Picture: Shawn Spencer-Smith
Edward Towle and his brother Ben were first class passengers who travelled to Australia in 1852, in the hope of finding work either in sheep-farming or by prospecting for gold.
Whilst on board the ss Great Britain Edward often wrote to his sister Mary in Derbyshire, UK.
Edward’s diary relates humorous accounts of his passage to Melbourne:
22nd August 1852
“Opposite to our berths lies a wild Irish man, a genteel looking fellow but always in fun he appears to be like his compatriots all impulse and as unstable as the water upon which we float. Above him lies a surgeon, a serious but rather soft looking chap we shall see what he is made of presently.”
3rd September 1852
“We are awoke in the morning by the crowing of cocks and cackling of ducks, the hens are dying off, partly by the heat and partly by the commands of the captain….we have our meals much more regular, the provisions improve and we had a plum pudding yesterday, a great treat after salt provisions. Six pigs were butchered this morning, their dying screams were the music that greeted us during dinner.”
Gamblers Den
“There seems to be a great mixture of characters on board, men who had been gambling the night before now appeared at church with a most devotional demeanour, and others who appeared to be very steady and sedate never went to church at all……We have French, Germans, Poles, Jews, Italians, Scotch and Irish on board.”
Find out about Allan Gilmour and Susan Mary Crompton.
Buy tickets to visit Brunel's ss Great Britain
Bookmark this page
What's this?