I spoke in the afternoon from Rev. iii. 20, a very
solemn service, but cut short by the near approach of the Naiad,
from Liverpool, forty-five days out, bound for St. Francisco. It
was quite a treat to see the little boat hoist our national flag, and
speak to her floating neighbour. The night was squally and the tea
late ; so we had no evening service.

Tuesday 24. Forty-fourth day. A beautiful day, not much wind,
and too much from the quarter towards which we wish to steer.
Just passed a small merchant vessel, out sixty-three days from
Boston, bound for Buenos Ayres. Poor fellows ! They have been
three weeks becalmed upon the line. She came very close to us.
We have had our bed and cabin well drenched, by the water
washing in at our porthole, left open to air the place. I have had
several foul falls : it is very dangerous : God be gracious to us all!

Saturday 28, Forty-eighth day. A very fine day and
favourable wind ; our course being almost direct east.
It seems we went a little north yesterday, but
gained considerably in longitude. The extra motion has upset me
again ; violent vomiting ; so weak I can scarcely walk. The doctor
has ordered me arrow-root with a little brandy in it. Upon the
whole, so far, to me the voyage has been painful. God help us past
the stormy Cape!

Monday 30. Seven weeks out. A long time to be out of sight
of terra firma. Lovely morning. In all our trials the Lord has been
gracious. We are sailing direct south ; I am better. Thermometer steady at 76F.
At a distance of some 400 miles we are passing St. Helena, to which island
Napoleon was banished.

Tuesday, July 1, 1851. Fine sailing. Boxes up ; what a stir!
Some of the boxes are damp, clothes spoiling. Most of the
passengers in good health and spirits.

Wednesday 2. Sailing steadily due south, five knots per hour.
Again I am very sick; but
cheered with the thought that we are half way.

Friday, July 4. Fifty-fourth day out. Since twelve o'clock
yesterday a splendid breeze.
Praise the Lord, we are now leaving the tropics ; it is light in the
morning at half-past six, and dark about the same time in the
evening. The moon, three days old, looks very beautiful. The sun
sets grandly ; a light purple sky, with the deep red in the horizon,
and the variegated clouds in grotesque figures, make the scene truly,
enchanting. Whilst I am writing, our water is being measured out ;
the water smells very badly. We have a great deal of nonsense ;
this evening we are to have a play. Our clergyman and student
swear when irritated. Petty thefts are not uncommon.

Saturday 5. Fifty-fifth day. Though here it is now winter,
it is warm ; we put on our upper coats to sit on deck in the evening
only. Albatrosses and Cape pigeons are occasionally to be seen.
Monday 7. Fifty-seventh day. Not much wind; rolling waves;
expecting a breeze from the west. We are within the influence of
Gape Horn. Oh, for a prosperous sail round the Cape of Good Hope.
Wednesday 9. Fifty-ninth day. Weather fine, breeze springing
from the north-west, just what we want. This morning, a beautiful brig,
a slaver (most likely) from Rio Janeiro, bound to the Cape Coast,
passed under our bows.
Thank God our country does not now deal in human flesh. We
are all well. Our floating community presents a busy scene ; several
Cape pigeons have been caught. A vessel is astern.

Saturday 12. Fine day, good progress; seven knots per hour.
Cape pigeons, albatrosses,
and stormy petrels, or, as the sailors term them, " Mother Carey's
chickens," fly in groups about our stern, or float upon the troubled
wave. All well, except one female, who has never recovered from
sea-sickness.

Sunday 13. Sixty-third day out. Very wet. This morning at
two o'clock, a sudden squall, and all our sails out : a terrible stir !
Such shouting, rolling, tumbling, and confusion; it was truly
frightful. Only prayers below in the evening; a very trying
Sabbath.

Monday 14. Still wet and squally, our course in the right
direction, and very rapid. We had a sorry night ; slipping off the
bed feet, and then tumbled backwards neck and heels ; shut up to
hear the filthy conTereatioii of the wicked. We hope to see better
and brighter days.

Thursday 17. Five days almost constant rain. Last night about
twelve we were taken aback; the wind suddenly changed, and blew
strong in our teeth, flap back went the sails, and the vessel was in
imminent peril. Our second mate was on watch : he ran and called
up the first mate, who, without his clothes, rushed on deck. The
masts were in danger of being carried away ; two or three minutes
longer, and the masts must have gone, or the ship have been driven
stem down into the sea. Thank God, all is well.

