ii. 21 April 1837
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Letter 2: Günther to Coates, 21 April 1837, p.1.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/2
MS page no: 3-005
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[note] D. Coates Esq.
Rec’d August 23/37
Sydney, 21 April 1837
Dear Sir,
By the favour of the Almighty I am permitted at last to announce to you our safe arrival. We sincerely desire to bless and praise the name of the Lord for his unceasing care and merciful protection over the mighty waters and we feel the more thankful as our voyage has been trying and fatiguing, rather long, sometimes perilous and now we are safe. The 8th instant was the long wished for day when we reached the shores of our destination. The day of our embarkation having been the 10th of November last, our passage, you so will amount to five months within two days. If my letter from the Cape de Verde Islands has reached you, you will be aware how unfavourable the commencement of our voyage was, how much we had to contend with contrary winds and bad weather together with some heavy gales before we were out of the Bay of Biscay. As I in the letter referred to had not time to enter into particulars a few extracts from my Diary of the early part of the voyage may be acceptable. In the first place I would observe that our Captain forced his passage through and I can scarcely help pronouncing presumptuously. After we had been waiting several days, in vain, for fair wind near Cowes, Captain Town's patience was exhausted chiefly because he had to provide for so many persons (you will probably be aware that there were more than seventy emigrants on board) and he made an effort to sail on the 15th of November. The wind being almost right against us we progressed but little. The following day it began to blow fresh and the wind being quite contrary the night of the 16th passed with much agitation. It continued so during the whole of the ensuing day when in the evening at twilight our fears were not a little increased by a sudden and awful alarms. The Ship's Carpenter fell overboard and though efforts were made to save his life they were without success. Thus a soul was hurried into Eternity whether prepared or not, I cannot tell. All I could learn about him is that he was a very well behaved and industrious man. The event could not fail at least with some of us deeply to impress our minds with the importance of being by watchfulness of prayer, always prepared or preparing to meet our God.
People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson
Letter 2: Günther to Coates, 21 April 1837, p.2.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/2
MS page no: 3-006
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[page] 2
The wind being without cessation strong or against us we could not proceed but were constantly sailing about opposite the Isle of Wight. It blew especially hard in the night of the 18th so that some of our party felt much apprehension and the Captain deemed it advisable to return to harbour next morning near the place we left a few days previous which was not a great distance. The unpleasantness of our heading about was increased by seasickness from which we both suffered, I however most. The following morning (the 20th, Sunday) the wind became fair and we sailed again proceeding nicely till about midnight when the wind changed and on Monday became calm which was succeeded in the night by a Lively gale. Others (there was a number of vessels about) returned to an harbour, to Plymouth for instance. Our Captain however trusted in the strength of his vessel and his own skill and persevered beating about though we were driven back some distance. On the left we were opposite Plymouth.
Nov: 25 The wind high but favourable this morning. The following day we had quitted the English Channel and lost sight of dear England not without some heartfelt emotions; the wind however got foul again. Nov. 27th, First Sunday in Advent, the sea being rather high and myself not yet recovered from seasickness I was not able to perform Divine Service. I felt on that account something like the Psalmist in Psalm 8th, 2 and thought of former times when I enjoyed the privilege of assembling in the House of God with his people, a privilege seldom sufficiently estimated as long as enjoyed.
Nov. 29 We past (in St George's Channel) a very boisterous night and daybreak brought us a terrific gale accompanied with thunder and lightening. Captain T. acknowledged he had during his long seafaring life witnessed few such scenes. We thanked our good God it did not last very long. Dec. 1st Yesterday we a calm, today foul wind. Latitude 49, Longitude 8. The following morning a rough sea and in the evening when the wind had abated and we were just sitting at Tea a heavy sea broke in upon Deck and having forced off the door and skylight of the Cuddy poured on us and caused considerable destruction even in some of the Cabins. The Ladies were screaming much. To relate our situation day by day would be too much tautology as we experience almost uninterruptedly adverse winds or calms and boisterous seas etc. I shall therefore pass over some days. Dec. 7 We felt last night that we were in the Bay of Biscay. The motion was dreadful. We were hardly able to keep ourselves in bed to sleep was impossible.
People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson
Letter 2: Günther to Coates, 21 April 1837, p.3.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/2
MS page no: 3-007
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[page] 3
For several hours we had fair wind today, about six or seven miles an hour. Sunday 11th Had Service with our Emigrants twice but was scarcely equal for the seasickness pursued me for a long time, though not in a high degree strong. Mrs Günther, I am happy to say, does better than I, nor must I forget to acknowledge the lovingkindness [sic] of the Lord we experience in this respect that when ever one of us suffers much the other is commonly able to wait upon. Dec.12 This was the most boisterous day we had all the way since. A very heavy gale blew right against us for about six or eight hours and drove us back a considerable distance when we were expecting to be soon out of the Bay. The sea was dreadfully high and the wind so violent that they were obliged to take all the sails in. We cried, indeed, with the Disciples, "Lord, help us or we perish!" and I humbly confess the reply he made to them, "O ye of little faith", was most applicable to me. He heard however our cries like theirs. Dec.14 Thanks be to God he has regarded us in our trying situation and caused the light of his countenance to shine upon us. The wind turned into our favour yesterday and this day and Observation shows that we are no longer in the Bay of Biscay. The weather also became more agreeable, however we had very little wind for several days. Dec.18 This was the first Sunday the weather permitted us to have a regular Service on Deck. It was quite an enjoyment to me and I had a large and attentive congregation Preached from Gal.IV, 4-5. Dec.20 After a rough night we passed Madeira this morning. Unfavourable winds brought us almost near the Coast of Africa. On Christmassday [sic] we had again regular Service but in the Cuddy the weather being not very fine. Preached from the Song of the Angels pointing out the amazing love of the Saviour and the blessed consequences of his Mission. Dec.26th Though we are beyond Latitude 28 we are not yet favoured with the trades wind. Thus our patience is still tried. Dec.31 The last day of a year of important changes in my earthly career, the review of which calls both for gratitude when meditating on the mercies of God and for humiliation when examining my conduct and the state of my heart. Oh! for more devotedness to Him whose we are. Jan.1, 1837 Spared to enter upon another year, Continue O Lord Thy mercy upon us. Preached on Deck with much enlargement of soul from Ps.90.12.
People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson
Letter 2: Günther to Coates, 21 April 1837, p.4.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/2
MS page no: 3-008
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[page] 4
Not before we were in about Latitude 21, the 3rd of January we got the North East Trades which brought us on the 5th to the Cape de Verde Islands once we anchored near St Lago.[1] In a previous voyage "The Brothers" reached this place within eighteen days from Gravesend, a vast difference on account of which our Captain is very discontent and not much inclined to understand the commission that was given him. We stayed her three days to take in water and provision. In the mean time several of our party made an excursion in to the Isle where we refreshed ourselves with beautiful oranges. Each bought a lot and they were of great service to us afterwards in our road through the tropics. In my observations of the people inhabiting the Isle chiefly Negros [sic] I felt a kind of regret it was not an English possession, the condition of the people I fancied would be different. Though professedly Christians, they appear to know little more about true religion than heathen. They know however to cheat foreigners. Popery diffuses little light. On Sunday the 8th of January we left again and proceeded quickly with a N.E. Trade which lasted as far as about Lat: 5, where we began to have calm and much rain on the 14th especially we had torrents of rain and every empty vessel that could be found was filled with water which was a consolation with so great a number of men and animals. The following day (Tuesday) the weather became very fine and thus favourable to have Service on Deck. Last week we commenced also a school, there being a number of children amongst the Emigrants. Major Macarthur, who most kindly and considerately has made every possible provision for his Emigrants, engaged a woman among them to conduct a school during the voyage. Mrs Günther and myself have undertaken to superintend it. Jan.17. We fell in with an English vessel today coming from Liverpool & going to South America. She had almost as long a passage as our vessel. On the 18th we passed the Line. Our Captain does never allow those usual annoyances, wishes however that some money might be given to his Sailors. A S.E. Trade sent us on quickly for several days. It brought us much to the West on the 23rd when in Latitude 12 we were in West Longitude 31. The heat which for instance on the 28th is at
People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson
Letter 2: Günther to Coates, 21 April 1837, p.5.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/2
MS page no: 3-009
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[page] 5
