All aboard the Jura

On January 15, 1860 the 792 ton Jura sailed into Auckland Harbour having left London on October 3, 1859. On board were 87 passengers including several children and assorted cargo. Among the passengers were John Moffat, John Blake, William Galbraith and Frederick William Sidwell with his wife and six children. All four families acquired land in the Wainui/Silverdale area and many of their descendants still live on the Hibiscus Coast.

Frederick Sidwell kept a diary on the voyage and recorded the fierce storms which the vessel encountered on October 10 and 11. It must have been terrifying for the passengers as at one time six inches of water was washing over the deck all day and during the second storm two inches of water was running through the cabin. A wave damaged the pig sties on deck and pigs were running about the ship. They must have been on board to supply fresh pork during the voyage, as although one cow is listed as having arrived with the cargo, there is no mention of pigs.

Frederick Sidwell paid ₤155 for a second class cabin for his family and this entitled him to claim a government land grant in NZ. Assisted immigrants who came out as labourers, domestic servants or tradesmen travelled steerage in very cramped conditions with virtually no privacy. The shipping company, Shaw Savill & Co., provided passengers with meat, flour, rice, barley, tea, coffee, sugar, potatoes, water and so on. There was also a ration of lime juice – very important for the prevention of scurvy as there were no fresh greens and the ship did not visit any ports during the voyage. Passengers were responsible for cooking their own meals.

The cargo landed by the Jura contained numerous packages for the Auckland merchants and citizens, including three threshing machines, 100 iron pipes and 66 packages of machinery for D. Nathan & Co., 193 flagstones for Gilfillan & Co., two cases for the Hon. Colonial Secretary, one case for the Librarian General Assembly and 200 bags of salt. In the following days Auckland merchants advertised for sale London-made furniture, clothing, spirits, iron for blacksmiths and other necessities of life which had arrived on board the Jura.

Image: Frederick Sidwell and wife Mary, circa 1910.

Museum news

November 19 Working Bee at the Pioneer Village – all welcome. Pioneer Village open every Sat/Sun 10am – 3pm 1860s Chapel and gardens available for weddings (check out the Sidwell Annexe) For sale: • Why the Hibiscus? Place names of the Hibiscus Coast, $15 • Alias the Wad History of early Silverdale $5 • Silverdale Playcentre Recipe Book $18