Medway to Melbourne
In her book The Somerset Years, Florence Chuk writes of the voyage from London to Melbourne aboard the Medway. Aboard with Florence, were our Lawrences – Elizabeth(23), Rosa(24), William(24) and George(25).
“sailed from London April 27 1849, from the Downs April 29, arrived Point Henry August 9 1849.
Master: Abel Mackwood. Surgeon Benjamin King Johnson……
The Scarborough vessel Medway belonged to Tindall and Son. She had been built of oak and saul in her home port in 1845, and in 1849 was sheathed with yellow metal to discourage the growth of weeds and barnacles. Saul was a valuable timber tree grown in India and Malaysia, which yielded ‘dammar’ or ‘cats-eye resin’ often used in place of pitch for caulking vessels.
The ship was towed down the river from Gravesend on a cool spring day, passing the mouth of the River Medway as she went. Compassionate masters often delayed entering the channel in rough weather to allow emigrants to accustom themselves to the motion of the ship, and the Medway sheltered in the Downs for two days before sailing into the English Channel and towards Plymouth. This thoughtfulness was only one example of Captain Mackwood’s consideration towards his passengers.
The Medway had a very pleasant passage out to Port Phillip, and arrived in a particularly clean state. The imigrants appeared quite satisfied with their treatment at sea, and spoke highly of the kindness and attention of Captain and Surgeon towards them. The Acting Immigration Agent, Mr Addis, also commended the Surgeon, Master and Officers for having performed their duties in a most efficient and humane manner.
The passengers comprised 45 married couples, 48 single men, and 37 single women. There were 77 children on board, and ten infants, two healthy babies being born at sea. Conditions on vessels carrying a large number of children in proportion to adults became a little crowded at times.
Regulations laid down for the conveyance of emigrants stated that the ‘tween deck should not be lower than six feet in height, and that no more than two tiers of berths should be constructed, and that the lower tier should be at least six inches from the floor. Each passenger was to have a sleeping space of eighteen inches by six feet. Children shared accommodation with their parents until fourteen years of age, usually accommodated in the lower berths. Each child was allowed the space of half an adult, and babies under twelve months were not counted at all, but tucked into any available space. Small wonder that some infants were ‘overlaid’ in those narrow bunks.
After reaching the age of fourteen there was strict separation of the sexes, men to the single men’s compartment in the bow of the vessel and the girls to the single women’s compartment in the stern, under the watchful eye of the Matron. Conditions in the married quarters were a breeding-ground for disease, particularly when the vessels reached the steamy doldrums of the tropics, and ventilation by means of the main hatchway became inadequate. It is to the credit of Dr Johnson and the emigrants themselves that only two deaths occurred during this voyage: an adult and a child.”
Source: The Somerset Years, Pennard Hill Publications, 1987, Florence Chuk, pp120-121. The book contains a photograph of a painting of the Medway. Taken from the website: http://hector.davie.ch/knight/Medway.html