Scimitar1874

Scimitar
Ship: 1225 tons
Captain: James Fox
Surgeon Superintendent: Dr William Henry Hosking
Departed London (via Plymouth) December 24th 1873 - Arrived Port Chalmers March 6th 1874

One of the N. Z. Shipping Company's fast sailors, the Rangitiki, 1225 tons,....was formerly known as the Scimitar. She was to make two voyages to New Zealand as Scimitar (Auckland and Port Chalmers) and twenty two as Rangitiki.
White Wings - Sir Henry Brett

Our thanks to Mike Beith for his tireless help in refining this list.

Arrival of the Scimitar
Letter by passenger George Philpott

Cover of the Log of the ship Scimitar
(thanks Mike)
Transcript of the "Court of Enquiry" held into the voyage of the Scimitar (thanks Mike)
Transcript of the evidence given by Dr William Henry Hosking of the Scimitar (thanks Mike)
History of Dr Hosking in Masterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand
A very short life in the Antipodes - the fate of Mary Hall

Name Age County Occupation
Cabin Passengers
Fox Mrs
Gough Mr
Hosking Christina Sloan Archer Wife and children of the Surgeon Superintendent
Archer
Frederick
Lewes Mr N
Mr S
Families and Children
Alexander Edward 23 Wiltshire Labourer
Jane 23
Ashton Isaac 34 Wiltshire Labourer
Mary A 32
Charles 11
William 10
Alice 9
Henry 7
Emma 5
Tam 3
Ruth 6 months Died on board - 13/02/1874
Diarrhoea
Baughan John 38 Oxfordshire Labourer
Emma 30
Harriet 9
Annie 6
Eliza 5
Sarah 3
George 1 Died on board - 06/02/1874
Diarrhoea
Berry Henry 21 Oxfordshire Farm Labourer
Sarah 22
Brown William 40 Suffolk Labourer
Elizabeth 30
Mercy M 10
Arthur 7
William 4
Bull Robert 24 Buckinghamshire Farm Labourer
Johanna 21
Frederick 9 months
Calcutt John 44 Gloucestershire Farm Labourer
Sarah 42
George 16 Trans s/m
Ernest 14 Trans s/m
James 12 Trans s/m
William 5
Emily 3
Casey John 32 Limerick Ploughman
Johanna 30
John 7
James 5
Mary 3
Castle Thomas 23 Berkshire Farm Labourer
Elizabeth 22
Cecilia 1
Clarke Edward 23 Berkshire Carpenter Schoolmaster
Harriet 28 Matron
Clarke Alfred 28
Harriet 23
Alfred 15 Trans s/m
William 7
Charles 3
James 1
Chamberlain Charles 23 Middlesex Farm Labourer
Deborah 24
Cornwall John 24 Hereford Labourer
Jane 40
Leah R 11
Alfred 6
Charles 2
Cox James 35 Berkshire Labourer
Selina 34
Henry 6
Daumann Wilhelm 35 Germany Agricultural Labourer
Rosalie 30
Rosalie 7
Maria 5
Wilhelm 3
Denton William 25 Northamptonshire Labourer Constable
Eliza 25
Maria 3
William 1 Died on board - 14/02/1874
Diarrhoea & vomiting
Dewe Enos 27 Berkshire Farm Labourer
Elizabeth 29
Rhoda 11
Reuben 8
Elia 6
George 4
Matilda 2 Died on board - 19/02/1874
Scarlatina
Dewe Henry 48 Berkshire Farm Labourer
Elizabeth 46
Stephen 19 Trans s/m
Mary 15 Trans s/w
Selena 14 Trans s/w
George 11
Emma 9
Alfred 7
Ellens James 24 Cornwall Farm Labourer
Mary A 26
James Henry 3
Edith N 8 months
Fessy Mark 29 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Ann 30
Thomas 3
Fiergant Joseph 25 France Stonemason
Cecil 26
Gibbs Jesse 25 Berkshire Labourer
Sarah 27
Harry 8
Emily 5
George 3
Fanny 3 months
Greseler Carl 23 Germany Agricultural Labourer
Wilhelmine 25
Grigg George 41 Hants Carriage Painter