82 degrees according to Fahrenheit was mitigated by a nice breeze. The monotony of wind and weather now began to be some times interrupted by little squalls. Jan 31st Last night was rather rough Lat. 27, Long. 29. Feb 5 We were rejoiced yesterday to receive westerly winds for which we have been sailing some time since in order to proceed in our straight easterly course, but we were soon disappointed again, the wind coming right against us today. Feb 6 My dear wife was taken seriously ill today in consequence of which she could not leave the Cabin for a whole week. I however felt very well to pay her every attention required. I thankfully observe at this occasion that when my seasickness was over I enjoyed very good health all the way. My former complaint, however, seldom troubles me. But I must be more concise. After a few days and some patience when we had to contend with contrary winds, calms, and sometimes a rough sea being in Lat: about 40 and Long: 31, we got at last westerly winds and proceeded quickly so that we passed the Cape of Good Hope on the 22nd of Feb in Lat. 40. In this region where storms are so common we had a delightful passage. For several days we had a northerly breeze with which we made 4 degrees Long: a day whilst the motion was almost imperceptible. March 1st Long. 39, Lat: 42. Our Captain was very discontent yesterday on account of a calm, today he has too much, ie. foul wind. It changed however into unfavourable the next day. We had much of light winds and calms during March. March 11 today, the last week in consequence of which our Captain grows desperately impatient. This morning however the wind became quite fair and continued so without intercession (notwithstanding no gratitude was manifested on the part of those who so impatiently wished for it) till the 19th when an awful warning was given to everyone of us. A circumstance connected with our preceding it may be of interest to you. When in the evening on the 18th I was walking on the Deck the Captain came to me complaining bitterly against the Emigrants, since he had been informed that some of them, especially of the female sex, had used very improper language and imprecations against him and the vessel for instance, "If she but went to the bottom etc", He desired me in my morning service to reprove them. I was well aware that they have some cause to be discontent as they were not treated as they ought to have been, but I was of course chiefly grieved to hear that they in their dissatisfaction should have been carried thus far.
People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson
Letter 2: Günther to Coates, 21 April 1837, p.6.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/2
MS page no: 3-010
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[page] 6
I thought it my duty next morning, the 19th in a serious but affectionate way to reprove them. If I say, affectionate, I apply this more fully to the better ones among them who though not led away like some still felt very impatient. That very morning it blew fresh and the wind got higher and higher towards evening and continued to increase during the whole of the night but right aft', as they term it in the nautical language. About 11 o'clock at night I went on the Poope to have a view of the sea. It afforded a terrific or as I would rather term it, a majestically awful aspect. About 12 we resolved to retire but were scarcely 20 minutes in bed when, by a sudden shake the vessel received from a heavy wave and by a spray of water that forced itself through the dead light opened in some hours before, we were, at least Mrs G., entirely thrown out of the bed. A sad confusion and noise was heard in Deck and every one of the Cabin Passengers rushed into the Cuddy half dressed whilst some of the Ladies were dried fully screaming. The fact was the men at the Helm were precipitated some distance from the Wheel, the Vessel consequently lost her straight course. All the sails I think 5 in number were split, the topmost and several booms came down and many Robes were broken whilst others must be cut. To put fresh sails was out of question. Thus they laid the Ship to, as they call it, to be safer. She is led however from one side like to another and one sea after another broke in upon Deck so that we again and again got wet though whilst it was rather cold. According to appearance we could expect little more than ere long to have a watery grave. The Captain's wife, a young Lady, and Mrs Günther joined me in drawing near to the Throne of Mercy. After Prayer some felt a little more consoled. My Christian cry was, "Lord have mercy upon us!" I confess I felt not much willingness to be buried in the waves and to be called hence. The wind was increasing till daybreak when the storm was risen till something like a hurricane. At day break, it being Sunday, ie about 5 mm the Barometer which had been very low began to rise giving us some hope of being saved. The wind however did not abate till about 11 o'clock and we were thus kept a few hours longer in suspense. About two in the afternoon they were able to set sails again. The appearance of the vessel was frightful and much destruction was caused. Still we were happy and thankful to be, by the mercy and power of God, delivered from death and heard our cries and supplication for mercy. As we have not had a
