Bound for South Australia 1836Heating up and lighting the way

Week 30

OverviewBetween February and July 1836 nine ships left Britain bound for the newly created province of South Australia. On-board the ships were passengers who over many long months braved the perils of the ocean, including some of the most treacherous seas in the world to begin a new life on the other side of the world.

This resource uses the stories from these nine ships as recorded by the passengers and crew in their personal journals.

Contents

• Introduction• Journal entries • Inquiry questions• Relevant images • Glossary of terms

IntroductionWe catch up with Gouger onboard the Africaine once again thisweek. It is becoming much colder on the ship and his family doesnot have enough warm clothes to wear. Gouger writes in detailabout the facilities in his cabin and on the Africaine that enablehim to have light, filter water and live onboard in relative comfort.Gouger records his observations so that they may be used as aguide for other wealthy passengers who may travel in the future.This gives us a good opportunity to look at how the technologyavailable in 1836 was used to provide lighting and heating in 1836both on land and at sea.

Robert Gouger, on board the Africaine wrote:

September 17th No chance of reaching the Cape by Sunday; adverse winds have prevailed lately which are carrying us south of the Cape and will most probably oblige us to put in at Simon’s Bay instead of at Table Bay. Should this be the case, we shall have to travel 20 miles to Cape Town, thus occupying time which ought to be all expended in procuring the supplies we require forour comfort on arrival at South Australia. Moreover, our energetic captain has determined, it seems, to allow us no longer than 48 hours sojourn at either place. — The thermometer is now 57°, a degree of cold which affects both Harriet & myself very much, and unfortunately neither of us has made a provision for very cold weather. I now find that a coat and trousers of a much warmer kind than is commonly used in England would be desirable.—We are constantly surrounded by acquatic birds; of these the bird beforementioned and of which I have a specimen, is so far the most numerous, but the majestic albatross is by far the most

Journals from passengers at sea:Saturday 17 September 1836

attractive. The flight of this bird is remarkably elegant, taking a longsweep to the right and then another to the left, Each performed by onemotion of the wings, it seems to imitate the Graceful movement of theskaiter. Five large ones were about the ship today at the Same time, butnone of them has yet seen fit to take the bait of our sportsmen.

I have purposely avoided making a memorandum of the conveniences ofour cabin until I should have had time to test them practically; it is nowmore than ten weeks since we came on board, and considering the timesufficient to enable me to ascertain their relative worth, with a view tothe guidance of others who may follow my steps, I shall now describethem and the cabin itself. The cabin I occupy is the larboard stern cabin,besides the two stern windows, there is a ventilator on the deck aboutthree feet in diameter which however is divided between mine and theadjacent cabin. Thus I have a sufficiency of air and light for all purposes.But there is an advantage in the possession of a stern cabin far beyondthat of ventilation or even abundance of light: viz. the power ofabstracting oneself from the company of the rest of the passengers. Inour case, the companion ladder is between the stern cabin and the cuddy,so that when the door is shut, it is impossible to hear the never ceasingconversation in which some of the party are sure to be engaged. To be

alone is the greatest luxury which we enjoy on board; were I the occupantof a cabin adjacent to the cuddy, I verily believe, that instead of passingmy time agreeably, I should be suffering from a brain fever caused by thecontinual din and noise of my worthy fellow passengers…

In the list of ‘cabin comforts’ a filter stands preeminent. The water onboard the Africaine is I should think as good as is generally found in ships;but I, who however am to a great extent a water drinker, should much

feelthe want of this little machine. Mine was purchased of James in thePoultry, and filters very brightly. By way of protection it is enclosed in thewickerwork.—I have two cabin lamps, and one candlestick: they are alluseful. The candle is enclosed in the candlestick, and is forced up to thesocket with a spring, and the whole has a universal joint to accommodateitself to the motion of the ship. By this I write and read. The nightlanthorn was bought of Miller in Piccadilly, and is convertible into avariety of purposes: it is a dark lanthorn, a hand lanthorn, a chaise lamp,& a night lamp. The other is a nursery lamp upon Davy’s principle, with akettle and saucepans to fix on the top: this afforded Harriet during herillness at the commencement of the voyage excessive comfort; by itsmeans in about fifteen minutes I have been able to supply her in thecourse of the night with a cup of tea or arrow root, things which could

not

have been obtained by any other means… at all events I wouldrecommend a few things to be procured for use in the cabin, amongstwhich I would name the following articles: — half a dozen bottles ofbrandy of the best quality in case of sickness; some dried fruits (such asfigs, almonds & raisins, prunes) by way of dessert, a luxury which ofcourse the ship does not provide, but which becomes almost a necessaryto health if the voyage is undertaken at a time of the year when potatoeswill not keep; some of Gamble’s preserved provisions, especially muttonbroth and vegetables in the smallest canisters; some of [?Lemsan’s]biscuits in tins; and one each of sago, arrow root, and prepared groats forgruel…

Inquiry Questions

• What do you think caused the change in temperature that Gouger describes?

• What forms of lighting are used onboard our ships?

• What facilities were available to provide light, warmth and comfort for passengers?

• What can we learn about 1836 technology by reading Gouger's description of the facilities onboard?

Images

Glossary of TermsCuddy• The galley or pantry of a small ship.Larboard• The old term for the left hand side of a ship looking forward. The right hand side is starboard. To

avoid mis-hearing an order, it is now referred to as ‘port’.Stern Cabin• Cabin at the rear of a ship.

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