Monday 21. Funeral at sea. About eleven a.m. the tolling
bell told that the body of the late Mrs. Henry was to be committed
to the deep. The body — stitched in canvass, and heavily weighted
at the feet, stretched upon a bier, covered with the national flag —
was borne by four sailors, from her cabin to the leeward gangway ;
poor Mr. Henry and his two eldest sons following. The silence
was only broken, by my reading 'I am the resurrection and the
life.'  At her particular request, I conducted the service ; and
on reading the words, "We therefore commit her body to the
deep." The bier was gently raised, and in a moment, the corpse
was plunged into the unfathomable ocean.
The youngest child is likely soon to follow its mother.

Tuesday 29. North-east wind very high: sea washing over
the decks perpetually. We never saw the sea so rough before.
One of our male passengesrs was very near being washed off the
poop. Mrs. T. and I had just left the poop. We are crossing
Mozambique Channel; O Lord, preserve us ! A beautiful sunset last
night, at ten minutes past five —  we are ninety-five minutes before
Greenwich time.

Wednesday, July 30. Strong north-east breeze : about a quarter-
before ten A.M. a cross sea broke over the ship, and carried away
our weather bulwarks. A condensed body of water rolled as high
as our topmast, and the report was as loud as if the ship had struck
with fearful violence upon a rock. I was upon the poop holding on
and saw the whole affair. The water rushed down the hatchways
as if the sea had been let in upon us ; and some of the berths were
filled, boxes were floated, and broken with the shock. One lady
was completely drenched while in bed ; Mrs. T. was in her cabin,
and sickened at the sight. One young man, unaccustomed to pray,
was heard to say, " Lord Jesus, have mercy upon us, the old ship
has struck upon a rock." Such screaming and terror ; our
first mate up to the middle in water, crying, "All's right ! All's
right !" My prayer was, " O Lord, moderate the wind, and save
us." Thank God no person is seriously hurt, and the wind
somewliat abated.

Thursday 31. A sudden fearful squall this morning: wind
changed to north-west : fine dry sailing, and drying of wet and
spoiled clothes. May God bless the sittings of the Annual Assembly :
no Townend there ; frequently, Thomas, Elisha, and myself, were
present. Three years since, this day, Elisha went to heaven. I
am sorrowful, but happy.

Friday, August 1, 1851. Beautiful sailing, thermometer 60F.
The captain's lady very ill. The bad weather has
left me very weak. Mrs. Townend is but poorly ; most of our
passengers are reduced in strength and injured in appearance.

Sunday 3. Eighty-fourth day at sea. Yesterday strong
south west breeze, rough and squally. Prayers in the morning.
Mr. Henry's baby, aged eight months, died ; just fourteen days after
its mother : I read the funeral service ; and, in the presence of
our ship's company, at five P.M., committed the body to the deep.
I preached in the evening from Luke xvi. 31. ; very good
attendance, and a deeply solemn time. Our course is rapid ;
weather very cold and trying.

Monday 4. Thank God! The strong south-west wind holds out
and though the weather is cold and the sea rough, yet we get on
rapidly. Yesterday Mrs. Townend and I had very heavy falls: Oh
how thankful we should be that our limbs are not broken.

Wednesday 6. Yesterday, in the afternoon, the wind from the
north-west blew a perfect gale. Oh the majesty and awful grandeur
of Old Ocean, when roused to anger by the continued lashings of
the furious winds. For the last three months we have never seen
land —
" Our pillow has been the ocean wave,
Our home upon the deep."
I stood with surprise and awe, when, without any hyperbole,
the sea rose mountains high : and what a night ! I really thought
at times that the ship was sinking ; such pitching, rolling, and
lurching. What thoughts ran through my mind of the land we
had left, perhaps never more to see ; its Sabbaths, sanctuaries, and
friendships: our present condition, and the uncertain future,
whether we should see the land of our adoption. All pressed sore
upon me : but I did not repent the step I had taken ; and casting
myself upon the merits of my Saviour, I felt, that ' for me to live
was Christ, but to die would be gain." Still, when I thought of
the number of wicked persons on board, and of the work in which
we had embarked, I did most earnestly pray, as I have ever done,
that we might be preserved, and blessed in our work.
Mrs. Townend and Amelia are as well as could be expected. This morning
the wind has died away, but there are heavy swells, and the sea
looks surly, as if remembering the lashings of yesterday.

Tuesday 12. Last night was about the roughest we have had,
the wind changing to the south-west. We awoke with our heads
downwards ; the wind roaring, the vivid lightning glaring, and the
rain descending in torrents. What a terrible noise of shouting,
roaring, and rattling of feet and ropes ! The day is squally, with
intervals of sunshine.

