The First Four Ships

The first four ships in order of arrival: the Charlotte Jane, the Randolph, the Sir George Seymour and the Cressy. All four ships brought a total of 791 pilgrims to Canterbury in 1850. To rent a cabin for your journey, it would cost you £42. To travel intermediate class it would cost you £25 and …

Fendalton – Walpole Cheshyre Fendall (1830 -1913)

Walpole Fendall arrived in Christchurch on the Sir George Seymour, one of the first four ships. From England, his father had purchased an 50 acre block for Walpole which he subdivided quickly. With a road already going through his land (now Fendalton Road) and with the development of housing, it soon became known as Fendall …

Godley’s Farewell Spot

On the right hand-side as you drive into the Riccarton Ave carpark of Hagley Park (by the tennis courts) sits this historical gem. The memorial tablet acknowledges the departure of John Robert Godley from New Zealand, the founder of Canterbury in 1852. This breakfast event was set up in a spacious marquee, catered by the …

The ‘Sir George Seymour’ Dropped Anchor at Lyttelton – 17th December 1850

On the 17th December 1850, the Canterbury Association’s third ship, Sir George Seymour, sailed into Lyttelton Harbour and dropped anchor at 10.00am. She had been at sea for 100 days and carried 227 souls. Out of the First Four Ships, she had been the last to leave England. Before her journey to Lyttelton in 1850, …