My great great grandfather James Letcher was a Cornish miner like his father and forebears before him. His voyage to Australia began in the late 1850's to join his brothers in Ballarat to begin a new life on the goldfields. James was born in Ludgvan, Cornwall, England on 5th October 1827, he was the first of four children born to James Letcher and Elizabeth Semmens. James mined tin in the parish of Ludgvan; where he grew up. In December of 1851, James married Grace Rowe, the daughter of James Rowe and Elizabeth Eddy. Grace was born on 30th March 1830 and grew up in Ludgvan also. Their first of nine children was born on 3rd February 1852; Mary Rowe Letcher. Followed by Elizabeth Letcher born 7th May 1854, Grace Grenfell Letcher born 20th May 1856 in Ludgvan. In May of 1857 James Letcher began his journey to Australia, leaving behind his Wife and three daughters. As they were to migrate later when James had settled.

James wrote a little each day in his journal, to his wife, about his journey, from the day he left to when he arrived in Ballarat, Australia. And this wonderful Journal has survived time, and is truly a treasure from our past.

When James Letcher left Ludgvan he would never see his youngest daughter again, for Grace Grenfell Letcher died on 27th Nov 1857, she was just 18 months old.

James's brothers, John Letcher and William Letcher had already migrated to the Victorian goldfields, and had settled in Ballarat. James Letcher sailed on the ship "Titan", arriving in Melbourne on 31st August 1857; 100 days on leaving from Liverpool, England. On arriving in Ballarat he inquired about his brothers and met up with them. James, John and William then enlarged their calico tent, an addition of ten feet more. On 15th September James started work in Ballarat for the first time; in a mine under Pennyweight Hill, in Ballarat East. It is believed that Grace Letcher and her daughters Mary and Elizabeth came out to Australia between 1861 - 1862. James was then mining in the Daylesford area. Their next two children were born in Daylesford. William James Letcher born 21st May 1863 and Eliza Ann Letcher born 31st May 1865. James Letcher and his family then returned to Ballarat and built their home at 96 Grant St in Ballarat East. Here my great grandfather was born on Christmas Eve. John Letcher born 24th December 1866. Three more children followed John: Jane Louise Letcher born 4th July 1868, Grace Letcher born 1870 died in infancy. And Richard Rowe Letcher born 1871 died in infancy. In 1872 gold fever had struck yet another place, New Caledonia in the Coral Sea. So once again James Letcher set sail to find his fortune. A voyage to the primitive land of Noumea was just another adventure for James to conquer. It is believed that he had done quite well in the gold mines. However from this adventure he would never return. At 45 years of age James Letcher died on 29th December 1872 and was buried in Noumea. It is unknown how he died. His wife Grace Letcher (my great great grandmother) continued to live in Grant St, Ballarat until she died in 1926, aged 96 years.

Following is the Journal written by James Letcher on his journey from Cornwall to Ballarat, Australia; generously given to me by a family member.

Sharon Snibson, slsnibo@hotmail.com, 79 Blackberry St, Mansfield, QLD 4122, Australia.

My address is "Dalton's Flat" Ballarat Victoria Australia. Dated 10th. October 1857.

This is a journal of my travels since I left you my dear wife and little offsprings which was from the 13th. May 1857. This day I left Penzance from the old quay in a pitch boat at six o'clock in the morning to be conveyed to the Steam Boat which was lodging in the Mounts Bay "Empress Euginia" by name. When I got in her I agreed for a second cabin passage because I could not have a steerage which berth cost me 15 shillings. I was very glad I engaged it afterwards on account of wet cold weather. Them that were on deck against morning were looking bad for they had no shelter but the sky and one poor old fellow had his meat stole from him by some of the sailors and did not get much after till he reached Liverpool. I was very sorry for him indeed and would have given him some of my bread and cheese which I took from Penzance, but I had it in the lower deck in my box before I knew it and could not get it for myself and it was very little that I eat from Penzance to Liverpool distance about 300 miles, took us about 32 hours. I may just mention just as I got off the Lands End, I was taken a little seasick in consequence of rough seas over her bows, I got very wet and the smell of the grease from the engine I got a bit sick which did not last more than 20 minutes, I can tell you I was very glad to have a little purging in the stomach. I hasten on to say a few things which I saw while on this short voyage. We sailed close by the land for many scores of miles. It looked very beautiful and especially to see so many wind mills going at full speed, I counted 10 just in a line a short distance from each other in the side of the Welsh Highland. Water is very smooth, now sailing very pleasantly. While going on I saw a vast variety of different descriptions of birds and an Island surrounded with the sea, a place inhabited and a large Light House fixed on it-a very remote place. A few miles farther we got in sight of Holy Head, a fine place for foundry work and railway run out a good bit in the sea. About this place the Welsh land is one side and the Irish on the other. I must close up here and try to go a little farther. I am not going to give a full detail of ail I do see it is impossible, but if ail be well I am intending to give you a little information each day while far away.

May 14th. Thursday - This day I reached Liverpool in the afternoon about 4 O'clock, when I reached here I had so heavy a weather as ever I saw. Thunder and lightning and a torrent of rain, rode through Liverpool Streets with full speed in a Spring Cart with my luggage. Got at the White Star Line Office and secured a passage in the "Titan" for to leave the 20th. of this month, which cost me 17 pound, intermediate passage. The next thing was to get lodgings while staying in Liverpool for the time of embarkation. I went to Mr. Joseph Martins, put up there while at Liverpool and had first rate entertainment. He lives in Juke Street N°89 in a splendid house, it was the best furnished house that ever I was in, they have every appearance of Gentry, and as free with me as if I were there own. I put up there 6 days which cost me nothing.