Anna S 43
Ann 23 Trans s/w
George M 21 Trans s/m
Ann S 16 Trans s/w
Edwin D 12 Trans s/m
Francis George 9
Louisa G 6
Charles 2
Grigg George M 21 Hants Carriage Painter
Ann 23
Grinnell Richard 34 Berkshire Bricklayer
Charlotte 38
Thomas R 11
Egra A ? 9
William Henry 8
Richard James 6
Thomas E 5
Ernest 2
Roland 4 months
Gubbins James 38 Oxfordshire Labourer
Fanny 37
Harry 14 Trans s/m
Thomas 12 Trans s/m
John 10
Elizabeth 7
George 4
Alice 2
Louis William 3 months Died on board - 23/02/1874
Gutschlag William 27 Germany Farm Labourer
Caroline 20
Caroline Wilhelmine Auguste Born on board 25/12/1873
Hall Frederick 39 Oxfordshire Farm Labourer
Ann 41
Fanny 16 Trans to s/w
Mary 14 Trans s/w
David 13 Trans s/m
Ellen 12 Trans s/w
Hastings John 48 Warwickshire Labourer
Ann 44
Jane 12 Trans s/w
Emma 10
Mary A 8
Hitchcock Arthur 40 Oxfordshire Labourer
Lydia 34
Emily 12 Trans s/w
Fanny 2
Phoebe 3 months
Jeffrey Charles 30 Oxfordshire Labourer
Ann 34
William 10
Anne 5
Jane 2 Died on board - 23/02/1874
Diarrhoea
Mary 3 months
Jeffery Isaac 24 Oxfordshire Farm Labourer
Jane 23
Sidney 2
Jordon Thomas 31 Berkshire Farm Labourer
Ann 27
Rosetta 7
Herbert 5
Allick 3
Lydia 1
Leitze Michael 36 Germany Labourer
Charlotte 40
Wilhelm 7
August 6
Carl 6
Lemon Charles 40 Suffolk Gardener
Mary A 41
Charles 12
Paul 10
Ludewig August 33 Germany Farm Labourer
Maria 30
Frederick 6
Richard 2
Lynes Henry 38 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Marra 36
Mary A 17 Trans s/w
Sarah A 14 Trans s/w
David 13 Trans s/m
Joe 11
Betsy 10
Willie 6
Lynn Thomas 36 Berkshire Labourer
Priscilla 33
Jane 11
Harriet 9
Joseph 8
George 5
Edith 1 Died on board - 02/02/1874
Scarlatina
Morgan John 37 Herefordshire Bootmaker
Sarah 39
Mortimer Mark 30 Berkshire Farm Labourer
Maria 38
Sarah 18 Trans s/w
William Thomas 16 Trans s/m
Henry George 6
Fanny 3
Lydia 2
Mortimer John 38 Berkshire Farm Labourer
Emma 34
Emily 10
Moulding James 27 Berkshire Brickmaker
Louisa 26
Moulin Batiste 33 France Stonecutter
Rachael 24
Mary A 5 Died on board - 15/02/1874
Diarrhoea & debility
Rachael 4
Sophia 4 months
Moyse Nathan 30 Devon Wheelwright
Mary A 32
Annie 9
Auguste 7
Neithe Daniel 52 Germany Farm Labourer
Dorothea 49
Johan M 23 Trans s/m
August 9
Newmann Ephraim 50 Germany Labourer
Caroline 48
Ephraim 19 Trans s/m
Caroline 15 Trans s/w
Newson Francis 26 Suffolk Labourer
Harriet 29
Francis William 5 Died on board - 17/02/1874
Scarlatina
Harriet 3 Died on board - 06/02/1874
Measles & fever
Edwin 1
Niethe Wilhelm 44 Germany Agricultural Labourer
Charlotte 41
Emily 16 Trans s/w
Ernestine 10
Wilhelm 2
Parr Robert 30 Suffolk Carriage Maker
Ellen 28
Arthur 6
Edith 4
Robert 10 months
Partel Giacomi 24 Germany Farm Labourer
Thora 24
Payne Samuel 26 Staffordshire Labourer
Catherine 24
Levi 5
John 3
Philpot John 25 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Mary 23
Mary 2
Philpot William 43 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Mary A 38
George 23 Trans s/m
Annie 21 Trans s/m
William 19 Trans s/m
Thomas 16 Trans s/m
Fred 12
Daniel 11
Ernest 6
Alfred 3
Reily James 28 Fermanagh Farm Labourer
Ann 26
Thomas 18 months
Sarah 2 months
