WHIRLWIND - 1855/1859
Master: Captain E. Edgell
Rigging: Ship; sheathed in felt and yellow metal in 1854 &
1857
Tonnage: 1,003 tons using old measurements and 978 tons using new
measurements.
Construction: 1854 in Dundee
Owners: Somes, Bros.
Port of registry: London
Port of survey: Dundee (1855); London (1859)
Voyage: sailed for London (1855)
Whirlwind Passenger lists 10th January 1855
The newspaper extracts are presented as a record of the ship Whirlwind
and the Launceston Immigration Aid Society. They have not been
corrected from the original newspaper spelling.
Note that the passenger and cargo lists have been reformatted from the
newspaper reports to make them easier to search.
Background
The Whirlwind was a 978 ton Clipper Ship under the command of Captain
Edward Dover Edgell. The trip was quite eventful and is well detailed
in the newspaper reports from the local papers. Originaly sailing from
London, it quickly put into port at Plymouth, due to damage to the
rudder. While repairs were under way, there was an outbreak of scarlet
fever and those affected were removed to a hulk to recover. The ship
sailed again from Plymouth on either the 4th or 10th January 1855 and
arrived in Launceston on the 2nd April with 4 saloon passengers, 76
families and 57 single people. There had been 44 deaths, including
those from the fever, along with seven births. The agents for the ship
were Du Croz, Jackson & Co.
The ship carded a cargo of 106 cases of pickles, 2 packages of almonds,
40 packages of raisins, 100 boxes of candles, 6 half-tierces of
tobacco, 6 cases of galvanised iron, 6 cases of books, 1 case of
personal items, 1 case of jewellery and 488 deals, 176 cases, 28
trunks, 36 bales, 3 packages of manufactures.
The following list is a summary of the Whirlwind's movements whilst in
the Launceston area. They are extracted from the Shipping Information
Column 1 Page 2. Vessels in Harbour.
Date
Position
April 3
Ship Whirlwind, comming up
April 5-21
Ship Whirlwind, over the bar
April 24
Ship Whirlwind, On the Way Down
April 26-28
Ship Whirlwind, At the White Buoy
May 1-24
Ship Whirlwind, in Pilot's Bay
Launceston
Examiner March 27, 1855 Page 2 Column
2
The Whirlwind was to sail from Plymouth on 10th January for this port,
those of the emmigrants who were not sufficiently recovered from the
attack of fever remaining behind.
Launceston
Examiner April 3, 1855 Page 2 Column
1
The long-expected ship Whirlwind entered the heads on Saturday
afternoon, having left Plymouth on 4th January, making the passage in
86 days. She is a fine ship of 1000 tons, and is commanded by Captain
Edgell. It will be remembered that shortly after leaving London scarlet
fever broke out amongst the emigrants, and compelled the captain to put
in at Plymouth, where the vessel was detained a considerable time.
Since leaving London the deaths (including those who died of fever)
have been 44; the births were 7.
The emigrants who have arrived are now in excellent health, and Captain
Edgell speaks very highly of their conduct during the passage. The
Whirlwind experienced strong easterly winds during the last three weeks
and sighted Cape Otway nearly a fortnight since. On Friday of last week
one of the seamen fell from aloft and was killed.
The steam tug Cobre was despatched last night to bring the Whirlwind up
to the bar, where she will probably arrive in the course of the
afternoon. As many persons are expecting friends and relations by the
Whirlwind, we have given the names of all her passengers: in families
the number is only given.
The long expected Whirlwind" has arrived, and several hundred souls
will be added to the population. The emigrants have passed through a
fearful ordeal. An accident to the rudder compelled the commander to
put into Portsmouth, where the necessary repair could have been
effected in a few hours, had not the use of the empty government dock
been denied by the official personage in charge who eats the salt of
that nation whose funds furnished the accommodation.
Scarletina broke out, its victims were removed to an inhospitable hulk,
for which the British government charged a high price, forgetful of the
first duties of humanity; inclement weather aggravated the disease,
which assumed a serious type, and carried off a number of victims.
