“We spent a very happy day on board. Fine weather & a strong breeze but quite cold in the shade. On putting on my best clothes I find that I have grown 2 or 3” broader across the chest which is I hope a good sign. Lived like fighting cocks all day & enjoyed ourselves first class. Our fellow passengers all went on shore yesterday evening but did not take their things with them; we hope to be there tomorrow 30^th Dec   DV”

Extract from A.Whelen’s Australia travel journal aboard the iron clipper “Hesperides” sailing from England to Melbourne in 1878