1875 February 19

Examined the Emigrants at the Baltie Wharf Depot and again on the morning of embarkation Feb 20th in conjunction with Dr S?, Captain Hoey and Edward Smith Esq (despatching officer) and finally sailed from Plymouth?, Sunday 11am Feb 21st.
 
Part 1
The weather between Plymouth and the Equator was favourable throughout crossing the time on the 26th day. That part of our journey was accomplished without anything very eventful happening, the following being the only things worthy of note.
 
Feb 23
Mc Ewen was discovered to be of unsound mind; Davis was appointed to attend him.
 
March 13
Lat 8.13 N Long 26.16 W. The ship’s cargo (brandy) was broached by the crew and in consequence Capt J P T Thorpe appointed two extra Constables, Shea and Armstrong, the former for single men and the latter between decks.
 
Part 2
From the line to the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope from March 19th to May 1st the winds were very unfavourable and calms frequent, the S E Trades were very indifferent and before the wind at all freed we were driven off the Coast of South America on the parallel of Rio? the following are the most notable events.
 
March 21
Lat 3.56 S Long 29.70 W Ms ? The appointed nurse was dismissed and Ms Tyler appointed in her place owing to her having Susan Finch one of the single girls in the hospital after being distinctly told it was not allowed.
 
April 12
Miss Banefield who was suffering from acute bronchitis was removed into hospital on deck by the conjoined wishes of Capt J G Thorpe, the matron and myself.
 
April 14
5.30 am Lat 32.18 Long 23.49 W Capt J G Thorpe was discovered dead on his cabin floor pm examination showed his death to be the result of apoplexy.
 
April 15
Miss Banefield was removed back into singles girl’s hospital.
 
April 21
A general complaint between decks that Mr Younghusband (pincer)? Was giving short weight. An investigation proved the complaint to be greatly magnified. The disturbance really arising from a ? and exactness and want of civility on the part of M Young husband.
 
Part 3
From the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope to Ma??tius from May 1st to May 23rd. The latter part of the journey was characterised by alternate gales and calms.
 
May 8
Strong NE Gale; Blowing so hard that the sailors refused to go aloft, the wheels each weighing 11 ? in main hold got adrift and occasioned great fright amongst the Emigrants.

May 11th
In consequence of the wheels getting more play and casualties happening in connection to the ship herself, Captain Best had a consultation with the Officers of the ship, the result of such consultation was that it would be impossible to proceed in safety towards our destination; so the Captain C W Best shaped a course for M------
 
May 21
Slightest peterbolt 4 pm
 
May 22
 
Part 4
 
From May 23rd to June 10th at anchor in Port Louis.
 
May 25th
A boat was hired for the especial use of the Emigrants to convey them to and from the shore. The Commisioners examined the various compartments of the ships and afterwards mustered the Emigrants. They expressed themselves pleased with the cleanliness of the apartments, discipline and general appearance of the Emigrants.
 
May 30
All the single girls in charge of the Matron went to the “Seamens” Church, Captain Best accompanying them, and in the afternoon the Lord Bishop held Divine service on deck.
 
June 2nd
This morning the Govenor granted to the Emigrants a special train to convey them to Pa?plimousses; the Harbour Mates placing at the disposal of Captain Best his steamer to take them ashore; we were at the central station at 10 arriving at our destination at 11 am. Mr [Horne?] (manager of the Gardens) was thee to welcome them. Dinner was served at 1pm and after our early tea prepared for the return journey leaving the station at 4.30 and arriving in Town at 5pm. The single girls were at once taken on board by small boats which Captain Best had in readiness for them and boats also for those of the married people who cared to return on board.
 
June 7
The Emigration Commissioner (Chatenem boys, Senior Cap, and Dr Wheldon) came on board and after a general muster of passengers examined the quantity and quality of stores.
 
June 10
Thursday. The pilot on board the vessel set sail, and, at 2.30pm she was at the Bell Buoy.
 
Part 5
From Mausitius? To the heads, Port Lyttelton, from June 10th to July 21st.
 
June 11 Nora Shanakan was attacked with fever and which at the time and for some days seemed doubtful as to its nature, but it was clear that it was no other than ague. Three days subsequently Eleanor Boyd was similarly affected. They were both removed into hospital; all communication was as far as possible prevented in the various compartments, the port W C on main deck allowed only to be used by them and bags saturated with Carbolic Acid were suspended from the (ceiling)deck and by the 19th June fever and ague was pretty general throughout the ship though of a mild character, as also was dysentery.
 
June 27
Minnie Kerr who was suffering from rheumatic inflammation of knee joint was removed to female hospital on check with the co joint wishes of Captain Best, the matron and myself.
 
July 2
Nora Shanahan, Margaret Magee and Margaret Ryan I ordered to be kept below for one week as a punishment for going into hospital without leave.
 
July 9
Lat 4.5.22 S Long 142 E. About midnight it was reported to the officer on watch that the between decks was on fire. Captain and myself at once went forward and after a careful investigation Captain Best discovered it to be under the galley. This fact was ascertained by entering that portion of tween decks where cargo is stored between the married peoples compartment and the single men’s, water was freely used above, the fire engine speedily at work tween deck and the fire soon extinguished.
 
July 10
Lat 45.49 S Long 147 E At 10am the fire again broke out, similar measures were taken as on the night previous to extinguish it, afterwards the galley was moved and cement placed between it and the deck.
 
July 13
W J Co[r?]ner died 7.30am of exhaustion consequence of diarrhoea pm examination 10am committed to the deep 2pm.
 
July 21
At anchor at the heads outside Lyttelton 5.30pm
 
The following are the suggestions which I beg to submit to you for your consideration.
1st That it would be better for the Agent General to appoint a thorough practical nurse.
2nd That the sweepers for each compartment should be appointed weekly
3rd That a locker should be fixed at the top of each bunk for the purpose of holding change of linen – it would prevent cleanly disposed persons from the annoyance of [pesticide?]
4th A small enclosed space between decks in the married compartment to contain bath for the use of the married women as under existing circumstances no married women from the time of embarkation has the opportunity of washing herself save her hands and face without most indecent exposure.
5th That if the store room is in married compartment an issuing room should be provided elsewhere apart from any compartment: say on the main deck that the purser, store-keeper, or third mate as the case may be should weigh out on the previous day then weekly and daily acquirements, ( in the presence of the appointed constable) and such stores should be taken to the issuing room and these issued at regular appointed hours; such measures would obviate or materially lessen the difficulty of keeping the single men in their own compartment and at their own end of the ship, would greatly add to the comfort of those of the married community not having sons in the single men’s compartment and save many disturbances that arise therefrom.

(signed) Joseph ------- Townsend
Surgeon Superintendant
Ship “White Rose”
Lyttelton
July 22nd 1875

I certify that the above is a correct statement of Births and Deaths amongst the Government Emigrants by the ship "White Rose"
J Townsend
Surgeon Superintendent