Richard Mitcalf diary on board the ship Nepaul, from London to Moreton Bay and Sydney, including voyages to Calcutta and New Zealand 1850-ca. 1858

MLMSS 8690

fonds

1850-1858

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Drawings

994890

0.04 metres of textual material and 9 drawings (1 box)

The Nepaul was a ship of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which made several voyages to Australia in the 1850s.

This diary was kept by Richard Mitcalf who was a crew member and possibly the chaplain on the ship Nepaul. He describes a journey from England to Moreton Bay and Sydney from September 1850 to April 1851 with Captain Heddle, Lieutenant Lane and Doctor Ayre. He describes on board activities including the conduct of divine service, dancing and parlour games, the rescue of a crew member overboard and occasionally refers to the emigrants in general terms. He also discusses the weather and notes passing ships and describes events when docked at Sydney. The diary also records the ship's movements between Moreton Bay, Sydney and Calcutta and the transport of horses, coal and other cargo as well as passengers from Sydney to Calcutta and 'home' and describes a severe storm on the way to New Zealand. The dates of these later voyages are unclear.

The name G. J. Inglis is stamped on the front endpapers and Gilbert James Inglis is written in another hand to that of the diarist.

The notebook also contains a series of questions and answers - possibly a Victorian parlour game, as well as lists of washing, food and expenses, including money drawn during the voyage of Captain B. Freeman. The volume includes rough drawings, mostly portraits and ships.

Copyright status:: In Copyright
Research & study copies allowed: Author has been dead for more than 50 years
Rights and Restrictions Information:: No publication without prior written approval of copyright holder
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales