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And the Chapmans. But they may have gone on to Melbourne or Sydney on another ship.
Most of the 92 passengers on the Sea Queen had not in feet travelled on the Lady McNaghten.
There were 18 married couples on board, 30 single men,
81
and three unaccompanied or single women; Mrs Haniey, Miss Penny and ivliss Brooks, who
was very likely related to the Mr and Mrs Brooks and a single male Brooks also on the Sea
Queen.
Apart from the loading of provisions, a new cargo was taken on board. It was noted in the
South Australian Register, under Exports, as - '85 coils rope, J Newman; 2 bags coffee,
Younghusband and Co.' This was enlarged by the Argus on the ship's arrival at Port Phillip to -
'Sea Queen, from Liverpool, via Adelaide. 85 coiis Coir rope, 2 bags coffee, 5 quarter casks
brandy, Order.'
While the ship was at anchor off the lighthouse at Cape Jervis on 26 June, waiting for Captain
Wood to come on board, some passengers did some fishing over the side.
Mereweather wrote: 'One of the emigrants caught a strange fish, as big as a large sole, prickly
all over, with two lateral and two dorsal fins, which has the power of swelling itself out like a
toad... Some called it a sea-porcupine, others a devil-fish, others a sea-toad. All the three
names are applicable.'
Another day passed before the ship set sail, delayed further by the weather.
Mereweather wrote on Friday, 28 June: 'Weighted anchor at day-break, and stood down the
Gulf at eight knots. When we got to the entrance of the Backstairs Passage, the wind became
so foul that we were obliged to let go anchor for the night. Continue giving religious instruction
to some of the passengers. My two boys said by heart the catechism and ail the more important
Articles. Where we anchored was in Kingscote Bay, Kangaroo Island.'
Kangaroo Island was south and west of Cape Jervis. The Backstairs Passage was in between.
Antechamber Bay, where the ship was next forced to anchor, was in the northern tip of
Kangaroo Island's eastern end.
Wrote Mereweather on 29 June: 'Fine weather, but the wind foul as it can blow. Were beating
through Backstairs Passage all day, and at night got no further than Antechamber Bay in
Kangaroo Island, where we found good shelter and good anchorage. We have already
consumed five out of our 14 days' provisions. An old woman, of at least 75 assured me that she
was just turned 58.
'Sunday, 30 June: A very fine, calm day, and inexpressibly warm, considering it is midwinter.
Left Antechamber Bay at daybreak, and got well out to sea before nightfall. Could have no
service in consequence of the confusion which predominated down below.'
And so, at last, after being towed out of Port Adelaide five days ago, the Sea Queen set out
with the Honeycombes and the Rev Mereweather on the final leg of their transoceanic voyage.
10. Arrival
The mood on the ship would have been different this time, but the passengers would have been
seasick again. The easterly coastal journey was hazardous, and winter gales would have made it
more so as the Sea Queen sailed southeast, past Capes Bridgewater and Nelson, past Port
Fairy, and the huge cliff-stacks called the Twelve Apostles.
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