Copied from a parchment manuscript recording the voyage of the “Scottish Lassie”

from Plymouth, England to Bundaberg, Queensland in 1888.

by Jethro Enoch Elijah Zacharias Coate from Somersetshire.

William Aspland (age 17) was on this voyage......

ON A VOYAGE FROM ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA

Tuesday 13 March 1888We set sail from Plymouth in the Scottish Lassie of London, an iron vessel built at Aberdeen in the year 1888 a sailing vessel of 3 masts of 24 sails registered 850 tons. I may mention we went on board Saturday 10th March. On Sunday night it was very rough a vessel drifted into us and moved our anchor and we was driven very near land it was only by the mercy of God that we were not all lost if we had been struck in some ways we should soon have been to the bottom. We set sail the day mentioned but for the first 2 days we made but little progress the wind having got right ahead of us, during this time most of the passengers were very sick some wishing they had never seen the Scottish Lassie some wishing to die out of it, not thinking that after death comes judgement.

16th MarchA fair wind we are now in the Bay of Biscay the vessel rolling heavily waves washing decks. At night very uncomfortable nearly rolling out of our bunks. We each have a separate bunk measures about 6ft in length 2ft. 6 ins wide 1ft 6 ins board to part each bed, five bunks wide each side of the ship, 2 deep 1 sleep over the other and mess tables between 10 in each mess and a Captain over each mess to carve meat and see that every man gets his allowance and that all the mess utensils is left clean. Then we have 9 Constables - 5 married men 4 single men also a School Master. The Constables work is to look after the single girls, take their food and water and to see the floors is kept clean and stand at the issuing room to see that each mess gets their allowance of food one to assist the Doctor and one to keep the closets clean. There is about 140 single men 80 married mostly with a family, between 50 and 60 single girls, Captain, 1st 2nd and 3rd mate, Cook and sailors about 30 and Doctor. We also have sheep pigs ducks and fowls on board. We also have 2 wash houses on board for washing clothes. We get plenty of music from a bag pipe to a tin whistle. We get a watch in our turn, 4 is on watch every night, 2 till 2 o’clock then 2 till 6 o’clock to see no noise is made after 10 pm or any smoking or to give alarm in case of fire. There is no regular hour for going to bed or rising as there is only a few third class paying passengers on board.

18th MarchWe are now out of the Bay it is slowly getting warmer there is now plenty of fish to be seen called porpoises they are about the size of a man.

24th MarchA delightful morning all beds on deck to be aired and an extra scrubbing under the berths. A vessel to be seen at a distance we are slowly passing her.

25th MarchVery calm our vessel scarcely moving rather warm no bread for breakfast only a few hard biscuits. The Baker spoiled it in baking so he is turned out of his job and Cook gets it.

26th MarchA fair wind going a good rate. Devine Service this morning conducted by the Captain and Doctor the bell went for prayer as it used to in old England but I am sorry to say a few attended while others were gambling swearing singing songs and dancing.

27th MarchA fine morning but sorry to relate a fight before breakfast.

28th MarchA very bright morning can see about 20 miles. Some have been on deck playing cards all night by moonlight. Tonight we can see plenty of flying fish.

30th MarchGood Friday arrived very warm heat between 80 and 90 degrees. Hot cross buns for breakfast. Dancing and amusements all day ship to a stand still.

31st MarchStill warmer we shall soon pass under the sun or across the Equator then all the sailors that have not been across before gets shaved which I shall inform you of further in my notes.

2nd AprilVery warm but a fine wind, the previous night the Captain and Steward had a quarrel and the steward when retiring to bed took some Laudanum with the intention of poisoning himself, but his mate saw something wrong with him - he looked so queer he at once called the doctor he soon seen what was up and got it off his stomach. The sailors had to keep him walking about one hold of each arm not to let him sleep. He was in dreadful agony but he is now slowly getting better.

4th AprilHeavy gales and heavy rain. It rains much faster than in England. It is as though coming through a sieve.

5th AprilVery dull. Married people quarrelling a man struck his wife and gave her a black eye when he came on deck he was made fun of above what he could bear so he went below but there they would not let him stay. They fetched a rope and went down and fastened it around his waist and shouted E.I.O. and hawled him on deck and on account of his been stubborn he was hit about very much till he was exhausted then he was unloosed. When he came to himself he went below again this occurred before

dinner. After dinner he had orders to go up and appear before the single girls for them to see him he had 5 minutes gave him if he was not up in that time he was to be hauled up again. Just before the time expired they went to the top of the stairs and shaked up the rope which soon brought him running up the stairs. He was then took before the single girls when returning was buckets of water poured over him. Then the doctor gave orders to let him be and if it occurred again he would have him put in irons. I would say it was the single men which brought him on deck and threw the water over him.

