New Zealand, White Wings, 1924, 1928 (Volumes 1 & 2)

Contained in this database is the book White Wings, volumes 1 and 2. The first volume was published in 1924 and has a history of fifty years of sailing in the New Zealand trade, from 1850 to 1900. It also contains information about the voyages of many ships that brought immigrants to New Zealand.

The second volume was published in 1928 and holds a more comprehensive history, as reported through the shipping industry, of the founding and settlement of the provinces of New Zealand. More information about other voyages and sailing ships bringing passengers to New Zealand from 1840 to 1885 can be found in this volume. However, not all passenger lists and sailing ships are recorded in this book as the author was not able to cover every shipping company. Also advancements in the technology of the steam ship provided an alternative to the traditional sailing ship, which was the focus of the author.

The books themselves are compilations of articles written by Henry Brett for the Auckland Star. Mr. Brett was a shipping reporter or “marine reporter” recording many stories of interest for the local population. As he writes: “Those who have taken any interest in shipping matters, and being an island people there are few of us who are not interested in ships and sailors, will know that very different opinions were held concerning the matter of records” (3). Occasionally Mr. Brett received corrections and additions from readers, which he writes that he then added accordingly to the compilation. Mr. Brett himself gathered his original information from newspapers in the ships’ ports of arrival and from log books.

Had your ancestor traveled to New Zealand between 1850 and 1900 their names may have been recorded in these volumes. The real beauty of them however, besides the names that can be gleaned, is the picture of day to day life painted through each article about related shipboard happenings. Lost ships, voyage lengths, sailor superstitions, figure heads, mutiny, so many tales are recorded.

Information in this index:

• Passenger names
• Ships