People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson
Letter 2: Günther to Coates, 21 April 1837, p.7.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/2
MS page no: 3-011
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[page] 7
clear sky for several days nor got one till a few days after they could not exactly make out where our position of Lat: and Long: the former was about 43 and the latter we guessed to be about 104 consequently we were approaching Australia. You may easily imagine that our Emigrants were not a little frightened the more so because of the striking coincidence referred to in faith. I have reason to believe that with some of them the impression will be lasting and wholesome. At least they were nearly all of them more attentive afterwards in my lectures than ever before. But one of the female Emigrants was safely delivered of a child during the storm. After our precarious situation we had another weeks or rather more than this nice run. On March 24 Good Friday I have Service with our Emigrants and preached from the words: "It is finished". Was sorry to spend Easterday on Sea. I always expected to be on shore again by this time but our patience was tried longer. Preached on this Day the Commemoration of so glorious an event as the Resurrection and Victory of our Redeemer from 1 Cor: XV, when I spoke of 1, of the certainty of Christ's Resurrection which had been so abundantly attested 2, of the victory gained by it, and 3, of the blessed consequences flowing from it. On the 30th of March, when near Van Dieman's Land and intending to go round it, the wind blew against us and we were driven to the North. After a few days beating about we came on Sunday morning, April 2, close to King's Island and entered Bass's Strait. Was desired today to baptize the Child born in our last Storm which I accordingly did. On Monday afternoon we quitted safely the Straits unhurt by those many rocks of which abound. Along the Coast of New Holland now approaching we had several calms and went on very slowly our Captain got so impatient about it that he did not know what to do with himself and nobody could expect a kind word from him. At length however we were to be delivered from our trial. On Friday afternoon, April 7, suddenly a heavy gale came on after a dead calm and sent us on quickly though not very comfortable as there was such motion that we were close to Botany Bay in the morning and in the afternoon about two o'clock we were in anchor near Sydney, our desired harbor. I need not repeat with what emotions of joy and gratitude, if once in my life, or rather both of us, felt grateful, it was this time. Was sorry to hear before I came on shore our Friend the Reverend Mr Hill being no more. Found however soon a fatherly Friend in the Reverend W. Cowper, to whom I took the liberty to present myself and to ask for direction not knowing whether he was in any connexion with the Society I merely had heard his name and that he was a Minister of the Church of England. Was happy to find him at once the right person
People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson
Letter 2: Günther to Coates, 21 April 1837, p.8.
Class Mark: C N/O 47/2
MS page no: 3-012
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[page] 8
Another account of a different nature and truly melancholy distressed my mind more, of him who was a short time ago in the Lord's Battle and apparently a good soldier. What a heavy trial for the Society and their friends. May the Lord in his mercy and wisdom overrule all for his glory and cause good to rise out of evil! May he thoroughly Purify the Land of sin. About our proceeding to Wellington nothing is settled yet, a few weeks rest for us will be desirable. May the Lord fit and prepare us [to] accept the sacred work and every trial and difficulty. To him we desire to devote our souls and bodies. We enjoy, thanks be to God, tolerably good health. As I have already made a few references about Captain Town's conduct, it will be desirable to add a few remarks more. As it regards ourselves we cannot say that we have to complain much, though he did by no means behave as might have been expected. We felt however for others especially the Emigrants also the Sailors. I almost think slaves would be not worse treated than he treated the latter. To say the least he is the most passionate man I ever knew and asserts a most arbitrary authority and is, like many other Captains as I understand, very different on sea from what he appears on shore. His two officers and perhaps many of the Sailors will leave him here, a circumstance which does not happen the first time to him. Many of the Sailors gladly and thankfully accepted Bibles and Tracts etc. In favour of Town, I must not forget to say that he is not only a clever but indefatigable sea man and precautious too. But I must conclude. Was by kind Mr Cowper presented to his Excellency the Governor and courteously received, also to his Lordship the Bishop who was very kind to me and permitted me to officiate here. Mrs Günther presents her Christian regards,
Yours faithfully,
James Günther
[Postscript] We feel obliged to Mr Jowett for his kind and affectionate letter we received a few days ago.
[Addressed to] D. Coates Esqu.
Church Missionary House
Salisbury Square
London
[Note] Sydney April 21/37 Rev.J. Günther
Recd. August 23/37
People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson