GULF OF ST LAWRENCE
WEDNESDAY JUNE 12TH
This morn at 5 came in sight of St. Paul's Isle. Left it to the South, east of Cape Breton. Passed into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The morn a very sharp air, the day somewhat milder. Towards evening the fog set in with heavy rain. It blew a smart gale towards night. At noon rate of sailing 3 miles, eve 9 degrees course Northwest by North..
THURSDAY JUNE 13TH
Last night the breeze continued very fresh the whole night but clear. Rate 9 miles. Many of the passengers overwhelmed with fear for their safety. But blessed be the kindness of a merciful Providence, we are all preserved hitherto. As the morn advanced the fog increased which prevented us seeing any distance, but when it cleared up we saw several ships passing and repassing and the Island of Anticosti presented a beautiful appearance, lying to the Northward. The day cleared up a lovely day and the breeze settled into a calm. Cast out tow lines for Mackerel but caught none. Too early in the season.
FRIDAY JUNE 14TH
Last night was the calmest we had since we sailed. The water very smooth. This day somewhat closer than the proceeding. Expect some close weather on our passage up the Gulf. Took in a Pilot this morn at 8 am weather - beaten thin looking person -- (the first Canadian we saw. There was a great push on deck to see him.) Sailing 3 miles per hour. Came in sight of land which presented a large range of mountains on the South. Had some peals of thunder and flashes of lightning t 2 p.m. accompanied with a heavy fall of rain which did not continue above 1/2 hour. All in good health and spirits. Between decks stoved. At 8 great thunder succeeded, again by heavy rains. After which if cleared up and a fine evening followed.
SATURDAY JUNE 15TH
Walked the deck last night til 10:00. Admired the clear atmosphere and the brilliancy of the moon and stars, and surely as David says in comparison of these how insignificant is man. Went below but was not laid in bed when a sudden squall of wind came on from the North-west which rattled among the riggings and tore some of the sails. All hands on deck reefed in. The whole night continued squally but the day got somewhat more settled. Yet still the wind ahead. Gained no ground since 7 last night. Called on deck at 3 this morn by the Mate to see as he called "the American Forest" and surely to my eyes a beautiful landscape. A range of Mountains many miles along the shore covered to the very top with wood. Here and there some green spots cleared of wood and houses built on them in clusters as if to assist one another and for company, like our villages. The whole looked very beautiful when the sun arose and showed everything clearly. Tacked about at 4 a.m. when the beautiful scenery disappeared. The evening mild.
SUNDAY JUNE 16TH
A beautiful Sabbath dawned on us and finds us retrograding on our passage, occasioned by the head winds and currents down the Gulf. Still tacking across the Gulf from Anticosti to the Canadian side which here is about 30 miles across. The air this day somewhat sharp. Hopes that this is the last Sabbath will be spent on sea. Felt lonely when meditating on the many happy Sabbaths I spent at home. May "the Lord bless us and keep us, and cause His face to shine upon us; and be with us in the way we go" This day month we sailed.
MONDAY JUNE 17TH
The breeze we had yesterday settled into a calm. At night, when it shifted and and was very variable, for some time when it settled from the South. The night past and this day very calm, hardly moving at all till 3 when it freshened a little from that to night. Sailing from 4 to 6 miles per hour. Course West, lost sight of the Island of Anticosti. Saw several whales sporting on the surface of the waters and spouting water to a vast height and with a great rumbling noise. Three days fair sailing would bring us to Quebec. All the passengers still in good health. Expect to have not delay a Quarantine.
TUESDAY JUNE 18TH
At ten last night lightning commenced which continued till 4 a.m. with heavy peals of thunder. I never saw so awful a night. Remained up till 12. It was sheet and forked lightning accompanied with a shower of hail. About 3 a.m. a heavy squall came on which continued for some time from the West. Had some fears it would low a hurricane, but thank God it soon got down. It continued a little fresh the whole day. Wind ahead, making no progress. Slipped on deck this morn and sprained my wrist -- felt very sore. Got a rub from the Captain for it. Very low in spirits this day.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 19TH
At 10 last night the lightning commenced again and continued till 12. The night calm. Slept sound. Hand much better today. Blew a strong breeze from 12 to 4 when a heavy shower came on after which it became very calm, and very sultry. Wind still ahead. The Labrador Coast falls in view.
