Entertainment at Sea

Facsimile of an original issue of The Emigrant Soldier’s Gazette and Cape Horn Chronicle

The passengers on the Thames City found ways to combat the boredom expected of a six-month long journey at sea. The Emigrant Soldiers’ Gazette and Cape Horn Chronicle was a handwritten publication made on the Thames City. The content was supplied by passengers and it was edited by Second-Corporal Sinnett and Lieutenant Palmer. Passengers gathered every Saturday night to hear the Commanding Officer, Captain Luard, read the newest issue aloud which was sometimes followed by entertainment and dancing.

1907 souvenir edition of The Emigrant Soldier’s Gazette and Cape Horn Chronicle

The Gazette consisted of voyage updates by latitude and longitudinal location, scientific observations, stories, correspondence with other vessels, ration updates, advertisements for the ‘Theatre Royal’, and birth and death announcements. A significant portion of the Gazette was dedicated to comedic writings with sections called “Conundrums,” “Charades,” and “Jokes.”

The “Theatre Royal” was formed by Alfred R. Howse. Enlisted men and officers never performed together, and men performed the roles of both men and women. Its importance was stated in the final issue of the Gazette:

Of all the little amusements that have assisted very materially to render our dreary voyage as pleasant as anything of the kind can well be. . . the theatre stands forth preeminent . . . a short time ago, every one [sic] was in such a humour that he would hardly be pleased at anything, hot and lazy, and tired of everything and everybody, the manager and his company struggled manfully against all obstacles, and have produced on the last few occasions performances that have done credit to every one [sic] connected with them.

An advertisement for the Theatre Royal