OTAGO EMERGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26631, 29 November 1947, Page 6

OTAGO EMERGES

Ships for the South “ Tenders for the hire of two vessels of not less that 450, not more than 650 tons, one to sail from London, and one from Glasgow.” So Ottago’s first ships were commissioned. " John Wickliffe ” and “ Philip Laing ” are names invested for those of pioneering stock with a halo of reminiscent glory, for the ships that bore those names set forth 100 years ago to brave the oceans, bringing the first eager settlers to the unknown shores of the south. The “ >ohn Wickliffe ” was a new and fast ship, built in 1841, of 662 tons. Her owner, Mr John Sands, of Greenock, was paid 2000 guineas for her charter. She was under the command of Captain Bartholomew Daly. She was the storeship of the expedi- ' tion, carrying an abundant supply of material tor taming the new colony. Thousands of bricks and slates were put on board, as well as equipment for the use of blacksmiths, wheelwrights, plumbers and painters; there were wheelbarrows, spades, pickaxes, guns and muskets; tons of provisions were carried; £SOO worth of money was carried, £IOO in gold, £350 in silver, and £SO of fourpenny pieces. Ninety-seven passengers, with Captain Cargill in charge, sailed by the "John Wickliffe.” The bulk of the emigrants travelled on'the "Philip Laing,” which took 247 passengers,- of-whom 98 were children. The Rev. Thomas Burns was leader of that party. The “Philip Laing” was an older vessel, a barque of 547 tons, of the old . “ bruise-water ” type. Over £IBOO was paid for the trip to her owners, Messrs Laing and Ridley, of Liverpool. Her commander was Captain A. J. Elies, who afterwards married Burn's eldest daughter and settled in Invercargill. Surgeon-superintendents were appointed to each ship, Dr Henry Manning for the “ John Wickliffe ” and Dr Robert Ramsay for the "Philip Laing.” In addition to free passage, they were to receive " 10s for every adult landed in the colony, six children above the age of one year and ‘ under 14 being reckoned according to Act of Parliament as one adult; £1 - for every birth on board, and a gratuity of £25, but subject to a deduction of £1 for every death.” By mid-November, 1847, everythirig was ready for sea. So drew near the day of departure, five weary. and despairing years after the plan was first mooted.—G.D.' 1 • .