Historical Mystery

A diary of a voyage and train trip came into my possession recently and is destined for the historical society archives. It is the story of a family’s emigration in 1891 from London to Vancouver and then on to Bowyer Island in Howe Sound. The young girl in the story eventually came to live at a farm in the village that is now called Lantzville.

Benny Negrin was in possession of this diary for a number of years but we don’t know who gave it to him. Benny’s handwritten notes suggest that the diary came from the Thicke family. The Negrins purchased their farm from the Thickes and members of the Thicke family lived adjacent to the Negrin farm for many years.

The narrator of the emigration story is identified only as “J.C.” and features a man named Arthur and a little girl named May. A close reading suggests a female narrator. Dorothy Thicke of Lantzville provided an important clue. I knew that my grandmother, Marion Ethel Copley (nee Thicke), had a sister-in-law named May. My mother, Hazel Blood, remembered her Auntie May. May would have been around 8 years old in 1891 which fits with the descriptions of the girl in the story.

Dorothy remembered that her mother-in-law May’s family name was Chambers. May Chambers married David Thicke of Lantzville. Dorothy married their son, Bob Thicke. The diary entries end at Bowyer Island in Howe Sound. Dorothy remembered a family connection on her late husband Bob’s side with Bowyer Island, but didn’t know if it was through his mother May Chambers or father David Thicke.

It now seems very likely that this diary was written by the mother (J.C.) of May Chambers and describes the journey of herself, her husband Arthur and their daughter May.

From the diary:

London, Thursday, April 16th, 1891

We left Fenchurch St. Station by special boat-train about 11 a.m. and arrived at Tilbury docks about 1:00 p.m. From thence, we went on board the tug which was to take us to the SS Grecian which was lying about mid-stream, but while on the tug-boat, we were each presented with a New Testament by Royal Mariner’s Society (free of charge) and after we had all successfully passed the Doctor, to show that we had no lurking disease amongst us, we were allowed to embark on the Grecian, which is a ship of 3,613 tons and commanded by Captain Le Gallais. Our first impression being that she was not very clean, but then she had only just come out of dock, besides which it was a very dull day, with a continual drizzling rain falling. We found the steerage in the after part of the vessel. The stairs, or as Arthur calls them, companion ladders, are roughly made affairs of unplanned timber and almost perpendicular. The Grecian, not being a regular passenger boat, the steerage is one of her cargo holds temporarily fitted up for us, men on one side, women and children on the other, long narrow benches between which serve as tables. We had not been ten minutes on board when a very heavy woman, in trying to get below, pitched head first and severely hurt herself in the way of bruises etc. About 2 p.m. the tug left us, taking ashore the friends of passengers who had come to see them off, and at the same time we started, being greeted with cheers and waving of hankerchiefs etc. from the tug which were heartily responded to by all on the Grecian. We had dinner about 3:00 p.m. which consisted of barley broth, beef and potatoes boiled in their jackets. The latter tasted very bitter, and beef was very ancient. Mr Hutchby made the best meal and said it was very good compared to what they had in the army at times. All busy themselves arranging boxes etc. Arthur, May and I stop on deck as we find it more pleasant than below. Two more people fall down the companion in the course of the afternoon, but being very light-built and young, they do not seem to be hurt. Tea is served below at 6:00 p.m., tried it and found it very bad indeed so got some water from the cook (gave him tuppence) and made some from our own stores. The bread and butter were fairly good. We passed in sight of Margate and Deal about 7:45 and Dover 9:00 p.m., Folkestone 9:30. The pilot was taken off at Dealwhich took some time as it was blowing rather fresh, the wind lulled later on. We were served with a tin-mug and plate, knife, fork and spoon. Knife cast iron. I imagine won’t begin to cut. These five articles were for use at breakfast, dinner, and tea. We had a good deal of trouble with the washing up as there was only cold sea water to do it with. Afterwards the tin plates had to do as washbasins. We also had straw beds and pillows. About 10 p.m. we were informed that all females must go below at 8 p.m., we having been privileged tonight only on account of it being our first evening. We retired at once, all seeming pretty cheerful. Men can stay on deck all night if they choose. Neither of us slept very well, male element – mostly rather rough and noisy. To be continued March LOG…