Ship CARISBROOKE CASTLE, from London to Lyttelton 1874

The Carisbrooke Castle, 1451 tons, ship, Captain John Freebody, arrived Lyttelton, 3 September 1874 after a 93 day voyage. Michael Cook, a steerage passenger, sent his diary of the voyage back to England to his friends and it was printed in a local newspaper. 23% of the children who came down with measles on the voyage died. The Cook family lost two of their children out of five to measles. In a Lincolnshire local newspaper in March 1875 a letter from Michael was published frankly admitted that "his Ellen wished they had never come, on account of their losing their two little children on the voyage, but having since been confined with a son, she had been overwhelmed with the kindness of folk for miles around...." The family settled in the Geraldine district, South Canterbury, New Zealand.

Passenger list pdf 247k This passenger list had an abundance of notations down the margins. 26 deaths among the 510 passengers and one crew member died on 5th Aug.
Reference: Family Search browse Canterbury 1874.
painting painting

Number of Souls embarked in the Carisbrooke Castle divided according to Nationality

Grey River Argus, 4 September 1874, Page 2
Lyttelton, Sept. 3. Arrived last night — Carisbrooke Castle, 90 days from Start Point. She brings 450 immigrants, all well. Twenty-five deaths of children under five years of age and five births occurred during the passage out.

Timaru Herald, 4 September 1874, Page 3
The Phoebe will arrive at Timaru to-day with 250 immigrants, from the Carisbrooke Castle, at Lyttelton. The Carisbrooke Castle, 1415 tons, John Freebody, from London, with 490 immigrants, came to an anchorage m Lyttelton harbor on Wednesday. Twenty-five deaths (all of which were of children under five years, mostly from measles) occurred during the voyage, but the vessel was free from sickness upon arrival. There were five births during the passage. The men are mostly agricultural laborers, and the single girls are described as very creditable and respectable.

Timaru Herald, 7 September 1874, Page 3
Immigrants. — Two hundred and eleven immigrants were landed from the Phoebe at Timaru on Saturday morning. There were four adults from the ship Northampton, 11½ from the Canterbury, and 197½ from the Carisbrooke Castle ; those from the last named vessel comprising 41 families, 49 single men, and 23 single women. The immigrants complained of the treatment they received on board the Phoebe. It appears that the captain refused to allow them any breakfast on Saturday morning, and as the landing was not completed till eleven o'clock, they considered they had been kept too long without food, their last meal being taken at three o'clock on the previous day. All the immigrants have a healthy look ; and the men, comprising agricultural laborers and mechanics — the former preponderating, — seem fitted for hard work. Upon landing, the new comers were taken to the depots, and during the day a number went to their friends, and several found employment. On Friday, fifty-nine immigrants from the St. Lawrence were taken to Waimate by couch, and a like number were conveyed to Temuka. To-day about fifty of the new arrivals will be despatched to Waimate, and between fifty and sixty to Temuka. Several more immigrants are expected to arrive by the Maori to-day from the ships Catheart, Canterbury, and St. Lawrence.

The Ship's Papers can be found at Archives New Zealand Wellington. On the microfiche listing it say’s there is 5 pages, but in fact there is 25 pages. The passenger list held in at Archives New Zealand, Christchurch Branch.

SHIP "CARISBROOKE CASTLE"
SURGEON'S REPORT

We left Gravesend on May 30th. While lying at anchor at Gravesend a case of measles occurred. The child was at once sent on shore and it's bedding also. The berth in which it slept I caused to be well worked with a solution of Condy's fluid. However the disease reappeared on June 11th and has gone through 87 of the children out of which 20 died from the disease measles (orits). I had 5 other deaths of children from other causes**. I did not lose one adult.- The deceased were all under 5 years of age. My last case occurred today (September 3rd) while in port. We had a sad accident - happened to one of the crew who fell from aloft and sustained five fractures besides other injuries. He died on the same evening. Among the adults I had no serious illness except one case of pneumonia and one of scurvy. A great number of the women suffered from exhaustion requesting a liberal supply of stimulants. I had five births during the voyage. One still born and one case of twins which makes the number the same.
I will now make my suggestions as ordered.
** Three from tuberculosis, one from severe scald and one five months from exhaustion.