May 15th. Friday - I shall mention a few things which I saw while at Liverpool. It is a wonderful place, most the first things that attracted me to notice was the splendid and most noble horses which draw groceries and drapery and every kind of thing through those paved Streets. There is a continual traversing with them every day and they will singly draw with them 3 tons and to my appearance go on with it as easy as if they had but very little. I never saw such horses before and they are as fat as feeding pigs. The next I shall mention is the shipping and the Docks which will almost surprise a stranger coming in the place. I can't mention to you half as it is but I may say that the ships are here lying in the Docks for 7 miles long with their masts as thick as a grove of trees with their leaves off them for that distance. The next is the Exchange which is a noble 3 square Building, with Nelson the Warrior's monument erected in the front of it and slain with him chained, and St. George's Hall a splendid building with large lions engraved around and about it, and the sailor's home another, and the head exchange post office and money order office all in one building. And the first inventor of Railway which was killed by it Hiskison by name engraved in full portrait in front of it for his being a great mechanic and inventor of railways.

May. 16th. Saturday - I might write you a good deal more than what I shall but it will take up my room for some other things which when I see you my dear wife I shall be able to tell you if all be well. If a person while at Liverpool don't mind while walking the streets and look behind very often he will be rode over. The cabs, spring carts and conveyances here is thick enough. The people is so thick in Liverpool walking the streets every day, as you have see them coming out of Ludgvan Chapel in the height of summer of a Sunday evening, and all nations black and white, rich and poor ail colours and climes. It is nothing strange to see lower class many hundreds walking the streets here with no stockings nor shoes nor hat on their head, some with a basket on their head selling, some one thing and some the other, and on a Sunday as well as any other day. I have seen them selling in the public street and sweeping the streets on a Sunday, and the shoe blacks, you can hardly escape from them.

May 17th. Sunday - This day I was to Rock Ferry with Uncle Henery Gates across the Mersey River which is in Cheshire which cost me 4 pence for a steam boat. Liverpool is in Lancashire. We had a pleasant trip. Many thousands go to different places in Cheshire on Sunday for pleasure and excursion. I should like for you my dear wife to have been there with me to see the antiquities and ancient buildings which was there and the grandeur of the places, it was a fine day. They have twelve Church bells in Liverpool which struck out this morning in full strain, it was delightful to hear them echo through the City of Liverpool with a calm and still morning. I went to the Methodist Chapel this evening and the Minister preached from the last chapter of Revelations 17th. verse, The Spirit and the bride say "Come".

May 18th. Monday - I am still walking Liverpool streets all strange faces which I never saw before, many thousands of policemen in this place. Vaults, hotels and taverns in Liverpool, I am told 4 thousand beside the small pot shops which is not licensed, how many I know not.

May 19th. Tuesday - This day I carried my luggage on board the "Titan" and slept in the ship in the queen's Dock for the first time, not many there beside myself. I have thought about you my dear little family a good deal since I have been in Liverpool than I did upon leaving, but I trust by separating for a little while it will be for our future well-fare.

May 20th. Wednesday - This is the day appointed to sail but she is not going out the docks today. I wrote a letter to you today expecting it to be the last for awhile, but not so. On this letter I wrote to you saying not to write me till I land in Australia or at least till you receive one from me from Australia, but if I had thought about it as I have since you should have written me in two months after you received my last letter and addressed it as I did for my brothers Ballarat Victoria, Australia. I hope you have still because I shall be so long before I hear from you which will be no less than 8 months.

May 21st. Thursday - This morning we heaved out of the docks into the Mersey River with upwards of 700 passengers on board, decks crowded with people and about 50 sailors which makes the crew. Likewise 300 Office bearers such as stewards, purser, and deliveries of stores, minister and doctor. This the first day we got provision from the ship which was fresh beef, and potatoes and on account of so many passengers and throng we had hard work to get to our cooking galley to get any. It was a regular rush with most all on board although a plenty cooked but many got none. Now at this time a man must be pretty active or else he would starve in a plentiful land, we did each carry our plate and the first get in the first have, I never went short while fresh beef was issued out - more than I could eat but I felt very much to see some poor women with their families going out to their husbands trying to push through the crowd and could not. There was one family in particular which would sit down long side of me and cry, man wife and two children which after I have eat my meal I have gone and brought them meat when they could not get any themselves.

May 22nd. Friday - We are still in the Mersey River fine weather but wind low, long looking to be gone. This day we had preaching below deck on the water with a minister which generally preach in ships bound for foreign lands before they leave, name James Buck, preached from Hebrews 4th chapter 16th. verse "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of Grace etc." he was I believe a good man. We are just opposite a place, a town called Birkenhead. Today the government inspecting Officer of health came on board and performed his duty to see that everyone was fit to undertake the voyage and likewise to see that we had a plenty of food to make use of for the journey of 16000 miles.

May 23rd. Saturday - This day we was conveyed by a tug steam boat out of the Mersey River Liverpool for Australia, I trust we shall have good speed and a quick and safe voyage. About 6 O'clock A.M. we left. We have had a very rainy day and very low wind all day. Steam boat have enough to do to pull us along, we was tugged for many miles or else we should not have sailed far on account of low wind. It was a very foggy close day, could not see far over the water, saw a few birds close by the ship, and some saw a dead man floating down the river. Steam boat took us as far as the Irish coast and then left us and went back. There was different kinds of games carried on today, some playing the fiddle and some cards, others dominoes, others jumping over the backs of one the other, and a variety of other amusements, and in the evening the minister on board for the voyage read prayers which was took but very little account of with the majority, which was Saturday evening. This noble ship carries between 7 and 800 souls, she is 145 feet long and 45 feet deep, 8 feet between decks, draws 25 feet of water and 20 feet out the water that is from waters edge to the top of her bulwarks and carries when in full sail 11OOO yards of canvass and about 5000 tons burthen, she is a fine ship. This ship brought to Liverpool from New Orleans the largest cargo of cotton that was known to be brought there to one time.

May 24th. Sunday - We are got in St. Georges Channel, but very light wind going very slow, we have got sight of the Welsh high mountains, at the distance. We have clear sunshine weather now, some sickness on board today for the first time.

May 25th. Monday. - This day we have a good breeze sailing fast. I saw land today in the distance but did not know what land it was. A good deal of sickness on board today, but thank God I am first rate. They say we are going 16 knots a hour, the fore part of this night the wind blew so hard that we expected to go to the bottom, great cry with a good many for the Lord to have mercy upon them, held blowing most all night, tossed up and down upon the great sea like a cork and to hear some crying and some poor women almost vomitting the innards and the wind roaring in the rigging it was a most shocking place you must think but we had different squalls so bad as that which was not took much account of after.

