Model of Rangitane, 1949 John Brown and Co LT.1973.12.t
Courtesy of Culture and Sport Glasgow (Museums)"I was starting to worry that we would never see New Zealand, and beginning to believe in the old mariners’ tale about sailing off the edge of the world."
Graeme Eyre, from "Te Ara: The encyclopedia of New Zealand"
People must have been so desperate for a new life, a new beginning, as it would take weeks to get there and in really uncomfortable and quite unhygienic conditions too. Nowadays it still takes around 24 hours on a plane, and that’s a pretty unpleasant experience as it is!
We flew to New Zealand by BOAC, and there was at least two other Scottish families on this flight. Of the many contacts I made in the period 1966-99, I heard of no family that came to NZ onboard ship.
I don’t know if people are quite aware of the dangers and risks involved in emigrating like that. Depending on the reasons, it's either incredibly brave or absolute lunacy.
I have to disagree with the previous comments about sea travel. It took me six weeks from U.K. to Australia on a fairly crowded vessel after WW2. It was still set up as a troop ship i.e. 'dormitory' type accommodation, no separate cabins. It was well organised, good entertainment like deck games for everyone, dances, movies etc. Ports were exciting. Watching dark skinned boys diving for pennies, a place where most men wore white 'dresses' and red Fez hats, Boats coming alongside with tropical fruit, handcrafts etc for sale. What an education for me as a youngster. In the 1960's I sailed on the Himalaya, Fairsea, the Fairstar. All well appointed with even more facilities than I experienced in 1949. By air one is sitting in accomodation akin to a glorified bus. At sea you have leisure and entertainment, you get to meet lots of your fellow travellers, make friends and generally enjoy the experience. Compared to air travel, sea travel mekes getting there more than half the fun!
Do you fancy crossing the world by ship? Maybe you sailed away from Scotland looking for a new life?
Arrival in Wellington around noon on a gloriously sunny day was marvellous as a finale to the voyage-disembarking at Glasgow Wharf the next morning in a typical Wellington southerly was a rude awakening. New Zealand government immigration report
There was a chap with an accordion and the place was packed, you never heard a sing song like it . . . Every night now they have a singing session on deck till about 11:30 or 12, last night it was a chap with a ukelele. New Zealand government immigration report
