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Europe that the emigrants became aware of the degree to which their contracts had
been unclear or deceptive (as the expectation of Australia itself would be for some).
The fastest route of most Australia bound ships in the mid 1850s swung far
south of Cape Town, making use of the prevailing winds (ref figure 5). Though
considered quicker than previous routes, there were few if any stopovers and the
passengers were exposed to a range of climatic conditions few could have anticipated.
After leaving balmy seas, the ships would encounter the north-east trade winds which
bowled them on towards Brazil. Crossing the equator, they entered the doldmms,
sometimes drifting for weeks on end in oppressive heat. After this came the Tropic of
Capricom and the plunge south.^* Many passengers were inadequately clad and often
afraid. Not only were there huge waves and extremes of temperature, there was the
threat of icebergs. The route, despite its advantages, left an indelible memory on the
minds of the emigrants, dissuading many from ever returning home. In this way, the
joumey itself can be seen to have been instmmental in the decision of many to remain
in the colonies.
Distressed by their experiences on the ships, the emigrants wrote numerous
letters to their families describing the appalling conditions. Having paid the cheapest
fares, they were berthed in the poorest ventilated and most uncomfortable sections of
the ship, the only compensation being that they were allowed to remain in family and
friendship groupings. While no strangers to overcrowded and squalid conditions, the
Italian speakers were unprepared for the months which lay ahead: between bouts of
seasickness, they became aware that a few square metres of space was to be their
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