Letter written by Ida Daniel a day after the birth of Barney, May 21 1911, to Charles in charge of the scow Rambler at Mercury Bay. He told me in later years how he helped by his shipmates and friends “wet my head”.
The Letter reads……..
Dearest,
I suppose you got a surprise about me but labour set yesterday morning and at 10 past baby was born. I had a bad time it was me or baby but you must thank God we are both here getting on slowly nana wrote the other day. Can’t write more.
Your loving wife
Ida
He is a little darling, weighs a stone I had chloroform and it took the nurse and doctor all their time to bring him
Love.