7th AprilFine day but warm we are now arrived to the line. The day has arrived for the performance 3 sailors and baker have to be shaved. I will try and describe a little but it would be impossible to describe all. First of all they had a large canvas sheet the 4 corners tied up and a hollow in the middle filled with water some hodgheads, then a platform put up by the sheet the sailors then all dressed in curious dress one had a sheepskin around his body his legs bare his face legs and arms painted false whiskers and an old hat and a fork with five prongs - an imitation of the devil. He was enough to frighten anyone next was his wife. Another sailor dressed in womans clothes with a good bustle the size of a cask. You would scarcely know him from a woman. Next comes the doctor dressed in several kinds of dress then the barber with his tool box swang round his neck and painted in letters shaving 5d only. Then the first victim was led up by their Constables to go through the disagreeable operation with their clothes on. He was then sat on a stool by the side of the water the doctor then examined him and gives him a dose of medicine made of treakle and mustard and some pills made from the droppings of sheep rolled in flour then it was the barbers turn with his lather made of the droppings of pigs and soap it was then applied with a white wash brush over back head and face then he was asked if it was enough and as he said yes the brush was put in his mouth then he took a wooden razor made for the purpose about 3 feet long and shaved him then he was plunged into the water. This ended the first I need not go through any more as they was all served the same. I would say the baker offered 10/- not to go through his but they would not take it as they rathered the fun than the money. At night there was a concert and the Captain let of a nice lot of fire works this is the custom of passenger ships when crossing the line in this way the day is ended.

10th AprilA fine breeze we are now on the Coast of Africa. A complaint against cook not getting right allowance of food everything to be weighed for the future.

16th AprilA fair wind. A vessel in sight going to Sydney Australia loaded with candles.

17th AprilVery calm. Three large fish caught also a shark. All of a sudden the fire bell. Emigrants soon all on deck in a heap like a flock of sheep to see what was up when the pumps fire engine started working the water instead of being put on fire it was turned on the Emigrants who was soon drenched to the skin and driven below then the sailor lowers a boat and a few gets in and rows around the ship then the boat returns

and hawled in place when we learns the right they are practicing to see how quick it could be done if any-thing should happen.

18th AprilWomen going on deck with the sailors after their Husbands are in bed. One is parted and to be kept by herself during the remainder part of the Voyage.

22nd AprilHeavy wind ship rolling very heavy.

23rd AprilWe are now rounding the Cape of Good Hope nothing to be seen but water and birds.

24th AprilAll boxes up for passengers. This will make the third time since we left Plymouth. It is now very cold getting in winter.

25th AprilGirls Concert this evening after the Concert the doctor said “The single men had behaved very well up to the present time and he hoped they would continue the same up to the end of the Voyage.

26th AprilGood wind but very cold about as cold as when we left England. Scotchmen quarrelling one threatened to stab the other the Captain and mates fetched him and bring him before the doctor. He is put in another mess if it occur again he is to be put in irons during the Voyage. Emigrants rafling off their clothes to buy tobacco - a shirt for 6d a pair of trousers 9d a watch 10/- a pair of sheets 5d or 9d or nearly anything I could mention there is many I am afraid will have neither clothes or money by the time they land.

28th AprilFair wind several ill on board one removed to the hospital.

30th AprilVery rough ship rolling heavily water washing deck. All gambling stopped by the doctor. A large bird caught called an Albert-tross it is nearly so large as a sheep it measures from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other 12 feet, bill from 9 inches to a foot in length.

4th MayVery rough to night most are in their beds. A heavy gale in - sailors running all over the rigging one while pulling a rope it broke he fell and it is reported 2 ribbs is broken.

6th MayVery rough water washing decks. All of a sudden a huge wave dashes over deck making the deck knee high in water several nearly washed overboard one man washed down about a dozen steps in-to the single mens apartment there he lay on his back for some time with the water pouring down the hatchway on him. Till the water

ceased many was drenched to the skin also part of a hatchway washed away which lead to the married people and a deal of water runned down. Some was greatly frightened it set them to work for some time taking it out in buckets.

7th MayA change from yesterday for the best. It is true what the good old book says about those that do go down to sea in ships to do business in great waters that they shall see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep. We have seen some of His wonders of late.

10th MayVery rough a head wind drifting us back. The doctors assistant blown down and his face cut open several other accidents. Although so rough ships cook and a married man have been fighting but the first mate parted them. Now we have only 2 sails up to fight against the wind.

11th MayTo night the gale is falling off the wind is shifting around in our favour but the sea is very heavy.

12th MayFair wind off again in full sail but the sea is still rolling very heavy.

14th MayA fair wind. Caught another large Albert-tross measuring 10ft 7 ins from tip of one wing to the tip of the other.