May 26th. Tuesday the wind ceased got in the midst of a deep ocean of waters, this day two sailors fought on deck. Going slow now squally to times in the course of the day furling and reefing the sails very often sailors have enough to do, ship very slightly manned. We have on board 13 pigs alive, 3 sheep, fowls and ducks a quantity, none of them come to my lot and the fresh beef coming done, while that held we lived very well but the biscuits is so hard that a man can hardly tell what to do by them, ought to have a double set of grinders and leverage like a bull dog for to make way with them.

May 27th. Wednesday - We have fine weather at this time and wind almost fair, the after part of the day sailing very slow. On Sunday last the ship's carpenter working the same as if it was a week day alongside of the minister while preaching, to all appearances makes no difference on board ship.

May 28th. Thursday - We are sailing very slow now, we are now down in the western ocean. This day we are put out by the purser 6 persons in a mess what we call for to get our provisions from the stores which is 3 days a week, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We are 5 Cornish men and one Scotch chap. Two from St. Dye, one from Chasewater, one from Yermo and myself which makes the six and when able we take it in turn each two to cook the meat and get provisions from the Store but very often one and sometimes two of our mess is very bad and not able to assist in nothing. I saw a fine sight of fish today for the first since I have left Liverpool, the looked splendid in the sun, a great quantity of them came in close by the ships side.

May 29th. Friday - We are now on the outskirts of the Bay of Biscay, we are sailing slow making very little progress in our journey, sun very warm at this time. Today there was a thief detected and tied in the riggins for a spectacle for all the passengers for a hour for stealing clothes and different things from the passengers, he was an assistant to the cook in our galley. After his punishment he was put with the deck sweepers to do the same. The minister comes below deck and read a chapter and makes prayer before you go to bed and some parties who do not attend is just over head dancing and carrying on different kind of play and -taking no account of him no more than if he was never in the place, females as well as the males and worst of the two, and some married women with their husbands not far off them, straying away with the sailors and other men, any person would not think it was so on board a ship, but it is the worst place for all kinds of practices that ever I saw and especially with the female sex

May 30th. Saturday - This day we got a good breeze but not fair we are in the tacking list. Saw a good many fish again today, seasickness not so prevalent as it have been. Today the Boson of the snip got put in irons for offending the 2nd. mate, they are very strick on board of a ship I tell you.

May 31st. Sunday - This is Whitsunday - not much like it with me I think. We have fine weather overhead at this time, passengers, chief part of them on deck, we are crossing the North Atlantic Ocean. We hear different stories every other day, some says we have sailed fast and some say we have sailed slow, some saying one thing and some saying another which I don't take much account of them for a great quantity of them would so soon say wrong as right.

June 1st. Monday - We are sailing slow at this time, we have a long way to look forward for, still, but it is like many other things it will pass away.

June 2nd. Tuesday - This day we have a good breeze but not fair. I saw different ships today, some small and some large bound for different places, the small ships have enough to do to steer whilst the "Titan" is sailing along very smooth and pleasantly.

June 3rd. Wednesday - Wind still unfavorable, sailed but very little all night, the second mate says we are today about 1500 miles from Liverpool, been sailing slow most of the way as yet. My dear wife you would laugh if you were to see me this day with my hands in the flour. This day I made two Fig puddings and a cake and very good they were. Some females along side me when I was making them and they laughed to see me going into it with my sleeves picht up to my elbows, and so would you if you did see me, it is a new thing to many a chap beside myself, it would be far different if you were here but far rather for you to be where you are, but still there isn't a day pass away without my thinking very much about you my dear wife and dear little children, but I hope over awhile we shall embrace the smiles of each other again.

June 4th. Thursday - This day we got a very strong breeze but not in its right course, wind so strong that it carried off one of the outriggers nigh the Main Royal Yard arm, obliged to draw in a good deal of canvas, heavy seas going today "Titan" tossed upon the swell a good bit, a good many sick still especially females, as soon as we get a breeze some is sick to once.

June 5th. Friday - I am still in the enjoyment of good health thank God for it. The sea at this time is very calm and everything looking very pleasant and the wind changed more in its right course than it was. We had a rough night, the boxes that was not tied and the cooking utensils was knocked about very much and some could not lie down in their beds with the ship rolling from side to side, you would laugh if you were to here the Welsh men gabbing. We have 6 of them joining berths with ours and in the next berth there is 5 more and one is from Southampton and one from Staffordshire and another from Cumberland and another from Gravesend, where the other is from I know not and the passengers and crew is from all parts and tongues, English, Irish, Scotch, Dutch, French, Germans, Russians and Welsh but the chief part of the Welsh can talk English and Welsh language too and very comfortable with us so them have got a chance to we so you see how I am mixed up with all nations and rather deal with any of them than the lousy Irish.

June 6th. Saturday - This day we have a good breeze gained more today than we have before since we left Liverpool, my turn to be cook today, had meat and fig puddings boiled in a bag with a plenty of suet, but I don't like the mode they have for dressing the meat here, put into a large chaldron called copper many hundreds in bags and boiled with sea water, a very pig like way to me, we have a plenty of sugar, tea and coffee and oatmeal served out every week and good many other things but there is so many passengers on board this ship that we can get our meat dressed as we ought, a person that goes to sea he must be rough both in manners and appearance and eat everything that will come along for the first, I can get along very well, but I have to eat here what I should not at home, but some folks here can't eat the meat we have.

June 7th. Sunday - We have fine weather but very calm going ahead very slow the wind changes very quick at sea. This day I felt a little head ache, I caught a little cold, hope I shall not feel much illness while far away in a foreign land.

June 8th. Monday - We are getting to have warm weather now very nigh fair wind at this time but wind light going the say about 7 miles a hour, I am got first rate again, I some of my hair taken off my head it was causing me to be uneasy.

