FAIRLIE / FAIRLEE 1840

She had as crew Captain Edward Garrett, three mates (the second names Taylor), a bosun and a crew of thirty.


The following information was copied from the diary of George Pike who came to South Australia on the Fairlie, arriving Adelaide in July 1840.
He, with his family walked into Immigration Square and they were shown to number 34. There were actually only 33 buildings, but none numbered 13.
The Square was a large area with the 33 weatherboard cottages - each 12 feet by 12 feet. There was a double toilet on each corner of the square. Wood and water were half a mile away. There were eleven in his family and the next day another family of five joined them - 16 in a hut!
This Diary (D.6769L) is held at the SA Mortlock Library. We have not yet located the PIKE family on the 1840 Fairlie Passenger List.

Some notes based on the diary of James Bowley who was also a passenger in the FAIRLIE from London to South Australia in 1840.
  April 3, 1840   James Bowley recorded that he joined the ship and at 2pm the next day the anchor was weighed.
  The two steam tugs SAMSON and LONDON towed them to Gravesend where the ship anchored at 6pm.
  April 5th
   they were towed another five miles towards the Channel and at 5.30pm anchored off The Mouse (in the Thames Estuary).
  Next day the steamers took them to Margate Roads where they anchored at 4pm (Roads - a safe anchorage off a port R H Parsons).
  April 7th
   at 10am the FAIRLIE sailed from Margate Road, with all sail set, passing the Lizard (Cornwall) on the 8th at 10pm, despite having
  the jib-boom carried away at 4pm that day. All the passengers became very ill in this first encounter with the deep sea,
  and due to the fresh breeze the top sails were reefed.
  April 18th
   the ship picked up the South East trade winds after sighting Porto Santo and Madiera the previous day, and the ship made good time.
  May 1st
   spoke to the French East India barque DON PEDRO
  May 3rd
   spoke to the ARAB, 92 days out from Van Diemen's Land, in which letters were sent back home.
  May 12th
   a heavy head sea caused the loss of the main royal mast.
  May 17th
   the FAIRLIE crossed the equator at 8.15am. Bowley vividly described the 'cross of the line' ceremonies.
  In the confusion a medicine chest was upset and some chemicals combined to produce smoke that led to cries of fire.
  Fortunately there was no fire and prayers of bthanksgiving were offered. Sighted barren bird-occupied islands of Trinidad and Martin.
  May 18th
   lost the trade winds
  May 19th
   sighted the ADEN bound for Liverpool
  June 4th
   Captain Garrett's birthday. A north westerly storm, with thunder and lightning struck the ship. Even the mainsail was furled at 6pm
  it was so wild, and the man at the wheel was temporarily blinded by a thunderbolt which struck alongside the ship.
  June 21st
   spoke to the HUSHER bound from Scotland, as well as the brig COURIER which had sailed 15 days before the FAIRLIE.
  Mid-June
   there were more storms and the ship leaked badly.
  June 26th
   some character enlivened the voyage but upset the victims when some hammocks were cut down during the night.
During the voyage a challenge was issued for the fastest marathon round the deck (about 1.1 miles).
A guinea reward was won by a sailor in a time of 9minutes 13seconds, and it was equalled a few days later.