Immigrant Ships
Transcribers Guild

Poem and Diary written aboard the
Ship Opawa

Transcript of Maria Wells Diary of the Voyage to New Zealand

The diary is transcribed as written (including spelling).  Where some parts are unreadable due to parts of pages being already damaged or missing the "-" symbol is used.

The following poem is found in the diary, but is written in the hand of someone other than Maria.

_.J.C.

Sept 1878

Frid 6th ---------------------Women come first---------------------------- next then the Men----------------------allowed to speak or look-----------------------n.  A minister comes in-------------------------oon and he gave us an-------------------- also prayed and we sang.  We-------------------the Poop after and stay till tea time.  Go up after till seven o'clock than all down Between Deck.  We all have to be in Bed by ten PM

Sat 7th We have not set Sail yet.  The Steamer came about 4AM.  Brought Provision for us and took us out.  We are as Cheerful as we can be.  We Sight a Traing Ship.  The Steamer left us taking any letter we had written.  We begin to feel very poorly.  Do not get much sleep.

Sunday 8th What a day.  Nothing wanted But the Bucket.  Most of us are like Dead things.  A few are not sick at all.  We are made to go ---------------- Buckarts(?) (Bucharts) are taken up -----------------about nothing Else don----- - --- and I are both very si-----------hardly get into Bed.

Monday 9th We think it Ro-----------out Matron laughs at us ------------too wait a bit we should see Sh----------very sick.  We want nothing to Eat ----- all sent back again.  We have Soup and Pork.  They get us out on the Poop as much as possible.

Tue 10th We are going very nicely.  Eliza is very poorly.  I get her a little Arrowroot.  We do a little sewing.  We have potted meat for dinner.  Fine day.  At night we are awoke by the Tins jubleing about.  Some of them are very nervous.  Their is a Cry of Rats.  I am so Frightened.

Wed 11th Very fine.  Going well.  I am very poorly.  Eliza makes a very good nurse.  She is very kind to me.  I dont know what I should do without her.

Wends 11th Nice day.  We see two sharks.  The Captin caught one.  Their are only three cabin passengers, one Gentleman and a Young Lady and her little sister.  They, with the Captin and Mates ocupy one side of the Poop and us the other.  Their are girls of all Characters here.  Eliza and I only have one that we have taken for a Companion.  She does not mix with any of the others.

Thurs 12th A lovely day.  Going at the Rate of 192 Miles in 24 Hours.  Provision are given out today, Flour, Suet, Rasins, Tea, Coffe, Pickles, Butter and Sugar, Salt and Pepper, also Rice. We make Puddings twice a Week Boil Rice once.  We find it better than we expected in that line

FRI 13th A lovely day.  All beds go up into the Boats.  Such a scramble Fortunetly we have Marked all Cloathes Bed as well or we should not get our own.  The Captin Caught a Bird today.  We see a few.  We are both much better now.

SAT 14th We are going very slowly.  The Weather is very fine.  We sit on the poop all day.  Down to meals.  Nothing more.  Two from each Mess stay in too Clean and wash up.  In turn the Floor is Cleaned with White Sand and Holy Stone.  It is much harder than Scouring.  Fire Drill is Practiced today.  It gives some of the girls a great fright, especialy the Irish.  They thought the Ship was on fire.

SUN 15th A lovely day.  We ar Clean up a little extra, Musterd together on the poop.  All names called over by the captin.  Afterwards the Dr reads Church Service and we sing Chants and Hymns.  It does not ocupy more than an hour.  The Cabin Passengers Join.  We pass the remainder of the Day Singing and reading, and of course talking.  It is very hot.  I get very tired of the day.  I am very poorly on the poop at night.  Glad to get to bed.

MON 16th Still very fine.  Washing day on the poop. Cloathes hanging all round the rigging.  They put a line up.  The Captin and mates use their eyes well.

TUES 17th  Very Good Wind.  I am not well.  Sewing and reading goes on as usualy.  Singing done the evening.  Some of the Girls are doing a antimacasar for the Captin.

WEND 18th Still very fine.  Some of the Girls keep very sick.  Have Sherards in the evening.  Their is great laughter.

THURS 19th Fair Wind.  Sighted a ship Homeward Bound.  Plenty of quarrells among the girls.  Lots of little things get lost.  Potted meat for dinner.

