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The diary of Mr and Mrs Thomas Frost and three daughters aboard the ORONTES
The diary of Mr and Mrs Thomas Frost and three daughters aboard the ORONTES

The diary of Mr and Mrs Thomas Frost and three daughters aboard the ORONTES

Date1882
Object numberANMS0021[077]
NameDiary
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 297 × 211 × 9 mm
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from P&OSNCo
DescriptionThis is a photocopied version of the 'Diary of Mr and Mrs Thomas Frost and Three Daughters'. The Frosts boarded the ORONTES on May 13th 1882 and arrived into Sydney Harbour on August 19, 1882. The diary is kept by Thomas Frost and recounts weather conditions and daily events on board the ORNOTES, including a number of births and deaths, including that of one of his daughters who died during an outbreak of measles.HistoryThe ORONTES was launched in February 1881 and would be the last ship built by Walter Hood & Co of Aberdeen. It was usual for general cargo and passengers to be shipped to Australia with wool returning to Britain. The particular journey from London that Thomas Frost and his family sailed on was relatively uneventful despite some instances of extreme weather and a sickness on-board. The newspapers announced the arrival of the vessel safely in Sydney: "The ship ORONTES, from Plymouth, with emigrants, came to anchor in Watson's Bay at 7 p.m. on the 19th, having on board 414 souls. Upon visiting her yesterday morning, the yellow flag was found to be hoisted, and visitors were precluded from going on board the vessel, although it is pleasing to hear that the only cause for precaution was the prevalence of measles during the voyage. The ORONTES is in command of Captain Bain, whilst Mr C. H. Gibson comes out as surgeon of the ship, and Miss Chicken as matron. ", The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 August 1882. SignificanceAlthough a copy of an original manuscript, it is always valuable to read firsthand accounts of ship journeys where small details included help illustrate the full experience of immigrants travelling to Australia and the risks and joys they faced.