1/ The flaps of the Emigrants hatchways should be secured in a more certain way than they are, I mean when open. These heavy covers are measly made fast by a piece of larking, which the smallest child in the ship can cast adrift and let it come down by the rein.
On several occasions during the voyage this has occurred. The children do it. I have no doubt out of annoyance. One women suffered from more or less severe concussion of the brain from the after hatch cover coming on her head, it is very well that her skull was not fractured.
Another reason why I think my suggestion should be adopted is this, that when I am going around of an evening I generally find all the hatchways and ventilators closed down. I at once have these opened, but no sooner is my back turned than someone (I could never find out who) comes up and closes them down again. Now this one affair that should not be left in the power of a passenger to do. The proper account of ventilation is such a very important thing towards keeping the ship healthy that I think it should be entirely left to the Surgeon to decide whether a ventilator should be kept opened or shut. The constables and watchmen are passengers themselves and of course would be influenced by their wives, supposing the latter should think it a little cold below. To obviate these two objections to the present system I would suggest that each hatch and ventilator cover be fitted with a chain with rather open links, so that a link would fit over a staple on the hatch frame and be secured by a padlock having two keys, one to be kept by the surgeon and one to be in the possession of the officer on the poop, so that in case of a change of weather they could be shut down at a minutes notice. The ventilation would then be really under the Surgeon's control, whereas it is now only in theory.

2/ The only defect in the cooking arrangements during the voyage was that the facility with which persons could take from the galley articles of food which did not belong to them. These offences were of daily occurrence. The cook is not to blame. It would be perfectly impossible for him to remember each face and to know whom each pudding* belongs. A man will come and say such a dish belongs to him and the cook could not say that it did not. Now the remedy to this serious evil would be this. To put on board a number of duplicate checks so that when a person would bring to the cook a dish, the cook should see that the number is attached to it and then when it is cooked deliver it to no person whomever except the holder of this corresponding number. These checks should be properly stamped, not made out of a piece of preserved meat tin and the number marked on it by a hammer and nail (the way they are now) because anyone seeing a nice pudding (*2) go into the galley might mark the number and immediately manufacture one of his own.

3/ A large supply of sand and holystones should be placed on board, also of the Carbolate of Lime disinfecting powder. These three articles fell short when we were a month out and yet no extravagance was committed. In case of a slop being made between decks (a frequent occurrence) there is nothing so quick in its work and as easy of access as nice new saw dust. I would suggest that several sacks of it be placed on board each ship. All the steamers running between Liverpool and New York with Emigrants use it largely.

4/ I would suggest that about 12 sheep be placed on board as Medical comforts to be used at the Surgeon's discretion. A smaller quantity of measured medical comforts would then be sufficient. There is no doubt that if it had not been for Captain Freebody in giving some of the very sick ones a mutton chop occasionally, I should have lost some of my adults. When a sick women is low and exhausted the very smell of preserved food makes her worse, this I have myself witnessed on more than one occasion. The way I would arrange it would be as follows. When I had any person very ill and requiring some fresh meat-, I would kill a sheep and take half of it and give the other half to the cabin. Then again when the Captain killed one of his sheep he would give me half of his for the very sick ones. By this arrangement there would be no waste.

5/ I think that less meat and more favourite food would be more conducive to the health of the passengers in general. Bread is the article of food which is most required especially for the children. On Fridays the complaints were always numerous as on that day there is no flour allowed. I would suggest that bread be allowed every day and the quantity of biscuit and salt meat reduced and I am confident that the health of the ships would be better and the passengers more satisfied. A quantity of meat and a short allowance of vegetable diet is certain to produce diarrhea on board. I say this from experience.

Signed: William M. Overden
Surgeon Superintendent

SHIP "CARISBROOKE CASTLE"
CERTIFICATE OF BIRTHS & DEATHS


BIRTHS

June 		27th 	Harriet & John King Hickling 	Male 		Still Born
July 		24th 	Sarah & Henry Cummings 		Male 
August 	7th 	Ellen & John Rowe 			Female 
August 	20th 	Ann & Thomas ? 			Female 
August 	22nd 	Mary & George Meadows 		Female 	Twins

