Sgt. Major Arthur Sims, R.M. Journal on board H.M.S. Tamar, Chatham to Sydney, 1884-1885 and H.M.S. Diamond, on Australian Station, 1885-1889, 22 October 1884-11 February 1889

Component identifier:

Series JOD/178

Content Summary:

Details of embarking on Tamar; taking relief crews to Australian Station; ceremonies of crossing the line; Cape Town; Albany 'work is rather plentiful'; Sydney Harbour; log of H.M.S. Diamond - details of sail, steam, remarks - duties on board; weather, departures and arrivals etc.; principal events of five island cruises - places visited include Dinner Island, Normanby Island, Port Moresby, Eddystone Island, San Christoval, Samoa - details of German interest, Fiji, Sunday Island - Captain 'hoisted British flag and took possession in the name of H.M. Queen Victoria', New Caledonia - details of French convict settlement, New Hebrides, Santa Cruz - description of natives 'the women are more ugly than the men', Solomons, Renny Island, Tonga - problems caused by Rev. Shirley Baker, hearing of case Baker v. Hanslip, Sir Charles Mitchell and all staff entertained by the King and people at a Laka Laka, Noumea, Esperito Santo, Santa Cruz, punishment of natives for massacres on various islands - burning villages, cutting down coconut trees, Thursday Island; trips to New Zealand, December 1887 - February 1888; Sixth Island cruise - Norfolk Island, Noumea - Anglo-French conference on new Hebrides, Malicolo Island, Apia Island, Tanna; Melbourne Centennial Exhibition; leaving Sydney and homeward voyage. (165p.)

Includes: Photographs of ship and natives; ferns; press cuttings re cruises of H.M.S. Diamond.

Processing information:

M2835

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