John Wickliffe (ship)

John Wickliffe was the first ship to arrive carrying Scottish settlers, including Otago settlement founder Captain William Cargill, in the city of Dunedin, New Zealand.[1] The ship was named after a religious reformer, John Wycliffe.

Jubilee of Otago Medal 1898, the John Wickliffe at Port Chalmers March 1848
History
United Kingdom
NameJohn Wickliffe
Launched1841
General characteristics
Tons burthen662 tons

Departing with 97 passengers from Gravesend, near London, on 22 November 1847,[2] and from Portsmouth on 14 December 1847, she arrived at Port Chalmers on 23 March 1848. 23 March is now observed as Otago Anniversary Day,[3] although the anniversary actually celebrates the establishment of the Otago provincial government on the same day in 1852.[4] Her sister ship, Philip Laing, arrived three weeks later on 15 April.

Commemoration

One of the more prominent buildings in the Exchange area of downtown Dunedin is named John Wickliffe House in honour of the ship. It stands on land close to where the ship berthed in Dunedin.

Wickliffe Street in Port Chalmers is named after the ship.[5]

References
  1. NZ History Online: 23 March
  2. "History Scots". Archived from the original on 9 March 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2010. Visit Dunedin: The Settlement of 'New Edinburgh'
  3. The day of the observance varies from year to year, and is usually taken on the Monday closest to 23 March.
  4. Lewis, John (19 March 2011). "Anniversary Day: variety in observance". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  5. Church, Ian (1994). Port Chalmers and its People (Hardback). Dunedin: Otago Heritage Books. p. 184. ISBN 978-09-0877-496-8.

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