SS Monterey – The Pidgeon Coop

November 26, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 26 Nov: Family reunion, Te Aroha, New Zealand

Friday, 26 November 1937

Arrived at 7. Not allowed ashore until 8. First off and the first to get away. Caught 9 train to Te Aroha. Alf [Alfred Edward WILD b. 1876] & Ciss [Blanch Rowett WILD? b. 1874] to meet me – sent Bella [Thirza’s sister, Isabella Rose PATTERSON nee WHITE] a night gram, 3/9. Then drove to Ciss’s home. Fred [Frederick William WILD b. 1872] & Leila [Leila Adelaide WILD nee JENNINGS], Nancy [Nancy Leila WILD b. 1910] came over after tea, all went to bed about 9. Lovely weather here.

[Alf, Ciss and Fred were Thirza’s first cousins, their mother and Thirza’s aunt, Blanche Wild nee White b 1856 in East Looe, Cornwall.]

November 25, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 25 Nov: At sea, Fancy Dress Ball

Thursday, 25 November 1937

Mabel came down to see me, went back to her cabin. Had afternoon tea in her cabin, sea pretty rough – Fancy Dress Ball at night. I was one of the 5 judges, very good show. Had a dance on board.

November 24, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 24 Nov: At sea, heading for Auckland, NZ

Wednesday, 24 November 1937

Mabel came down to see me – not too good – very hot and muggy.

November 23, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 23 Nov: Suva, Fiji

Tuesday, 23 November 1937

Arrived this morning. Fiji very clean & fresh looking. Went ashore, had a short walk around, posted P.C. to Sep [Thirza’s nephew, John Septimus Patterson]. Bought 3 rings, stayed on board after lunch, and had a rest.

Police Band at the Opening of Parliament, Suva, Fiji; 23 Nov 1937 – Note the photographer; suspect it may be either R.T. Coulter or Fred Thearle

Members of the Police standing in front of the SS Monterey at Suva, Fiji; 23 Nov 1937

November 22, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 22 Nov: At sea, heading for Fiji

Monday, 22 November 1937

Still very sick. Mabel came down to see me, thought I might be sick. Went back with her, to see all the wonderful clocks she has bought on the trip. £000 worth, such a lot of money. Went to see the pictures tonight, Singing Marine not a bad picture. Back very bad.

November 21, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 21 Nov: Crossed the Date Line

Sunday, 21 November 1937

Scrawled on a slant

No day – missed out crossing the equator

November 20, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 20 Nov: Pago Pago

Saturday, 20 November 1937

Arrived in Pago Pago today. Stayed in bed all day, too ill to go ashore, feeling very sick, retching all night.

November 19, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 19 Nov: At sea

Friday, 19 November 1937

Still very hot, got very sick, heat knocked me over. Arriving in Pago Pago tomorrow.

November 18, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 18 Nov: At sea, plate diving contest

Thursday, 18 November 1937

Very hot again, today. Watched the plate diving contest on top deck, played progressive bridge in smoke room. Not too good, the players.

November 17, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 17 Nov: At sea

Wednesday, 17 November 1937

Very, very hot day. Sat on deck all day with Mrs Coulter Went to pictures at night, pretty good show. Bad writing, the vibration of the boat – cannot write very well.