THURSDAY JUNE 20TH
Last night calm and settled. Slept sound. This day becalmed. Still waiting for a fair breeze to carry us forward, nothing worth noticing. A nice, clear day, hand almost quite well. All the passengers still in good health.
FRIDAY JUNE 21ST
Last night calm until about 4 a.m. when a fresh breeze sprung up from the East and swept us over a vast track of the Gulf and continued till noon, after which it settled in a calm, the wind ahead. The Canadian shore looked very beautiful having houses interspersed along the beach around which are cultivated spots which looked something like home. Yet a vast tract of forest to be cut down. The Labrador side presented a shrubbery appearance -- a loose sandy beach and the mountains composed of sand. Inhabited be Indians who live hunting wild beasts such as foxes, bears, ect. Did not see a simple house. Entered the mouth of the river this eve at 4 at a point called Bick Island. 140 miles from Quebec, where the pilot took the vessel in charge.
SATURDAY JUNE 22ND
The last night very calm also this morn -- not the ruffling of a smooth surface of the waters. About 12 it freshened a little but the wind ahead, had to tack about but kept close as possible to the Labrador Coast to avoid being carried down by the return of the tide. Saw a few houses on the Labrador shore. All the houses here built of wood and lime washed. There are about 20 vessels in sight all bound for Quebec waiting for a favourable breeze to take them up. Saw a great number of Porpoises, some a dark gray and some snow white sporting on the surface of the water.
SUNDAY JUNE 23RD
At 4 this morn arrived at Green Island 30 miles from Bick Island and 180 miles from Quebec, on which there is a lighthouse. Cast anchor for the first time since we left Sligo. The current very strong here. Remained here for 6 hours till about 5 p.m. when the heavens were covered with darkness and lightning and thunder commenced, which were succeeded by a heavy squall of wind but Providentially we had cast anchor and sails furled about 5 minutes before it came. Constantly tacking. Wind ahead. A Sabbath Misspent. May the Lord His Mercy forgive us of His infinite Mercy. The night promises to be very wet. 5 weeks at sea this evening.
MONDAY JUNE 24TH
Last night very wet. The morn cleared up and turned out a nice summer's day. Wind still ahead, cannot make much progress. Gained about 20 miles this day. The country along the South shore looks very beautiful, almost all cleared and cultivation carried on -- on a very large scale. Houses appear very clean and comfortable.
TUESDAY JUNE 25TH
At 11 last night weighed anchor as the return of the tide favoured us, gained about 10 miles. At 5 this morn cast anchor again off St. Anne's. A nice compact village having a French Church, and College, which presented a very imposing appearance at the distance we lay. All the settlers, which are very many are French R. Catholics. At 11 weighted anchor again and gained almost the Pillars within 20 miles of Gross Island. Made a very good tide. Expect to make Gross Island to-morrow eve. Wind still ahead. A nice breeze the whole day and cool.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 26TH
At 11 last night wind changed to north-east and blew a good breeze. At 12 weighed anchor and went on quickly with the tide and before a fair breeze. Anchored at Gross Island at 4. Prepared and cleaned between decks and was examined by the Doctor at 10. He approved of all and gave us permission to pass on which we did before a fair wind. Passed up the River having a clear fine day. The country on each side of the River is in an excellent state of cultivation. The houses looked very splendid and the country very thickly populated. Nothing but an ocular demonstration can give an exact description of it. Anchored at the Quay of Quebec of 6 1/2 this evening. Though built on a high hill could not see it till we came within two miles of the town owing to the high banks on each side of the river. When it appeared in view it resembled nothing that I ever saw, in fact nothing but houses on the top of houses covering the whole face of the country.