Roades John 41 Buckinghamshire Shepherd
Mary A 42
Arthur 13 Trans s/m
Mary J 10
John 8
Ann 6
Sarah 6
Amos 3
Smith William 26 Surrey Labourer
Emily 23
William Henry 4 months
Smith Daniel 30
Tabitha 27
Styles Alfred 26 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Jane 24
George 6
Sally 4
Emily Matilda (Patty) 1 Died on board - 10/02/1874
Tombs William 43 Gloucestershire Farm Labourer
Martha 41
Mary A 18 Trans s/w
Emma 17 Trans s/w
Ellen 15 Trans s/w
Eliza 13 Trans s/w
George 10
Charles 7
Fanny 5
Ruth 2
Eunice 3 months
Townsend Matthew 27 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Elizabeth 25
Lucy 5
Amy 3 Died on board - 24/01/1874
Convulsions, Measles & Diarrhoea
Frank 1 Died on board - 26/01/1874
Measles, Scarletina & Diarrhoea
Turner Frederick 29 Norfolk Farm Labourer
Elizabeth 23
Florence 3
Jessie 2
Voigt Wilhelm 35 Germany Agricultural Labourer
Auguste 33
Auguste 8
Wilhelm 6
Louisa 1
Wale David 35 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Hannah 36
Elizabeth 9
Emma A 7
Walter John 3 Died on board - 09/02/187
Diahrroea
Walton Joseph 27 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Elizabeth 31
Arma M 1
West Thomas 26 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Mary 25
Lucy 5
Amy 3
Frank 1
Wilby Thomas 35 Northamtonpshire Labourer
Georgina 36
Alice 6
Pleasant 3
Eliza 1
Wilke August 41 Germany Agricultural Labourer
Ernestine 39
Ernestine 9
Withers John 35 Oxfordshire Labourer
Mary A 36
William B 8
Francis J 6
Minnie 1
Zaul S Christoper 41 Germany Farm Labourer
Johanna 30
Maria 7
Anna 5
Single Men
Andrews John 25 Gloucestershire Blacksmith
Asherne John 28 Waterford Labourer
Ball Elias 22 Devon Navvy
Barnes Charles 39
Beckells John 22 Berkshire Farm Labourer
Bennet William Henry 15 Devon
Bennet Frederick 14 Devon
Birtchnell Walter 22 Surrey Stonemason
Blackwell George 31 Gloucestershire Labourer
Blackwell Arthur 7
Ann 9 Trans to s/w
Brooks Frederick N 33 Oxfordshire Farm Labourer
Brozegkine Frank 28 Germany Farm Labourer
Butler Charles 22 Oxfordshire Labourer
Cakebread George 20 Oxfordshire Farm Labourer
Calcutt George 16 Gloucestershire Farm Labourer
Calcutt Ernest 14
Calcutt James 12
Checketts Charles 20 Warwickshire Wagoner
Clark Alfred 15 Berkshire
Cooper Alfred 24 Jersey Farm Labourer
Cooney James 22 Kilkenny Ploughman
Cox Joseph 23 Oxfordshire Baker
Deihrkoop Richard 21 Germany Farm Labourer
Deive Stephen 19 Berkshire Labourer
Diamond Henry 27 Dorset Labourers Foreman
Flensted Christian 21 Denmark Labourer
Flesan Christoper F 30 Denmark Labourer
Fowler Henry 20 Wiltshire Labourer
Gregory John S 22 Jersey Farm Labourer
Gregory William 22 Oxfordshire Labourer
Gillespie George 19 Waterford Farm Labourer
Grigg Edward L 12 Hants
Golding Richard 24 Kent
Gooch William 21 Middlesex Iron Worker
Gubbins Harry 14 Oxfordshire
Gubbins Thomas 12 Oxfordshire
Guy Thomas James 17 Armagh Farm Labourer
Hall David 13 Oxfordshire
Hanna James 21 Tyrone Farm Labourer
Healy Thomas 24 Waterford Slater
Healy Richard 20 Waterford
Healey Patrick 21 Waterford Labourer
Heath William 32 Warwickshire Labourer
Heyne Christian 56 Germany Farm Labourer
Hinde Frederick 21 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Hodges William 26 Northampton Labourer
Ilsley / Ilsey * Edwin A 19 Berkshire Navvy
Johansen Isaac 29 Sweden Fisherman
Kelly Richard 18 Waterford Farm Labourer
King William 22 Waterford Farm Labourer
Klauning Waldeman 23 Germany Farm Labourer
Kirwan William 24 Waterford Labourer
Larsen Niels C 20 Denmark Labourer
Lemon Charles 12 Suffolk
Lestarie Giovanni 27 Germany Farm Labourer
Macheras Frederick 33 Germany Shoemaker
McKay Donald 29 Ross Ploughman
Meyer George 45 Germany Farm Labourer
Miller James 21 Caithness Framer
Morris Adolfus 16 Hants Carriage Painter
Mortimer William 16 Berkshire Labourer
Neilson Peter M 24 Denmark Labourer
Newman Ephraim 19 Germany labourer
Nielson Hans 24 Germany Farm Labourer
Niethe Johan M 23 Germany Farm Labourer
Nixey John 22 Essex Farm Labourer
Oakley James 15 Berkshire Shepherd
Olsen Michael 25 Norway Farm Labourer
Married to Martha Christiansen
08/02/1874
Paskett Charles 37 Essex Wheelwright
Pearse Charles 38 Oxfordshire Labourer
Peters Carl 27 Germany Farm Labourer
Philpot George 23 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Philpot William 19 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Philpot Thomas 16
Philpot Frederick 12
Rambaum Wilhelm 28 Germany Labourer
Reynolds Ezekiel 12 Armagh
Reynolds Thomas 16 Armagh
Rieger Johann 30 Germany
Riley John 25
Riley Mertogh 30 Waterford Ploughman
Roades Arthur 13 Buckinghamshire
Roberts James 21 Bedfordshire General Labourer
Sandre Dominio 25 Germany Farm Labourer
Summers William 18 Wiltshire Labourer
Synes David 13 Warwickshire
Tooley Robert 24 Surrey General Labourer
Vicars William 24 Buckinghamshire Farm Labourer
Walter Andrew 27 Oxfordshire Labourer
White John 23 Tyrone Carpenter
Williams George 19 Oxfordshire Labourer
Winter Cyrus 22 Warwickshire Farm Labourer
Single Women
Crooke Jane 25 Hants Servant
Bennett Ann 37 Devon
Annie M 10
Louisa 8
Amelia 6
Prudence 3
Blackwall Ann 9 Gloucestershire
Christiansen Martha 22 Norway Servant
Married to Michael Olsen
08/02/1874
Daumann Augusta 22 Germany Servant
Drew Emily 17 Oxfordshire
Dewe Mary 15 Berkshirehire
Dewe Selina 14 Berkshirehire
Fessey Annie 23 Warwickshire Servant
Griffin Maggie 18 Waterford
Grigg Ann S 16 Hants Servant
Hall Fanny 16 Oxfordshire Servant
Hall Mary 14 Oxfordshire
Hall Ellen 12 Oxfordshire
Hastings Jane 12 Warwickshire Servant
Hitchcock Emily 12 Oxfordshire
Le Dain Alice 15 Norfolk Housemaid
Mortimer Sarah 18 Berkshire Servant
Newman Caroline 15 Germany
Niethe Emily 16 Germany Servant
O'Connell Alice 18 Waterford
Philpot Annie 21 Warwickshire Servant
Reynolds Elizabeth 35 Armagh Servant
James William 8
Matilda 6
John George 3
Hudd Elizabeth J 24 Middlesex Nurse
Silman Stella 13 Gloucestershire
Synes Mary A 17 Warwickshire Servant
Synes Sarah A 14
Tombs Mary A 18 Gloucestershire Dairymaid
Tombs Emma 17 Gloucestershire Servant
Tombs Ellen 15 Gloucestershire
Tombs Eliza 13 Gloucestershire
Vallis Eliza 23 Berkshire Milliner
Warren Alice 18 Waterford Servant
Single Women - Colonial Nominated
Brown Christina 29 Ayrshire Servant
Carlson Albertina 17 Sweden Servant
                         

