__________________________________________________________________________________ BRG 42/9 South Australian Company. London Office. Letters received from the Colonial Manager 1 January 1838 to 2 July 1838 Transcribed by Judy M Fander, volunteer at the State Library of South Australia, 2015 Edited and indexed by researcher Chris Durrant, 2015 This transcription consists of two parts: a literal transcription, and a more readable and informative version with footnotes. The first part presents as literal as possible a reading, transcribed by Judy Fander. In this: pages, additions, deletions and emendations are tracked the writers’ spelling is adhered to variable capitalisation of nouns is followed, though in many cases the intent of the writer is ambiguous punctuation is generally limited to a dash with no attempt to distinguish the lengthy from the almost dot-like all annotations of cover pages, margins and page tops and bottoms are noted. The second part is an edited version prepared by Chris Durrant. In this: only the final version is reproduced spellings of words and names are regularised capitalisation is discarded punctuation is added according to present usage (sometimes requiring the sense of the writer to be guessed at) contractions are expanded details of address and annotations made after receipt in London are placed in a separate section in small type at the beginning of each letter footnotes identify persons, vessels and some events an index allows reference to persons, vessels and some topics. This is in addition to a keyword search of the document. The Business Record Group does not contain copies of most of the documents said to have accompanied these letters. BRG 42/9 SA Company correspondence Jan-June 1838 transcript 1 of 173 __________________________________________________________________________________ Literal transcription 1st. Sh. Orig. Per John Pirie to Hobart Town. Recd 11/6/38 Ansd 3/9/38 South Australian Co. Encounter Bay 1st. January 1838. Edmund. J. Wheeler Esquire, My Dear Sir, I write You under very painful feelings. My last despatches were dated 16 Decr. from Kingscote, forwarded “Pr Hartley” to Launceston. I then advised you of the stranding of the “South Australian” — and of my intention to proceed hither by the “Solway” — I arrived here on the 20th ulto., On the 21st. a violent gale, from S. E sprung up — when the Solway having had 2 Bower Anchors, and with one Stream Anchor down from all of which she parted, also Went on Shore — the John Pirie, rode 3 ½ hours longer than the Solway, but having parted from One Bower Anchor, and slipped another, she was \ skilfully / run by Captn. Martin, at the deepest place, across the Reef, and run on shore, on a sandy bottom 6 or 7 ft. Water, near the ill-fated South Australian. A survey was held on the 22nd. (the Anniversary of the “South Australian” sailing from Plymouth) — when she and the Solway were condemned and recommended to be sold — and the John Pirie, to be lightened — her Rudder, which had been injured, & unshipped, to be repaired &ca. and another survey \ to be / afterwards held. — Written in the margin alongside the paragraph above Copy enclosed as to So. Australian that as to John Pirie to be sent by Captn Martin from Hob. Town Text continues On the 23d. Mr. Mann who had come passenger Pr. J. Pirie, set out on foot, for Adelaide with the necessary papers, authorised to apply to the Governor for a Warrant of Sale of the So. Austrn and Solway — I expected him to return yesterday, or previously — but he has not yet Returned — By him, I wrote New page you a few lines with the preceding mournful intelligence, and mentioning at the same time, the melancholy tidings of the loss of Sir John Jeffcott — and Captn. Blenkinsop in coming out of “The Murray”, in a Whaleboat. I embrace the leisure of New Year’s day, to communicate this Ezekiels roll, — I say nothing of my feelings — but that, I am sore distressed and that I hope, no recurrence of calamities, so great — so numerous — so unexpected — and withal so perplexing, is awaiting either the Company, or myself. My grief and anxiety are heightened, by uncertainty, as to Insurance on the So. Australian — and on the Oil & Whalebone shipped, Pr. Solway — and any difficulties have been greatly increased, by the unaccommodating disposition of Captn Pearson — These disasters have entirely changed the plan of operations, which I think, was laid judiciously — The particulars of that plan were, 1st. To tranship the Beef & Pork, which had been left in the Solway for Ballast. Where Pr. the So. Austn. which came down here, that the Oil might be got ready under the Superintendence of Captn. Mcfarlane & my Son. with which \ Provisions / the So. Austn. was immediately to BRG 42/9 SA Company correspondence Jan-June 1838 transcript 2 of 173 __________________________________________________________________________________ have proceeded, to Hobart Town, from which, I had favourable advices, as to prices — and thereafter to have been employed in the Conveyance of Stock &ca., from the neighbouring Colonies — till the season for the Black whaling. — 2nd. The Solway having got on board at Kingscote, the Oil & Bone which were there was, after having discharged the Beef & Pork here, (as above) to complete take in the whole of the Oil here proceed to Hobart Town, complete her loading, and proceed to London, agreeably to the Charter Party — a Subscribed Copy of which, I send herewith, for the information of the Directors. 