Immigrant Ships
Transcribers Guild

The Lady Egidia

Ninety seventh day, Friday, January 18th:
Fine morning- going beautifully---we have caught an Australian hot wind which is very strong.  Captain thinks we will anchor about beginning of the week--all quite excited now.  "CAT" says-she and Maggie have been packing today on the sly. We got orders not to do so until the Pilot came on board, for if we did we are more sure of a head wind , but we risked it.  "MD"  says--we are getting our cabin scrubbed out and the sailors are busy with the poop--confusion out and in today--they wish to make her look quite smart when we land.

Ninety-eighth day, Saturday, January 19th:
Long. 161o 0'E. Beautiful day and quite a pleasure to be at sea, especially so near to landing. All in good spirits--preparations being made for landing--sighted 3 vessels this morning, one homeward and two outward bound--expect to see land in a day or two.

Ninety-ninth day, Sunday, January 20th:
Long. 165oE. Beautiful morning but progress slow. No sermon today although this is expected to be our last Sabbath aboard. A good many on look-out for land, but all disappointed.

One Hundredth Day, Monday, January 21st:
At 3 a.m. a cry of "Land Oh" "MD" says first thing we heard this morning was a knocking above our heads to get up and see land. The people were all running to and fro in an excited state. It was Stewart Island--not over 2 1/2 mile away. We came along the coast for 30 miles or so when we were in sight of our destined province Otago, and the land we were making for.  "TW" says it was really very joyful and pleasing to stand and look at the beautiful but rugged land after being so long at sea. We ran round the coast of it,  passing between an island called the Trap and Stewart Island. "JM" says--we have not been going more than 2 knots since noon. We are lying in the mouth of the Foxeaux Strait and can see land on both sides. Sun very hot--another birth this morning, the 7th but also 32 deaths to date. A man-o-war was seen close to Stewart Island.

One Hundred & First Day, Tuesday, January 22nd:
Beautiful morning--still becalmed-- rather teasing after being so near landing.  Signalled a vessel named "Armin" bound for Melbourne. A breeze sprang up about 2 p.m., but was a head wind.  We had to tack out to see for 40 miles, turned and gained 17 miles by that. Tacked again at 8 p.m., intending to run for 80 miles, so we will not sight land again until tomorrow, as we will stand out at see all night. Reckoned to have made 20 miles by that tack. Had the wind been favourable we would have anchored in 9 hours.

The tug "Geelong" which towed the "Lady Egidia" into Port Chalmers Anchorage, and later took the passengers to Dunedin Jetty was a paddle steamer  of 108 tons. Her skipper was the Harbour Master, Captain William Thomson.

One Hundred & Second Day, Wednesday, January 23rd:
Dull morning--cloud built up during the day. Sighted land at 10 a.m., but the wind has fallen, although contrary all day--some thought the land was Cape Saunders, but the Captain made it out as Nugget Point. Tacked again all night.

One Hundred & Third Day, Thursday, January 24th:
Sighted land about 7 a.m.. Hove the lead 3 times--first no bottom at 50 fathoms--second found it at 50 fathoms, and third at 45 fathoms. Ship put about shortly after--were too far south to gain the Heads--tacked at 10a.m. and again at 2 p.m., and kept at sea all night.  A breeze off the land is the cause of it.

One Hundred & Fourth Day, Friday, January 25th:
Gained sight of land again, but not far enough North to make the Heads. Tacked twice and got within half a mile of the Heads , but too late in the evening to get the pilot.  Tacked out again--saw the signal light put up two rockets and a blue light about 9 p.m. to make them aware of our arrival.

One Hundred & Fifth Day, Saturday, January 26th:
Beautiful day, but provoking to say we are almost becalmed about 16 miles off the Heads. The pilot came in search of us and came on board about 6 p.m.. Shortly afterwards a slight breeze sprang up and we got to the Heads and anchored outside the bar about 8 p.m.

One Hundred & Sixth Day, Sunday, January 27th:
Still at anchor. Quite becalmed -- Fine day. Tug arrived this afternoon. had a few gentlemen come on board.

One Hundred & Seventh Day, Monday, January 28th:
Weighed anchor at about 3 a.m. and were towed up to Port Chalmers , finally anchoring about 4 miles inside the Heads. A small drizzling rain came on and lasted a few hours. Inspected at 8 a.m. "MD" says - went up in a small steamer to Dunedin in the forenoon and planted foot on land once more about 1 o'clock . "CT" says -Inspected at 8 in the morning and got on shore at 12 noon, after being 104 days at sea. "MD" says- It was about 6 p.m. when we left the steamer "Geelong" and about 7 when we arrived at Dunedin Jetty.

The above three accounts of the landing at Dunedin are each a little different.  perhaps the "Geelong" made more than one trip up the harbour, as 400 odd passengers and their luggage may have been more than enough for a single trip.

"THE FIVE DAY WEEK"

A ship sailed from Britannia's shores
Bound far across the sea
Unto New Zealand's distant land,
And many a soul bore she.

The gallant ship ploughed proudly on
With snow white wings upspread'
She kissed the billows' crested tops
While on her course she sped.

The weeks rolled on in happy dreams
With visions of the past,
The youthful mind, sweet fancies,  crown
Of many a year to last.

The gallant ship rode nobly on
And reached her promised haven;
They viewed their new adopted land
And breathed their thanks to Heaven.

‘Twas Friday night they did arrive,
Two rockets they did fire;
To wake Otago was their aim
And reach their cherished spire.

The pilot duly came aboard,
"'Tis Saturday ye well may ken!
Why, nae one works sae late
A yonder in the Toon."

"The Sabbath too ye must all keep
We mauna work lest they shall weep.
I must away and leave her bide,
A rolling in the deep tide."

"The morrow we'll hae a tug
And lug ye into port.
Then later in that very day
To Dunedin's captain ye'll all report."

..........ANON.

Page 1 Passenger List

Page 2 Newspaper account of launching

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 Transcirbers Guild
10 March 1999

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