DEATHS

June  16th   Emma Cardy 		2yrs 		Pneumonia 
	23rd 	Charles Dewar 	11mths 	Measles 
	27th 	Thomas Hooper 	9mths 		Measles 
July 	1st 	John Cadwallender 	15mths 	Measles 
	3rd 	Patrick Brosnan	5 yrs 		Tabes Mesenterica
	7th 	Ann Curtis 		15mths 	Measles 
	15th 	Catherine Mines	5mths 		Bronchitis 
	19th 	Sarah Cook 		10mths 	Tabes Mesenterica
	19th 	Alfred Jennings 	21mths 	Measles 
	23rd 	Ann Rowe 		10mths 	Measles 
	24th 	Fanny Parks 		10mths 	Measles 
	25th 	Anne Alderton 	2yrs 		Measles 
	31st 	Emma Cook 		2yrs 		Measles 
Aug 	2nd 	Sylvia Parks 	10mths 	Measles 
	4th 	Osbourne Bridget 	10mths 	Hydro? 
	4th 	James Graham 	12mths 	Measles 
	5th 	Ann Cadwallender 	4yrs 		Tabes Mesenterica
	8th 	Ann Windsor 		17mths 	Measles 
	11th 	Clara Mines 		2yrs 		Measles 
	12th 	Ann Batchelor 	2yrs 		Measles 
	14th 	Roland ? 		20mths 	Severe scald 
	16th 	Joseph McNally 	2yrs 		Measles 
	18th 	Juliet Cox 		8mths 		Measles 
	19th 	Ellen Brosnan 	2yrs 		Tabes Mesenterica
	21st 	John Dines 		22mths 	Measles 
Sept 	4th 	Walter Burcher 	1yr 		Measles Died in Port

This fine Glasgow iron clipper-built ship, commanded by Captain Freebody, was signaled yesterday morning, and entered the Heads at noon. She was brought up to an anchorage off Rhodes Bay at 1p.m. At 2.15 pm the deputy Health Officer, Dr J. T. Rouse, accompanied by Mr. March, commissioner, went down to the ship in the s.s. Mullogh and on arriving alongside found that, although twenty -five deaths had occurred during the voyage (all of which were young children, under five years and mostly from measles), and there being no sickness on board at the present time, she was cleared. Owing to the Health Officer being unavoidably detained, the usual inspection was deferred till the next morning.
The ship is a splendid model of an iron clipper-built ship. She was built by Messrs Barclay and Curle, of Glasgow, in 1868, and has been employed in the East India trade until last year, when she made a rapid passage to Sydney. Her saloon is bulkheaded at present, and little could be seen of her accommodation. When the large ventilator is removed, she will present a very different appearance. The vessel has a splendid main deck, and from a glance below, her 'tween decks appear very lofty, well lighted, and ventilated. After the normal official inspection is made, a fuller report of the vessel will be given. Of the immigrants, we can speck in terms of high praise. A great number of the single men and married people are agricultural labourers, many of them hail from Ireland, indeed, throughout the ship the shamrock is prevalent. The single girls come out under the matronship of Mrs. Anderson; they are certainly a very creditable and respectable lot of girls, and will no doubt find speedy employment. Dr Overton is the surgeon superintendent of the ship, and his duties, which have been arduous during the voyage, have elicited from one and all the highest praise, and he well deserves it. During the voyage, measles have been prevalent throughout the ship, 25 deaths have occurred, and there were 5 births. A short inspection of the ship was made. She is well fitted throughout, has an excellent galley and condenser, both of which have acted well during the voyage.

The following is the captain's report:-
The ship Carisbrooke Castle left the Lizard on June 4, and experienced fine weather, with light winds, to the Equator, which was crossed on June 30, and obtained the south-east trade winds soon after, which were carried steadily to lat 28deg south (moderate); thence to the cape fresh breezes from N.W. to S.W.; passed meridian of the Cape on July 23, and ran the easting down in latitude 45deg south. On Aug 10, when at lat.43deg 49min S., long 101deg 16min E., experienced a heavy gale, which lasted 36 hours, with hard squalls, commanding at N.E and ending at S.W., barometer down to 28.10, from thence had very unsettled weather, Aug 27, passed longitude of Snares; thence to Port Lyttelton had light baffling winds, chiefly from N.W to N.E. and E, with thick weather. Sighted Banks Peninsula on Aug. 30 at 5.30 a.m., and Port Lyttelton light at 6.45 p.m. on Sept 1, arriving as above. On Aug.5 Geo.