June 9th. Tuesday - This day we have faie wind almost for the first time since we left Liverpool but the wind is low, the sun is getting warmer a good bit. One of the Irishmen was discovered with lice about him today for the first time, he was obliged to throw his clothes over board and all was obliged to get on deck to have their places thoroughly cleaned out to prevent sickness and disorders, we was all called on deck last Sunday for to pass the inspection of the doctor for cleanings, some Irish was obliged to go below and change their shirts or else be put in irons. The doctor looks into these things very much and it is as well he did or otherwise the would bring a plague in the ship.

June 10th. Wednesday - still fair wind it is very beautiful to be on the water at this time. Saw a good many fish today it was a very pretty sight to see them spring out of the water, the were about the size of some of them great fish you have seen pulling down Penzance street before now almost as much as a man could pull along the ground, we saw a large ship today very close by ours the say she left Liverpool 3 days before us bound for Calcutta, we are leaving her behind fast, we have a very good going from 10 to 12 knots a hour with fine weather overhead. I hope it will continue.

June 11th. Thursday - Last night the head cook in our galley was put in irons for not doing his duty and for taking bribes for liquor and baking for them which did not belong till some other day in their turn, some one told him about it and he threw a fork at him and he last his berth and then placed with the deck sweepers with a besom in his hands and told with the second mate if he did not use it and that speedy that he would put him in double irons and give him a dozen lashes.

June 12th. Friday - I am still enjoying the beautiful weather which we have got, a fair breeze but not strong, thank God I am still in good health, some difficulties to put up with and so we shall have be where it will. There is a quantity of the Irish got very lousy and I expect we shall all be soon for we are obliged to mix up with them in getting provisions from the stores. We passed the Canary Islands last night. Today I saw a good sight of flying fish for the first, they are not larger than a long rock scad but fly a good bit out of the water, had a full sight of them for some yards and sinked again.

June 13th. Saturday - Warm weather now, this day we crossed the sun. The ship carpenter was put in irons today and close confined for striking the doctor's assistant and 2nd. mate, and a Irish man put in at the same time for insulting some passengers in the lower stearage, the Irish are so numerous with us that they seem to think they can do just as the like but they are told if they do not be civil they will be made to.

June 14th. Sunday - We have sailed a long way this past week although we have not had a strong breeze bur fair, very warm now, we see a few flying fish to time. We do have Divine Service twice every Sunday but he is a very slight minister, he takes delight in card playing and other amusements when he ought to try and stop it.

June 15th. Monday - Still fair wind out very light going slow today, a good many obliged too stay on deck by night in consequence of warm weather. They carries on a good many of them fiddle playing and dancing very frequently every night except Sundays.

June 16th. Tuesday - This day sailing slow getting very hot now I thank God I am still in the possession of good health, for my part I do complain more with the noise every night lying down than with hot weather. This day we sailed within a few miles of Cape Verde Islands very lofty mountains about this place the say it is very unhealthy, it looks so we are about 15 degrees now from the line which is about one thousand miles. Cape Verde is part of Africa. This day I washed some of my changes and mended my stockings, the sun is so warm the quickly dried. My dear Grace I would rather be looking at you doing of it a good deal. Today two of the deck sweepers was hand cuffed both together back against back and put in the lock up ail night for fighting, both Irish and one is a very bad thief and well known.

June 17th. Wednesday - Wind very light sun very warm sailing very slow, we do expect without a change of weather to have along passage, the great ocean is so still as a mill pool. I do see a few flying fish every other day and that is just ail, I like to see them.

June 18th. Thursday - The wind much the same as yesterday fair what it is this evening the breeze got up, sailing now about 10 knots a hour, we expect to have a good breeze all night very keenly at the present I hope it will be so.

June 19th. Friday - This day we got a change of weather rain for the first time this fortnight we all hope to sail fast now after this. Today two of the sailors fought and were put in irons, they are very often disagreeing here, I am very sorry to see some of them Knocked and kicked about like they are with the mates of the ship and for scarce anything, it would not do for mine agent to do the like I have seen carried on here, we rather expect it will be a rebellion before we reach Melbourne, I hope not.

June 20th. Saturday - 7 weeks today since I left Liverpool, Mersey River, we are going very slow the rain we had yesterday was not much. Warm again now we have had slight speed so far on our journey, saw a large ship today homeward bound from some place, a good many complaining with the heat now especially at night.

June 21st. Sunday - Today fair wind and sailing speedy we go faster by night than day heat of the sun takes of the strength of the wind in this climate. The boson of the ship have been in irons all day for getting intoxicated and not minding his duty. Church service twice today opposite the poop deck sun very warm at this time.

June 22nd. Monday - This morning early we had a good deal of lightning and the previous night, we are very nigh the equator. This morning early we had a heavy fail of rain, it changed the wind contrary for us, going slow now wind very much inclined to ship.

June 23rd. Tuesday - This day we are scarcely making any progress at ail, a large ship just before us in the same state, ships are very scarce about here, and fish also, I thought to see them a good deal more than what we have so far.

June 24th. Wednesday - Midsummers day we are in a tropical climate and sailing very slow but thank God we are exempt of all diseases with all the hot weather and sultry climate and scarce any sickness, our drinking water now is very bad and some feels the need very much and especially those that eat the salt beef, I don't eat but very little of it. Lime juice is made a good use of now with most all on board, but I don't like it.

June 25th. Thursday We are sailing a little faster today than what we have been, the breeze we have got now is fair but light wind we had a heavy fall of rain this morning early. I trust we shall get out of this warm climate soon for to have stronger winds, there are a good many that sleeps on deck and do not go to bed at all but I have not done so as yet. A rainbow got up this morning and changed the weather a little.

June 26th. Friday - This have been a very wet day rain in torrents, this morning early a child died in the saloon belong to one Mr. Shepherds, a child from 8 to 9 months old the first death we have had yet its body was committed to the great deep at half past five in the evening of the same day, the ship's bell foiled just as if it was home to any other funeral, the body was kept longer a good deal than any poor person would for with them on board of a ship they are put over board as quick as possible, birth, death is no respecter of persons. The parents of the child was in much trouble. I think it looked more melancholy than buried in the earth, the passengers ran in crowds from fore to haft of the ship to see it consigned to the great deep sea. I thought very much about my dear children at the time but no children come as near as everyones own, I find it so for my part.

