Josephine Willis
Ship: 786 tons
Captain: Edward Canney
Surgeon Superintendent: Dr Singleton
Sailed Plymouth October 23rd 1854  - arrived New Plymouth January 25th 1855
                                                                        Auckland February 5th 1855

A ship by which many prominent early settlers came out to New Zealand was the Josephine Willis, a brand new vessel of 1000 tons, that afterwards met with a tragic end in the english Channel. She sailed under the flag of Willis, Gann and Co. On October 23, 1854, she left Plymouth, with 135 passengers on board, for New Plymouth and Auckland. New Plymouth was reached on January 26, 1855, after a voyage that was somewhat eventful owing to the fact that a portion of the crew was decidedly mutinous and opposed all authority on board. While the ship was at New Plymouth roadstead she was in some danger for a while owing to the springing up of a northerly gale, and the position was accentuated by five of the crew refusing duty. The loyal part of the crew, however, with the willing assistance of the pasengers, worked splendidly, and got the ship under way. She then sailed for Auckland, where she arrived on February 5.
White Wings - Sir Henry Brett

Arrival of the Josephine Willis
Sinking of the Josephine Willis - February 3rd 1856

Copyright Denise & Peter 2006

Reference:
Taranaki Herald January 24th 1855
The New Zealander February 7th 1855