The headstones in Wanganui for Charles and Jane Parkinson give the following particulars for the voyage to New Zealand. "Sailed on the ship
, left England 16th January 1853, arrived Wellington 14th December 1853." From the following newspaper accounts it appears the "Rajah" sailed from London on 15th June 1853, was damaged during the voyage, arrived Otago 6th October, and after repairs arrived Wellington 14 December 1853. The "Rajah" had about 70 passengers for Otago and 28 for Wellington, including Charles and Jane Parkinson and their daughter.
DUNEDIN,SATURDAY,OCTOBER 8, 1853.
THE "Rajah," from London direct, arrived at this port on the 5th inst., after a passage of 111 days, bringing news to the 15th June. She has a full cargo of merchandise, and 98 passengers, about 70 of whom are for this settlement.
On the 25th ult., while off the coast of Van Diemen's Land, she met with, a serious disaster, being struck by a sea, which made a clean breach over her, sweeping her decks, and carrying away the whole of her boats, her cooking galley, and her bulwarks, besides doing, as it is feared, considerable injury to her stern. Fortunately no lives were lost, but perhaps this may be accounted for in some measure from the accident having occurred during the night. Much inconvenience and discomfort have been experienced by reason of the galley having been lost. We can sympathise with her passengers, to whom the consternation and alarm must have been great, and we sincerely congratulate them on their safe arrival in port.
Source Otago Witness, 8 October 1853, Page 2.
DUNEDIN,SATURDAY,OCTOBER 15, 1853.
IN our last publication we announced ,the arrival, of the "Rajah," Captain Robb, from London direct. Since, then we have had full particulars as to the voyage. The ship left the Downs on the 20th June, and had a most prosperous and pleasant voyage up to the 31st August, when she was off the Cape, after which the weather became very variable, with heavy gales of wind: On the 25th September, in lat. 48 deg. 36 min., long. 155 deg. east, the ship was struck by a heavy sea, which broke over the taffrail rail, strained the poop all over, carrying away all the boats, cook-house, bulwarks, stancheons, and, in short, entirely sweeping the decks. At daylight the pumps were got to work, when it was found that the hull of the ship was quite tight.
Stewart's Island was sighted on the 2nd instant, and the vessel came to an anchor at the lower port on the 6th.
Captain Robb expresses great satisfaction with the conduct of the passengers, the whole of whom exhibited great readiness and alacrity in assisting to clear away the wreck. With the exception of the unfortunate occurrence alluded to, the voyage appears to have been altogether a pleasant one. We have seen an address signed by the bulk of the passengers, in which the strongest testimony is borne to the efficiency and ability which Captain Robb and the officers of the ship have displayed in the discharge of their duties.
A survey has been held on the vessel, but is not yet complete. We understand that she is to be repaired here, and that in all probability it will be five or six weeks before she can be ready for sea.
Source Otago Witness, 15 October 1853, Page 2.
SHIPPING NEWS.
SAILED.
Dec. 11, the Rajah, 632 tons, Robb, master, for Wellington, J. Macandrew & Co., agents. Passengers : ? Messrs. Mclnnes, Reynolds, Brugh, D. & J. Kay, Fisher, Fraser, Mr. and Mrs. Tyser, Mr. Dalrymple and family, Messrs. Bennett and Peacock, Mr. and Mrs. Greer and family, Mr. and Mrs. Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes, Mr. and Mrs. Williams and family, Hugh Greer, Thomas Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson and child, George Watson, Alfred Lieflater, John Greer, A. Thompson, Mrs. Thorburn and child, John Barr, Robt. Hastie, J. Kirkland, J. Logan, J. Wain sen., J. Wain jun., D. Sinclair.
Source Otago Witness, 17 December 1853, Page 2.
SHIPPING NEWS.
ARRIVED.
Dec. 14, barque Rajah, 654 tons, Capt. Robb, from London via Otago. Passengers : ? Mr. Mclnnes, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Brough, Mr. and Mrs. Tyser and child, Messrs Ray (2), Mr. Fisher, Mr. Fraser, Mr. & Mrs. Dalrymple & 3 children, Messrs. Bennett, G. Peacock, J. Wain jun., D. Sinclair, Mr. and Mrs. Greer and 5 children, Mr. and Mrs. Williams and 4 children, H. Green, F. Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson and child, G. Watson, A. Lieflater, J. Green, A. Thompson, Mr. Thorburn and child, J. Bain, R. Hastie, J. Kirkland, J. Logan.
Source Wellington Independent,, 17 December 1853, Page 3.
Chris Korte's New Zealand Genealogy Project
1827 - 1896 (68 years)
Has no ancestors but 6 descendants in this family tree.
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