Sarah's husband William emigrated on the Whitby.
11 Sep 1841 Left Gravesend (London) for The Downs.
2 Oct 1841 Left The Downs for Nelson,NZ.
9 Feb 1842 Arrived Nelson,NZ
During the 1841 period, new settlements sprang up on both islands of New Zealand. Three ships were dispatched from England to carry out a survey for the new Nelson settlement. The barques Whitby, Will Watch and the brig Arrow left with 59 officials and labourers. The Will Watch carried 45 labourers, while the cargo hold of the Arrow was packed with stores of all kinds for the settlers.
The first two vessels sailed on the 2nd May, 1841 from Gravesend but the Arrow did not get away until the 21st. All three vessels arrived at Port Nicholson when there was some argument over the site. The expedition crossed Cook Strait to explore the district, when it was finally agreed that the settlement would be located in the S.E. corner of Wakatu Bay. Late October 1841, saw a second migrant wave of ships heading for Nelson, New Zealand. The small brig Lloyds carried the wives and children of the men sent out in the first settlers. She was accompanied by the Lord Auckland, Fifeshire, Mary Ann, the four ships carrying some 764 people bound for the settlement.
The Lloyds was reported on arrival as being badly overcrowded with poor and cramped conditions during the voyage which resulted in the death of 65 children. The Captain and doctor were both censured by Captain Wakefield, who refused to sign the clearance certificate so neither could claim his pay.
Sarah and the two eldest children came to Nelson in berths 69 and 70. William Frederick reputed to have been born the day after it arrived (although dates don't agree).
- B. Buckley. Sails of Suffering
- Denise & Peter's web site