Codes of Survival -Scripts - a series of short factionalized stories based on historical events in the Subantarctic Islands written by Lloyd Godman to accompany the exhibition and installation - 1993 - © Lloyd Godman

Codes of Survival - Scripts

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1830 - MRS MORRELL'S UNDERWEAR      

It had been a frightful voyage deep into this southern latitude and the past few weeks had been among the worst in terms of the  inclement weather thatpersistently whipped across the expansive ocean around us. I can only relate it to a journey to Scotland's far  north we once embarked on, when the wind and rain were constant for almost two weeks. A dreadful time. I have seen little of the out side in the past few weeks and can only imagine the blustery conditions from the ceaseless frightening agglomeration of sounds and vibrations within our cabin and also the constant reports from my dear Bengamin. He has been so excited  and busy since our arrival.

The reason I had seen so little is due to my  being quite ill, not only with the interminable tumbling action of the boisterous ocean, but also with a high fever and a terrible kind of dysentery that had me running for the toilet  much more often than I would have liked. This dysentery has been the worst of the effects I  have had to endure. It would not have been quite so bad except for my situation on the  boat, an only woman among an entire crew of men. For as one may imagine, the sanitary conditions aboard leave much to be desired  and there is also the embarrassment of the seamen  knowing my plight, my every move as it were. For it is they who have to  deal with my frequent uncontrolled reactions to this  dreadful illness, which happens much more often than I can abide. 

The embarrassment is much more on my part I am sure, because the seamen are really very good, caring and helpful about this problem, as many of them have
experienced a similar illness from time to time at sea, and some I am told are still as ill as I.

Bengamin happened to be on one voyage where several of the crew had even died of the enfeebling illness. Only as a wife at  sea does one fathom the conditions on board these ships that the men have to endure for months at a time.

My loving husband, Captain Morrell being  the good navigator that he is has brought  us safely into the bays on the south east side of the island and after all my prayers  of a calmer ocean, I finally sensed a great relief as the hull now seems quite easy in the calmer waters of this pleasing harbour. The sounds of the boat at anchor are quite  different to those when we are under way and I much prefer this time to the endless  pandemonium and confusion from the  weeks at sea. The weather has been quite warm and large patches of blue sky are  clearly visible from my small cabin window,  this has brightened the gloom in the cabin and also my resolve to regain my full health once more.

As the days have passed we still enjoy the pleasant stillness of this bay. Although convalescing, as yet I have not been well enough to venture onto the deck for a 
unobstructed view of the islands, however, it sounds a wonderful land from the glowing reports that dear Bengamin has brought to my bedside. There are fine sandy beaches and magnificent groves of such refreshing verdure that it must be a sight to behold. He has  brought me some unusual flowers that are said to abound within parts of the delightful forest, and these charming blossoms have added a gratifying atmosphere to our  abode. Among them there are some  lovely bright yellow conical shaped  blossoms and some wonderful purple daisy like flowers. They look so sweet among the stuffy wooden interior I have had to endure for much of these  past weeks, that I must surely be on the mend.

I have been told whole forests and great woodlands embrace the land untouched to  the waters edge. Bengamin believes the weather is mild and the lowlands would be a  resplendent place for a new settlement with whaling and sealing augmented with the wonderful fertility of the soil for growing crops and grazing once the woods are cleared. It seems such an idyllic paradise for a new settlement, a place to start afresh. The abundance of lofty timber could  support an industry of ship repair  and many shipwrights at least, he says.

The whalers and sealers that sail these depths could well do with the service in  such a place. Benjamin has great  expectations for these islands.

I am feeling much recovered now and have regained my appetite somewhat, to allow me enough strength to enjoy brief visits  to the upper decks. The freshness of the  air is rejuvenating to my wellbeing  and I am convinced that in no time at all  I shall be back to my full health once more. Benjamin is right, the land does have a  pleasant vigour about the coast line from  where the brig is at anchor, and the full splendour of the land is a gracious sight  after the weeks upon the rolling ocean and  my interminable confinement to the cabin. 

Later, when I am well enough, Bengamin has promised me a trip ashore among the  grandeur of forest trees and flowers,  perhaps even for a picnic. It seems here are  whole gardens of new woodland plants beneath the shelters of these tall trees, and song birds that are new with sound.

This morning I am able to move about with some comfort without the fear of my  illness striking me, and I ventured about  the ship in the rejuvenating sun shine for
a time. To be steady on ones feet  once more  felt so miraculous.

However, in the afternoon I did have a minor relapse that ended in a major humiliation for  me and an unpleasant chore for two of the  crew. In my enjoyment of the space, fresh air and glorious vista of the countryside from the upper decks, I ignored the distance from these raised platforms to the sanitary  facilities below and in my pre-occupation  with the vistas of the island, I was quite  unable to reach the proper facilities in time.  My under garments were so badly soiled  from this miscalculation, that they could not effectively be washed to clean though we tried in vain. Bengamin said the only reasonable thing to be done was to bury the clothing ashore as the spread of the disease among the ship is to be stopped at all costs.

It had been a lovely garment, a loved gift from my aunt Emily and  I had treasured it in her memory, so it saddened me to have this tragedy happen. Although past its very best  there could still have been some ware left  in the weeks at sea to come, as any garmentsare an asset on a journey such as  this. There had been lovely lace inserts  from the top of the bust down, and a row  of tiny braided beads sown around the  waist that added a delicate touch to the frilliness of the fine cloth. I had been so fond of it as it reminded me of my dear deceased aunt and the cheery times we  had spent together before she had passed away. I shall miss it from my wardrobe. It  was such a hapless end to a once gracious garment, it was not how I would have parted with it, given any choice.