Nott and Wright Family History: Ch 3: Emigration to Australia

Philip Nott emigrated with his wife, Martha Jane Wright (born 1849) and 10 month old daughter, Flora, on the 'Royal Dane', travelling steerage. They left London on 8th October 1872 and arrived in Moreton Bay on 16th January 1873, a total of 106 days which was a reasonably fast trip. The 'Royal Dane' was one of a large fleet of immigrant ships that brought thousands of immigrants to Queensland during the 1860's and 1870's. The 'Royal Dane', 1615 tons, was a former American clipper that was bought and refitted to carry immigrants to Australia from the United Kingdom, making several trips between 1865 and 1874. The Queensland Government instituted a system of immigration called the 'land order system' which provided that every adult immigrant who paid his or her own passage to Queensland was to be granted a land order for 18 acres and after two years residence in the Colony a further order for 12 acres. Poorer immigrants were also encouraged to sail to Queensland under free, remittance, or assisted passages with conditions attached to receiving their land orders.

'Royal Dane' moored in unidentified port

A.D. Edwardes Collection, State Library of S.A.

PRG 1373/5/2

(Also in the Brisbane Courier 11 Feb 1922)

As mentioned in the introduction, the Nott's choice of Brisbane is a mystery given that Martha’s parents and siblings had left for New York State at around the same time. The reasons for their migration to America, which are quite complicated, will be explored in a separate chapter.

The passenger lists for the ‘Royal Dane’ indicate there were 17 Saloon class, 57 Second Cabin class, 52 Steerage class, totaling 126 self-funded passengers. There were also 72 Assisted, 221 ‘Free’ passage and 63 Remittance passengers, and four births on the voyage, giving a total of 486 persons on board. A column relating to the self-funded passengers was entitled 'No. of Land Order', in which the Nott family was No. 1001.

Generally, immigrants appear to have held fond memories of their journey in the 'Royal Dane'. The voyages were fast, and deaths from disease, few. However, a newspaper report indicates that conditions on board were not altogether rosy according to a passenger who wrote a scathing letter to the Editor under the pseudonym “New Chum”. Knowing Philip Nott’s readiness to express his opinions, it is highly likely the missive was written by him, and if not I’m sure he would have shared the writer’s opinions:

Brisbane Courier, Wed 22 January 1873 p3:

THE ROYAL DANE

To the Editor of the Brisbane Courier.

Sir- Allow a “new chum” by the above ship to address the colonists of Queensland through your columns. An idea is beginning to prevail in the mother country that there is a liberality on the part of Queensland in fostering emigration to her shores not equalled by any other colony, and it would be a misfortune if that idea were checked. Some, perhaps I should say many, of my fellow “new chums”, propose to send back to England statements of the unpleasant nuisances and hardships they have had to endure in their passage out; by adopting which course I fear the injury done to the colony will be incalculable. Certain statements, I believe, have been officially made to the Immigration Agent, and it remains with those whose duty it is to deal with them; but it behoves the colonists at large to see that the liberal measures they devise, and the liberal funds they provide, are not misapplied.

By the rules of the Government to be observed in ships coming out under their auspices, a system of gratuities is provided- a system excellent in itself, but liable to much abuse, and which in the above ship, by which I have recently arrived here, I conceive has been greatly abused. To name a few instances, there were, to my knowledge, not fewer than eight passengers appointed to the office of constables, to each of whom a gratuity of £3 is promised for the fulfillment of the duties of the office, and it is a fact that at the close of the voyage one of them actually expressed ignorance of his duties, whilst it is notorious that the duties of several of them have been very imperfectly performed. Again, a library of books, &c., to the value, it is said, of £30, was placed on board for the use of passengers, and a librarian was appointed, whose duty it was, according to the rules, to have the library open from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. every day, and for which he would also be entitled to a gratuity of £5. But in this case, also, the library was scarcely ever open, nor any librarian in attendance, and passengers could seldom, and that at irregular intervals, obtain books or return those they had. I might allude, also, to the schoolmaster, entitled to a similar gratuity for duties equally inefficiently performed; while second cabin accommodation was gratuitously given to two duly qualified schoolmasters and their families who declined to perform those duties. Again, the mother of six little children was appointed hospital nurse, whilst there were several widows and staid married females amongst the single women equally well, if not better, qualified to perform those duties. Under the arrangement made, the hospital itself, which should have been, as a sick ward, sacred from the intrusion of children, was subject to their inroads; and, unfortunately, they comprised the most noisy family on board. Besides which it was remarked, from their having been occasionally seen to throw away on deck pieces of fresh meat, &c., that they became possessed of the delicacies intended for the invalids. But why need I continue to enumerate these perversions of a system good in itself? They are patent and easily ascertained by any person whose duty it is to enquire into them, and surely it is time enquiries were made.