The Fate of MARY HALL:
ATTEMPTED MURDER
- A deliberate attempt at murder was made in the Harp of Erin Hotel, on Monday last, by a man named John Brennan, alias Cloach, who was a seaman on board the Scimitar, which recently arrived at Dunedin, with immigrants. Brennan had been acting as cook in the hotel for some weeks, but left his situation a week ago. He came back on Friday, but left again next day. Returning yesterday, he asked for dinner. It being past the usual time, he was asked to go to the kitchen, where he had dinner. A nurse girl, named Mary hall, aged 15, was heard to reply to Brennan, in answer to some remarks, "Mind your own business". He then said, he "would think no more of cutting her throat than of the throat of that young sucking pig." The housekeeper, who heard this conversation, sent the girl upstairs to be out of the way for a short time. The girl returned to the kitchen to wash up, and in a few minutes afterwards, Brennan was met by the housekeeper, coming out of the kitchen, with an adze in his hand. He said, "I have done it," and lifted the adze in a threatening manner to the woman, who ran away and got assistance. The girl, Mary Hall, was found lying on her side in a pool of blood, with the back part her skull split open. On being accused of the commission of the deed by the landlord, Brennan said: "I could not help it. I intend to hang for it, and am sorry it occurred in the house." The girl was taken to the hospital, but the doctors say there is no hope for her recovery. Brennan is in custody. He is a native of London and 45 years old. On being charged by the police, he said sixpence would have saved the girl's life. He did not know what demon possessed him and put the adze in his hand. He supposed it was the devil got hold of him. He had asked the girl for drink, which she refused to give him. The girl, with her parents, was a passenger by the Scimitar, and it was said that Brennan had entertained tender feelings towards her. (Timaru Herald June 19th 1874)

