William Croft was my wife’s 2nd great grandfather (She is descended from his daughter, Jennie). Information about William’s journey to New Zealand & Australia is recorded in a family bible.
William Croft left England with his wife and their first four children, aboard the "Jura" in October 1859 and arrived in Auckland, New Zealand on January the 16th 1860. They left New Zealand the same year on the 5th of December and went to Sydney, Australia where their next two children were born. Then in 1865, three years before Jennie was born, the family returned to England on the "Jason".
While travelling home aboard the "Jason" William wrote the following
poem.
THE VOYAGE OF LIFE - "OUR CAPTAIN IS AT THE HELM"
In storms and tempests, which may fall,
Upon our Barque, so great or small,
We ne'er should fear they will o'erwelm,
While Christ our Captain guides the helm.
Then in our Captain I'll confide,
Whose skill has never been decried
When o'er the ship distress has seen
A quick deliverer he has been
Our Captain - Father he will guide
The ship and crew, if sorely tried,
When in perplexity He will
For them appear' and guide them still.
O for more confidence and zeal,
Determination to fulfill
What e'er our Captain may decree,
Or may appoint for you and me.
Our Captain's at the Helm and he
Will guide us o'er lifes troubled sea,
And we should on his skill rely,
To trust him when the danger's nigh.
Why should we fear, He guides the ship,
His voice, is heard, the winds t' outstrip,
Tho' waves may beat, and storms may roar
In Him I trust till the storm is o'er.
Our Captain knows the fears we have
And can out stretch his arm to save,
If troubled seas surround the barque,
He'll guide the helm, their force to thwart.
For while my Captain's at the Helm,
Storms may come, but can't o'erwhelm
I, all my earthly hopes will leave,
And closely to my Saviour cleave.
Tho' Storms with violence assail,
They cannot o'er the ship prevail,
Our Captain's with us at the Helm!
They cannot therefore us o'erwhelm.
Trials, afflictions, troubles, may
Surround this voyage, from day to day
Great dangers too, may be my lot,
If Christ is mine I'll murmer not.
The voyage I will to Him commit,
Who while the gale, he does permit;
Will consolation grant to me
In trouble, and perplexity.
May I contented ever be,
If I, His great salvation see.
My Captain's at the Helm, and I
Will ever on his skill rely.