THE SHIP “EMPRESS OF THE SEAS”
by Fitzroy 1920
The passengers by the Royal Dane had not all left the depot, when the arrival of the Empress of the Seas was announced. The Empress of the Seas was a ship of 1243 tons, Captain D. Davis. The writer does not know the name of the Surgeon Superintendent. The ship left Gravesend on June 18, 1865, and dropped anchor in Keppel bay on September 24, after a good voyage of ninety six days. She brought 491 immigrants, and there were thirty two deaths on the voyage as high mortality considering the smart voyage and that no epidemic appears to have occurred.
This was another ship in which there was a scarcity of nutritious food and medical comforts and many complaints were made without finding any redress.
One of the passengers, Mrs. Lupton had great cause of complaint for she lost her husband and little son during the voyage, and her infant daughter soon after arrival. Mrs. Lupton came from Bishopsteynton, in South Devon. She was a good looking woman with a wonderful head of black curls, and a year or two after her arrival became the wife of Herman Kingel, who had been attracted to Australia some years before by the goldfields and arrived in Rockhampton from Brisbane towards the end of 1863, starting a jewellers’ shop in East street. Mrs. Kingel not only proved an exemplary wife, but a good business woman. She lived to an advanced age. She was the mother of T. W. Kingel, Mayor of Rockhampton, and other sons, as well as two daughters, one of who is Mrs. Ben Long.
Another memorable arrival was George Rutherford and five sons George, James, Andrew, Thomas, and John, all of whom are now dead, unless George is alive. They are well known in Central Queensland in connection with their horse bazaar, an institution that was practically killed by the advent of the motor car. The widows of James and Andrew still survive, the former living, in Brisbane. John Rutherford had a saddlery business, but has been dead many years. Possibly his widow survives.
William M. and Mrs. Bartlem and family, from Nottingham. William soon started a small grocery business, to which he subsequently added baking, which he continued in Fitzroy street till death. The widow lived to be considerably over eighty, and is still living. She was always of an amiable disposition and met the misfortunes of life with Christian fortitude.
Adam Henderson, an admirable colonist, who settled on the land, Bannock burn Mornish. He acquired other properties and by constant and intelligent attention to his possessions became a wealthy man. He died a few years ago.
Joseph and Mrs. Hunt, from Nottingham. The husband will be remembered by amateur fishermen as a maker of splendid fishing rods. Died at the age of ninety two and his widow likewise lived a very old age.
Miss Kate Ferguson, married Frederick Cook, of Sanders Station. Died at an advanced age, leaving several well to do children, including Mrs. T. J. Ryan.
A. E. Waike, an eccentric nephew of the bishop of London. Died many years ago.
Peter M’Donald, owned lime kilns at Glenmore. He was married to a shipmate and had a family.
John Wilson, a tall typical Scotsman, who was employed for a long period by Wilson, Hart and Co. He was one of the foundation members of the Loyal Victoria Lodge, I.O.O.F.M.U.
F. M. Black, so well known in municipal affairs in Mount Morgan and Rockhampton, but now dead.
Mrs. Davis, widow of Rudolph Davis, well known for his philanthropy.