13 May 1889
My dear Chris
I probably will not have a chance of writing from home for some time – our passage is so protracted by calm weather. I mean to send you these lines from St Helena. We were 56 days from Melbourne to Table Bay, four days there in consequence of losing an anchor – which I recovered. On putting to sea a NW gale set in. For four days we did nothing but drift away to the southward. When I write we are twelve days from the Cape 450 miles from St Helena. Calm weather has prevailed for several days and we may still be several days getting to the Island.
This is all very irritating to me who get so tired of my voyages. It means not reaching home before the end of June. We are all in good health and my people enjoy themselves, and are happy in spite of the length of time we have been at sea.
I hope and trust you have become strong and well and are having a good season – plenty of rain and good turn out at the mines. You ought to have some recompense soon for the trying life you must lead at Croydon.
The mining business has become important in the Transvaal and is attracting great numbers of people from Europe. A great boom in mining shares had just come to an end when we were there, with the result as usual of ruin to many eager speculators in the Cape and England, and the rapid decline in value of shares. But the mines are all doing good work all the same. I wish you had a turn of this kind, and clear out for a more congenial climate.
I sent you some papers from the Cape and asked my agents to send you a weekly paper to let you know what is doing in the mining district.
I shall be eager to know how you got on at Melbourne after I left, and hope that you wrote me before you left to return so that I may hear on arrival.
I need scarce tell you that I am sick and tired of these voyages although they bring me in a good income, which I can scarce dispense with. I would give anything to manage to strike out in some other path as much for Archie’s sake as for the change to myself. A steamer suited for cargo above with all the most recent economies and safeguards, that might be knocked about the world cheaply and handily and turn money over quickly is the desire I have.
Archie won’t go into any of the large companies and I quite agree with him. It would be but a waste of valuable time, and it is of no use perpetuating this old ship, and I am almost ashamed of being seen still in her, and the world around me advancing with such rapid strides.
I fully intend to insist on Devitt & Moore selling the ship. She would require an expensive outfit and wants so many things done to her. The present is the time to get rid of her.
I should be glad to see you in London before your next hot season comes on, and Alec – with the rubbing up he has had, might strike out in some way for himself if you cleared out of your business altogether and came home for a time.
I have a fancy for South Africa – it is a better country than Australia. It is splendidly watered in the interior and more healthy. Labour is abundant and cheap and it is so near to the old country. They are pushing the railways on to the mining region fast. At present the rail goes 700 miles north from Cape Town, and four days coaching takes one to Baberton, the mining centre in the Transvaal.
I have nothing of interest to tell you. Archie will probably send you a few lines with this. We both regret much that we had so little time together but hope soon to have a reunion.
With best hopes and wishes for you and Alec’s health.
I am your loving Father
Jas A Elmslie
C T Elmslie
Croydon
Queensland North