June 27th. Saturday - We have got a fine breeze at this time but not quite fair although slipping over the water very speedy. Tell James Curnow we are going over the water just like our skip slipping over the runners but far better to be riding in the "Titan". I should write a little more concerning different things but I have very much inconvenience not so good a chance for writing as I thought I should have when at home. The say we crossed the line today but we had no shaving on board like of ships to leave us know,

June 28th. Sunday - We have got a strong breeze today, we had a squall about dinner time and rifled our fore to gallant sail, a weather sheet it split it like a siviling, then the sailors was obliged to go every man aloft in the gale and get another in the place of it, the squall was not very lasting, obliged to reef royals and sky sail and sail with top sails. Sunday we passed inspection for cleanliness by the doctor before Church from ten to half past ten and then go to Church but it don't but a slight congregation attend.

June 29th. Monday - We have the east trade winds at this time some squalls but not lasting, those squalls sometimes does a good deal of harm. We are on the African coast between the equator and the Cape of Good Hope now hoping if the breeze continues we shant be long before reach the Cape. Saw two large ships last evening nigh, one homeward bound and the other bound off. Ships look very beautiful at a small distance on the water.

June 30th. Tuesday - Last of the month. This day we sailed very close to a island or a reef of rocks, it caused very great consternation in the ship, he was steering direct for them and we expect if it had been by night as it was by day we should have been lost but providence guided us and we escaped them, they about ship at once and no delay. A quantity of birds of different sizes flew around the ship almost in the riggins, from this place the looked very pretty. The captain is not thoroughly acquainted with the road he has taken a course but few do take to go to Australia for speed, trust the Lord will guide us safe to our port. The black cook killed a pig today on board but not very fat,

July 1st. Wednesday - We have a good breeze at the time but not fair wind, but it is not much satisfaction to write. I do hear so much different stories in the course of a day but I don't intend to write no more than I can get the fact of. I saw a ship today homeward bound going before the wind splendid. I saw a good many fish today kept up with the ship for many miles, it was a good sight to see them springing up out of the water. This evening I saw land not a great distance of for many miles long, we sailed south east of it, it is belonging to the Brazils in South America- Some of the passengers is getting tired, and sayinq they wisht the would put them into the Brazils.

July 2nd. Thursday - We have still contrary winds tacking very often. The land is still in sight sailing very close to it, we were as far West as we can go. Today we see Param Bocoa harbour in South America the land we have seen for some hundreds of miles the sailors say it is a fine place for fruit, I think it is a beautiful place I can see the trees that is surrounding it and the state land looking very fertile, we see a ship just ahead of ours bound just in our course for same place.

July 3rd. Friday - We are still tacking of the land we have in sight, it is nothing new to see the inexperienced sailors on board the "Titan" to be knocked and kicked up and down like any other dog, the 2nd. mate is a barbarous rogue, I should be very glad to see him tied up by the heels and whipt for his illusuage to the crew. I saw a large bird this evening, the say it was a eagle it was a very large bird flew very high just over the ship.

July 4th. Saturday - South America in sight and not far off. Wind ahead drifting us on to the shore obliged to tack very often, This morning we saw some men making towards us on the water, supposed them to be in distress first sight of them, but they were the natives of the place in a kind of boat or canoe fishing, 4 of them, they had red clothes on but their boat looked more like a raft tied together than anything else till the heaved up close by us, large swells going and sometimes could not see them for a good bit, many in our boat would not like to be in their place, l shall remember the 4th. July 1857 perhaps as long as I live while on the water leaving my native home, it is a day kept up by the Americans for gaining their independence, this day all the crew had a holiday and the was ail obliged to dress up in ribbons and masks and disguise themselves to please our captain as being a Yankee and the gentry for amusement, in the first place there was Washington that was the greatest of there men at the time, stricked up in large letters and Independence and Liberty around the ship and the sailors and young women passengers draped themselves as gay as they could to dance with the sailors and then one of the pigs took on deck and its tail greased to run after, some fun amongst so much people you must think, one of the sailors caught the tail in his mouth and held him and then a great laughter and likewise a greasy pole or spar fixed perpendicular on deck to climb for anyone who chose to do so, a French chap sailor mounted it after a long time trying it, with a tidy mess about him and many other exploits which I need not make.

July 5th. Sunday - We are still sailing very slow belong tacking still. South America still in sight most so hot as when we crossed the line and that is a week since. I saw a fine town belonging to South America, sailed very little the past week.

July 6th. Monday - We sailed fast last night, today sailing slow very nigh her right course to within a point or so, if the same wind was coming over her stern as it is her bows we should be travelling fast. The black cook killed a sheep today, poor as a crane.

July 7th. Tuesday - This day we are sailing a good bit faster than what we have been. Thank God I am still in full possession of good health and have been ever since I left home. My sickness have been nothing to mention of. We have lost sight of South America. I was hoping I should see Rio Janeiro the Brazil harbour but we got of to sea in deeper water and a good job too for us.

July 8th. Wednesday - We are in the South Atlantic Ocean going very speedy at this time we hope to reach the Cape in a short time may God speed us safe over the mighty waters. This day the 2nd. mate illused one of the quarter masters very bad for no offence and the passengers rose against him and hissed at him as he would another dog. He is the worst captain that ever I saw to them that is under him, when he speaks there is but few that understand him and there is but few that have any respect for him.

July 9th. Thursday - today we have a very wet day and wind light when we get a heavy fall of rain generally it goes calm, they say we are about three or four and twenty degrees south of the line, we passed Trinadada Islands yesterday, in the morning early, some saw it but I did not, the weather is changing now going colder days short dark, with clear weather about 6 in the evening. The Doctor's assistant put in irons last night for stricking a passenger a very forward chap he, it is scarcely a day pass away without some occurrence some way or another, it is a great many bad exercises carried on here and especially with the females sex, up by night and in bed by day.

July 10th. Friday - We are sailing slow and still inclined to rain we have got loud thunder and heavy rain this afternoon, I never saw it rain so heavy at home.

