October 22, 1853
Tble trade wind was experienced, and the ship passed close to Tristan de
Acuna ohe ship “John Taylor,”J. M. Cawkitt, Commander, anchored in our harbour on Tuesday evening. The ”John
Taylor”left Gravesend on Sunday, July l0th, with 140 passengers. The pilot was discharged off the
Isle of Wight on the 13th. Strong contrary winds with head seas were experienced until
reaching Cape Finisterre, causing much sea-sickness, and disappointing the hopes of making a rapid
passage. Madeira was reached on the 30th July, and the line crossed on the 17th August. A
favouran the 5th September, and hove to for a short time to enable those on
shore to communicate with the ship, but no one came off. Several houses and
cattle were seen. The Meridian of Greenwich was passed on the 7th September, and
the Cape on the 12th. Strong westerly gales were experienced with heavy seas, the ship
rolling heavily and constantly. On the 20th they had a hurricane from W.S.W.,
which lasted from three to four hours with extreme violence, the ship scudding
under a reefed foresail, and treble reefed main-top-sail; the force of the wind
aft sending the ship's forecastle under in two or three plunges. All on board
state it to have blown heavier than they had ever experienced. The ship behaved
nobly and met with no accident excepting a new main-top-sail much split while
taking it in. Ship's position at the time — lat. 42' south, long. 51' 28"
east. From that time to sighting New Zealand, they had strong gales. Stewart's Island was passed on the 15th October, and
the ship entered the harbour "of Lyttelton on the 18th, making the passage
from Ushant in 88 days, and from Madeira in 77. Four deaths occurred on the passage among the children.
The voyage was characterised by the best feeling among all on board. As the ship was
entering the Heads on Tuesday morning, a meeting of the passengers was convened
in the saloon to present an address and a piece of plate to the Captain. On the
motion of Mr. Harper, seconded by Captain Beswick, the Rev. J. C. Allen was
called to the Chair, who, in a brief but very appropriate address, paid a high
tribute to the many qualifications of Captain Cawkitt, alluding to his Christian
character and gentlemanly deportment. The address was read by. Mr.Ollivier,after
which the healths of Captain and Mrs. Cawkitt were proposed by Mr. Allan and
warmly received by the passengers. The worthy Captain feelingly responded. One
feeling of gratitude for the Captain’s unceasing kindness pervaded the whole
of the passengers.
The following is the address read by Mr.Ollivier which
was signed by 39 passengers, many of them heads of families, and representing in
all one hundred and forty-one persons
Dear Sir, —The undersigned Passengers by the John
Taylor,cannot separate after the agreeable voyage which has been
accomplished under your direction, without bearing their most sincere and
heartfelt testimony to your ability, zeal, moral courage and decision of
character as Commander, as well as to your kindness of heart and general anxiety
for the welfare and comfort of the Passengers confided to your care. All speak
in warm terms of acknowledgement of the almost parental sympathy you have felt
for their wants and their sufferings, of the anxious consideration you have
displayed during their unavoidable hours of sickness, and of the cheerfulness
with which every thing in your possession has been placed at their disposal,
though, as they are fully aware in many instances, at your own personal
inconvenience.
"To you then, they feel they are entirely indebted for the comforts of the voyage,
and they desire to couvey to you their most grateful thanks for yonr repeated
acts of kindness.
"We have experienced how completely the happiness of the Passengers on board ship
depends upon the gentlemanly bearing of the Captain; nor could they indeed offer
you a more convincing proof of their high opinion of your great and peculiar
fitness for the important trust you have so ably discharged, than in the
expression of our anxious hope that our friends who intend following us may
fortunately succeed in securing a passage in the vessel you command.
"Permit us to add that you will carry with you the most sincere regard and esteem, and
the heartfelt good wishes for the prosperity of yourself, Mrs. Cawkitt and
family, of those who have now unfeigned pleasure in subscribing themselves your
friends and Passengers by the John Taylor.”
This address was accompanied by the presentation of a purse to purchase a piece of
plate, the result of a subscription among the passengers, with the following
inscription to be engraved thereon:—
Presented
to
J. M. Cawkitt,
Commander of the “John Taylor”
by the Passengers
as a mark of their esteem, and
in remembrance of the kindness and attention
received from him during their
voyage to
New Zealand,
October 20, 1853.