FRID 20th A few Dresses are given.  Under clothing as well.  Also wool to knight and today.  These things are given by a Lady for the Emagraints.  I take a pair of Stockings to Knight.  It continue very warm.

SATU 21st Still Good Weather.  Fire Drill is Practiced.  As usualy Dancing and Singing done in the evening.  Pudding made.  Bootts Blackened.  Finery put ready for Sunday.

SUND 22nd Called over by the Captin.  Service held.  A storm interupted it.  We have to go between Beck.  Fine afternoon on poop.  Fathers and Brothers come on the Poop.  It is rare fun to see them.  We sing Hymns tonight.

MOND 23 A Lovely Day.  Now in the Trophics.  Lime Juise is Given out to us while the intense heat last.  Washing day on the Poop.  Boxes are up.  All woolen things put away.  Some of the Girls find their Cloathes spoilt with Damp.  Great Confusion is caused.  Very little dinner Wanted.  Quite a Busy Day on the Whole.

TUES 24th Beautful Weather.  The Persperation Drops of us like rain.  We should make a very good Sketch now while on the poop.  Most of us watching the Oppotunity to get a quiet nap.  We are very much disturbed by the Rats at night.

WED 25th Very fine.  On poop all day.  See a quantity of Flying Fish. We feel the Heat very much.  A Most Splended Sunset tonight.  Grand.

THURS 26th Still very fine.  A good wind which make the Heat Bearable.  Matron gets Sherards up again.  All kinds of Amusement are carrid out.  Some of the Girls get into Disgrace by sending Notes over to their young men.  Great Trouble is made about it.  They are very strict about such matters.

FRID 27th Beds go up to air.  Sighted a Ship.  Our Captin Held conversation with them.  Find out that they Set Sail on 1st of September.  They ask our Captin Too Dine with them.  They Hinder us on purpose.  Our Captin thought they were in Trouble at first.  It delayed us a day,  they got a little ahead of us.  Still very fine.  The Sailers have what they call a dead horse.  They are paid a month in advance before they leave land.  The time has now expired.  The Horse is their own Construa.  A man rides it round the Main Deck Dress in Stlye, then he is hoisted outside on his horse he gives an account of how the poor old horse has been strained to death for they have not been able to keep him.  The horse drops in the sea.  He is pulled in at the End of the Sport.  The Sailers have a few glasses of Whisky Each.  The Captin gives it them at the Cabin Door.  The Young men push amongst them.  They get hobbled back by sticks.  It is great amusement to us.  We can watch from our poop.  The Captin promise us that they will get up another Scene when have Crossed the Line.

SAT 28th Very showery.  We are sent between Deck.  In the morning go up.  After dinner sent down again.  Fire Drill is not held on account of the weather.  Very hot night and very wet much to our discomfort.

SUN 29th Still showery.  Service is not held today.  We go on the poop a little after dinner.  Mothers and little sisters come to see the Daughters from 2 til 4am.  We are obliged to go between Deck for the rest of the day.  I am very wretched on Sunday.  Such a change.

MON 30th A Lovely day.  Washing as usualy.  Always some thing overboard or getting torn.  Several hats are gone too.  The Afternoon rather Rough  Many of the Girls are very sick again.

TUES 1st October A good Trade Wind.  Still very Hot.  The pesperation run off us like rain.  On the poop all day Sewing and reading.  We are very contented on the whole.  We all like our Captin and First Mate.  They are very nice to us all.  They Know our names pretty correctly.

OCT 2nd Wed A Most Beautiful Morning.  Such a Beautiful Sky.  A Great Clearing out of Bed.  Great Diffulculty in keeping clean.  Each as to take a cold Bath once a Week.  A most Glorious Sunset tonight.

OCT 3rd Thur Still Beautiful Weather.  Sailing very well.  Sighted a Steamer going home.  Wish we were with them.  Our Captin holds a conversation by hoisting of flags.  They the same.  We send word to England having a good voage.  All is well.  No Deaths taken place.  Just thinking of going to dinner.  Sailors mending the Rigging on the Poop side we were sitting when one of them lost their and was washed away.  Unfortunately he could not swim.  Life Boys were thrown out.  We saw him try to grasp one, but he failed.  Boats were sent out. Every thing was done that could be But all in vain.  Not eaven his Body was recovered.  Makes us feel very sad.

