The voyage of the “Dorette” and the Lee family
Notes: Although the Lee family are not listed on the official passenger lists[1], they are listed on the Auckland Area Passenger Arrivals site (http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/passengers/passenger.html). It is likely that they were either steerage passengers or crew. Emily may have been born on board early in the voyage, there is one case of childbirth noted below.
Dorette Ship: 848 Tons
Captain: Ayles
Surgeon Superintendent:
Sailed London 20th January 1874 – arrived Auckland 14th April 1874
For over twenty years the ship Waimea, which flew the flag of the New Zealand Shipping Co., traded to New Zealand, and during that time she brought out a large number of immigrants to this country. A vessel of 848 tons, she was built at Hamburg in 1868, and while under the German flag she was called the Dorette; in fact when she visited Auckland in 1874 she still bore that name. She was bought by the New Zealand Shipping Co., in 1874, and in later years her rig was changed from that of ship to barque. Her last visit to New Zealand was in 1895, and she was subsequently sold to a Norwegian firm for £2450.
White Wings – Sir Henry Brett
ARRIVAL OF THE DORETTE, VESSEL IN QUARANTINE Daily Southern Cross April 15th 1874
The fine iron clipper ship ‘Dorette’, 887 tons. Captain Ayles, arrived off the North Head about 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon, after a very rapid passage of 83 days. On dropping anchor the Health Officer (Dr. Philson), Mr. Ellis (Immigration Officer),and Captain Burgess (chief Harbourmaster), went alongside. In consequence of eight cases of scarlet fever, which appeared on the passage, a considerable time after the ship had sailed, tbe vessel has been placed in quarantine, the last case taking place only 10 days ago. There were two deaths (infants) on the voyage from other causes, but with those exceptions no fatalities are reported. We are unable to supply further particulars as to the run, no communication with the ship being allowed, beyond that the ‘Dorette’ left Portland on the 21st January, passed Tasmania 68 days out, the North Cape 76 days out, arriving off the North Head as above. The Board of Health will meet this morning at 10 o’clock, to decide for what period the ship shall be kept in quarantine. The following is the passengr list: [not transcribed]
ARRIVAL OF THE DORETTE Daily Southern Cross April 16th 1874
A SPECIAL meeting of the Central Board of Health was held yesterday at noon, in the Superintendent’s office, in consequence of the arrival in harbor of the ship ‘Dorette’ with scarlet fever on board. Present – His Honor the Superintendent, Mesers Sheehan, Reed, Dignan, Philips, Daldy, and Dr. Philson. The minutes of the last meeting were read and conformed. Mr Sheehan read the following report from Dr. Philson, the Health Officer :- “Auckland, April 14, 1S74. – Gentlemen, -I have the honor to report for your information that on visiting this day the immigrant ship ‘Dorette,’ Ayles, master, arrived from London, I ascertained that eight cases of scarlatina affecting children had occuried between March 8 and April 3rd inst., none of them fatal, and that a large proportion of the immigrants consisted of persons of tender age. The above being an infectious and contagious disease extremely likely to spread amongst children I have in accordance with the 66th clause of the Quarantine Regulations notified to the master that his vessel was liable to quarantine, and ordered him to hoist the yellow flag. Subjoined is report of the information obtained from the master and surgeon. – I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, T. M. Philson, Health Officer. – To the Board of Health, Auckland. Information received concerning the immigrant ship ‘Dorette’, arrived from England on April 14, 1874 : -Name of ship, ‘Dorette’ (ship); tonnage, 847 tons ; master’s names, John Mount Ayles; date of departure, Jaurary 15, 1874; port ot departure, London; places touched at, none; vessels communicated with, none; bills of health, none; sickness at port of departure, none; diseases on voyage, scarlatina (8) eight cases in children, none fatal, occurring between March 8 and April 3rd inst; pneumonia in children, two died; cases of illness now on board, rheumatism, one case, childbirth, one case, insanity, one case (female); number of persons now on board, officers and crew, 37 ; adult immigrants, 223 ; children, 96 ; total, 356. The above information was given by the captain and surgeon. – T. M. Philson, M.D., Health Officer.” A discussion ensued as to the necessary steps to be taken. – Dr. Philson reported that in his opinion the vessel should be quarantined. The disease had only recently appeared, and it was impossible to say how far it would spread. It would be necessary to purify the ship and the passengers luggage and bedding – A resolution to that effect was then agreed to. – Mr. Philips raised the point as to whether the duty of carrying out the necessary arrangements did not devolve upon the Harbour Board, as the Local Board under the Act. – Mr. Beveridge, Provincial Solicitor, and Mr. Sheehan, were of opinion that the Harbour Board was not a Local Board within the meaning of the Act. – Some discussion took place as to who should regulate the communication with the vessel, and finally the matter was left with the Superintendent. It was stated that the owners of the vessel were compelled to keep the passengers for seven days after arrival under any circumstances, and in the event of the vessel being placed in quarantine until she was liberated. – A letter was read from Captain Burgess, requesting that his brother, who was acting as pilot on board the ‘Dorette’, should be released from quarantine – Dr. Philson thought that under proper precautions Captain Burgess might be allowed to come on ashore. – His Honor stated that according to the Act a person could not be released from quarantine without an order in Council. It would therefore be necessary, he supposed, to telegraph to Wellington, where there were three members of the Executive Council, and get the necessary order. The meeting then adjourned.
