Guide to the Diary of George Robert Pearson (as filmed by the AJCP)
M979
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2018
Online Items
Diary kept by George Pearson on a voyage from London to Auckland on the Lady Jocelyn, and on the return voyage from Sydney to London on the Chimborazo, 22 September 1880 – 7 January 1881, and 11 June – 31 July 1881 (File 1)
This exceptionally detailed diary begins in Bristol with Pearson's departure from his home and family, his journey to London, and his impressions of the sailing ship Lady Jocelyn (captain: George Jenkins). He includes a list of the clothes, utensils and books that he took aboard. The diary refers to the departure from London (27 September 1880), fellow-passengers, Pearson's sea-sickness, chores, shipboard entertainment such as concerts, plays, music and dances, church services, sunrises and sunsets, meals, the quantity of provisions given to each passenger, sightings of dolphins, albatrosses and other sea birds, the slow progress of the ship in the Doldrums, crossing the Equator ceremonies, the sightings of other ships, the first sighting of the Southern Cross, climbing the riggings, Christmas celebrations, rough seas in the Southern Ocean, the first sighting of New Zealand (31 December 1880), landing at Tauranga, encounters with Maoris, disembarkation at Auckland (7 January 1881) and the search for lodgings. At the end, Pearson gives details of the ship, her crew and the passengers and a summary of the voyage, showing their daily position, the distance covered, and remarks...