Twenty three died on the passage, and although the survivors are
healthy and robust, the loss of relatives and fliends casts a shade of
sorrow on the enterprise.
We deeply sympathise with the bereaved, and the painful circumstances
in which Mr. Drake has been placed must evoke the kindest feelings of
his friends. His was no mercenary mission, and though he may not
calculate on the gratitude of those he has sought to benefit by a
removal from comparative penury to immediate plenty and ultimate
affluence, he has earned their respect, and will secure the esteem of
the colonists. His position has been one of great responsibility, much
risk, incessant anxiety, and no profit.
When years have elapsed, he may expect adequate acknowledgment from
those he has served, and not till then.
The captain, too, has had his trials: his crew have been in a state of
insubordination in consequence of the proper and rigidly enforced rules
that excluded the seamen from intercourse with the emigrants, and the
sailors have, at the conclusion of the voyage, struck. The misguided
men will soon learn that here their misconduct will not be countenanced
- that punishment will visit the refractory - that extravagant pay no
longer prevails, and that the gold diggers, on the average, do not make
ordinary wages.
We trust the hopes of the emigrants have not been unduly elated, and
that they will be prepared to accommodate themselves, as the thousands
more affluent have done before them, to the exigencies of a new
country. The farm labourer and mechanic will not be carried off by
force at any wage they may demand: the unmarried females will not be
surrounded by sighing lovers, solicitous to make them brides.
Australia is a land where privations must be endured, and hard work
encountered. At the end of the vista, which is not long, there is
settlement and independence to the industrious, the economical, and
sober.
Every young woman will find a husband in process of time, but before
she obtain a good one she must show by her behaviour she deserves him.
Everything will be new to the emigrants; they must be surprised at
nothing, and become quickly reconciled to the condition of the colony.
If they display those qualifications of temper and aptitude which make
people useful they VAII be appreciated, and experience consideration
and kindness from their employers, who in general promote their welfare
to the utmost.
We repeat, hard work, frugality, and sobriety for a time will
inevitably lead to independence; but those who seek the latter by the
shortest line must be prepared to "rough it" for a season.
The Whirlwind having arrived, the trustees beg the attention of the
subscribers to the following list of immigrants, selected by the Rev.
B. Drake, principally from the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex.
The members of the association, and other colonists, requiring any of
the above servants, are required to notify the same to R. Green, Esq.,
immediately. It is expected the people will be in attendance for hire,
at Messers. Gilmore's store on Thursday, the 5th of April.
Launceston
Examiner, April 5, 1855 Page 2 Column
1
The magnificent clipper ship Whirlwind came up to the bar in in gallant
style on Tuesday afternoon, in tow of the Cobre, and she now lies
moored in the stream. She is the largest vessel that has ever visited
Launceston, and she has in consequence been the principle object of
attraction and theme of conversation since her arrival. We are glad
that her agents and commander resolved to break through the prejudices
which have so long and so unjustly laid against the navigation of the
Tamar, and which have probably prevented many large ships from coming
to this port.
The safe arrival of the Whirlwind - a ship of 1000 tons - at the bar of
the North Esk is, however, "au fait accompli," providing incontestably
that with a steam tug, vessels of her size, at any rate, may venture up
the river without risk. We should like to see the flag of the Commodore
Perry, on her arrival, floating within sight of the town.
Launceston
Examiner, April 5, 1855 Page 3 Column
1
The Emmigrants
The landing of the immigrants by the Whirlwind took place yesterday
afternoon, at one o'clock. As soon as they were all ashore, the Rev. B.
Drake briefly addressed then after which they gave six hearty cheers
for the rev. gentleman and the Captain of the vessel, of whose kindness
they speak in the highest terms. The emmigrants thus introduced amongst
us are, regarded as a whole, perhaps superior to any who have adopted
Australia as their future home. Selected with great care by Mr. Drake,
none but respectable and really useful persons - as far as it is
possible to judge - are included in the number.
