Theme: A Big Decision.

Of all my immigrant ancestors who came to Australia from Ireland, Scotland and England in the nineteenth century, surely the biggest decision was made by the biggest family – school Headmaster Edwin Hunt (Brother of Emma in the previous 52 Ancestors theme) and his wife Margaret Morgan, and eight of their ten children (two died earlier) in 1879. By then immigrant ships were vastly improved; Edwin and family traveled saloon class on the Aconcagua, a fast (and very big!) steamship. Even so it must have been a trying voyage which took 49 days (the earlier sailing ships usually took over 100 days).

A description of the ship says …”The first saloon is supplied with steam heating apparatus, and the arrangements generally (including smoking room, ice-house, &c) are such as to ensure the greatest comfort for an Australian voyage. Both first and second saloon cabins are furnished with every requisite, including bedding, linen, &c. A free table supplied daily with fresh meat, poultry &c, will be provided for each of these classes. An experienced surgeon and a stewardess will be carried. Fares from 15 to 70 guineas.” The ship was powered by two combination engines although she also used sails where there were advantageous winds.

The voyage was London to Plymouth then the Cape Verde islands, Cape Town (South Africa) nd via the Roaring Forties to Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Some passengers continued on to New Zealand.

By an amazing coincidence I discovered a shipboard diary written by one of the New Zealand passengers, in a NZ Library. Although it did not specifically mention the Hunt family, there were references to children, and the many trials and tribulations of the long ocean voyage.