15th MayFair wind. All boxes up before dinner all beds on deck after dinner to be aired. Large bills up announcing a clearance sale to commence 7p.m. where much clothing was sold good coats sold from 1/- each shirts 6d carpet slippers 2d pair and many other articles at a very low price.

17th MayFine wind but heavy squalls about every half hour and some heavy hail storms.

18th MayFine day and plenty of birds to be seen. Two flew on deck after pitching was not able to rise again about the size of a large duck they are called Molley Hawks. After looking at them, one they put a ticket on - Scottish Lassie and day of the month, then turned them going then if it flew on another ship they would see the ticket as it is their custom to fly on ships.

20th MayVery stormy at about 8 o’clock p.m. a heavy gale. Vessel in full sail and raining as through a sieve. The Captain told the doctor he had but little hopes of her but it was God’s will we should not go to the bottom they got the sail in just in time some of the sailors said “They had never been in such a storm before”. At this time the Emigrants some was below looking out of the windows thinking how well she was going as she

looked to be going 40 miles an hour she seems to jump very near out of the water some was to bed some playing some taking God’s Holy name in vain not knowing anything of the danger they was in till it was all over.

21st MayGood wind going fine. Several in the hospital with measles. The Australian coast tomorrow.

23rd MayFine wind under full sail we are now on the Australian coast. We sailed 332 miles in 24 hours since we left Plymouth we have runned 9 miles an hour putting good and bad weather together.

25th MayVery calm till about 10a.m. when all hands are ordered on deck hawling in sail when we had a heavy thunder storm thunder and lightening lasted about half an hour after the storm caught a large Albert-tross the doctor said he had never seen a better plumage on a bird, it was very handsome.

28th MayFair wind we are not far from Tasmania if the wind is in our favour we shall go through Basses Straits if not go around Tasmania.

29th MayHead wind driving us 4 points off our Coast right away from the straits. If we go through the Straits we signal to Cape Hotwell and they telegraph to Marlborough to say we are coming as we have to land at Marlborough unless the wind is in our favour to take us to Bundaberg.

30th MayA change to day - a dense fog the fog horn sounding about every five minutes, we are too far south to go through the straits so we have to go around Tasmania that will make between 2 or 300 miles farther.

31st MayFine day - fog clearing away moving steadily along we are not far from Tasmania.

2nd JuneFine wind. About 8 a.m. we saw a dense rock off the coast of Tasmania projecting out some distance in the sea its height about 300ft above the sea level about 7 miles distance we saw two more afterwards and the coast of Tasmania. The name of the rocks was Adamson Rocks it is the first land we have seen since the 16th March when we saw the French coast. On the first day of June the cook caught 8 large Albert-tross in about an half an hour. They are caught with hook and line with a bit of pork on the hook.

3rd JuneFine wind no land to be seen today we expect to land about Thursday.

5th JuneA fine wind we are now passed Sydney. The sailors and Emigrants have been very busy yesterday and today scrubbing and cleaning ready for landing. The Captain and doctor have been around inspecting the ship to-day the Captain gave the single men credit for having their place so clean he also gave them a word of advise what to do when they land. I would now put in a few words respecting the Salvation Army when started from old England they were but a few and met with a little persecution but they stuck true to their post and God has used them as instruments in His hands of winning precious Soul five up to the present have professed to have found Christ to the joy of their hearts 4 have come out openly on deck and knelt down and asked forgiveness and they did not ask in vain. Up to the present time they have not been backward in speaking singing and praying for the Master, and telling their companions that they have been brought from natures darkness into Gods most marvellous light, and from the bondage of Satan into Gods liberty.

7th JuneFair wind we have today passed Moreton Bay where we stood about a mile off and signalled with flags it was a grand sight to see Moreton lighthouse. Then having a good wind we sailed off for Bundaberg.

8th JuneBeen sailing all day at night we saw Bundaberg lighthouse about 7 miles distant the Captain not having been to Bundaberg before turned around and runned her up and down till the morning. Then we sailed about 2 miles from the lighthouse and 9 miles off Bundaberg where we lay till Sunday when a tug and a steamer came out and took us up the river. We arrived in the depot about 9 p.m. we walked about 1/2 a mile from the landing stage then we had so much bread and beef a we could eat but we had to cook it ourselves out doors on a stick to a big fire made with logs then go to bed in a tent on a straw bed, this will end the voyage of the Scottish Lassie.

The lights of the Harbour the Harbour lightsThe dream of so many long dreary nightsThe bright beaming star so near and so farThe lights of the Harbour the Harbour lights.

The “Scottish Lassie” Photographed at Bristol, Rownham Ferry at Hotwells near the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

(But with the picture reversed!)

The Scottish Lassie on her maiden voyage