Immigrant Ships
Transcribers Guild
The Lady Egidia
LAUNCHING OF THE
"LADY EGIDIA"
The "Ardrossan Herald" of Saturday, September 8, 1860 announced the purchase
lately by Potter Wilson & Co., of Glasgow, of the large vessel on stocks
in Messrs. Barr & Shearers ship-building yard here. Since the purchase
workmen have been preparing her for the launch which was looked forward
to with great interest, both on account of the size of the vessel and from
the length of time which has elapsed since a like event took place in this
locality.
It came off on Wednesday last under circumstances which will long be
remembered. The day was remarkably fine. From an early hour the harbour
presented a gay scene with flags of all nations floating from ships and
buildings, and as the hour approached every available spot which commanded
a view was crowded. No fairer sight was ever witnessed at any previous
launch, and we believe at no former period was the anxiety so general that
Messrs. Barr & Shearer's usual good fortune should attend them on this
occasion.
On a platform, raised near the dry-dock, was the Earl and Countess of
Eglinton, Lady Egidia Montgomerie, and party from the castle, Colonel and
Mrs Wylie, Miss Moffat and party, John Moffat Esq., W.B. Huggins Esq.,
Dr. Robertson, G. Thomson Esq., Misses Houston, Rev. M. Rorison, Mrs Rorison,
Misses Buchanan, and a large number of strangers. Whilst in the several
groups in the yard, but especially on the vacant space between the pig
iron and the edge of the dock on the opposite side, were mingled together
all classes drawn together from Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan.
At about 3 o'clock, expectancy is at its height as heavy hammer and
mallet wielded by strong arms drive in the wedges which are to relieve
the props which fasten the vessel still to the ground. These are at length
removed and:
There she stands
With her foot upon the sands.
Decked with flags and streamers gay
In honour of her marriage day.
Her snow white signals fluttering blending
Round her like a veil descending
Ready to be bride of the gray old sea.
At this moment, Lady Egidia, accompanied by her noble father, The Earl
of Eglinton, by the members of the firm and by the owners stepped forward
and, having broken the bottle upon her bow, the noble vessel slowly, majestically,
and without a pause, slid into the embrace of the old ocean, amidst the
once again and again congratulatory shouts of friends.
Lo from the assembled crowd
There rose a shout prolonged and loud
That to the ocean seemed to say
Take her O bridegroom, old and gray'
Take her to thy protecting arms
With all her youth and all her charms.
The "Egidia" is one of the largest, if not the largest wooden vessels
ever built in Scotland. Her model was the General theme of admiration,
and we believe the timber of which she is built is the finest that could
be procured. She measures 219 1/2 feet long, extreme breadth 37 1/3 feet,
depth 22 1/2 feet , registered tonnage 1,235, builders measurements 1,461
tons.
She has a well executed female figure at the bow, and at the stern there
is a figure of Mercury and two female figures representing commerce. the
ornamental carving at both the bow and stern is very tastefully designed.
She goes immediately into dry-dock to be coppered and finished, and
no expense will be spared in fitting her out in a style in keeping with
the superior build of the vessel.
She is advertised to sail for Otago on 10th October, and we do not exaggerate
when we say that no finer or better built vessel ever sailed for the Australian
sea.
The vessels name "Lady Egidia" is that of a daughter of a noble Scottish
House, the Montgomeries of Eglinton Castle. The e name Egidia has been
traced back more than 600 years. It has been bestowed on female members
of the family and its branches right up to the present day.
The historical committee thanks most sincerely Miss Winifred Montgomerie
of Wanganui, who so kindly and willingly offered her assistance, together
with the use of several booklets and photographs as well as the chart showing
the derivation of the name Egidia.
EMBARKATION SCOTLAND 1860
And the news spread from town to village that a large boat was building
at Greenock to sail to that far away land of promise, New Zealand.
As the launching day approached, men, women and families arrived from
Edinburgh, Perth, Aberdeen, Ullapool, even from Kirkwall in the Orkneys,
and from Northern Ireland.
In all, 438 passengers boarded the s.s. "Lady Egidia" on that eventful
day when flags flew and hundreds of spectators watched, including a party
from "The Castle" headed by the Earl and Countess of Eglinton and their
daughter, Lady Egidia Montgomerie.
Among the 58 married couples--137 men and 70 women--their occupations
were given as 40 labourers, 31 ploughmen , 22 carpenters, 17 shepherds
and 50 domestics.
And so they set sail in this "big" boat of 1,235 tons, 219 feet long,
and the voyage of 104 days began.
The "Lady Egidia" sailed from the tail of the bank at Greenock, 12th
October 1860, on her voyage to Otago.
Previous to the ship being cleared, the passengers were addressed by
the Rev. Dr. Bonar, Edinburgh, and Mr Thomas Birch, an Otago Colonist,
in a very impressive manner. She has a long passenger list besides
a large and valuable cargo. She is considered one of the finest ships in
the Clyde.
Page 1 Passenger List
Page 3 Poem and diary written aboard the Lady Egidia
Page 4 Letter by Margaret King of voyage
Page 5 Newspaper account of arrival
For further information, please contact the contributor Barbara Armstrong
Formatted by G.P. Schill, III for Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild
10 March 1999
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