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mirrored the class stmcture of home ~ the masses below deck representing the masses
back home. This resulted in fiiction between the passengers and crew and occasional
riots. Reflecting on the comparative richness of home-life, the shipboard experience
would have reinforced the Italian speakers' resolve not to depend on others, especially
for food. In this respect, their later concentration in farming, stores, hotels and wine
bars in AustraUa may be seen to have mirrored their resolution.
Because the voyage to Australia could last four to five months (173 days for
the August in 1855), another major difficulty for the emigrants lay in keeping
themselves amused. Since many lived in fear of a pirate attack or, as mountain
dweUers, experienced panic in the wide open expanses of the sea, diversions were
important to their psychological well-being. The Italian speakers were accustomed to
the demanding physical labours of a peasant farm with little leisure time and had
trouble adjusting to the sedentary nature of shipboard life. Reading or keeping a diary
were either unpossible or difficult: many were illiterate and their living quarters were
too poorly lit for such activities. There was little opportunity for physical exercise and
few had brought games or crafts to occupy their time. The most popular activities
were singing and dancing which revived the memory of happier times back home; on
one voyage in 1855, 40 Swiss formed a singing group. Some passengers enjoyed
shooting, either at suspended bottles or at sea birds, while others sought escape in
alcohol and frivolous amorous Uaisons. Those Italian speakers who participated in
these last activities ~ normally frowned upon within the village community ~ were,
once again, responding to their predominantly male environment, which lacked the
customary viUage constraints (as was also the case in Australia following settlement).
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