The trouble and anxiety which Mr. Drake incurred in his endevour to
carry out the instructions of the local society, together with the
success of which has attended those efforts, entitle him to the thanks
of the community, and a place amongt the benefactors of the colony. The
hiring commenced this morning at the temporary depot (the stores of
Messrs Gilmore, Staunton and Co.), and from the eagerness evinced by
employers, we have no doubt all the emigrants will speedily be engaged.
the greater part of them are married and have families, thus affording
a guarantee for their permanent location.
Several, however, are young and single: they have left home and
friends, and naturally feel strange in a strange land. Harshness would
break their wounded hearts, they want gentle words and looks of
tenderness, and these will be amply repaid by sincerity and affection.
Launceston
Examiner, April 24, 1855 Page 2 Column
1
The Whirlwind was towed down to the heads yesterday by the Cobre, where
she will remain until the return of Captain Edgell, who has proceeded
to Melbourne in the Black Swan, to procure hands.
Launceston
Examiner, May 26, 1855 Page 2 Column
1
The steamer Royal Shepherd, ship Whirlwind, barque Flying Cloud, and
schooners Pilot, Mary Stewart, Dobsons, Jet, Victory, Maid of the
Valley, Spy, Vixen; brigs Mercury, Lizzie Webber, and City of Sydney,
are all detained at the heads by contrary winds. The Black Swan will
proceed to sea, on Friday next.
The gale of last night and this morning was more severe than any we
have had during the season, and we fear it will tell disastrously upon
the shipping. Several vessels are still detained at the heads.
Surname Number
Surname Number
Banham 5
Barker
7
Bennett 2
Betham
3
Betts
8
Brooks
2
Brothers 3
Brightwell
2
Bryant 2
Check
5
Clark
3
Clark
6
Clark
7
Cleaver
2
Cleaver 6
Crisp
3
Curtis
2
Dennis
2
Dickson 2
Dudley
5
Edwards 4
Farrell
8
Fielding 4
Garrant
2
Goss
4
Groom
3
Hart
4
Harvey
2
Hawkes 2
Hazlewood 3
Holton 2
Howard
7
Hudson 2
Hudson
2
James 5
James
6
Jessop 4
Johnson 2
Johnson 7
Lancaster
4
Lapthorne 7
Lloyd
7
Lyng 12
Machen 6
Manning 5
Marshall
3
Marshall 5
Nichols
5
Oakley 7
Oxbrow 7
Page
2
Peachey 2
Perry 3
Potter
6
Powell 4
Riches
5
Rolfe
2
Rudd
4
Rudd 6
Russell
5
Salter 4
Sayer
12
Skipper 2
Slaggard
5
Slater 8
Smith
2
Smith
7
Suckling 3
Tunkin 2
Tunkin
5
Turner 4
Walker
7
Wells 3
Whiterod 3
Wood 2
Woods
2
Wooinough 5
Woolnough
8
Single men and women
Barker, Harriett Clark, Matilda
Gusten, Joseph
Herbert, Eliza
Hudson, W Kidd, William
Machen, George
Moor, James
Overton, Henry Rudd, Ann
Sayer, Eliza
Sing, Emma
Standley, John Vale, Lydia
Wright, Charles
Barker, Sames
Cleaver, Charlotte Harvey, Thomas
Howard, Charles Houchen, Frances
King, Eliza Manning, James
Mush, Sarah
Parkes, John
Rudd, William Sayer, James
Slaggard, John
Suckling, Maria
Webster, John Barnett, William
Dickerson, Oche Hazell, Henry
Howard, Elizabeth Johnson, George
Laber, Charles Marsh, Sarah
Morley, Charlotte Pooley, James
Saunders, Susan Sayer, Maria
Smith, W Taylor, Helen
Wells, W
Buck, George
Fielding, James Hensley, George
Hudson, Martha Kebble, Benjainin
Lindsell, Emma Marshall, William
Oliver, Charlotte Revitt, John
Saunders, Benjamin Sayer, W
Slathern, Maria
Taylor, William
Wright, Ann
Sources: Launceston
Examiner 27th March, 3 rd April 1855
Reproduced with the kind permission
of Vincent Staggard (1999)