Frank, A.B., fell from the upper fore-topsail yard, and received severe injuries, which caused death on the following day. Spoke the following ships:
- June 6, Cherokee, lat 46deg 22 min N., long 9 deg 56 min W.
- June 13, Highflyer, London to Melbourne, lat 28deg 23min N, 29deg 5 min W.;
- July 11, Lady Blessington, bound north, lat 28deg 11min S., long 27deg 16min. W.
The captain and surgeon superintendent were presented with testimonials on arrival.

31/7/1874

7 Westminster Chambers
Victoria Street
Westminster

Sir,
I have the honor to advise the sailing of the Ship "Carisbrooke Castle" from London for Canterbury on the twenty ninth day of May, with Five hundred Emigrants, equal to Three hundred and ninety nine Statute Adults.
Herewith I beg to forward, a copy of the Ships Book, the originals of the Promissory Notes and the Certified List
The gratuities payable on the recommendation of the Impending officers in the Colony are the following,

To the Surgeon Superintendent Dr. Overden, Fifty pounds, and ten shillings per adult on the number of Emigrants landed.
To Captain Freebody, seventy - five pounds.
To the Chief Officer, ten pounds
To the Officer who serves out the provisions, five pounds.
To the Matron, Miss Anderson, five pounds
To the Constables; - ordinary two pounds each, for water Closets, five pounds.
I have appointed Mr. Morris to act as Schoolmaster. He receives a second class passage in return for his services.
I have the honor to be Sir

Yours obedient servant
Agent General.

Inspection of Ship
Highly satisfactory, Class of immigrants very good - Carisbrooke Castle at the Heads. Please ? me with £50 for Constable graduates for her

Signed J.E. March

To the Immigration Department
Inspection of Carisbrooke Castle, satisfactory- I will select 250 from this ship for Timaru district and ship Phoebe tomorrow.

Signed J.E. March

Under Secretary Immigration, Wellington
Carisbrooke Castle cleared by deputy health officer. Condition of ship. Passengers very satisfactory. Official inspection tomorrow, five births, twenty five deaths mostly from measles brought on board at Gravesend.

Signed J.E. March

Immigration Office, Wellington, Sept 7 1874
The Under Secretary directs me to beg you to be particular in seeing that the ships fittings, and the water tanks by the "Carisbrooke Castle" be delivered up to you, and that the Agents recover from the Captain the account of the Officers Mess.

J.F. Ballard
Accountant Immigration

In Reply to Accountant
In reply to No.589
I beg to state that I will be very particular in seeing the ship's fittings, water tanks, stores etc. re "Carisbrooke Castle" are delivered up to the Government.
Full information respecting these shall be forwarded in due course.

J.E. March

Immigration Officer, 10th Sept. 1874
Under Secretary, Immigration

Re: "Carisbrooke Castle" is surgeon entitled to head money on the seven full paying passengers. I think he should be as the family were berthed with & treated as immigrants.

J. E. March

Hon. Minister of Immigration, Wellington
Recommend that twenty tanks ex "Carisbrooke Castle", & fittings be landed at Quail Island, when these will useful. Then the ? to be brought on shore, port at Lyttelton, if possible also surplus stores except such as will be useful in ? tea, sugar etc. be put by auction in Christchurch.

Immigration Officer
We have nothing to do with full paying passengers and cannot pay the surgeon for them.

Port Lyttelton
September 19th 1874

To J. E. March Esq.
Chief Immigration Officer

Sir

I take liberty of writing to you concerning my payment upon the paying passengers (equal to which came by the Carisbrooke Castle of which ship I am Surgeon Superintendent. I will only state facts.
When the ship was offered to me I was told that she would carry over 400 adults and that I was to be paid on each adult landed alive. When my passenger list was handed to me at Gravesend I found 406 emigrants to be the correct number embarked. I now shall quote from my passenger list. "We hereby certify that the under mentioned Emigrants 510 souls equal to 406 statute adults have finally sailed per ship Carisbrooke Castle for Canterbury N.Z."
This is signed by Captain Smith, Dispatching officer for Agent General and by others for this 406 adults are included three who paid their passage, in fact they are all called emigrants. This can be ascertained by any person who reckoned up the passengers list. I will quote from my letter of appointment. "You will also receive a ? of ten shillings a head on each Emigrant. This plainly shows what the intention of the London Officials is a service thing to induce Surgeons to leave home with the idea that they are to be paid on a certain number, and this to be informed here, that out of this amount a certain number cannot be counted. Why not let them know before leaving that although 406 sail yet only 399 are to be paid for.