July 11th. Saturday - today we have got more breeze than we have had, we was almost becalmed this past two days, going from 6 to 8 knots a hour now but the wind is very fluctuating change quick, this evening we had a heavy gust of wind which sent us over the water very fast but not in its course by two points.

July 12th. Sunday - We have a very squally day, this morning it was so heavy a gale that it split our foremast stay sail sheet like a thread and after this it rained heavy and changed the wind right ahead, the sailors were busy today securing the damages, wind blowing strong still but sailing very slow on account of heavy wind.

July 13th. Monday - Wind almost ahead still going slow, according to the wind we have got, I like to be riding fast be where it will if it is in a donkey cart.

July 14th. Tuesday - Today we have got a beautiful day but wind low and sailing slow.

July 15th. Wednesday - we have fine weather and scarce any wind and last night the same, the great ocean is so still as a mill pool, "Titan" rolling from side to side and scarcely moving at all. Saw some Cape pigeons today they are pretty looking bird something larger than our pigeon at home. We are now about 30S, Latitude, if we reach 25 then we shall take our degrees East Longitude, there was a Irish chap put in irons over night for insulting someone, it caused a very great noise in the ship I thought it would be a uproar all through and worse than what it was but ended.

July 16th. Thursday - a warm day today and sailing slow wind very little what it is fair but it is so changeable that it cant depend but a short time together. I lost my old Hymn Book today, fell overboard my best companion I had. The captains gig boat was lowered today with 4 sailors the chief mate, doctor and purser and some saloon passengers for a excursion trip as it was fine weather and so mild, they sailed a good piece from the ship, the looked very pretty on the water.

July 17th. Friday - this day a good breeze going about 9 knots a hour with stensails set, passengers cheered up again very much as they was very much down hearted this past two days, I shall be very glad to reach Melbourne myself for to get out of this sinful wicked place, it is the worst place I ever saw for all sorts of exercises, there is not much rest at night or day with the card players females as well as the men nor can hardly come to table at meal time with them so thick and if the table is not fitted out at meal times they are close to elbows end they can hardly find time a good many of them to eat their meat much less fit it.

July 18th. Saturday - Fair wind now sailing fast, we reached the Cape of Good Hope but a good bit from it, we shall steer in another direction now shortly, 8 weeks this day since we left the Mersey River Liverpool.

July 19th. Sunday - This day the stensail boom parted, sailors very busy most of the day on account of a squall which arose in the morning, they were obliged to get another as quick as possible. I saw some Albatrosses and Cape Pigeons today and a large shark going with the ship with full speed, a good many whales have been seen with the passengers but I have not seen either one as yet. A fight took place last night in lower steerage with two men from Newcastle one of them had his bag cut in pieces and a bottle of liquor sealed down taken out of it by his comrade which was sent by him as a present for a neighbour in Australia, and some other things stole as well, and that begun the fight.

July 20th. Monday - fair wind now going fast heavy swells of seas going, did not sleep much last night in consequence of her rolling from side to side. Today the weather is colder than last week, take a jacket again now. A woman fell over the steps today and got hurt very much in the back.

July 21st. Tuesday - Many could not stay in their beds last night on account of her going so fast and rolling in the water going now from 14 to 16 knots a hour. it is nothing very strange now to see a man or women deprived of their meal especially if it is skiffy or anything or anything wet in a open vessel and a heavy fall to their backside over the bargain and then laugh at with them that is on their legs afraid to move, it is very familiar here to see women's garters and higher up too, I have been very sorry to see them poor things, many a time I am glad my dear wife that you are not here. I have been very sorry to see old men thrown from their legs when the ship have been lurched very much, there is two or three here as old to look at as Uncle Tommy Harry Frenchmen, weak eyes like him too. We have a cold day today and a person would never think the weather would change so quick, last week hot and this week cold.

July 22nd. Wednesday - Wind still fair but not sailing so fast as yesterday, days are short, sun rises about 7 sets about h past 5, very strange to me to see such short days in July, albatrosses and Cape pigeons very numerous, it is a pretty sight to see them flying around the ship. Cape hens are also mixed with them.

July 23rd. Thursday - Passed Gough Islands between Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope in 40s. Latitude, weather very cold and wet the greater part of the passengers remained below deck, several birds were caught, they looked beautiful swimming in the water close to the ship like ducks. 2 months today since we left Liverpool.

July 24th. Friday - Wind changeable and weather cold snow and sleet a great part of the way. I expect it is hot at home my dear wife, blew very hard while getting tea but no harm done.

July 25th. Saturday - Wind fair but not much of it, weather still cold, passengers greater part below deck. Birds still plenty sailing through the Southern Oceans.

July 26th. Sunday - a good breeze of wind but still cold. We have been as far as 50s. Latitude. Melbourne stands 38 East Longitude.
July 27th. Monday - Wind still fair sailing from 14 to 16 knots an hour, it is pleasant to see our ship going over the water so fast.

July 28th. Tuesday - Wind not quite fair, sailing slow, fine weather overhead, air sharp just like it is between Michaelmas and Christmas good weather for running after the hounds or going about shooting, or travelling a long journey but can't exercise ourselves much here. Passengers hopes blighted on account of calm weather, very little will do this.

July 29th. Strong wind near by head the severest day since we left Liverpool. The strong wind broke the main top sail yard arm and carried away one of the jib sheets, sails most ail furled, the great pool which was so still yesterday is now foaming with white water, ship leaning on one side just like the roof of a house, men and women falling over one another, seas running very high. A great many short of meat by means if the rough weather.

July 30th. Fair wind today going fast more pleasant sailing than yesterday, a very rough night last night not many slept in bed, a good many things broke up in consequence of her rolling from side to side, almost think we were going to capsize. The stensail boom strike the water, all damages erected again at this time.

July 31st. Friday - The conclusion of another month and I am still in the possession of good health, we have had some sickness since this cold rough weather is come in, seas running very high and wind very cold today.

August 1st. Saturday - The seas is got more peaceable than yesterday but very cold wind, wind very nigh fair, days very short and nights long 10 weeks this morning since we left Liverpool, I hope we shant be long going to Melbourne now to get out of cold weather.