Wednesday 13. Some fearful rolling, and shipping of seas from
our stem portholes and the hatchways, still our cooking fires can
be kept in. Most of the company are in good health, and we are
talking of landing by Sunday or Monday week. Our preachers at
home will be in their circuits before me. God bless them!
Saturday 16. South-west breeze ; a very stormy night. One
of the midship boys fell from the gale from the driver upon the
henroost, but was only shaken. This is the finest day we have had a
long time.

Wednesday, August 20. The one-hundredth day of sailing ;
and what a day of disappointment! The wind changed early this
morning, and by nine o'clock blew a gale from the very quarter to
which we wish to sail. The motion of the vessel is very trying, and
a sea-sickness has taken hold of many. After two such fine days,
and such cheering prospects of landing soon, we were ill-prepared
for such a change. Lord, help us not to repine ; and in thy own
good time bring us safe to land!

Saturday, August 23. South wind, so that we go pretty near
our course. We are past the Australian promontory, Cape Lewin.
Our spirits are cheered, but some of us rejoice with trembling.
Last night a quarrel took place between our clergyman and
Dr. Lewis ; the former spitting in the face of the latter. Alas, for our
adopted country, if it is to be supplied with such ministers and
candidates for holy orders as are on board the ' Asia' !

Sabbath, August 24. One hundred and four days since we left
Southampton.  Tossing night ; afraid we may run upon the land,
it being very dark. About midnight the ship was tacked off from
the land. We had to change in our bed, so as not to lie with our
heads downwards. What a bustling night ! At early dawn, six
o'clock this morning, what clapping of hands, and shouting!
" Land, land ! And a fair wind ! " So it was : I saw it distinctly ;
and by the north-east breeze from off the land, we can make our
course.

Tuesday 26. Yesterday the vessel tossed with a strong wind ;
and heavy rain, as well, made it very unpleasant. Last night the
wind roared terribly, and the old ship lying on one side dashed
through the deep. The bows of the ship, with the phosphorus,
seemed hung round with silvery lights, whilst the forecastle
completely dipped itself in the sea. To-day we are pleasantly sailing
before the wind, hoping that the breeze will continue, and heave us
quickly to the land we seek. Many of the passengers are getting
peevish and irritable : the food is very stale, and the desire to be
ashore is so strong. What a mercy I We are all well.

Wednesday 27. We are sailing rapidly under mizen-topsail,
main-topsail, main-gallant, fore, and foregallant-sail, direct east,
before a strong western breeze. The great question is, " Shall we
make Adelaide before Sabbath ?" No more land to be seen before
we reach Kangaroo Island. Weather warmer, and the atmosphere
clearer when free from squalls.

Friday 29. Strong west breeze. The old ship has been cleaned,
that we may enter harbour decently. It seems as if we were going
to have a holiday. We expect to reach Kangaroo Island to-morrow
by noon.

Saturday 30. Lovely, like an April day at home ; sky and sea
appear like English. All is bustle and life, except our friend the
Kev. J. Tester, who is very ill indeed. No one was more joyful
at the thought of meeting friends and relatives in the new country.
He has children and grandchildren in and about Adelaide. I trust
his life will be spared. Whilst I write the sailors are hauling
upon deck the cable, and from the poop and forecastle land can be
seen.

Sabbath, August 31. One hundred and eleven days out. At
three o'clock this morning, we were suddenly awoke with the shout
of, "All hands up ! All hands up !" It turned out that we were
close upon the western point of Kangaroo Island.  Most of the
male passengers ran up almost undressed ; when, lo, the vessel
was driving before a strong breeze, and was making right against
the frightful rocks, which seemed as if a biscuit might be thrown
upon them with ease ; the females below were in the greatest
fright; the ship, however, was instantly turned in the right
direction. During the great alarm, Mrs. Townend was fast asleep,,
for, being very hard of hearing, she got many a sound sleep when
I was wakeful with fear. About seven in the morning, the captain
ordered the ship to be turned round, as he thought we had got to
the wrong side of the island, but — the view being taken from the
mast-head — it was found that we were in the right course ; so with
great joy the ship was again turned round, and a favourable
breeze wafted us towards our adopted land. The day was still
and hazy ; no morning prayers. In the evening we had the most
quiet and impressive service we ever held on board the 'Asia.' I
spoke from Heb. ii. 10, and concluded with an address and
farewell to those who were leaving us at Adelaide. At half-past
eleven that night we dropped anchor in sight of the light-ship in
Holdfast Bay, near Port Adelaide. Hallelujah to the Triune God !
Oh ! with what feelings of gratitude and joy did we lie down that
night!