OCT 4th Frid Fair Wind.  Not quite so Warm.  Cross the Line today.  See a Shark going around the Ship.  The rats disturb us very much tonight.  Not satisfied with being outside but they get inside the Beds.  Make up our minds not to go to sleep.

OCT 5th Sat Still in the Trade Winds.  Very warm.  Fire Drill is done as usualy.  A Grand Sunset.  The Sky resembels a quantity of Beautiful Gardens.  We spend about an hour and Watch the Various Changes.

MON Oct 7th Rather a High Wind.  Rare Sport at the Wash Tub.  Many a Cry of Cloathes gone overbourd.  Also hats.  The Saloon Pasengers are going to Publish a Weekly Paper Called the Opawa Times.  We are requested to send Riddles or any thing we wish Published.  Through this paper we hear if anything occurs in any part of the Ship.  Skiping is great Amusement with us.

TUES Oct 8th Good Wind But splended weather for us.  On Deck all day.  When we get beetween Deck Several of the girls dress in Young Mens Suits.  Such games and Laughter, it brings our Captin to the Top of the hatchway.  Should not have been Suprised had they have come down.

OCT 9th We see a quantety of Paupuses having a race.  They are Black But very much like Salmon in shape, But Larger.  They rise from 4 to 5 feet out of the Water.

OCT 10th A little rain.  We ar up between times.

OCT 11th Frid Still Fine.  A Birth as taken Place during the night.  A little girl.  She is to be named Opawa after the ship.

OCT Sat 12th Still fine.  We see an Island called Trinidad.  We could only just see as it were a rock at a great Distance with the Naked Eye.  A few Birds are Skiming the Water.  Fire Drill as Usualy.

OCT Monday 14th Washing Day with a great many.  Have Boxes up Between Deck.  Such showing of treasures with some of the Girls also quarreling for getting into each others way.  Beds were up to air.  Also our Cleaning day.  Also a regular Busy day.  A lovely day.

Tues OCT 15th Still very fine.  Much cooler.  Our kappers are now required at night.  Sighted a Ship Homeward Bound.  Did not Comunecate with them.

Wends OCT 16th A Beautiful Day.  See some Cape Pigiens quite out of the Trophics.  Lime Juise discontinued.  A tug of War Ropes place between us English Girls and the Irish.  So many of each puling the rope much to the Amusement of the Captin and Mate, Also Saloon Passengers.  They cheer us up, but the English are fairly Beaten.  Very Hard for us to own to it.  Skiping is getting quite perfect with us.

Thurs OCT 17th Beautiful day.  All going well.  A whale is seen in the Evening some distance from the Ship.

Frid OCT 18th Still very fine and Hot Beds are taken up to air.  Danceing and Singing are enjoyed very much Every Evening.  Very Rough Night.

Sat OCT 19th A very High Sea.  Kept Below.  Went on Poop for a Hour after Dinner.  The Waves Dashed up on to the Deck.  The Sea is mountains High.  Most bitterly Cold.  A good Run up and down to warm us.

Sun OCT 20th A Nice Day.  Ship becalmed.  Birds in great numbers.  Many a Cape Pigien Caught.  Also a splended Albatross was secured which measured Eleven feet from wing to wing.  A Small Shark was seen taken the Bate that was thrown out.  Great interest was felt while the Bird was being drawn up the Side of the Ship on the Poop side were we all watching Eagerley the performance.  Service was being held on the Fore Castle.  Men Climbing Riging shouted Hurrah, and the Steward and second Mate Killed the Bird on the poop.  One man was fixed on Hi Riging by Mates Orders.  Rare rare Laughter.  We had Service as usualy in the morning, this the kind of Sunday we spend as a rule.

Mon 21st OCT Fine With a light wind.  Bird Catching was General with Saloon Passengers.  Also Captin and Mates.  Washing done as Usualy.  A wet Afternoon.  All between Deck.  Dancing and Singing is carried on among us till Bedtime.

Tues 22nd A good Wind and a very High Sea.  Very Cold.  Kept between Deck all day.  Turned out very wet.  A general cry for the Bucket.  Eliza is very Sick among the rest, always Sick when the Ship Rocks.  I feel very Poorly but not Sick.  Eight Wings are Raffeled for at night.  Taken from the Pigiens.  Rough Night.

Wend 23rd OCT A Very High Wind.  Very Cold.  Running and skiping all day.  A very Rough Night.  Great Difficulty in keeping in Beds.  The Forms fell down.  Tins Flying in all Direction.  Never closed our Eyes.  Believe we were in great Danger.  Every thing was in readiness in case of accident, the Scene of this night I never shall forget.

