We Three Go South: The 1890 Diary Of Ethel Richardson's Trip To The Sub Antarctic

Description

The year is 1890 and the writer is nineteen years old when she and her two sisters decided - on the toss of a coin - to embark on a voyage on the S.S. Hinemoa to the Sub Antarctic Islands of New Zealand, visiting places where few women had ventured before. Lillie, Ethel and Fannie were experienced sailors who visited most of the outlying islands of New Zealand and appear to have enjoyed a freedom unusual in their era. From riding horses to rowing boats, drawing or playing music, their love of nature and quirky sense of humour gave them an ability to make fun from the simplest of situations. The poorly spelled but enchanting account of this trip is recorded in an illustrated diary which offers an extraordinary insight into the lives of this trio of young adventurers who fearlessly faced the challenges of freezing southern latitudes with little more to protect them than high spirits. All the images are drawn or painted by Ethel who went on to become a draughtswoman for the Lands and Survey department.

Author description

Cynthia Cass is the granddaughter of Lillie and the great neice of "Aunty Fluff", Ethel Richardson.