Again, the whole system of emigration requires a thorough overhauling. The abominations of the present system and the heartless way it is carried out in its huddling together individuals, entire strangers, of different nationalities and habits, in ships not prepared and unfit to receive them; in it separation of families, parents, and children, brothers and sisters; in the laxity of discipline causing confusion; in the absence of personal cleanliness, entailing general discomfort; in the lack of a sufficient oversight over the quality and the mode of serving out the provisions supplied; in the insufficiency of medical comforts and the extortionate prices charged for necessaries; in short, in the whole detail of the emigrant’s life and comfort from his embarkation to his landing- ought to be exposed and rectified, and more especially so f a continuance of the emigration of a respectable class of single females is expected.

It is to be regretted that the prospect on arrival in port of a speedy liberation from the troubles of the past should tempt the suffered to pass out of them without expostulation, but so it is; so great is the desire to be freed from them. I would, therefore, through your columns urge my fellow “new chums” to make known their grievances in the same manner, that they might be here thoroughly ventilated; instead of adopting the suicidal policy of sending their complaints back to England, from whence no public or private benefit can arise- Yours, &c,

January 21

A NEW CHUM

Not an auspicious start to their new life in a new land.

The letter to the editor brought a quick response from one of the ‘constables’ maligned by the writer:

Brisbane Courier Thurs 23 January 1873 p2

THE ROYAL DANE

To the Editor

Sir,- In answer to “A New Chum”, will you kindly allow me a corner in your paper? I was constable on board the Royal Dane and I defy “New Chum” to bring a single case where I neglected my duty. “New Chum” is no Englishman, or he would have made his statements before the men he accused had left Brisbane, so as to have given them a fair chance to reply. If he could see so many people neglecting their duty on the ship, why did he not complain to the doctor of the captain? Those gentlemen were always ready and willing to assist everyone that was in trouble, and “New Chum” must have had more than his share. I believe Mr Gray put the question to all the passengers in this way- “Have you any complaints to make?” If this “New Chum” had opened his mouth then, he would have saved the Government part of the money given in gratuities. Hoping that he will show his name, so that we may know him when we meet this very clever man,- Yours, &c.

WILLIAM WARD, Late Constable on Royal Dane, Brisbane January 22

In 1922, several letters reminiscing on the voyages of the Royal Dane fifty years before, appeared in the newspaper, giving us accounts of their journeys. The pleasant memories of the voyage recounted in the following account differed markedly from the letter by “New Chum”.

Brisbane Courier Sat 25 Nov 1922 p18

THE ROYAL DANE

It is pleasing to note that there are so many people interested in the good old ship the Royal Dane. There is no doubt that it was a fine seagoing ship. When I came out in her she was under the command of Captain Cooper- just the man for so fine a ship. She had Dr Miller to look after the health of the passengers. Ours was a splendid voyage, the doctor had not too much to do, as there were very few sick. We had no deaths, but had two births. One child born was named after the ship and her officers (Captain Cooper, Dr Miller and the Royal Dane) on December 29, 1872. Henry Cooper Miller Dane. The good old vessel was built in North America in 1858, and first known as the Sierra Nevada, but later on went under extensive alterations in Liverpool, and was then rechristened the Royal Dane. Her registered tonnage was 1615 tons, her crew consisted of 58 in all. There were 437 adults, and two children under 12 years aboard. We left the London Docks on the third of October, 1872, were towed to Gravesend by the steamers Sussex and the City of London, with a pilot on board. Anchored there until the 8^th, when we made a start on our long journey. We had a very rough time in the English Channel, and almost ran down a schooner during a dense fog. Our fore yard was badly damaged in the encounter, and could not be used until we were a month at sea. So it was not until the 14^th that we started with a full press of canvas and a fair wind. On November 4, being the first month out, the sailors rode the Dead Horse** round the decks, then on to the captain’s part of the ship, the quarter deck, where it was purchased by him for £5/10/-. Then it was hauled to the yard arm, destroyed, and thrown overboard. From that out we had concerts every week for the remainder of the voyage. We crossed the line in the night on November 8 with a fine breeze, but could not have old Neptune aboard, as the captain did not like to miss the fine wind. We reached Moreton Bay Lighthouse on January 15, 1873, and anchored. The Royal Dane being one of the largest ships that came to Brisbane at that time, had to be lightered before she could come up the river. We landed in Brisbane on January 17, 1873, after 106 days’ journey. There are several of my shipmates in Brisbane, who will no doubt write to you later on. The late Mr J Dowridge (the Black Diamond) came out in that ship, and was one of the Royal Danish Minstrels.