CENTRAL BOARD OF HEALTH Daily Southern Cross April 20th 1874
The Central Board of Health met on Saturday last at the Superintendent’s office. There were present: His Honor the Superintendent (in the chair), all the members of the Executive, Captain Daldy, and Dr. Philson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. M r. V E. Rice was then appointed secretary to the Board – On the application of the master of the Quarantine Station, that officer was authorised to appoint three special constables to keep the immigrants in order. It was resolve d that the pilot in charge of the ‘Dorette’ should be released. – It was also resolved that the ship and passengers should be released as soon as the Health Officer certified that there was no longer longer danger. – The secretary was ordered to make an application to the Colonial Government to the effect that fuuds should be placed at the disposal of the Board, or that authority should be given to incur expense for carrying out the provisions of the Public Health Act.
ARRIVAL OF THE DORETTE Daily Southern Cross April 25th 1874
The iron clipper ‘Dorette’ which arrived off North Head from London on the 14th inst. and was placed in quarantine in consequeuce of there being some cases of scarlet fever on board, was admitted to pratique yesterday. The steamer Takapuna having on board Mr. Pilot Burgess proceeded down to the vesssel yesterday afternoon, and returned with her in tow to the anchorage off the outer T where the ‘Dorette’ will remain until there is a birth vacant for her, which will be probably to day as the Hylton Castle is to haul away from the wharf. The ‘Dorette’ is a magnificent clipper vessel of 874 tons register, and has proved herself to be an excellent sailor by the smart passage she made from London of 83 days. Captain Ayles informs us that the ‘Dorette’ is a North German built vessel, having been constructed Altona, and that she is only three years old. The ship was purchased by the New Zealand Shipping Company, and Captain Ayles – formerly of the Dover Castle and Monarch (Green’s line of packets) was placed in command. She is described as being an excellent seaboat and behaved remarkably well during an exceedingly heavy gale of wind off Mozambique not taking a drop of water on board. Captain Ayles has fulfilled all the instructions given by the Auckland Immigration officers, and discharged all the fittings of the ship, the passengers’ luggage, &c The whole of the passengers will be brought up to-day to town by the Takapuna. The ‘Dorette’ is a most commodius vessel, and every thing about her is as clean as a new pin – both alow and aloft, her lower deck is particularly so. Captain Ayles and the chief officer (Mr. Clayburn) deserve great credit for the manner in which everything is on board, especially as, while lying in quarantine there were never less than two or three boats’ crews away at a time conveying passangers and their luggage from the vessel to the shore. The commander speaks in terms of praise of his crew, who did their work cheerfully and willingly without a murmur, although they scarcely ever had a dry stitch of clothing, in consequence of it being impossible to land from the boats within three hunred yards of the shore. We were shown a proposed plan of the cabin, the alterations to be effected in Auckland. If the alterations are carried out, there will be sufficient accommodation for twenty-five first class passengers. There has been no sickness amongst the officers or crew during their enforced stay at the qurantine ground. If the ‘Dorette’ can get a berth at the wharf today she will commence discharging her cargo on Monday.
THE DORETTE Daily Southern Cross April 27th 1874
The Dorette will commence discharging her general cargo from London this afternoon or to-morrow morning.
The ship Dorette having, as previously stated, been admitted to pratique, the immigrants were on Saturday conveyed to town by the s.s. Takapuna from the quarantine ground at Motuihi.
THE DORETTE Daily Southern Cross April 28th 1874
The clipper ship ‘Dorette’ hauled alongside the outer T yesterday morning, taking up the vacant berth left by the Hylton Castle. She will commence discharging her general cargo from London this morning. The captain informs us that the immigrants he brought out were remarkably well behaved, and gave him little or no trouble during the passage or whilst the vessel was lying in quarantine. We have much pleasure in publishing the following testimonial received by Captain Ayles on behalf of himself and the officers under him, from the passengers on the last voyage:- “The ship Dorette Auckland, April, 1874 – Gentlemen, – We, on behalf of the passengers, beg most heartily to thank you for your kindness and courtesy to us during tho voyage, and for the skill displayed in the management of the ship to which under Providence we owe our safe arrival and our quick passage, and we have most specially to thank the surgeon for his kind patient care and prompt attention to out comfort and health. – We are, &c (Here follow the signatures). To the captain, surgeon, officers ship Dorette.”
OBSCENE LANGUAGE Daily Southern Cross April 29th 1874
Henry McMullen, a seaman of the ‘Dorette,’ was charged with having made use of obscene language at the Immigration Barracks on the 27th instant. – It appeared from the evidence of Mr. Brophy that prisoner with two other men got through a window into the single girls’ compartment at the Barracks, and when he was ejected he made use of the most foul language. – The Bench ordered him to pay a fine of £10 and costs, or in default to be imprisoned for one month.
THE DORETTE Daily Southern Cross April 30th 1874
As will be seen by reference to an advertisement in another column some Frenchmen lately arrived by the ‘Dorette’ require employment. They have been accustomed to vineyards. This opportunity should be embraced by those having a vineyard planted or intending to plant one. It has been repeatedly proved that grapes grow well in the province of Auckland.
The Advertisement: “Wanted, Employment by Frenchmen (arrived by Dorette) accustomed to vineyards. Apply Barrack master, Emigration depot.”
bang007 originally shared this to Bridget Angell Family Tree
03 Jan 2013 storyNotes on the voyage of the Dorette and the Lee family.20 Jan to 30th April 1874 On board the “Dorette”
[1] William and Jemima Lee and children show on the Passenger List image for the Dorette at the following link – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-XHL9-7NK?i=10&wc=MP71-9LW%3A119035001%2C119037202%2C119258701%3Fcc%3D1609792&cc=1609792