12

Journals Index
J.H. Watmuff Profile
Prologue
1 1856-05-01 (Bendigo, Dunolly, Sandy Creek (Tarnagulla), Loddon , (Mt. Hope Hoax), Ararat, Chinamans Flat, Moonlight Flat, Mt William (trek with Aboriginal guide), Pleasant Creek (Stawell), Melbourne).
2 Bendigo Melbourne 1862 Otago N.Z. (1859-07-17)
3 Otago (1862-09-11)
4 Otago (1863-07-26) to Melbourne 1865
5 Melbourne 1865-11-12
6 Melbourne 1866-03-04
7 Melbourne 1869-03-28
8 Melbourne 1870-06-12 to April 1876
9 Melbourne 1876-06 to 1880-09-07
10 Dribs & Drabs 1881-02-16 to 1882-06
11 Sydney & Misc. 1884
12 Lusitania Voyage 1887-05-27
13 Lusitania Voyage 1887-05-30
14 Lusitania Voyage 1887-06-26
15 Lusitania Voyage 1887-07-01
16 and 17 England, letters and Journal 1887-07-14
18 Garonne return Voyage 1887-09-27
19 Resignations 1888-05-28 to 1892 Nov.
See Bert Watmuff's letters about the family
20 (Journal 19) Mildura 1893-05-06
21 Genealogies from 1738 to 1889
22 New Zealand Essays
J.H. & Bessie Watmuff's Photos
Olive Watmuff's Photos

Journal 12 Lusitania Voyage to England

[Lusitania, built 1870 or 1871, wrecked Cape Ballard, Newfoundland 1901. (Not the Lusitania sunk in First World War, it was built 1906)]

1709

Lusitania SS
“Bound for London”
May 28/87
Dr Bessie. On your leaving me last night I got along first rate the giddy feeling, I was suffering from left me, to a certain extent, & I paced the deck alone for an hour when who should I

12/1

1710

come across but your Bro John. I was so glad to see him, we spent an hour together as he will inform you I went to bed, but as for sleep that was impossible, about 12 the mails came aboard & the boatmen had supper Et[c] & parties from the shore drinkg Etc, Stewards up all night scrubbing &

12/2

1711

scouring & washing Etc. I arose this morning about 6am & found the vessel just hauling off from the pier, it was 7am when we made a fair start the weather was hasy but the water was like glass, I forgot to tell you I eat the oysters & did enjoy them (last night) at 8 am sat down to

12/3

1712

to a good breakfast eat ½ lb rump steak & drank a couple of cups of coffee. I was determined to have a good meal before I got into rough waters which I suppose we shall get outside the Heads which we are now approaching_ My fellow cabin mate is a serious fellow before turning in last

12/4

1713

night, I saw him on his knees, ditto this – morning - he carries his bible in his pocket I enquired from him what he was reading, he informed me “Pauls journey to Rome” 10.30, got thru the Heads Sea very smooth, hope it may continue so − pilot just leaving us 3pm Just abreast of Cape Otway, having kept

12/5

1714

close to shore since leaving the Heads, sea still smooth but wind rising - managed to make a capital dinner. have been reading the papers. Not met a vessel as yet. We have very few passengers & those seem to keep up pretty well about half a dozen so far collapsed – (a very mixed lot). I can walk about splendidly considering the state you left me. Menu for Dinner

12/6

1715

“Soup” Bouilli R[oas]t Lamb Mint Sauce Curry & Rice Beef Steak & Kidney Pudding Rice & Prunes Pastry Cakes Etc Bread & Butter Pudding Boiled & Baked Potatoes Cabbage Boiled Corn Beef

A lady enlivened us by playing Mozarts 12 Gloria & the Mabel Waltz. I

12/7

1716

28th

dont anticipate much pleasure from musical sources on board, judging from the appearances of my fellow passengers.

5pm. Ship beginning to roll. Sea rising – several losing their legs trying my best to keep straight - hope I will be able to partake of tea. Crossing the entrance of “Portland Bay” making for Cape Bridgewater.

12/8

1717

28th May

11pm Just off Cape Nelson Lighthouse which is in sight. Made a good tea & feel first rate You will remember my sore neck from the effect of the mustard plaster, it has given me a deal of trouble & is very sore & chaffed. I had to discard my collar, the doctor noticing it, gave me some salve to put upon it, at the same

12/9

1718

time he enquired how I became so situated When I told him how I took ill Etc. he stated that it must have arisen from mental causes but thought that my heart must be affected & requested me to allow him to examine me which I did after doing so, all the remark he made was that he wished

12/10

1719

his heart & lungs were as strong & healthy as mine are. I find we have a tenor vocalist in our Saloon from Sydney - who brought out of his cabin a large number of new & good tenor songs many of which I am acquainted with, he sang 2 or 3 very nicely. I am now about to retire. Good night.

12/11

1720

Sunday 29th May
Could not sleep very well, have not yet got accustomed to the noise continually going on on deck it appears, as soon as the passengers get to bed, the stewards commence to clean up, & such a noise of scouring & scrubbing is kept up all night that it is a perfect nuisance. I would prefer a little

12/12

1721

more dirt & less noise. I managed to eat a good breakfast in spite of a strong wind & high sea which made the ship roll terribly all night. however the weather is bright & fine. At 11am the Church of England service was very well read by the Captain, in the Saloon & I never was more struck by its beauties

12/13

1722

than I was at this time. We expect to reach Adelaide sometime to night. I find an advertisement posted about the vessel that tomorrow Mdy [Monday] a steam launch will convey passengers ashore 1/- each way to the Jetty to meet a train for Adelaide which returns to the ship at 5pm

12/14

1723

when the ship leaves at 6pm - I intend going ashore & visiting the Town, where I will post these memos to you (hoping you will be able to read them) I find it no easy thing to write as the ship rolls, being rather lightly laden. 3.30 just Entering the “Backstairs Passage” Strait between the Main Land &

12/15

1724

Kangaroo Island. We had a splendid dinner to which I did full justice. Roast Duck being my weakness, with plenty of pastry & fruit[,] fruit it appears, is on the table every Thursday & Sunday. I find there are some very nice people on board sociable & well educated many of whom have travelled a great deal,

12/16

1725

mostly very temperate. At dinner I have not observed anyone drink anything but water. I sincerely hope the rest of our voyage will pass as pleasently as the last two days have been. What astounds me is my not having any inclination to be sick, wheather it arises from the fine weather or from my recent illness

12/17

1726

I know not - from the latter I fancy - if so how providential for I do pity those who are sick I see around me. The doctor informed me so when conversing with him that I have long wanted the change I am taking – if not I would have found my brain getting softened, like so many Australians he meets with going home to recruit [recuperate?] by taking

12/18

1727

a sea voyage. 9pm we are just preparing to drop anchor in Holdfast Bay so I must now close this my first contribution hoping you & the children give my love to them all & accept same Dr Bessie from your Affect Husband JH Watmuff Remember me to all enquiring friends

12/19

1728

I will continue a daily Journal as I go along & send you same on every opportunity Kiss all my little ones for me. Goodbye Dearest love,
JHW

12/20

Sources