The Song of the “Charlotte Jane.”

He edited a shipboard journal, he wrote causerie and verse. He wrote that cheerful anthem of the pioneers which more than anything else that came from his pen keeps his name in memory, “The Night-watch Song of the ‘Charlotte Jane.’” These are two verses from the poem that voiced the sentiments of the high-spirited nation-builders:—

“‘Tis the first watch of the night, brothers,
And the strong wind rides the deep;
And the cold stars shining bright, brothers,
Their mystic courses keep.
While our ship her course is cleaving
The flashing waters through,
Here's a health to the land we are leaving
And the land we are going to!
* * *
But away with sorrow now, brothers,
Fill the wine cup to the brim.
Here's to all who'll swear the vow, brothers,
Of this our midnight hymn:
That each man shall be a brother
Who has joined our gallant crew,
That we'll stand by one another
In the land we are going to!

They were small and crowded ships, those “Mayflowers” that brought the founders of Canterbury round the curve of the world, the square-riggers with their single topsails like the Navy ships, their studding-sails like wings on each side—fine-weather dress—their high-steeved bowsprits, and other old-time detail of rig. The largest of the first four ships was only 850 tons (the “Sir George Seymour”). The “Charlotte Jane,” with the leaders of the expedition on board, was a ship of 720 tons; she had 154 passengers. The other three brought 592 immigrants between them.

The “Charlotte Jane,” the “Randolph,” and the “Sir George Seymour” anchored in Lyttelton Harbour on September 16 and 17, 1850, within a few hours of each other. Eagerly the oceanweary pilgrims set foot on solid land and gazed at the craggy heights that divided them from the land of promise. The “Charlotte Jane” had been 99 days at sea.