3d. The Sarah & Elisabeth having — owing to the shameful state of Repa disrepair, in which she had been sent out from England — lost the season for Sperm New page fishing, on the Middle grounds; was to have been dispatched, in Ballast, to Hobart Town that the repairs might be completed — some sheets of Copper Beg being off &ca, and thence as soon as possible to New Zealand for a Cargo of timber, whence, it was calculated, she might have returned, in time to proceed, at the beginning of the Black whaling season, to some Bay. — All these plans are confounded. — It will be no small gratification to me, to learn, tho’ it be nearly 12 months hence, that they have met with the approbation of the Board of Directors. And I must, Very Respectfully, yet very earnestly, now, and in Subsequent letters, express my most decided conviction, that an officer must be appointed, who shall have the immediate superintendence, and personal charge and direction, of the ships, belonging to the Co. and of the Shipping-business, generally – who may be instructed by the Board , if they think proper, to consult with me, but who shall go from place to place, when required by Circumstances — and relieve my head — & hands — & shoulders, of the determining of the mode of employing the ships — of the personal superintendence of that department of the company’s business — and of the Responsibility, connected therewith — Such an officer is essentially necessary — and altho’ the calamities which have occurred here, might have equally occurred, under such an officer, yet the appointment of Such an officer, seems not only a likely means to prevent calamities — but a necessary means, to secure the most advantageous employment, of the Co’s Shipping — Oh ! had such an officer been appointed, instead of a Superintendent of Flour Mills — Salt works, — or Even of the Dock-Yards, & Patent Slip — Such an officer, must be a man of Experience in that line — of Sound Judgement — of Decision — and above all, a man of Principle. It is perhaps enough for me, thus to have recommended the appointment — A decided conviction of its absolute necessity, has led me to do so — I venture a step further, I take the liberty of saying, it is an appointment whh. I know of none qualified to fill, but Yourself — and which would give full employment to all your active energies, — and if it be the intended, that you should succeed me, in the general management here, I cannot conceive of any more natural, & proper way of initiation, than Your coming out, as soon after receipt of this letter as the measures connected with your leaving London, will permit — and taking that important department of the Co’s business, into Your hands. — This Proposal, I beg, very respectfully to submit to the Board, as one, by which the interests of the Company, will be most materially promoted and one, which I must continue, to urge. — I have detailed the plan, which I had laid — it remains, that I point out, what I what I mean to do now. — BRG 42/9 SA Company correspondence Jan-June 1838 transcript 3 of 173 __________________________________________________________________________________ 1st. The John Pirie is to go to Hobart town, to be employed as hitherto, in the general trade of the Colonies; — and on board of her, I have got shipped, ex So. Australian — 109 Provision Casks, (including 50 Tierces Cape Beef, which were brought out by the Emma , on her 1st. voyage, & whh. have since, been allowed to lye at Kingscote,) — and, ex Solway 95 Casks. It is not thought advisable, that she should take more — & more, have not yet, been got out of the Solway — the tide flows, and ebbs in & out of her, & the So Austn. 2nd. The Sarah & Elisabeth is to come down here, to take in the remainder of the Oil Provisions, if recovered from the Solway, about 270 or 280 casks — for sale, at H. Town. and to take in the Oil, on Board the Solway, (31 casks about 36 Tuns) — and the Oil, New page 2nd. Sheet [Jan. 1, 1838] Text continues on Shore here, about 19 160 Tuns — and the Bone — of which, about 10 tons, \ the total Quantities / were shipped Pr.