Thurs 24th Very Rough And Wet.  All the men looked Drowned.  Many a Fall with them.  Kept Between Deck all day.  We pass Gough Island today.  Most of us very Tired and Poorly.  Glad to get to bed.

Frid OCT 25th Still Very Rough.  Bitterly Cold.  Get on Poop a little in the Afternoon.  Too Cold to sit about at all.  Bad throats are very Bad amongst us.  Cape Pigiens still seen.  We are passing around the Cape.

Sat OCT 26th Still Very Rough and Cold.  We went on poop for a run.  In the Afternoon Fire Drill was held as Usualy.

Sund OCT 27th A very Cold Day.  Musterd on poop for names to be called over.  Service could not be Held.  Mothers came between Deck to see Daughters.

Mon OCT 28 Very fine Day.  A Trifle warmer.  A Breeze sprang & their was a Head Sea Which Caused The Ship to Pitch for a Short time.  Several of the men got a good Shower Bath as the Water came Splashing over the Side of the Main Deck.  We have seen but one Ship latley.  They apeared to be Overhauling her.  On Sunday Evening she made Sail and Probably went down.  At any rate She left us and it is the only way we can account for her Sudden disaperance.

Tuesd Oct 29th Very cold.  We go on Deck for a run.  Have to Wrap up well.  Skiping is still Practiced.

Wend OCT 30th Cold and Wet.  It Clears up a little.  In the Afternoon we get on Deck for a Short time.  Time is going very slowly with most us.

Thurs 31st Still very Wet and Cold.  Have to stay between Deck Most of the Day.  Get round the Cape of Good Hope today.  Dreadful Quarrels at one of the Tables Also today.  A very rough night.  We toss in our Beds.  Also the Tins fly about.  Some of the Girls out of Bed Causes us great Amusement as they fall from side to side.

Frid November 1st Still Wet and Cold.  The rocking of the Ship Causes us very much Discomfort while at our Meals.  The Contents of the Coffee Pot Ocasionaly get turned into the sugar, Treacle tin rolls over.  Ocasionaly the Tea wholesale goes.  It has been with difficulty we have suceeded in the Eating line.  A fearful quarrell takes place between the Cathlics and Matron and a few of the English Girls over Prayers.  They Said the Matron was Laughing with the English Girls and they could not proceed with their Prayers.  I was frightened for the Matron.  Could the Cathlics girls have got our girls that did laugh, it is Hard to say what the Concequnces would have been.  These are the kind of quarrells that takes place among us.

Sat No 2nd A bitter cold day.  We did not get on Deck.  Fire Drill was held a usualy.  We are all most perished.

Sun No 3rd Still bitter Cold.  Some of us stay on deck for a little time after we have had names called, but more get below.  Matron reads Church Prayers at night.  We finish up the day in Singing Hymns.

Mon No 4th Not quite so Cold.  Those that Wash today get Warm water.  We see several Pigiens.  Also a speice of small whale called black fish.

Tuesday Nov 5th A very Wet day.  The Matron and a few of the girls make a Guy Fox that represented an old Sailor.  He had a very Bland and smileing counternanc and appeard to enjoy his pipe very much.  He is seated in a Chair having a Box in his hand in Which any one feeling inclined puts a small coin or what they think proper.  He is Carried round the Main Deck and further aditions are made to the contents of the Box.  The Collection was put into the merchants Seamans Orphan Asylum Contribution Box.  The Contents were £1"6D, a button and Split ring.  In the Evening Matron gets up Sherrads.  After that their is a sale by Auction for the Sailor that who is seated in his chair.  He is very soon limbed all to pices.

Wed Nov 6th Very wet morning.  Kept below.  Clear up in the afternoon.  Some of us go on Deck.  It is rare fun to see us from side.  A great many of fall down with a good Bump much to the Amusemennt of all.  It is dreadfully cold.  I have a Sore Throat.

Thur Nov 7th Still very Cold.  None of us get out till Afternoon.  We are having Rough Weather now but we are getting more used to it.  A very heavy Sea all night.  The waves are Mouantains high.  Great waves come over the side of the Ship.  We cannot fail to realize the Danger we are in Every now and then.  It seems the Vessel; cannot resist the force which she is sent on her side with the waves.  Eliza is ill in Bed with a vilent cold.  I have a Ulcerrated throat.  The Dr is exceedingly kind to all his Patients.

