Nicholson, Hugh Blomfield (Captain), 1866-1957 : Shipboard journal

Journal of Captain Hugh Blomfield Nicholson for the period 14 October 1897 to 1 April 1898 describing his travels from London to New Zealand, including voyage aboard the R M S 'Kaikoura', his journeys and experiences around New Zealand, and his return voyage to England aboard the R M S 'Tongariro'.

Account includes regular daily entries, although some entries are in the form of a date heading followed by a blank space on the page.

The journal describes the travels of Captain Nicholson and his party, departing from Albert Dock, London, on 14 October 1897, to the arrival in Wellington on 3 December 1897, and goes on to describe the voyage across Cook Strait on the 'Penguin' and extensive travels in the South Island. This includes another sea voyage from Port Chalmers on the 'Waikare' to explore the sounds of Fiordland. Final departure from Wellington on 17 February 1898 and the voyage via Cape Horn, Montevideo and Tenerife to Plymouth, where the arrival on 1 April 1898 brings the account to a close.

The writer of the journal appears to take a special interest in mining operations in the South Island. Meetings with mine managers and or inspections of mines are recorded for visits to Westport, Reefton, Kumara, Glenorchy, and a meeting with the manager of the Westport Coal Company in Dunedin.

Printed passenger lists trimmed to fit size of volume, include the names "Captain H B Nicholson", "Miss E M Nicholson", "Miss I W Nicholson" and "Miss C Weeks" who are the main subjects of the journal. On the shipping manifesto Captain H B Nicholson is registered as a soldier aged 30, Miss E M Nicholson as a "Lady" aged 36, Miss I W Nicholson as a "Lady" aged 28, and Miss C Weeks as a nurse aged 33. Also includes printed 'Log of New Zealand Shipping Co[mpany']s "Kaikoura"' and a similar log for the "Tongariro" with details of journey from London to New Zealand, and Wellington to Plymouth, entered in manuscript.

Newspaper clippings include "The Waikare's Sounds Trip" (Otago Daily Times, 29 January 1898, page 2), "Kaikoura, from London" (Evening Post, 3 December 1897, page 4), "[Sailed - Mararoa]", "[Arrived. Thursday, February 10. Mararoa]" and "Excursion to the Sounds" (Otago Daily Times, 19 January 1898, page 3). Also includes trimmed copy of map with the title 'Sketch Chart of the West Coast Sounds Middle Island, New Zealand. Prepared for the Company's Annual Excursions".

Source of title - Title supplied by Library

Relationship complexity - See MSX-9429 for original illustrated catalogue entry for this item.

Quantity: 1 volume(s). 0.03 Linear Metres.

Physical Description: Mss, holograph and printed matter, including newspaper clippings, in notebook with yellow binder's label ("Henningham & Hollis, 4 Mount Street, Grosvenor Square") on front pastedown - blind-stamped green full leather binding, marbled edges and endpapers, 276 pages (including blank pages), laid paper watermarked "Henningham and Hollis, Mount St. London W", ruled in light blue, 18 x 11 cm.

Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Purchased from Antiquariat Elvira Tasbach, Germany, Oct 2015

Features items of ephemera pasted and laid in volume, including engraved illustration of a ship of the New Zealand Line, a photographic illustration of the S.S. 'Waikare', and various maps.