Letter from John Gifford to his Sister, 1861
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Object number1997.019
TitleLetter from John Gifford to his Sister, 1861
Creator John Gifford (author)
DescriptionLetter written by passenger John Gifford to his sister Anna on board the SS Great Britain, while in Queenstown, Ireland. Dated 21st February 1861.
This letter from passenger John Gifford details 5 days of rough weather at sea. With the ship destined for Melbourne, rough weather that began after their departure from Liverpool caused the ship to make a stop for repairs in Cobh, what was then called Queenstown, Ireland. According to Gifford's letter, the Captain (Captain John Gray) had said that never in all his years at sea had he seen the sea so rough- but reassured passengers that the Great Britain was a 'good ship', which could certainly stand 'a gale of wind'. Gifford writes that when the ship rolled, 'you would almost think she would never rise again'. Gifford writes that the Great Britain's stop in Ireland would only be short, with them hoping to set off again within three to four days. As Gifford writes his letter, the Great Britain is drawing in to the harbour, and after signing off, he writes 'I have not been on shore yet but shall tomorrow morning'.
Production date 1861-02-21 - 1861-02-21
Object nameletter
Object categorycorrespondence
Materialpaper
Techniquehand-written
Dimensions
- height: 179 mm
width: 227 mm