August 2nd. Sunday - A dirty cold day this day wind very sharp and not much dinner to warm our stomachs, not much like Sunday at home, I think.

August 3rd. Monday - This day head winds, things looking rather against us at the present but we must look for ward for the better, birds still plenty.

August 4th. Tuesday - This day very rough, hard to stand on the deck although not seeming much danger, going about 14 miles a hour I think. I never saw the Almighty's power displayed so much before as those few weeks while here on the seas. One day have seas running in swells like mountains and the next day the great ocean is so still as any pond, and many other things I might describe if time and paper would permit me. This is a fine place for what the world calls "Life". Plenty of fiddle playing and dancing here, and whoreing carried on to a great excess. There is one wench in particular here who is married and going out to her husband from about Yorkshire, a worse female I never saw, in the bed by day and up most all night they say with the men.

August 5th. Wednesday - I saw some fish today for the first time this good bit, and a large bird, the largest I ever saw, today one of the deck sweepers was put to stand up against a post and his arms put around it and hand cuffed for some hours, till he shook like a leaf on a tree, because he did not attend to his place. A good many here at this time very lousy, I think not many except.

August 6th. Thursday - Fine weather today for winter, ship sailing fast now. We are gone many miles since last evening but the Captain keeps us in ignorance very much.

August 7th. Friday - Fair wind but very cold, good hearty weather, we should not feel it so cold if we could exercise the blood but my feet chilled sometimes very much, I expect my dear wife you have fine weather. This is harvest month with you. I hope you will have a plentyful harvest and likewise have bread at a cheap rate.

August 8th. Saturday - We have got fair wind and a strong breeze. I hope it will if please God continue with us for a little while. I am longing to hear the sound of land ahead to have a release from this confinement and likewise to be working,

August 9th. Sunday - We have snow today standing on the deck, sleet and ice most of the day, a very bleak and cold day, not much congregation assembled to Church today.

August 10th. Monday - I think this is the coldest day I ever saw, It is here I know chief part of the passengers below deck cant shew up, and a good many of them in the bed hardly seem to know how to pass away their time.

August 11th. Tuesday - Fair wind but not very strong a very gloomy day thick with sleet and ice coming down, a great many suffer from cold feet at this time.

August 12th. Wednesday - It come to blow very hard after dinner yesterday and still continuing rough last night. I never saw the ship go so fast before since we been out. Against this morning decks almost covered in snow, we are in a very cold climate, we are down south so far, sheets most ail furled and going over the water like a bird.

August 13th. Thursday - Wind a hurricane today, I believe this is the severest day we have had, seas running in mountains sheets flying like riselings, carried off jib sheet and the chief mate obliged to cut many other sheets to save maps and ship.

August 14th. Friday - A rainy day wind changed, got side wind now this last to days, the sailors and passengers been nearly washed off the decks with the seas breaking in over her and likewise breaking in the lower deck causing of us trouble to dip and clean it up and pick up broken fragments of earthenware, another thing this night have been a very heavy night of weather which caused the passengers to be in great fear that they were going to be drowned, this have been a long and heavy gale but no wreck without canvass, we had a great deal of canvass carried away, we ought to be going in this gale under close reef topsails, but our Captain is a very venturous fellow. This is Lelant Fair Day. I hope my dear family you have beautiful weather and that you are all in good health as I am at this time.

August 15th. Saturday - The wind is ceased a little to what it was but a strong breeze now, I trust we shant have such a gale no more while going to Melbourne.

August 16th. Sunday - Twelve weeks since we left Liverpool, it is very long to be on the water, getting very tied so long we have scarcely any day today so far.

August 17th. Monday - This day we have a strong and pleasant breeze sailing very fast. We have a quantity of birds still which have kept up with us some hundreds of miles, some are very much like our snipes at home about the bill and head but all duck feet.

August 18th. Tuesday - Weather a little warmer again than it was, we are in the Pacific ocean now, this is the best ocean of the four, very little wrecks here.

August 19th. Wednesday - Days getting longer again now very pleasant and beautiful now to be on the water. The ships carpenter and sailors got drunk this day and neglected their duty, sailors and carpenter put in irons in the lockup which caused a very great uproar, and it caused the Captain to be on his guard with his revolver pistol if anyone did look to interfere with him, the rest of the sailors struck on need of it.

August 20th. Thursday - We are sailing fast today going between 9 & 10 miles a hour. I saw the largest fish today I ever saw before a large grampus fish, it looked as large in the water as one of our 20 inch pumps in West Whlalfred. The sailors which were put in irons, one of them got flogged today for being saucey.

August 21st. Friday - We have a fine day the warmest we have had this sometime, with a pleasant breeze, so you see it is different changes of climate in going to Australia. I think we must be coming very nigh at this time according to climate. I saw the splendid sight of fish today I ever saw before, they were many thousand they would spring out of the water like hounds coming out of a brake in full chase after each other.

August 22nd. Saturday - We have pleasant weather now 13 weeks expired since we have been on the water which will make 91 days, this is a long fatigueing journey, but thank God still in extreme good health.

August 23rd. Sunday - This is 14 Sundays on the water hoping it will be the last, they say we have from 4 to 5 hundred miles more to get to Melbourne. The sailors is to be kept in prison on hard biscuit and cold water the remaining of the voyage. The minister preached a farewell sermon today.

August 24th. Monday - We have fine weather now to see days lengthening a good bit, and moon light nights. A half allowance of stores delivered this, we expect now we are getting very nigh. The ship sprung a leak today all hands of crew and passengers to pumps, it is a good thing we have got nigh our journey, they was a good while before they could find it out but at last it was discovered and stopped.

August 25th. Tuesday - We have fine weather and fair breeze now but I think we have been here most long enough for the rats, bugs and lice is in this ship thick as the can well be, one young man in the steerage had his best coat torn in pieces with the rats and a good job he was not torn up too for they are most thick enough to eat a man or anything they meet with.

