Two letters written by William Hall to his father, relating to a voyage from Sydney to San Francisco on the sailing ship Brightman in 1850. The author describes himself as being "on a trial voyage" and appears to be working, but with more privileges than the average seaman. The first letter is sent from Honolulu, dated 2 August 1850, and describes weather; a storm; playing the accordion and learning to paint and draw; washing clothes on Saturday; meals; cargo thrown overboard during the storm. He describes Honolulu harbour, and how dangerous it is, with 3 wrecks seen; the town and the price of fruit; natives and how intelligent and well dressed they are. He says that he expects to be in Honolulu for a month and will send a letter by every vessel that leaves. The second letter is from San Francisco, describing the town; wooden houses; gambling houses and the various nationalities that frequent them; seeing a total eclipse of the sun. He talks again about Honolulu and the beautiful churches there.
