Edith Pumfrey journal of voyage from Sydney to England, 1899

MLMSS 7062/Box 1X

fonds

1899

413187

0.16 metres of textual material (1 outsize box) - manuscript

Edith Pumfrey (1884-?) was born in Australia, one of three children of parents who were born in England and arrived at Sydney in about 1872. In August 1899 Edith's parents sold their home at Victoria Street, Granville, and on 2 September 1899 the fifteen year old Edith and her parents departed for England on the ship 'Cuyco'. According to her journal Edith's married sister and child remained in Sydney, and her brother lay buried at Rookwood Cemetery. Pencil notes at the end of the journal indicate that Edith Pumfrey returned to Sydney on the ship 'Oruba' in 1902.

1899; Journal of a voyage on the ship 'Cuyco' from Sydney to Tilbury Docks, England, being small volume with daily ms. entries beginning on 19 August 1899 and ending on 19 October 1899, 43pp.
Entries begin with the sale of the Pumfrey's home at Granville, their stay with relatives at Manly, and the departure of Edith Pumfrey and her parents for England. Edith Pumfrey describes details of her journey including her daily activities on board ship. She describes ports of call and land sightings.
There is a detailed description of Gibralter where the 'Cuyco' was involved in a collision with an anchored warship which necessitated repairs and a longer stay in port. Edith Pumfrey records the fact that she is colonial born but that she is going to England with her parents because they wish to go 'Home' after twenty seven years in the Colony. Pencil notes at the end of the journal indicate that Edith Pumfrey returned to Sydney in 1902.

Transcript available online - archival-classic.sl.nsw.gov.au/_transcript/2017/D00007/a1241.pdf