THE DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, November 18, 1864
TESTIMONIAL TO CAPTAIN DECKER, OF THE ALFRED.
(On board the Alfred)
Tuesday, November 16, 1864
"To A Decker, commander of the ship Alfred.
Dear sir. - Deeply impressed with a sense of the many obligations and favours conferred on us during a long and pleasant voyage, and whilst the same, by the will of Divine Providence, has been so successfully accomplished, it is now full time that we should perform the pleasing task of coming formal and expressing our grateful acknowledgments.
To say nothing of our admiration or your great skill an unwearied vigilance as captain - qualities which throughout inspired even the most timid passenger with confidence, and a moral certainty of safety, - we feel much pleasure in communicating to you our grateful acknowledgments for the constant attention you paid us, and for the readiness which you ever exhibited, in the most gentlemanly manner, to remove the many discomforts necessarily attendant upon a sea voyage of so long duration. We must not omit to advert likewise to that courteous demeanour and Christian liberality of sentiment so eminently worthy of your station, and so admirably calculated to remove prejudice, which you always exhibited, by facilitating in every comfort and convenient manner possible the education of children, and the free exercise of our devotions.
To your first and second officers, Messrs Luby and Wolfe, and to the gallant crew of sailor boys under your command, we also tender our best acknowledgments for their unvarying kindness.
Wishing you every happiness, and a safe return to the bosom of your families, whilst we pray that and all kind and bountiful Providence may protect and sustain you in your important and perilous duties; that your futures cares and anxieties may meet with the same success which attended them in our regard, and that you may have the cheering consolation to find them responded to by a truly sincere, grateful, and appreciating public, - we beg to subscribe ourselves your sincere and admiring friends."
(Here follow the signatures.)
(On board the Hamburg barque Alfred.)
November 15, 1864
"Captain A. Decker,
Sir, - We the undersigned steerage passengers beg to tender our most sincere thanks to you, and your officers, for the kind and urbane treatment we have always experienced at your hands, and also for the manner in which you have conducted your vessel in bringing us safe, after a long and perilous voyage. We must now conclude, as words we have not sufficient, by wishing you and your officers every happiness and prosperity; and may God bless and protect you all in your dangerous calling is the sincere prayer of all."
(Here follow the signatures.)
"The barque Alfred, which arrived off the Heads on Wednesday night, worked up harbour yesterday morning, and anchored off the Queen-street Wharf.
The following is a list of the steerage passengers, unavoidably omitted in yesterday's issue:-" |