 | | Lot No. | | *** | | Description: | The Journal of Captain. Tilly on board the 'Southern Cross' schooner, dating from July 1865 to September 1872. Includes weather reports, accounts of daily shipboard life, references to Bishop Patteson's activities and personal insights whilst travelling the Pacific. The following extract is found towards the end of the journal, 'Voyage of 1872 in the Southern Cross/16th April/After nearly three years, I again find myself out in the old vessel going to make one more voyage, but under sadly altered circumstances. The Bishop gone, Aitkin gone too, and we have to try and do without them, that is why I am here, for I am no longer Skipper, but have come to help in the Boat, and surely it would be hard to find anyone undertaking an arduous duty with a more thorough sense of inefficiency, in every way. I must hope to have godly strength for it, the other requisites of discretion, firmness with kindness etc. I cannot hope for, at least in any useful degree and though I willingly undertake this service, I do it very reluctantly on account of my infirmities and deficiencies, and shall be truly thankful when (?) the voyage is over'. Captain Tilly, a Royal Naval officer, came to the Pacific and New Zealand on the H.M.S. Cordelia as a Sub-Lieutenant. While in the Solomon Islands, he met Bishop Patteson, head of the Melanesian Mission. Bishop Patteson offered him the job of Commander of the Melanesian Mission future ship, the Southern Cross. Tilly returned to England on the H.M.S. Cordelia and took charge of the construction of the new 'Southern Cross' and then brought her to New Zealand. The Mission headquarters in those days was Kohimarama/Mission Bay which later moved to Norfolk Island. Captain Tilly sailed with Bishop Patteson to his minor mission outposts to convert Islanders to Christianity (1860-1890 period). They covered the Islands of Melanesia in the South Pacific, Santa Cruz, Penticost, Ysabel Islands, San Christoval, Motalava, Mota and also the Trobriand Islands. Lots 301-330 in this auction come by direct descent to the Nz vendor on whose behalf we are offering these artefacts. Captain Tilly, in his later years. Right Rev. Bishop John Patteson Map of Melanesia and the South Pacific where Captain Tilly and Bishop Patteson sailed regularly (1860-1890 period) | | Estimate: | *** | | Price: | *** | | Category: | Printed & Written Material — Historical Documents | |