Surgeon Superintendent

Wm. Overton

Ship Carisbrooke Castle
COMMISIONER'S REPORT

The Commissioner's report the arrival of this ship on the 2nd instant after a passage of 94 days from Gravesend.
Shortly after leaving measles broke out on board and the Surgeon is convinced that it was bought on board from the depot. The Commissioner's requested a full report from him.
During the passage there had been 5 births and 25 deaths, of these 8 were infants, 15 were children of 2 years and under, 1 a child aged 4 and 1 child aged 5 years.
This ship was specially chartered by the Agent general - the arrangements of the various compartments were excellent and the light and ventilations all that could be desired.
The provisions had been good, served out regularly and no complaints of any were made.
The distilling apparatus had worked very satisfactory.
The Immigrants spoke highly of the kindness they had received from the Captain, Surgeon Superintendent, and Officers of the Ship.
The Commissioner's recommend payment of full gratuities and the further employment of the Surgeon Superintendent should he deserve it.

Voyage Account
Star 3 September 1874, Page 2
SHIP CARISBROOKE CASTLE, FROM LONDON.

This fine Glasgow iron clipper-built ship, commanded by Captain Freebody, was signalled yesterday morning, and entered the Heads at noon. She was brought up to an anchorage off Rhodes Bay at 1 p.m. At 2.15 p.m. the deputy Health Officer, Dr J. T. Rouse, accompanied by Mr March, commissioner, went down to the snip in the s.s. Mullogh and on arriving alongside found that, although twenty-five deaths had occurred during the voyage (all of which were young children, under five year's and mostly from measles), and there being no sickness on board at the present time, she was cleared. Owing to the Health Officer being unavoidably detained, the usual inspection was deferred until this morning. The ship is a splendid model of an iron, clipper built ship. She was built by Messrs Barclay and Curie, of Glasgow, in 1868, and has been employed in the East India trade, until last year, when she made a rapid passage to Sydney. Her saloon is bulkheaded at present, and little could be seen of her accommodation. When the large ventilator is removed, she will present a very different appearance. The vessel has a splendid main deck, and from a glance below, her 'tween decks appear very lofty, well lighted, and ventilated. After the usual official inspection is made, a fuller report of the vessel will be given. Of the immigrants, we can speak in terms of high praise. A great number of the single men and married people are agricultural labourers, many of them hail from Ireland, indeed, throughout the ship the shamrock is prevalent. The single girls come out under the matronship of Mrs Anderson they are certainly a very creditable and respectable lot of girls, and will no doubt find speedy employment. Dr Overton is the surgeon superintendent of the ship, and his duties, which have been most arduous during the voyage, have elicited from one and all the highest praise, and he well deserves it. During the voyage, measles have been prevalent throughout the ship, 25 deaths have occurred, and there were 5 births. A short inspection of the ship was made. She is well fitted throughout, has an excellent galley and condensor, both of which have acted well during the voyage. The following is the captain's report: The ship Carisbrooke Castle left the Lizard on June 4, and experienced fine weather, with light winds, to the Equator, which was crossed on June 30, and obtained the south-east trade winds soon after, which were carried steadily to. lat 28deg south (moderate) thence to the Cape fresh breezes from N.W. to S.W. passed meridian of the Cape on July 23, and ran the easting down in latitude 45deg south. On Aug. 10, when in lat 43deg 49min S., long 101 deg 16min E., experienced a heavy gale, which lasted 36 hours, with hard squalls, commencing at N.E. and E., and ending at S.W., barometer down to 28 .10, from thence had very unsettled weather. Aug. 27, passed longitude of Snares; thence to Port Lyttelton had light baffling winds, chiefly from N.W. to N.E. and E., with thick weather. Sighted Banks Peninsula on Aug. 30 at 5.30 a.m., and Port Lyttelton light at 6.45 p.m. on Sept. 1, arriving as above. On Aug. 5. Geo. Frank, A.B., fell from the upper fore-topsail yard, and received severe injuries, which caused death on the following day. Spoke the following ships June 6, Cherokee, lat 4Gdeg 22min N., long 9deg 56min W. June 13, Highflyer, London to Melbourne, lat 28deg 23min N., 20deg 5 min W.; July 11, Lady Blessington, bound north, lat 28deg 11 min S., long 27deg l6min W. The captain and surgeon-superintendent were presented with testimonials on arrival.

