James William Crompton was a single man passenger on the Zealandia which arrived Lyttelton, the port for Christchurch, on 9 December 1871. The age given in the passenger list corresponds to James William birth year in Flamborough.
Zealandia
Ship: 1116 tons
Captain: White
Surgeon Superintendent:
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Sailed London 8th September 1871
Arrived Lyttelton 9th December 1871
The Zealandia, a fine iron clipper-built ship of 1116 tons, was built for the Shaw, Savill Co in 1869 and made her maiden voyage to Lyttelton. The Zealandia was a beautiful ship specially designed for carrying passengers. Her saloon was spacious and lofty and the cabins were unusually large and well ventilated, having extra large portholes to them. The decoration of the saloon was extremely chaste. She had some special cabins for families, and a ladies saloon. The second cabin was on deck and the berths were larger than usual and well lighted. The Zealandia, after completing 31 voyages to New Zealand, was sold to the Russians. She was stranded in 1911 and sold to a firm in Nova Scotia.
Source: Brett Sir Henry, 'White Wings'
SINGLE MEN
Name Age County Occupation
Crompton James 17 Yorkshire Farm Labourer
A testimonial from passengers on board "The Zealandia" to Auckland dated 13 February 1861 and signed by Chief Cabin Passengers which, although ten years earlier and of a different passenger class, may give a flavour of the ship and its voyage.
Dear Sir,Source of ship and passenger details: New Zealand emigration passenger list
Allow us to offer you our most hearty congratulations upon the termination of our agreeable and prosperous voyage from England to New Zealand on board "The Zealandia" which left England on the 3rd day of November last, and of which vessel you are commander and part owner. We are happy to be able to say that the superior sailing qualities of your noble ship have been proved to demonstration, as with one exception only, she passed every other vessel which was seen travelling in the same direction as ourselves. Towards the conclusion of our journey we were becalmed for several days, otherwise it seemed probable that our voyage on the Zealandia would have been one of the most speedy ever accomplished. We have thankfully to acknowledge, the liberal manner in which our daily table had been supplied, as well as the great care which has been taken to render the ship as commodious as it is, and to reduce to the smallest amount, the discomforts inseparably attendant upon a long voyage. These commendations belong to myself as well as the other owners of "The Zealandia" in common with each other, but the main object we have now in view is, to assure you personally, how highly we estimate the kindness and suavity of manners you have at all times during our voyage displayed to us collectively as well as individually, as also (so far as our observation has extended) to all on board: whilst at the same time we admire the firmness you have shown when necessary in maintaining peace and good order in the Ship. To these qualifications inherent in yourself as Commander we must attribute in no small degree the meritorious conduct of your Officers and Crew and the regularity and decorum observable in the discharge of the daily business of the Ship. Our journey has been characterized by cheerfulness and harmony and altho such a state of things must almost entirely depend upon the conduct and temper of the Passengers themselves, yet it would be most unjust, if we were not to acknowledge how much we are indebted to Mrs Foster (your amiable Lady and our fellow passenger) for the success which has attended her constant endeavours to promote a feeling so agreeable. Finally we beg to assure you, that we shall always remember Your Name as connected with The Good Ship Zealandia with pleasure and reflect with pride on the qualities belonging to a true and kind hearted British Sailor.
Wishing you and all your family much success and happiness, we remain, Dear Sir, Yours very truly,
Geo. Pearson, William Atkin, W.H. Turner, K.H. Harman, Arthur Heather, Emma Turner, Charles Turner, Emma Turner Junr., John Laman, Jane Turner, Rutland Turner, Emily Turner, J.R. Knighte, Mary Turner, T.L.B. Lloyd, Eleanor Turner, R. Stewart, Olive Knighte, William Mann, Anne Francis Fayres?, H. Somervell, Catherine Mens, Fred Crowley, J.E. Mens, Sarah E. Crowley, W. Hobson, Robert Thompson Inglis, L. Hobson, W? Moon.
The original letter from which this information was copied is in the possession of the grandchildren of Capt. Philip Foster. Courtesy of Elizabeth Foster. Posted 7 Oct. 2000.
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This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass |
Version C4 Updated 23 August 2003 |