August 26th. Wednesday - There was a very great excitement today with the passengers, that is the cable chain getting under way that is giving us to suppose we are getting very nigh, most everyone on board getting very dissatisfied with the seafaring life. You would laugh if you was here to see us at a early hour getting skilly for breakfast and it is who and who for life can get in first at 5 and before in the morning.

August 27th. Thursday - It is nigh time to reach our port for it is a proper destruction here every other night, on tables forms benches partitions and old utensils that is done for use, a great many is in to move fearing they will have their legs broke or if got to bed to have the screening knocked in upon them, those riotous parties are obliged now to eat their meat on the floor. Like any other dog. This day there was a women delivered of a double birth a boy and girl, the first we have had since we have been to sea, poor thing she have had a bad place for her confinement with the tumult and noise which is here every day and night.

August 28th. Friday - We have got very warm weather now but sailing very slow. If it is so warm in proportion in the summer as it is here now in winter it must be very warm. 97 days gone, it is a long time to be on the water, it will be giving you all to think that I am lost but thank God it is not so. We have a christening on board today of two twins, they are called after the ships name Henry Titan Leech and Elizabeth Titanias Leech. The saloon passengers came down to see them baptised and gave the parents of the children 4 pound, to help them and doctor's expenses all free of charge, the women is very well in her circumstances. Seven weeks since we saw a ship before today, today with some suprise we saw some.

August 29th. Saturday - sailing very fast now, this morning got sight of the main land Australia about 8 o'clock, a very cheering day this 98 days since we left Liverpool. The first land we saw was Cape Northberland and then Cape Ottoway and light house, a splendid light revolving, see it a long way over the water and the land looking beautiful,

August 30th. Sunday - This morning about 4 o'clock we have signal for pilot, on the quarter deck with all colors of fire and rockets, when the pilot came he enquired if there was any sickness on board - the answer was I, o ", then he came on board and took charge of the ship and about 9 o'clock we reached Port Phillip Heads which will make 99 days, when we got inside the Heads the Inspector of health came on board, turned the ship against the wind a small time for him and performed his duty and then we left for the main port, we went with cheered spirits and delightful weather. It appears the water here is shallow and dangerous, but a most beautiful Bay, This evening about between 8 and 9 o'clock we dropped anchor in Hobson's Bay and slept on board all night which is Sunday night which is 15 Sundays on the water. We had a most beautiful night and a splendid sight of lights which surround Melbourne and Williamstown, not many slept tonight.

August 31st. and last, which is Monday after an elapse of 100 days sail. Thank God safely arrived at the town of Melbourne and in extreme good health. We have had a long and tiresome journey but have had good speed on account of sickness and disorders, we have not had but one death and one double birth. I shall not give you much description about Melbourne but it is the largest and finest town I was ever in before, it is impossible to describe the sceneries and sights which I have seen since I have left you my dear wife. This evening I reached Collingwood and slept at cousin Elizabeth Trythalls where I was entertained first rate, her was glad to see me after so long a time.

September 1st. Tuesday - I am still at Collingwood and they are all first rate.

September 2nd. Wednesday - This day I left for Ballarat distance about 80 miles which cost me 4 pound to be conveyed there with my luggage, a costly place this. Had a wet day to set out with and bad roads drays going very slow.

September 3rd. Thursday - and September 4th. Friday - We cooks our meat now on the road and sleeps in the bush by night by furze fires something like the gipsies at home, fix our abode which we can make it most convenient. It is no easy matter to go abroad in a foreign land I can assure you.

September 5th. Saturday - We have very fine weather today but in consequence of so much rain we have had, the roads are dreadful bad for cattle. We cant go with four horses in a dray more than 10 or 15 miles a day so you must think. September 6th. Sunday - This morning we started 3 of us through the bush to walk it. Distance somewhere about 30 miles and a very dirty heavy road and the afternoon came to rain and held till we reached Ballarat which was in the evening of the same day. After I got in the town I made enquiry after my brothers and neighbours, I was very quickly taken to where Zacharias Williams did put up and then I was alright and then very soon I got to the tent with brothers John and William and found them both well,

September 7th. Monday - This day very much fatigued after my journey. This day I have seen cousin Jane Mary and John Semmens and at their houses and tell Aunt Betsy or cousin Grace that I have given them their parcels all and that they are well.

September 8th. Tuesday - This day walking about Ballarat diggings and township, meet with a great many neighbours in my travels and all very free. Ballarat is a splendid place but a quantity here doing very bad indeed.

September 9th. This evening Wednesday I got my luggage in the tent which was a week coming here from Melbourne, I paid my passage to ride here and then obliged to walk.

September 10th. Thursday - This day we commenced enlarging our tent, we made an addition of ten feet more which is composed of calico and furniture lining, we are not long fixing up a dwelling house in this country, the greatest part of the houses in this country is built with calico.

September 11th. Friday and 12th. Saturday - those days we completed our tent and built out beds a double one and a single one, William and myself do sleep together and John by himself, and we are very comfortable, and then we made our table firm and stools, but not drilled legs and fine work like at home but answer our purpose just the same. I suppose you would laugh if you could form any idea of things in this country, and we have a nice little stove to cook our meat with if we can get any to cook, but that is the grave point. Four months this day since I left England and since I left you my dear wife and little family. This day I delivered the box to Mrs. Nicholls which Jenkin sent with me.

September 13th. Sunday - and September the 14th. Monday - This day I washed all my dirty clothes which I wore while on ship board.

September 15th. Tuesday - And this day I commenced at work in Ballarat for the first this 4 months. We are four men took to drive under a hill. I have agreed for certainty for a small time, I thought that to be the best for me at the time. the hill is called Pennyweight Hill, it have been a good deal of gold raised on the surface and we have some at this time, but it is a good deal of old ground here now which we have to drive in, but it is still paying for working, the wages is come down a good bit to what it was some little time ago in all the diggings but have agreed for 3 pound, 10/- pr. week or $14. pr. month, that is for each 4 weeks, no five weeks months here 13 months to the year and paid every succeeding week, at the close of the week according as I am told my wages will exceed the average diggers in this country and some have ventured so far that the scarce tell which way to have any meat, and that is not all, some is in debt scores of pounds, this is a bad country for a men that has no money nor friend.

end.