Our Journey
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| In the stream ready to sail on the long voyage to an unknown Canterbury. |
All on board the Canterbury Association’s ships shared a long, uncomfortable, sometimes frightening, and often difficult journey of over three months. They were all unlikely to ever see their homeland again, or any family who remained behind. New Zealand might offer them opportunities, but it was regarded as having nothing familiar or ready to use. For some, the journey would mark their death.
- What thoughts would be going through the minds of those planning their journey to the Canterbury Settlement? Imagine it was you.
- What should you take? You are only allowed a few square feet of storage space in the hold.
- Will you overcome the dangers of the sea?
- Who among you will still be alive to step ashore at the new Canterbury Settlement?
There would be very different experiences based on a person’s class or income for those stepping on board the Randolph, Cressy, Charlotte Jane and the Sir George Seymour. On board what would become widely known as the ‘First Four Ships’ (although some British emigrants had already gone ahead to prepare for the arrival of the Canterbury colonists) those who travelled on the upper or lower decks would have very different stories to tell about life on board.
- Find out for yourself what happened at sea aboard the four ships – Randolph, Cressy, Charlotte Jane and Sir George Seymour.
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| The Randolph, 6 September 1850, watercolour on paper. |
Deck of the Charlotte Jane, 25 October 1850, ink on paper. |
See also >>
Our Journey | Packing – What would you take? | Rich and poor | Are you hungry? | Cockroaches & seasickness | From deck to cabin | A girl’s diary