Frid 8th A very Heavy Sea.  Our Hatchway has to be shut up all together.  A Trap door has been put through from the Married Peoples part.  We receive our provisions through this.  Many of the men meet with a fall.  While in the execution of his duty our Constable meet with a fall while bringing our tea.  Another comes to see if we are geting up, calling at the top of the Hatchway when a wave comes.  He sent on his back to the Amusement of the rest.  We are going very rapidly.  In forth Eight Hours we have traveld 563 Miles. It causes much Discomfort but it is to our benifit in the End.  Eliza is still Bad.  Got over 300 miles in 24 hours.

Sat 9th Still bitter Cold.  The sea a little Calmer.  The Dr orders all the Girls on Deck in the Afternoon that are well.  Very long faces at having turn out in the Cold.  Eliza is a little better.  Gets up a little.  We are very eagerly looking forward to getting to our Journeys End.  I hear it was so rough that the fixings of the Main Hatch were unshiped and several persons met with nasty knocks during the day, but we have traveld 320 miles during the day.  During the last week we have traveld 1464 miles.

Sun Nov 10th A very Cold day with a great deal of sleet in the morning, but sunshine got the Victory in the Afternoon.  All that were able had to go on the Poop.  Church Service read at night.

Mon NOV 11th A very High Sea.  Wet and Cold.  Have to stay below all day.  Eliza keeps very poorly.  During the Night Our Ship Sailed Well.

Tues NOV 12 Cold and Wet.  Did not get on Deck at all again.  The Days seem very long to us.  Another little Stranger was adherd to our number we hear this morning A little Boy.

Wens NOV 13th A Great Change in the Weather I am feeling better.  Have Boxes up in the Afternoon.  We get a Good rocking again tonight.  Eliza is better.

Thur NOV 14th A Beautiful day.  A strong Breeze with A very Heavy Sea.  Washing done on the Poop today.

Frid NOV 15th A very wet morning.  Clear up in the Afternoon.  We go on the poop.  We get thrown from one side of the Poop to the other.  We cannot help But Laugh, Though we often get very near Smashed.  The Captin as a Dance over our heads tonight when we are quiet in Bed.  First over one lot then over another.  Peels of Laughter from us.  He gets a lecture from Matron next morning.

Sat NOV 16th A fine day.  All the boats are painted in the morning.  Fire Drill was held as usualy.  We were out most of the day.

Sun NOV 17th Very Wet till Sundown when a light Breeze Suceeded the Dead Calm which we had sufferd all day.  We were out in the Evening for a little time.  Matron read Church Prayers at night.  Also we sing Hymns.

Mon NOV 18th Beautiful day but no Wind.  Out all day.  Had to walk very Briskly up down the Poop.

Tues 19th All the Sailers are very busy Painting today.  Heavy Rain at 4 PM.  All Bunks have to be well cleaned.  A few of the Girls stay in to Clean the Paint.  It is very calm which makes that Occupation much easyer that it would otherwise have been.

Wend 20th A very nice day.  Still very busy Cleaning and painting.  Our Compartment is finished today.  4PM we have to get down between deck.  Their is heavy rain.

Thurs 21st A very nice day.  The Captin very kindly gives us Singly Girls a Tea.  He send down Two Plum Cakes for each mess.  Also Potted Salmon, Sardines and preserved Milk, not forgeting even the Vinagar.  We all enjoyed it.  Afterwards we went on the poop and gave three Cheers for the Captin, also for the Dr.  Both Gentlemen have lost no Oppotunity of adding to the comfort of us all and most of us higly Appreciate them for their kindness.  I forgot to say the Children all have Cake and Nuts and the little ones vosies are heard shouting with Joy.

Frid 22nd NOV A very wet day.  Not all day. We are getting very tired of the Journey.

Sat NOV 23 A nice day.  Fire Drill was held as usualy.  The late Calm has considserable spoilt our Chance of making an extra smart passage.  We yet hope to arrive the 1st or 2nd day in Dec.

Sunday NOV 24 Very Showery.  Have to keep going up and down between the Showers.  Still keeps very cold.  Prayers and Singing at night.  Their as been no service held on the poop since the cold weather set in.

