In 1861 a 17-year-old John Thomson set sail from Greenock, Scotland, to start a new life on the other side of the world in New Zealand. First published in 1912, Voyages and Wanderings documents his adventures on the Otago goldfields, his discussions with Te Whiti-o-Rongomai at Parihaka and life in between.
Now, his great-great-great niece, Rosy Fenwicke, has republished a second edition of his book, updating it for a modern audience.
Fenwicke has corrected Māori place names, minor factual errors and clarified references within Thomson's story. It's still a little cringe to read "Māoris" within the text, though and I would have liked more references from tangata whenua within the introduction. Fenwicke has also included illustrations and photographs that help to tell the remarkable adventures of Thomson.
Her introduction to the book provides readers with an update of Thomson family history from his book's end until his death in 1933.
Thomson's story is a fascinating insight into his life, beliefs and adventures. One of the first adventures he discusses is the gold rush at Gabriel's Gully, and it's full of interesting anecdotes, including his first attempt at cooking plum-pudding which results in gold.
Thomson was a sailor, travelling around New Zealand and the world doing trade from Port Chalmers. His descriptions of the sea - the wake of a boat described as "a broad belt of phosphorescent light amidst mountainous seas" - are surprisingly beautiful, showing his respect and admiration for the ocean.
In 1877, with the crew of the Bencleugh, he was shipwrecked on Macquarie Island, spending four months in the sub-Antarctic before rescue. These chapters were a fascinating read and his story ends with their rescue. I can see someone taking these chapters in particular and using them to inspire a whole new story.
Voyages and Wanderings is an interesting story of Thomson's vast adventures, offering a glimpse into life more than 100 years ago. Fenwicke's updated version will open the story up to a new generation of readers.
Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell Wonderful World