Charlotte Jane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | Charlotte Jane |
| Route | Gravesend, England to Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand |
| Builder | Pattersons, Bristol |
| Launched | 17 April 1848 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 730 tons bm |
| Length | 131 ft 8 in (40.13 m) |
| Beam | 32 ft 4 in (9.86 m) |
| Depth | 21 ft 8 in (6.60 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
The Charlotte Jane was a famous ship. In 1850, it was one of the first four ships to bring settlers from England to a new place. This new place was called Canterbury in New Zealand. These ships helped start a new colony there.
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First Journey: Around the World
The Charlotte Jane had an earlier trip. In 1848, it left England for Sydney, Australia. Captain Alexander Lawrence was in charge. He sailed with his wife, baby daughter, and 264 people.
After Australia, the ship traveled to many places. These included Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bombay (now Mumbai). It then went to Whampoa in China. Finally, it returned to London, England, by way of Cape Town.
Journey to New Zealand: A New Life
Under Captain Alexander Lawrence, the Charlotte Jane began its important journey. It left Plymouth Sound in England on September 7, 1850. The ship carried people hoping to start a new life.
The journey was long, taking 99 days. On December 11, 1850, they saw Stewart Island in New Zealand. Five days later, on December 16, the ship arrived. It dropped anchor in Port Victoria (now Lyttelton Harbour) at 10 AM.
The ship carried 26 first-class passengers. There were also 24 intermediate and 104 steerage passengers. Steerage was the cheapest way to travel. A chaplain and a surgeon were also on board. During the trip, one baby was born and one couple got married. Sadly, three very young children died.
Arriving in Lyttelton
The Charlotte Jane was the first of the First Four Ships to arrive. It reached Lyttelton on December 16, 1850. These four ships brought about 790 passengers in total. Some others worked on the ships or left early.
The Charlotte Jane also brought important equipment. This equipment was for making the first newspaper in the area. It was called the Lyttelton Times. The first issue was printed less than a month after the ship arrived.
The Charlotte Jane left Port Victoria on January 7, 1851. It sailed to Sydney, Australia, with two passengers. Today, a road in Lyttelton is named after the ship. It is called Charlotte Jane Quay.
Who Were the Passengers?
About 154 passengers traveled on the Charlotte Jane. The exact number is not known. This is because different lists do not match. Also, some very young children were not always counted.
The people who came on these four ships were called "the Pilgrims." Their names are carved into marble plaques. You can find these plaques in Cathedral Square. This is in the center of Christchurch. The plaques list 157 passengers.
Famous People on Board
Many important people traveled on the Charlotte Jane. The first passenger to step ashore was James FitzGerald. He later became a very important politician in New Zealand.
Another notable passenger was Benjamin Mountfort. He was a famous architect. Charles Bowen later became the Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council. James Stuart-Wortley was a member of the first New Zealand Parliament. He returned to England in 1855.
James Temple Fisher was elected to Parliament in 1876. Edward Bishop became the sixth Mayor of Christchurch. Harriet Ritchie became the first nurse at Lyttelton Hospital.
Alfred Barker was the ship's surgeon. He was Canterbury's first doctor. He is also remembered for his amazing photography. Elizabeth Horrell taught lessons on the ship during the voyage. When she arrived, she became the first female schoolteacher in Canterbury.