Mon NOV 25th A wet morning.  Got on Deck for an hour before dinner.  Very wet Afternoon.  Not able to get out.  The Ship is pitching very much.  The Captin says we are going to have a rough night.

Tues NOV 26th We have had a routh night.  Not many of us slept at all.  We lose our Breakfast, the Ship having given rather a sudden Toss.  The gale continues to get worse.  We are compelled to go in our Bunks for fear of getting Broken Limbs.  Some are very sick.  Great cry for the pails.  Bad as you feel you cannot but Laugh.  Dinner was brought to us with great Difficulty.  We have at in picnic fashion in bed.  Very few want much.  Fancy me cutting the Salt pork in bed but that is the only place you are safe as that is not very wide.  Every thing as to be tied up, the benches, water cans and everything moveable.  The Captin very kindly calls down and tells us not to be frightened if we get two or three shocks which we did get some of.  The girls begin to scream and cry.  A few were very crouagous.  The Cathlics say they prayers three time during the Afternoon.  All of them make a great noise.  Eliza is very sick and Bad.  The young person that we made a friend of in the Depo as been ecceedingly kind to us all through the Voage.  We should have missed her very much as we have often both been very poorly at the same time.  Tea we have in the same style as Dinner, with great Diffuculty.  I am feeling very poorly.  The gale as lasted from 4PM Monday Till Eight tonight Tuesday, but thank God he has kept us safe from all harm.

Wed NOV 27th Still cold and rather routh.  We are able to go up for an hour in the morning.  A Wet Afternoon.  Rather a routh night.  Nothing so bad as what it as been.

Thurs NOV 28th Wet Morning.  We are up on the Deck for a little time.  Wet Afternoon.  Much Queter night.

Friday Thurs 29th A lovely day.  Much warmer.  We are able to sit on the poop.  It is quite a Treat. Once more we are able to go up after tea.  Also had Boxes up today as we are expecting to land in a few days.  If we only get fair wind our Captin thinks we shall be in Port by the 2nd Dece.  We are eagerly looking for the Snares.

Sat 30th Another nice day.  Get out as soon as possible as the Floor is going to be Cleand with water for the last time as the Bouards must be well scraped and done with Holy Stone and Sand when we get in.  Expect to see the Snares tonight.  We have been almost becalmed this two last days.

Sund DEC 1st A very wet day.  Nearly every girl was up looking through the Port Hole of the Bath Room by 4 in the morning, one or two at a time as we had to be very quiet.  The Snares were very Visible but still a great distance form us.  We ought too be in Port now in two or three days, but Unfortuneatly we have Head Winds that Takes us back as much as foward.  He is very vexed.

Mon DEC 2nd Still a fine day, But Head Winds.  We are anxiously waiting for the news that the Wind is in our favour.  It is bitter Cold.  We are on the poop most of the day.  The Sailers are continuely turning the Ship both night and day.  A Collection made for the Constables, Also for Cook.  We girls gather £2 for Constables.  The Cook does not fare very well from us.  Not baked our puddings well at all.  There are 58 Single girls.  Their was six more than expected as their beds was ready for them.  Our names are upon each of them.

Tues DEC 3rd Still Head Winds.  A very wet night.  Kept between deck all day.  Almost becalmed.

Wend DEC 4th A most lovely day.  We were able to sit on the poop most of the Day.  Only waiting for a favourable wind but we are becalmed.

Thurs DEC 5th Another lovely day, but a Head Wind.  We are greatly disapointed as we have a few miles to go.  At 4 O'Clock in the Afternoon we get a fair wind.  The Captin gives orders for us to put our things togather.  The Wind changes into a Head Wind.  Such preparations for landing with us, till the lights are put out.

Friday 6th A nice morning.  Very calm.  What wind we have is a Head Wind.  We are quite prepared for the inspecters top come on Board.  We have a Mountain called Banks Peninsular in our view all day.  The Captin says he as been looking for it for the past seven days.  The Wind is very much against us.  The Ship as been turned a many times today.  On the poop most of the day.  Rather a cold afternoon.

Page 1 Passengers aboard the Opawa intended for Lyttelton

Page 2 Passengers aboard the Opawa intended for Timaru

Page 4 Transcript of Memos Relating to the Ship Opawa Sailing

Page 5 The Sailing Ships of the New Zealand Shipping Company 1873-1900

Contributed and Transcribed by Bill Smith for the Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild 21 November 1998

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