Timaru Herald, 4 September 1874, Page 3
Immigrants. — Two hundred immigrants from the ship St. Lawrence, at Lyttelton, arrived at Timaru on Wednesday morning, by the steamer Wellington. They comprised 33 families, 80 single man, and 12 single women. The immigrants upon landing were conveyed to the depots at Timaru, a number being quartered in the old Timaru school, which for the future is to be used as a barracks. The men have, the appearance of being the sort we require in the district, and the only matter in connection with the immigrants at which disappointment is felt is that the single women are altogether too few in number. There are twelve nominally, but only three or four are really old enough to be fit for domestic servants, and therefore the demand for this class of immigrant has not been satisfied to any appreciable extent. Sixty of the immigrants were forwarded to Temuka yesterday, and sixty were to be sent to Waimate to-day. A large number have already been engaged at Timaru. Two hundred and fifty immigrants from the Carisbrooke Castle, which arrived at Lyttelton on Wednesday, will be brought to Timaru to-day by the steamer Phoebe, which is making a special trip for the purpose.

Immigrants at Temuka. — Our Temuka correspondent writes that a number of immigrants, equal to 53 statute adults, arrived at Temuka yesterday from Timaru. They were placed in the Volunteer Hall, which has been fitted up as a barracks. The hall is now divided into a large dining-room, 20 feet by 16; ten bedrooms, 8 feet by 10 ; and a kitchen, 26 feet by 14, containing two fireplaces, has been built at the end of the building. The dining-room is fitted up with four tables, capable of accommodating about 60 persons.

Under "S" in the index at the front of the register for the "Carisbrook Castle" (sailed 29 May 1874 arrived Lyttelton 2 Sep 1874)
were:
Page
SMITH Thomas 22
Eliz 24
Sarah 26
Harriet 26

then Page 22 ASSISTED EMIGRATION to Canterbury on the Carisbrook Castle
Single Men
SMITH Thomas 13 Somerset Transf from Page 26

Page 24 ASSISTED EMIGRATION to Canterbury on the Carisbrook Castle
Single Women
SMITH Elizth 40 Glostersh 14-10-0 [cost of fare: made no contribution]

Page 26 ASSISTED EMIGRATION to Canterbury on the Carisbrook Castle
Single Women Colonial Nominated Emigrants

On the right hand side of the opening was information that the fare was 72-10-0, paid 14-0-0 in cash present and ultimate cost to the Government was 58-10-0 (i.e. no further amount to pay after arrival) and the reference note: "Canterbury 2083 £14 . 2 free"

Page 27 PROMISSORY NOTES given by Emigrants For Advances Outfit Money
SMITH Sara 26th May 1874 2-10-0 [outfit money]

Temuka Leader 8 May 1913 Page 3 WILLIAM ALDERTON.
Many of our Temuka readers will learn with regret of the death of Mr William Alderton, which occurred at his residence, Smallett Street, Sydenham, on Saturday last. The late Mr Alderton was for some years station master at Temuka, and carried out his duties to the entire satisfaction of the Department, and to the general public, for while looking after the interests of his employers, he was always most attentive to the wants of those using the railway. In private life, he was a genial, jolly, good fellow, and earned the respect and good will of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was born at West Winch, Lynn, Norfolk, and at the age of fifteen enlisted with the First Royal Regiment, serving at Malta, Gibraltar and China. He entered the service of the North London Railway in 1865, and resigned in 1874 to come to New Zealand. Mr Alderton arrived at Lyttelton by the Carisbrook Castle on September 5th 1874, and joined the railway service a fortnight later. A year later he was appointed stationmaster at Balcairn and was afterwards transferred to Hornby, Doyleseon, Temuka, and Southbridge, resigning on October 15, 1909. Mr Alderton leaves a widow and one daughter to mourn their loss.

