Southward Bound Information - History SA

were able to deliver a reasonable volume of water for a short period. In serious
cases of fire one of the most successful methods of combating it was, at this time
(and for some years to come), to batten down the holds and plug every opening,
denying the fire air.
STORMS AND WEATHER:
The ship may have lay at anchor for 20 or more days awaiting a good slant of wind
to begin the voyage.
The majority of ships left the northern hemisphere in winter, thereby arriving in
South Australia during winter and giving the migrants time to acclimatise before
summer. Unfortunately, departing at this time of year could mean an
uncomfortable trip.
It is usual, in winter, to encounter a series of gales rolling up the Atlantic Ocean
from the south west. These can cause a ship to bucket about unmercifully for
days, sometimes weeks, on end. This meant the first days at sea for most
migrants, packed into dark, cramped, frequently smelly quarters, were far from
pleasant.
Aboard a sailing ship in heavy weather, it was impossible to keep the below decks
dry. In poorly maintained vessels it veritably rained in the accommodation. Another
source of wetness was the hatchways. It was not uncommon for water ankle deep
to slosh about in the quarters - slushy, slimy water.
During a gale (which could last days) steerage emigrants were battened below.
Secured ‘for their own safety’ steerage passengers struggled to walk, serve meals
and attend to their toilet on heaving, crazily slanting decks. Ignorant of what was
happening above, they could only hope that the continual creaking and groaning of
the ship’s timbers was a sign of mature strength and not weakness which would
give way to swamp them in tons of water.
The sufferings of steerage passengers at such times was almost indescribable.
Many cabin passengers from the relative safety of their airy compartments
complained of ‘the stench issuing from the between deck’ when the hatches were
finally opened.
SHIPWRECK:
Ships could be wrecked for a number of reasons:
a. Fire.
b. Storm - the Roaring 40s and the Howling 50s.
c. Unchartered islands, reefs or sections of the mainland.
d. Icebergs - if the ship travelled too far south.
A ship could be wrecked without people in Britain becoming aware of the loss for 6
months or more - its cause might never be known. A damaged ship might not be
lost; it could be limping out under jury rig (having been dismasted) and would
arrive weeks or months later.