THE OTAGO WITNESS 2 Feb 1861
THE "EGIDIA." The "Lady Egidia," from Greenock, arrived at Otago on Sunday last, after a passage of 104 days. She anchored about two miles off the Heads, and was on the following morning towed up to Port Chalmers by the "Geelong." She is the largest vessel which has yet come to Otago, and was, we understand, drawing 18 feet when she came in. Her safe arrival at Port Chalmers, without touching ground, is a satisfactory refutation of the assertion that the water of the harbour is becoming shallower. She belongs to Messrs. Potter, Wilson, & Co. of Glasgow - the firm to whom the "Bruce" and the "Cheviot" belong, and who have made offers to the Provincial Government to bring out immigrants on advantageous terms. The application has been referred to the home agents, with the request that they will give Messrs. Potter, Wilson, & Co. the preference over other tenderers, other matters being equal. The "Egidia" brings the largest number of passengers ever landed in Otago by one vessel, and gives an addition to our population of upwards of 400 souls. The "Egidia" experienced some unpleasant weather at starting, but, we understand, the voyage on the whole has been an agreeable one. Some complaints have been made of breaches of the Passenger Act, which will be inquired into; we believe, however, they are not serious charges; possibly they may be only the inconveniences indispensable from a long voyage, with a large number of passengers, and will shortly be forgotten now that the immigrants have touched terra firma. The supply of provisions and water, as regards both quantity and quality, is favourably reported upon by the passengers. We, however, regret to learn that there have been 32 deaths - the whole, with the exception of two, being children. The death of the two adults was to have been expected from the state of health in which they left the home country but the loss of so many children, we are persuaded, must arise from want of proper care and attention on the part of the medical officer. There is nothing in the voyage to New Zealand, either in its length or the latitude passed through, which should make it destructive to children. Want of ventilation and a sufficiency of nourishing diet is, we are certain, in most cases the cause of the death of children. Medical comforts are usually most liberally supplied by the owners of the ships. In this case, there appears to have been no exception to this rule. We can, therefore. only come to the conclusion due care has not been used. We have again and again urged upon the Agents the necessity of being careful in the selection of the medical officer in charge, as upon him depends to a great extent the comfort and safety of the voyage. On Monday afterhoon the "Geelong" brought up the passengers to Dunedin. The jetty was crowded by the inhabitants of the city, who came down in numbers to welcome friends, or to catch a peep at the new arrivals - who, judging from the cheering from the loaded deck of the "Geelong," were glad enough to be at their journey's end, and to land in safety in the land of their adoption. The male immigrants, with a few exceptions, appeared to be hale, strong, hearty fellows, who will be an acquisition to our community. The whole were quickly housed in the Immigrants' Barracks, which affords ample accommodation. The demand for the services of new arrivals was, as usual, considerable, and numbers have already found permanent situations. The young men and female servants have no difficulty in this matter - the married people with large families are not so readily absorbed; but temporary work is provided for all. We understand that some of the young men have refused offers of £50 per annum with rations. We have no wish to interfere with their making the best bargain they can, but we must advise them that permanent situations at such rates are far better than the apparently higher rate of 7s. per diem for day labour, when the expense of board and lodging in the town, and the loss of time from broken weather, is taken into consideration. No doubt - the "Egidia" having arrived just at the commencement of the harvest - there is a great demand for the services of able-bodied men who understand farming work, and a good deal may be made by jobbing work; but all immigrants should look to permanent situations in the country as the thing most desirable for them. The Government at the present time is employing a large number of hands on public works, and of course is taking advantage of the fine weather to push on road-making as fast as possible before the winter sets in. The Government expenditure for some time past has been at the rate of £10,000 per month; - this rate will not, however, be maintained; and therefore it is prudent for those who have the offer of permanent situations at fair wages to take them. With these few words of practical advice, we have to give those who have become our fellow-colonists a hearty welcome to Otago, and to express the wish that they may prosper in the land of their adoption.
THE OTAGO WITNESS 2 Feb 1861
The Ardrossan Herald of Saturday, September 8, 1860 announced the purchase lately by Potter Wilson & Co., of Glasgow, of the large vessel on stocks in Messrs. Barr & Shearers ship-building yard here. Since the purchase workmen have been preparing her for the launch which was looked forward to with great interest, both on account of the size of the vessel and from the length of time which has elapsed since a like event took place in this locality. It came off on Wednesday last under circumstances which will long be remembered. The day was remarkably fine. From an early hour the harbour presented a gay scene with flags of all nations floating from ships and buildings, and as the hour approached every available spot which commanded a view was crowded. No fairer sight was ever witnessed at any previous launch, and we believe at no former period was the anxiety so general that Messrs. Barr & Shearer’s usual good fortune should attend them on this occasion. On a platform, raised near the dry-dock, was the Earl and Countess of Eglinton, Lady Egidia Montgomerie, and party from the castle, Colonel and Mrs Wylie, Miss Moffat and party, John Moffat Esq., W.B. Huggins Esq., Dr. Robertson, G. Thomson Esq., Misses Houston, Rev. M. Rorison, Mrs Rorison, Misses Buchanan, and a large number of strangers. Whilst in the several groups in the yard, but especially on the vacant space between the pig iron and the edge of the dock on the opposite side, were mingled together all classes drawn together from Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan. At about 3 o’clock, expectancy is at its height as heavy hammer and mallet wielded by strong arms drive in the wedges which are to relieve the props which fasten the vessel still to the ground. These are at length removed and: There she stands With her foot upon the sands. Decked with flags and streamers gay In honour of her marriage day. Her snow white signals fluttering blending Round her like a veil descending Ready to be bride of the gray old sea. At this moment, Lady Egidia, accompanied by her noble father, The Earl of Eglinton, by the members of the firm and by the owners stepped forward and, having broken the bottle upon her bow, the noble vessel slowly, majestically, and without a pause, slid into the embrace of the old ocean, amidst the once again and again congratulatory shouts of friends. Lo from the assembled crowd There rose a shout prolonged and loud That to the ocean seemed to say Take her O bridegroom, old and gray’ Take her to thy protecting arms With all her youth and all her charms. The "Egidia" is one of the largest, if not the largest wooden vessels ever built in Scotland. Her model was the General theme of admiration, and we believe the timber of which she is built is the finest that could be procured. She measures 219 1/2 feet long, extreme breadth 37 1/3 feet, depth 22 1/2 feet , registered tonnage 1,235, builders measurements 1,461 tons. She has a well executed female figure at the bow, and at the stern there is a figure of Mercury and two female figures representing commerce. the ornamental carving at both the bow and stern is very tastefully designed. She goes immediately into dry-dock to be coppered and finished, and no expense will be spared in fitting her out in a style in keeping with the superior build of the vessel. She is advertised to sail for Otago on 10th October, and we do not exaggerate when we say that no finer or better built vessel ever sailed for the Australian seas. Converted to electronic form by Corey Woodw@rd