                         

GUTSCHLAG family:

William Gutschlag (born & baptised: Carl Gottfried Wilhelm Gutschlag on the 25th Nov 1846 in Crussow, Germany) and his wife Caroline nee Daumann first travelled from Hamburg Germany to London on the ‘Wega' in early December 1873.   They then travelled from England to New Zealand aboard the ‘Scimitar’, their only daughter Caroline Wilhelmine Auguste Gutschlag was born aboard ship on 25th Dec 1873 (LDS Film 1419470).  Sadly in August of 1874 Caroline Snr was burnt in a tent fire at Otakai in New Zealand and died in the Dunedin Hospital soon after, she was only 20 years of age. (Otago Daily Times, Friday August 28, 1874) William later married Mary Dovolosky and had a large family of 11. Two of Williams brothers followed him to New Zealand and they all lived in the Gore area. All are buried in the Gore cemetery. Caroline Jnr went on to marry Joseph Bungard (born & baptised Casimer Joseph Bomgarda sometimes spelt Baumgart) and had twelve children, one of them my grandmother Christina Agnes Bungard. For further information contact Christina Morris

                         

CHAMBERLAIN family:
Charles Chamberlain was born 23 February 1850, in Cubbington, Warwickshire, England, the son of Charles Chamberlain & Rhoda Grantham. My Great Grandfather Charles (1850), married Deborah Taylor, just twelve days prior to boarding the Scimitar on Christmas Eve day 1873, bound for New Zealand. Charles had three sisters and three brothers, all born in Cubbington. Unfortunately Charles' father passed away around 1859/60 and his mother, Rhoda remarried a man named Francis Heath, a widower with three daughters, on 17 November 1861. Charles and Deborah arrived in New Zealand, newly weds, new country, high hopes and dreams - our family believe mostly all were realised by the time of their passing. Charles and Deborah had seven sons and three daughters all born in Mataura, Southland, New Zealand. I would welcome contact from any Chamberlain descendants interested in our family history.
Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]

                         

Captain James FOX:
James Fox was born on February 6th 1831 in the village of Letheringsett, North Norfolk. His father was a brewers drayman but James went to sea as an apprentice eventually passing for a Master Mariner in Dublin in 1862. His voyages to Australia and New Zealand were frequent both as and before becoming a Master. He sailed as Commander for Shaw Savill & Co for many years then moving to the newly formed New Zealand Shipping Co. in 1873 in command of the Scimitar. According to ‘White Wings’ – Sir Henry Brett page 254 this voyage was the subject of an open question as to whether the Scimitar should be awarded the palm for having made the record run from England to Port Chalmers during the period 1860 to 1900. The Scimitars time was 71 days from Plymouth to port or 67 days land to land while the Westland made the run in 72 days from London or 66 land to land in 1888
He retired at the end of 1898 back to North Norfolk, naming his cottage ‘Maori Pah’. He died January 3rd 1906.
Master of the following:- Tuscan 1862-63, Sir Francis Drake 1864-65, Star of the Evening 1866, England 1866-69, Charlotte Gladstone 1871-72, Scimitar/Rangitiki 1873-75, Orari 1875-76, Piako 1877, Wairoa 1891-1894, Turakina (City of Perth) 1898. If you have a connection with the family of Captain James Fox or would like to learn more please contact Mike. Mike also has a copy of the of the Ships Log of the Scimitar and would be happy to help with look-ups as the log mentions the names of many of the passengers.

                         

William Philpot
William Philpot settled with his family at Waikiwi, near Invercargill, and took up an 18 acre bush section. With his boys he cleared the bush, by cutting it up for firewood for sale in Invercargill.

                         

LIETZE family:
Michael Lietze (age36) occupation labourer, wife Charlotte Lietze, nee Luecke (age 40), Wilhelm (age 7), twins August and Carl (age 6).  The family was originally from Germany.  The Lietze family travelled to Plymouth, England, where they waited for a period of several months before being able to board the Scimitar.  When they first arrived, Michael Lietze worked as a surfaceman for the railways on the Chain Hill tunnel just south of Dunedin and they lived at Green Island.  They bought a small holding and lived there for several years in a tent.  When the twins were ten years old the family moved to a place called Germantown, near Gore.  Michael continued working for the railways, and they gradually acquired more land until they owned about 120 acres.  In the 1902/3 New Zealand Directory Michael was listed as a coal pit proprietor.  All Lietze descendants in New Zealand today are descended from August Lietze as William married but had no children, and Carl was presumed unmarried and had no descendants.  Michael died in 1916 and Charlotte died in 1914.  Both are buried at Gore.  If you have a connection with this family or would like to know more please contact Sharon Seymour.

                         

Copyright Denise & Peter 1999 - 2007

Reference:
Archives New Zealand IM15/91