The colony of Queensland was less than 10 years old, having separated from N.S.W. in 1859,
when a young married couple - Joseph and Rachel AVIS, arrived in Moreton Bay, aboard the sailing ship the "YOUNG AUSTRALIAN". They disembarked on the 13 Jul 1869 at the Port of Brisbane,
with all their worldly possessions.
As Australia had experienced a large influx of migrants since the Gold Rushes had commenced in 1851, their voyage was typical of the many of that era. The journey out from England followed the usual route, down the Atlantic west coast of Africa around the Cape of Good Hope and into the Southerly Trade Winds. This South Indian Ocean crossing gave a cold but speedy crossing from Africa to Australia.
The Avis' ship, the "YOUNG AUSTRALIAN",
weighing 766 tons, was one of the vessels of the BLACKBALL LINE and they had shared their berth with a
total of 312 other passengers of English, Scottish and Irish descent, as well as
their young daughter Elizabeth..
The passengers did not sight land in West Australia, as their journey was many miles to
the South of Cape Leeuwin, and it was not until they rounded the Southern tip of Tasmania and started heading North that they sighted the
East Coast of Tasmania, (which was then still called Van Diemens Land by many).
Their course then took them up the East coast of Australia, until they entered Moreton Bay
and a short Quarantine.
The difficult journey for the young couple had begun on the 12th of April 1869, and ended exactly 3 months and 1 day later. Elizabeth never made it to the end of the journey however, having died during the voyage, a painfully common occurrence in these times.
The prospect of starting a new life often came at just such a great price.
- SORRY NOT COMPLETED YET