Talk:Francis Arkwright (politician)

Austral
This source says that Arkwright emigrated to New Zealand on the Austral, entering the country via Port Chalmers (Dunedin). As far as I can see, the Austral did not come to New Zealand. In August 1882, it was reported that Arkwright is emigrating to New Zealand. The steamship arrived in Melbourne on 30 October 1882 (having left Plymouth on 16 September). It was supposed to return to England from Sydney (11 Nov) and Melbourne (15 Nov) according to newspaper advertisements. Melbourne - Dunedin - Sydney would have taken much longer than 12 days. In fact, the advertisement writes about a connecting ship for Dunedin passengers having to leave on 2 November to reach the Austral in Melbourne on 15 Nov. The Arkwrights might well have sailed to Melbourne on the Austral, but they would have changed to another ship for the next part of the journey. Incidentally, the Austral never made it back; it sank in Sydney Harbour on 11 November 1882. So if anybody tries to trace their route of emigration, don't search for the Austral reaching New Zealand.  Schwede 66  04:53, 22 January 2012 (UTC)


 * Source has been updated to correct steamer details. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rangitikei Craftsman (talk • contribs) 6:59 am, Today (UTC+13)