Victorian Naval Forces Muster

Michael Guinane

Stoker

letter written by Michael Guinane to his family back in Ballina, Tipperary.

Dear Brother

I hope these lines you well Since I received your letter last month I was gold to hear from you and that and that you were well I wrote you a few hurried lines some time ago Frank Father arived here he said one of me brothers died at sea and ther ther was drowned I am glad it is false I am at Present in the navy I can leave when I like were sworn in every 12 months our pay is 5 shillings a day we have to find our own clothes Why I joined the Navy was to be near me Poor Deceased Wife I could not better meself at that time this Country is not what you think I did not leave of Mining until I had in dept and could not get a living at it Ballarat and the surrounding districts was very bad I went to the Queensland Diggins and failed Came Back to Sydney and joined a steamer I have got on better than Mining the Death of me Poor Wifecost me all had and left me det I wish you to let me know the name of the vessel Brothe James was in when he died where she was bound for was he long sick what he died of and his treatment in general als Me Father if he diedin Liverpool where he is burried how he was situated at the time of his death what happened to his wife I am sorry to have to ask for such aperson it made me sorry to think he should Marry again what he sold the Place for Thomas Guinane Died at Ballarat some time ago I went to Bring the remains of me too Children to Melbourne tohave them placed with their Mother He was buried the day I got to Ballarat I was sorry to hear of Patt Barton's death I heard of Mary and James death when I was in the Sydney side years ago also Aunt Winiford and Uncle Send me kind remembrance to John at New York also to Michael and their Familys I often of late sit and think of the Past. I wonder I never received a letter from Dennis since he left Australia If I was at Sea at the time he was here I would not let him go back I stopped at Mining to long Many men was killed in the mine I was working in after he left I will send you a caple of Paper of St Patrick Day I would wish to hear from you again as soom as you receive this I was Disapointed in getting me likeness taken to send and als of me Deceased Wife this time any likeness you wish to send me I will be glad of them The Cooney are all well John Wife Died years ago he is single Michael turned out a very low caracther through drink I would like to know if the likeness of me Brother James that Dan Cooney brought out with him is a correct one of him Give me Kind love to Brother Dennis also kind respects to his wife and children is her Father and Mother alive Tell James Child her uncle send his Kind love to her I would like her likeness her mother did not stop long single would very much wish she would stop the 12 months I hope young Matthew is a growing a good young man that he is Joined the Catholic young men Society of Liverpool I have no more to say My kind respect to your wife Mrs. Guinane also to John Matthew

Your Affectionate Brother Michael Guinane HMSS Cerberus Williamstown

source: http://www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/art/guinane.htm