THE OTAGO WITNESS
2 Feb 1861
THE "EGIDIA."
The "Lady Egidia," from Greenock, arrived at Otago on
Sunday last, after a passage of 104 days. She anchored
about two miles off the Heads, and was on the
following morning towed up to Port Chalmers by the
"Geelong." She is the largest vessel which has yet
come to Otago, and was, we understand, drawing 18 feet
when she came in. Her safe arrival at Port Chalmers,
without touching ground, is a satisfactory refutation
of the assertion that the water of the harbour is
becoming shallower. She belongs to Messrs. Potter,
Wilson, & Co. of Glasgow - the firm to whom the "Bruce"
and the "Cheviot" belong, and who have made offers to
the Provincial Government to bring out immigrants on
advantageous terms. The application has been referred
to the home agents, with the request that they will
give Messrs. Potter, Wilson, & Co. the preference over
other tenderers, other matters being equal. The
"Egidia" brings the largest number of passengers ever
landed in Otago by one vessel, and gives an addition
to our population of upwards of 400 souls.
The "Egidia" experienced some unpleasant weather at
starting, but, we understand, the voyage on the whole
has been an agreeable one. Some complaints have been
made of breaches of the Passenger Act, which will be
inquired into; we believe, however, they are not
serious charges; possibly they may be only the
inconveniences indispensable from a long voyage, with a
large number of passengers, and will shortly be
forgotten now that the immigrants have touched terra
firma. The supply of provisions and water, as
regards both quantity and quality, is favourably
reported upon by the passengers. We, however, regret to
learn that there have been 32 deaths - the whole, with
the exception of two, being children. The death of the
two adults was to have been expected from the state of
health in which they left the home country but the loss
of so many children, we are persuaded, must arise from
want of proper care and attention on the part of the
medical officer. There is nothing in the voyage to New
Zealand, either in its length or the latitude passed
through, which should make it destructive to children.
Want of ventilation and a sufficiency of nourishing
diet is, we are certain, in most cases the cause of the
death of children. Medical comforts are usually most
liberally supplied by the owners of the ships. In this
case, there appears to have been no exception to this
rule. We can, therefore. only come to the conclusion due
care has not been used. We have again and again urged
upon the Agents the necessity of being careful in the
selection of the medical officer in charge, as upon him
depends to a great extent the comfort and safety of the
voyage.
On Monday afterhoon the "Geelong" brought up the
passengers to Dunedin. The jetty was crowded by the
inhabitants of the city, who came down in numbers to
welcome friends, or to catch a peep at the new arrivals
- who, judging from the cheering from the loaded deck of
the "Geelong," were glad enough to be at their journey's
end, and to land in safety in the land of their adoption.
The male immigrants, with a few exceptions, appeared to
be hale, strong, hearty fellows, who will be an
acquisition to our community. The whole were quickly
housed in the Immigrants' Barracks, which affords ample
accommodation.
The demand for the services of new arrivals was,
as usual, considerable, and numbers have already found
permanent situations. The young men and female servants
have no difficulty in this matter - the married people
with large families are not so readily absorbed; but
temporary work is provided for all. We understand that
some of the young men have refused offers of £50 per
annum with rations. We have no wish to interfere with
their making the best bargain they can, but we must
advise them that permanent situations at such rates are
far better than the apparently higher rate of 7s. per
diem for day labour, when the expense of board and
lodging in the town, and the loss of time from broken
weather, is taken into consideration. No doubt - the
"Egidia" having arrived just at the commencement of the
harvest - there is a great demand for the services of
able-bodied men who understand farming work, and a good
deal may be made by jobbing work; but all immigrants
should look to permanent situations in the country as the
thing most desirable for them. The Government at the
present time is employing a large number of hands on
public works, and of course is taking advantage of the
fine weather to push on road-making as fast as possible
before the winter sets in. The Government expenditure for
some time past has been at the rate of £10,000 per month;
- this rate will not, however, be maintained; and
therefore it is prudent for those who have the offer of
permanent situations at fair wages to take them. With
these few words of practical advice, we have to give
those who have become our fellow-colonists a hearty
welcome to Otago, and to express the wish that they may
prosper in the land of their adoption.
THE OTAGO WITNESS
2 Feb 1861
The Ardrossan Herald of Saturday, September 8, 1860
announced the purchase lately by Potter Wilson & Co.,
of Glasgow, of the large vessel on stocks in Messrs.
Barr & Shearers ship-building yard here. Since the
purchase workmen have been preparing her for the
launch which was looked forward to with great interest,
both on account of the size of the vessel and from the
length of time which has elapsed since a like event
took place in this locality.
It came off on Wednesday last under circumstances
which will long be remembered. The day was remarkably
fine. From an early hour the harbour presented a gay
scene with flags of all nations floating from ships and
buildings, and as the hour approached every available
spot which commanded a view was crowded. No fairer
sight was ever witnessed at any previous launch, and
we believe at no former period was the anxiety so
general that Messrs. Barr & Shearer’s usual good
fortune should attend them on this occasion.
On a platform, raised near the dry-dock, was the Earl
and Countess of Eglinton, Lady Egidia Montgomerie, and
party from the castle, Colonel and Mrs Wylie, Miss
Moffat and party, John Moffat Esq., W.B. Huggins Esq.,
Dr. Robertson, G. Thomson Esq., Misses Houston, Rev.
M. Rorison, Mrs Rorison, Misses Buchanan, and a large
number of strangers. Whilst in the several groups in
the yard, but especially on the vacant space between
the pig iron and the edge of the dock on the opposite
side, were mingled together all classes drawn together
from Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan.
At about 3 o’clock, expectancy is at its height as
heavy hammer and mallet wielded by strong arms drive
in the wedges which are to relieve the props which
fasten the vessel still to the ground.
These are at length removed and:
There she stands
With her foot upon the sands.
Decked with flags and streamers gay
In honour of her marriage day.
Her snow white signals fluttering blending
Round her like a veil descending
Ready to be bride of the gray old sea.
At this moment, Lady Egidia, accompanied by her noble
father, The Earl of Eglinton, by the members of the firm
and by the owners stepped forward and, having broken the
bottle upon her bow, the noble vessel slowly,
majestically, and without a pause, slid into the embrace
of the old ocean, amidst the once again and again
congratulatory shouts of friends.
Lo from the assembled crowd
There rose a shout prolonged and loud
That to the ocean seemed to say
Take her O bridegroom, old and gray’
Take her to thy protecting arms
With all her youth and all her charms.
The "Egidia" is one of the largest, if not the largest
wooden vessels ever built in Scotland. Her model was the
General theme of admiration, and we believe the timber of
which she is built is the finest that could be procured.
She measures 219 1/2 feet long, extreme breadth 37 1/3
feet, depth 22 1/2 feet , registered tonnage 1,235,
builders measurements 1,461 tons.
She has a well executed female figure at the bow, and at
the stern there is a figure of Mercury and two female
figures representing commerce. the ornamental carving at
both the bow and stern is very tastefully designed.
She goes immediately into dry-dock to be coppered and
finished, and no expense will be spared in fitting her
out in a style in keeping with the superior build of the
vessel.
She is advertised to sail for Otago on 10th October, and
we do not exaggerate when we say that no finer or better
built vessel ever sailed for the Australian seas.
Converted to electronic form by Corey Woodw@rd
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