The Old Sea Chest

My great grandmother wrote this many years ago about an actual sea chest which is now 120 years old and still exists somewhere among the relatives. (Note: photo is not actual chest)

If you could take a peep into our workshop,

that is, if you could manage to get in,

you might notice an old, rather dilapidated, wooden sea chest.

This chest left Glasgow in the year 1881,

and contained all the worldly goods of a young man

about to depart for the far side of the world,

namely to New Zealand.

For many months it journeyed by sailing ship 

in heat, cold, calm and storms

in company with it's owner, Archie Bryden,

at last arriving at the then small town of Dunedin.

After residing for a few years in a bachelor's quarters,

it was taken to Australia,

probably carrying some precious  belongings of a bride-to-be.

Later it was brought back by steamer to New ealand, Auckland this time,

travelling from one district to another as the family moved.

It is one of my earliest recollections as a child

and in my imagination

it became a train,a boat, a handsome cab, an island in mid-ocean,

and what a treasure chest it was to we children

when we were permitted to explore its contents,

treasures gathered over the years.

Later on being deposited in my own room

it served as a table, a seat to curl up on,

even a convenient step-ladder at times.

years passed, and its ownership passed to the newer generation, 

and it became a hold-all 

for boating gear, old football boots, half made toys,

and not so sweet smelling fishing gear,

and Dad's long lost tool.

It became too, an handy bench in the laundry,

and even, I fear, a chopping block at times.

Yes, it is chipped, dusty, and very much the worse for wear over the many years,

but still as strong and solid 

as when it left bonnie Scotland almost one hundred years ago.

I had a peep in it today, and the contents - beyond description!

But, it is still useful, this old sea chest. 

So we sont' chop it up for firewood yet.

It hods so many happy memories.

Written by Gran Deverell nee Bryden 1898 - 1996