MANUSCRIPT [ANON, possibly SMITH, R.C.] “Journal of the Barque Constance from London towards Port Adelaide”. 12 leaves written in a readable hand, with pen and ink drawings at foot of most pages. Unbound. 7 ¼ x 4 ½ in. [18.5 x 11.5cm.] with tissue repair to the spines of a few bi-folds to make sound. Although the full voyage is not recorded, the outer leaves have handling wear consistent with having been that way since they were written. The journal, by an unknown author but almost certainly a crew member, begins on Saturday May 13th 1848 and finishes on 2nd August, after a gap of a few days, and it seems, before the voyage arrived in England. On most pages the mileage, latitude, and longitude are recorded along with a humorous description of the crossing of the Equator [illustrated] and a christening . According to records, The Constance eventually docked at Melbourne after 79 days sailing. Constance was built in 1848 by William Henry Pearson, at Ayres Quay, Co. Durham, with the owners given as Marshall. She was surveyed and registered in the port of London. She was a clipper barque, a three masted vessel of 578 tons, approx 120.5 feet ×26.8 feet x19.8 feet. The Master for the voyage was Captain John Bulwer Godfrey. The emigrants for Australia are all known and named in various online sources, including Australian government records copied below. The manuscript records that Constance first sailed to Plymouth to embark more emigrants before leaving UK waters on 27th May. “Fresh breeze and Fine Clear Wr [weather] wind fair and we have left the land of Old England perhaps for ever”. The next day is Sunday, and the decks are prepared for a service by Mr Smith, 2nd Officer “who rings the bell”. On 5th June there is a burial at sea. This must have been Thomas Webber, an infant who had died on 3rd June, according to records, although our author does not record his name. “George Shadgeth [ Shadgett in records] and James Pearsley [Parslow] put in handcuffs for fighting” on the same day. Mr Smith 2nd officer is “had before the Captain” for a misdemeanour which has been obliterated in the manuscript by the author but is reprimanded and pardoned for previous good conduct. The fighting emigrants are also released from their handcuffs. On June 26th “1pm King Neptune and Family with his Family Butcher[?] and Doctor came on board and went through the necessary Duties of crossing the Equator, Queen Neptune became faint and the Doctor mixed a draught in a rough iron [?] with salt water and flour which he gave her in the most rough manner…with a knock or two from King Nep’s Staff which is about 8 ft. On Sunday July 1st the Sunday service is held ; “ Mr Smith with the carpenter and lads of the watch got the quarterdeck ready for church…Mr Smith rang the bell much to the annoyance of the Doctor”. A lively image follows, with some passengers identified by their intitials.” A.R.” stands next to “F.R.” perhaps Alice Royal standing next to Frances Royal, and the central figure “J.B.G.” is certainly the captain John Bulwer Godfrey. We think that images of known individuals in contemporary accounts of emigrant voyages to Australia must be very rare. A fascinating manuscript. We are as certain as we can be that the author is 2nd Officer R.C. Smith, writing about himself in the third person, and also illustrating his journal. It gives a lively picture of life on board an emigrant ship. Some passengers are illustrated and named, as are some crew members. We believe that the journal is complete as written. It ends with an injury to the probable author, which might well have put him out of action for the rest of the voyage. We have a longer, more detailed description of the work available upon request.