Emigrant Ships Enjoyed a Rousing Send Off

THE New Zealand Company saw to it that its emigrant ships had a good send-off. This was partly to get newspaper publicity, partly to hearten the people who were leaving their homes with very little prospect of seeing them again. However, a sailing ship rarely got ready for sea by a fixed date, and the emigrants were often assembled a week or two beforehand to go on board as soon as everything was ready. The Company maintained a depot at Gravesend to house them, but this was often so full that tents had to be put up nearby to give shelter to the overflow.

Some days before the ship sailed the Company usually had a party on board to which it invite influential people. This was made a social occasion and only cabin passengers were invited. But another function was held the day before the voyage started, and this time the. emigrants were all entertained. They wore their best clothes—some times supplied to them specially by the Company—and had a substantial meal of ‘ roast beef, plum pudding, and John Barleycorn.’ Bands played The ships were hung with flags. Important people made speeches commending the enterprise. Ever thing was done to gloss over the pain of parting and the uncertainty of the future. Then next day they sailed full of the ardour of a volunteer army.