Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Journal of Edward Ward 1850-51

From A Letter By Mrs Godley, 1851

page 204

From A Letter By Mrs Godley, 1851.

We have had, since I wrote, a very sad accident here which has thrown a great damp over everything, I told you of Mr Ward having gone over to live in Quail Island. He used to come over two or three days a week to bring his butter to market and do his business at the Bank, Churchwarden, &c., for he was Trustee for all kinds of things and looked up to by everyone for his innumerable good qualities. We made up a party one day to go there and see the Island, and were to cook our own dinner on the beach. Mr Wortley was to take us in his little boat which just held myself, Arthur and Powles, Mr FitzGerald and his little brother, Mr Wortley and Mr Maunsell as rowers, and a clothes basket of food. It was Francis' birthday which I wanted to keep and they were all in favour of keeping the day (though it turned out rough and cold), so we went over and were to get Mr Ward to come over for the rest of the party in his larger boat, which he had said he would do any day. When we arrived there we heard he was not at home. He had gone over for firewood with his next brother to the land up the harbour, but several miles from here, and said he would be back to dinner on the Monday; and this was Tuesday and they had no news of them.

The youngest brother (who is a very nice young boy of sixteen) came to meet us and said they were worried, and they were very glad to take our boat and go and see after them. We were very little alarmed, for people are constantly missing here for a day or two.

Our dinner party was rather small and it was very cold, but we sat under shelter near our fire and got a few shells on the beach; and then began to wonder they did not come back. It was very rough for our little boat—die wind, too, against page 205us for going home; and I, who never like going in one if I can help it, was getting a little unhappy about ourselves, when just as it was getting dark, they came, the poor boy crying and the men, who were extremely fond of their master, almost as bad. They had found nothing but the boat (the same that won the race here) thrown on the beach bottom, upwards and the oars—one near and one half a mile off—and the firewood strewn about. It had evidently been upset. One cannot account for the fact that though both could swim besides having the boat to cling to, yet that neither should be saved. Yet so it was.

I brought Hamilton, the young brother, home with us, borrowing the larger boat, which we were the first to use since the accident. And I was very thankful to feel myself safe on shore for it was quite a rough evening.

There were boats out searching for two or three days in vain, but on Friday we got word that the body of the eldest was washed on shore at the head of the harbour, and a boat started to fetch it but such a fearful storm came on and lasted all Saturday, that the boat could get no further than the Island and we, in the Port, were half afraid that this boatful was lost too. It was a fearful night and day. Four vessels driven on shore and a little one—or rather had sunk. The large ones, "however, moved very little (and there is a Public Meeting today to petition the Government to establish moorings). Sunday was pretty fine and then the body was brought in. The other is not yet found.

On Monday there was an inquest and then a funeral. Almost every respectable person in the Settlement attended it, except two or three on the Plains who mistook the day. My husband walked with poor Hamilton, who is to live with us till he hears from home. John has also the sad task of writing to his father. It would not do for so young a boy to live with labourers on the Island, so he is to stay here and attend College lectures, &c., which begin on Monday. He is very anxious page 206that his father should consent to leave him out here. They are a family of sixteen and he says he has no prospects at home. It is fortunate for us that he is such a nice, tractable boy; he does not even yet show any signs of teasing Arthur.

Poor Mr Ward will be terribly missed both here and at home. He was the eldest son and had been for some time at the Irish bar. He was a good man of business, very sensible and very much liked by everyone. He used to sing with the Glee Club and Church practisings, dance with the young ladies, talk sensibly and laugh and smoke with the gentlemen, work with his labourers and was always good natured and full of spirits. You have no idea how much everyone feels his loss. We have thought of scarcely anything else lately and the very bad weather makes us all quite low. It is very cold.