Essilmont
Bedford
17 September 1882
Dear Chris
This is my last day at home, so must write to you. We sail at 4pm on Tuesday, and will stop at Gravesend for the night.
There was a fellow named Brad drowned the other just off the embankment, he was out sailing in one of Chetham’s boats, a puff of wind capsized him, and not being able to swim a stroke, was drowned. I knew him pretty well he had been five years at sea. and was coming as A B with us this voyage.
I shall be senior of one watch this voyage, and so will have
a pretty easy time of it. I am only going one more voyage in the Sobraon. Directly I get home again I shall go out to Sydney
in the Hawkesbury and then for the last five or six months of my
time. Pa says he can most likely get me in a steamer as 3rd. Of course then I shall have to take charge of a watch, without which you cannot get into the P & O. I do not want to count my chickens before they are hatched, but I shall work hard so as to pass my exam well. Roberts has passed his and has gone 3rd of the Hawksbury.
Uncle Walter has been trying hard to get a ship lately and through Pa’s interest he will most likely take a steamer out to Melbourne. Mr Northey has gone out to Adelaide in command of the John Rennie. Waymouth is in the P&O and is 4th of the Mongolia so if you see her you will know he is on board. I had a letter from him last Sunday, he sent me a very good photo of himself.
I have written to the Williamsons again. I wonder
how you found them. I suppose we are pretty certain to see
each other out in Melbourne unless you get shifted again. I do not know what the ??? will think of us, I have not heard a word of them since we arrived, and have not been able to get their address so as to write to them. If you should by any chance take them out with you or see any of them, be sure and make all sorts of apologies for me.
I am going to Roberts to tea, so must say good bye.
Hoping to hear from you when we arrive.
Believe me
Your loving brother
A G Elmslie