Press 7 July 1943 Page 5 OBITUARY MRS Harriet Jane BOYCE nee SMITH. Husband was Samuel Ellis Boyce.
Mrs H. J. Boyce, who died at St. Albans last week, was a pioneer who had lived in the Dominion for nearly 70 years. She was 88 years old. She was born at Bristol, England, and came to New Zealand in the sailing ship Carisbrook Castle, which arrived at Lyttelton on September 2, 1874. She was accompanied by her mother, two sisters, and two brothers. For many years Mrs Boyce's late husband was engaged in farming at Dorie, coming later to Ashburton. She is survived by four daughters, Mesdames D. M. Jones, T. A. Protheroe, and T. Wakelin, of Ashburton, and Miss S. E. Boyce (St. Albans, and four sons, Messrs Ellis Boyce (Christchurch), Albert and Ernest Boyce, of Doric, and Job Boyce (Wellington) There are 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren Lance-Corporal E. E. E. Boyce, a greatgrandchild, was killed during the fighting on Crete.

Timaru Cemetery
Robert Seager DASH
Age at Death 86
Date of Interment Sunday, 11 October 1925
Timaru Cemetery Block G Plot 278

DASH, Ann
Age at Death 73
Date of Interment Saturday, 2 March 1918
Timaru Cemetery Block G Plot 279

DASH, Fred
Age at Death 70
Date of Interment Monday, 12 July 1937
Timaru Cemetery Block P Plot 428

HARRIET (née CREAMER) [b. 1849 in Landport, Hampshire, U.K.,] married JOHN KING HICKLING [b. 1846 in Barton In Fabis, Nottinghamshire, U.K.] at St. Mary's Church, Portsea, Hants on 31.01.1869. ( HICKLING, John, [mother : KING] - U.K. General Records Office Ref. 1846 2nd Qtr, Basford, Notts, Vol. 15 Page 514, son of Thomas Hickling & Frances King) - and whom shortly abandoned his wife HARRIET in New Zealand. Harriet then applied to the courts for her husband, John, to provide ongoing support. In 1876, he used the alias 'George Digby' when avoiding police in N.Z. John did not comply with a court order and was sentenced 1.3.1877 in absentia to 1 month in prison for failure to comply. c.1877 an arrest warrant was issued; he was arrested in Waimate, New Zealand and subsequently fled to Victoria, Australia. In 1880, he was a 'Drill Instructor' at Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. There is a record of a marriage to 'Elizabeth Milne'. No divorce record between Harriet & John found in New Zealand. John may have committed 'bigamy' after his 1880 marriage in Australia.

There seems no record of what Harriet did in NZ., that is up until 23 March, 1878, (arrival date in London early July per NZ paper 4th July 1879) where it is believed Harriet had returned to England working on the ship "Wanganui" as a Governess/Nanny to 2 boys, sons of a widowed clergymen. HARRIET returned to Portsea in the U.K., where she lived with my Gt. Grandfather, BENJAMIN FLEET. They were unable to marry as technically, she was still married to John King Hickling despite her abandonment. Benjamin FLEET died in 1898 aged 53. She went on to marry Alfred Richard MARSH (b.1839) in 1907 and who died in 1916. HARRIET herself died in 1932 in Kensington, London, aged 83. John King HICKLING died in Princetown, Victoria, Australia on 30.03.1895.
Information courtesy of Peter Rynston. Harriet was his Gt. Grandmother. Photo of Harriet c.1918, aged 69. Posted 21st August 2023. Credit also to Kaye Brill for her research.

Daniel King and Eliza nee Ford and family website
Daughter Eliza Ellen King and Amos Double were married on 7th May 1877 in the Primitive Methodist Church in Timaru.

Heinrich Johann Wilhelm Mehlhopt married Margaretha Heibrock on the 16 July 1871 at St Marks Whitechapel, England. Then emigrated to New Zealand aboard the Carisbrooke Castle which arrived at Lyttelton Harbour in 1874. Then they settled at Tai Tapu, Canterbury.

