On the 16th December 1850, the Canterbury Association’s second ship, Randolph, sailed into Lyttelton Harbour and dropped anchor at 3.30pm. She had been at sea for 99 days and carried 210 souls.
There were 5 deaths and 9 births aboard.
This sketch of the Randolph was made by James Edward Fitzgerald (our first Superintendent) from the deck of the Charlotte Jane as they left England for Canterbury on the 6th September 1850.
During its journey, it had the company of 2 ships – one being the Sir George Seymour where Cyrus Davie was transferred over as he had missed the Randolph leaving. As his luggage was on the Randolph, I’m sure he was glad to change ships!
The other was a French barque full of entertainers who joined the passengers on the Randolph for dinner and also performed opera for them. The following evening some of the settlers joined the entertainers on their barque and stayed for dinner!
Around early November, the fast actions of the Captain, a few of the crew and even some passengers successfully squashed a mutiny.
The Randolph was destined to never see England again as she was wrecked on a reef at Mapon on the 25th June 1851, 21 Adults and 3 children died in the wreck.
Some noted Canterbury Settlers aboard:
Thomas Duncan – founder of Duncan and Cotterill (law firm)
William Chaney – settled in Belfast where area is now known as Chaney’s Corner. Worked as stone mason on Christchurch Cathedral
Isaac Phillpot – remembered in the naming of Phillpots Road
John Stanley – remembered in the naming of Stanley Road, Harewood where he owned the first apple orchards in Christchurch. The family gifted land for St James Anglican Church and Harewood Primary School.