A.C. Davies, Dalby November 22

From the “Royal Dane Chronicle” (an onboard newspaper)

The Royal Dane is a noble ship,

Built of timbers massive,

It’s borne us through without a slip,

Through rough and smooth impassive.

Then let us all with one accord,

Although we soon shall sever,

Our voices raise our ship to praise,

The Royal Dane for ever.

It’s been our home for long, long days,

We spent the time right gladly,

Although at times, in many ways,

We thought of home most sadly.

But let us cast away all cares,

That would our old ship cover,

And praise our good and gallant ship,

The Royal Dane, for ever.

The captain, too, we’ll bring to mind,

Will never more forget him,

For he has been as good and kind,

May evil ne’er beset him.

This gallant ship he guided well,

Through rough and stormy weather,

Then let each one the praises tell

Of Captain Cooper ever.

** The reference to the Dead Horse custom was explained in the following 'Recollections of a Voyage' (Brisbane Courier Sat 11 Feb 1922 p12)

An old custom on sailing ships.

When sailors signed on for the voyage they were allowed to draw one months pay in advance. When they came aboard, needless to say, they had spent it, so the first month was considered working out a dead horse. On the evening of the 30^th day out, we were a little surprised to see the sailors bringing out of the forecastle a horse, well got up, with a sailor dressed in jockey clothes riding it, followed by a precession of sailors and children. They moved slowly along the deck, and finally stopped at the captain’s cabin, where every man received a good glass of grog. After a short time the horse was condemned and hanged to the yard arm, where it remained for a short time. Then it was cut down and committed to the deep. This ended the working out a dead horse. The evening finished with a few songs and the next day pay commenced again.

There was shipped three head of deer for Cressbrook, but one died on the voyage.

The following was the steerage diet scale (weekly):

Beef 8oz; pork 2 ½ oz; preserved meats 24 oz; suet 6 oz; butter 6 oz; biscuits 42 oz; flour 56 oz; oatmeal 16oz; peas ¾ oz; rice 8oz; potatoes 8oz;carrots 8oz; onion 8oz; raisins 8oz; tea 1 oz; coffee 2 oz; sugar 12 oz; molasses 8 oz; water 21 quarts; mustard ½ oz; salt 2 oz; pepper ½ oz; mixed pickles 1 gill; lime juice while in tropics, 3.

Brisbane Courier 4 Feb 1922 p17

The letters of “Ancient Mariner” and others make interesting reading to those who knew the Royal Dane, either personally or through friends and relations who came out to Australia in her. The Royal Dane was undoubtedly a very fine vessel, one of the finest of her day, and the “queen” ship of the firm Taylor, Bethel and Roberts… When first built she was named the Sierra Nevada. This was afterwards altered to the Royal Dane, as a compliment to the Danish princess who had married our Prince of Wales, later Edward VII. The ship’s figurehead was a much admired “statue” of the lovely princess.

The Royal Dane was wrecked somewhere in the “eighties”, but where and how it happened, or who was her captain at the time, I don’t know.

Whilst speaking with affection and praise of these emigrant vessels, let us not forget to do honour to their skippers. We who travel in the great liners running on schedule time, can have no idea of the difficulties and anxieties that beset the captain of 40 or 50 years ago. The dead calms, when the ship barely moved on a sea of glass, the sudden change of wind, which would compel him to go far out of his course, to say nothing of the bitter cold and raging storms, rounding Cape Horn, when the captain literally ate and slept in his oilskins, made navigation a fine art in those days.

12 April 2013

Ch 3: Emigration to Australia