William and Janet's Children cont'd - Hilda Pattison meets Carlos de Terry

Hilda Pattison

Hilda, Janet Dent's half sister was born in 1900. 

Hilda must have been a bit of a 'Wild Child', as I remember my Grandma Janet saying "Hilda was a naughty girl." I suppose coming from a staunch 'Chapel' family her behaviour must have been quite shocking. 

Around 1918/1920 Hilda met a Peruvian student (Carlos de Terry) from Lima, Peru, who was studying mining engineering at Armstrong College (now part of Newcastle University). 

To actually travel to Newcastle upon Tyne from Lima Peru to study at the college shows it had a world wide reputation.

This is how Armstrong College looked in 1906. 

Armstrong College 1906

Carlos was a Geologist but I suppose from a country such as Peru, geology and mining went hand in hand.

Peru's mining industry began to prosper during the turn of the 20th century, furthered by Peruvian and foreign mining geologists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. Extensive exploration led to the discovery and development of many ore deposits.

Carlos must have been the answer to any poor girl's prayers.  Here was a handsome, educated young man, who could afford to travel to the UK, pay for his studies and be able to keep himself, 'a good prospect', and he had fallen for her.  

I was told by my cousin Dorothy (also a great grand-daughter of Janet Little) that Carlos was so smitten, he gave Hilda the money to travel to Peru, but she spent it. Undeterred Carlos then sent her a ticket; this time she took up his offer. 

I'd like to think that it was true love that spurred Hilda to travel alone from Scotswood to exotic Lima; it was a very long journey by boat. I wonder if she really thought it through, starting a new life in a country with an entirely different culture, different language (Spanish) to marry Carlos de Terry.  But, clearly she had a mercenary streak, as swapping a life of poverty for the life of a genteel middle class lady, with servants, money, nice clothes and a good social life, was 'no contest', and who could blame her! 

The Journey from Liverpool to Callao Peru

Hilda's sisters Ellen and Janet kept up regular correspondence, and perhaps at this time, Janet told her that Britain was experiencing huge unemployment, especially the North East, caused by the aftermath of the First World War. Perhaps it was Hilda who persuaded Luke 33 and Janet 34, along with their six year old daughter Jenny to travel to Peru for a job in the prosperous mining industry.

So, after 'selling up', on the 24th April 1924, Janet, Luke and Jenny boarded 'Oroya' at Liverpool sailing for the Port of Callao in Peru.

Ships Log for the Oroya taking Luke, Janet & Jennie to Peru

Pacific Steam Navigation Company's ship 'Oroya'

Ship Name:	Oroya
Years in Service:	1923-1939
Funnels:	1
Masts:	2
Shipping line:	Pacific Steam Nav Co
Ship description:	Built by Harland & Wolff, Ltd., Belfast, Ireland. Tonnage: 12,257. Dimensions: 525' x 62'. Twin-screw, 14 knots. Steam turbines. Two masts and one funnel.
History:	Broken up for scrap in Italy during 1939.