Ashburton Guardian 5 February 1947 Page 4 DEATH OF MRS E. E. REILLY
A resident of (he Ashburton district for 60 years, Mrs E. E. Reilly, of 32 Wakanui Road, died early this morning in 91st year. Born in Yorkshire, England, Mrs Reilly arrived in New Zealand in 1874 on board the Carisbrooke Castle, at the age of 17. The Carisbrook Castle berthed at Lyttelton, from where the Phoebie transported some of the passengers, including Mrs Reilly, to Timaru. After living in Timaru for about three years, Mrs Reilly came to the Ashburton district, where she has resided ever since. Before her second marriage Mrs Reilly was Mrs John Millichamp, vividly recalls her life at the cherry orchard, Carter’s Terrace, Tinwald, and later, when her husband took over the present nurseries from the late Mr Sealy. She is survived by a family comprising Mrs C. Simpson, of Palmerston North, and Messrs Henry and A. J. Millichamp, of Tinwald, and Edward Millichamp, of Levin. There are 13 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Temuka Leader 3 March 1908 Page 2
On Sunday morning there passed away an old resident of the Temuka district in the person of Mr Stephen Spillane at the mature age of 82 years. The late Mr Spillane was born in Killarney, County Kerry, and at the age of 19 he enlisted in the British army for active service in India, where he remained for-a period of 21 years and 9 months, taking an active part in the suppression of the Indian mutiny, for which he received an Imperial pension. Mr Charles Fraser, well known in Temuka, was a member of Sir Robert Peel’s Naval Brigade, and was in the same barracks in India with the late Mr Spillane for four or five months. Upon receiving his discharge from the army Mr Spillane went to Cork, where he married, and with his wife and family came to New Zealand, in the good ship Carisbrook Castle, arriving Lyttelton in September, 1874. He settled in Temuka, where he lived up to the time of his death, which took place on Sunday morning, when he passed away without the slightest pain. The late Mr Spillane had been ailing for about three months, and the cause of death was simply old age. The deceased, who was of a lively disposition, was very industrious and of a kindly spirit, and leaves a widow, two sons, and one daughter to mourn their loss. The funeral of the old veteran will leave his residence, Fox Street, at 2 o’clock, this afternoon for St. Joseph’s Church, and thence for the Temuka Cemetery.

Comber index
White Wings
Passenger List "Carisbrooke Castle" (ship) - 29 May - 2 September [Copy available in the reading room, Wellington, Archives NZ]

West Coast Times, 9 October 1875, Page 2
It is reported that an ex M.H.R. and immigration agent has issued a writ for damages against the captain of the Carisbrooke Castle for detaining a love letter to one of the single girls, written during the voyage, and accidentally dropped. The letter was handed over by the captain to the Government Agent at Auckland on arrival.

Timaru Herald, 30 December 1899, Page 2
An unusual incident happened on a recent homeward voyage of the Castle liner Carisbrooke Castle, from the Cape. The English letters not having arrived before the Lismore Castle sailed from Cape town for Home, the captain of the Carisbrooke Castle, which was to sail the following day, good-naturedly undertook to deliver the letters to the disappointed passengers of the Lismore Castle on the high seas. Overtaking her on the ocean, the letters were inclosed in a tin box and soldered up. This was then put into a flour barrel with a pole attached, flying a red flag, and having passed the Lismore Castle and got well ahead of her. The barrel was dropped overboard, the Captain at the same time hoisting a signal which had been prearranged. The Lismore Castle coming up on her course in due time picked up the barrel, and so the passengers received their anxiously waited news from home.

Shipwrecks of Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs, Pacific Ocean
(Encyclopedia of Australian Shipwrecks)

Errol. Norwegian barque, 1446 tons. Built Glasgow 1868 as the Carisbrooke Castle; lbd 239.5 x 37.6 x 22.9 ft. Captain Andreasen. Built of iron. From Peru to Newcastle, firmly in the grip of treacherous currents she crashed on to Middleton Reef, Pacific Ocean, 18 June 1909. Within a few hours, with her back already broken she disintegrated into three pieces throwing her master, the mate and several of the crew to the sharks. Most of her passengers met a slow and horrible death from drowning, thirst, starvation and sharks. A raft with five men on board set out for the Annasona, which could be seen about eight kilometres away. There was no food on her but they discovered some brackish water trapped in the crevises in her hull. Those left on the Errol were soon suffering from hunger and thirst. One morning the body of the captain’s wife and two of her four children were found floating near the wreck, then next day another two children died. When SS Tofua passed by the reef on 12 July only five of the twenty two passengers and crew had survived. Today nothing is visible of the barque above the sea.

**Ship CARISBROOKE CASTLE, from London**

to Lyttelton, New Zealand in 1874