& Diary of
F. B. COPLAND
Midshipman, on a voyage aboard
Devitt and Moore�s DERWENT
Captain - Andrew
1st Mate - Andrew (Jun.)
2nd Mate - Gratton
3rd Mate - Houghton
Midshipmen -
Peterson
Kerr
Timothy
Elmhurst
Copland
Gambier
Pocock
Kent
Colbeck
Petty Officers -
Carpenter - Mc Donald
Boatswain - Harrison
Apprentices -
Cowen
Brown
Miles
Blewitt
Tommy (Albert Woolfe)
Musson
Quartermasters and crew etc. (33)
The ship is bound for Sydney, Australia and elsewhere.
Dec. 31st Rose at 7a.m. Washed down decks and then had breakfast. Weighed anchor and ran down into Deviation Bay to adjust our compasses. Washed down decks and then had dinner. Weighed anchor and brought up off Greenock, Washed down decks and then had tea. Captain came on board after tea by the tug �Flying Bat�. He called the bos�n into his cabin and expelled him for coming on board yesterday and not answering his name at the roll call. He was sent on board the tug. Cowan complained to the captain that his watch had been stolen, and that he was sure the bos�n had got it. Captain A. called the bos�n back off the tug which was lying alongside and enquired into the matter. The watch was found on his person and he was put in irons on the deck so that everyone could see him, for 2 hours; when he was sent on board the tug and taken ashore & delivered up to the police. Turned in at 10p.m. Was on watch from 12 a.m. till 1 a.m.
Jan. 1st Rose at � past five a.m. Washed down decks before daybreak. Had breakfast at 8 a.m. Went aloft and attended to the sailing gear. A nasty cold and strong breeze blew the whole time. Took in 20 tons of gunpowder. Had dinner at 1 p.m. Cold dinner because the fires had to be put out on account of shipping gunpowder. Board of Trade boat came alongside to sign the papers and inspect the vessel. Dubbed my sea-boots. Had tea at 5 p.m. Kept watch from 12 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Friday Jan 2nd Sailed from Greenock. Had a splendid breeze to take us along the north coast of Ireland. The Pilot left us when we got off Londonderry. Very cold keeping watch at night time.
Jan 3rd Sat. Most of the fellows turned sick. I felt awfully bad during the afternoon, but was not sick. Has been awfully squally all day and the Atlantic rollers are magnificent and grand. We have been going up mountains and down valleys all the day.
Jan 4th Sund. Very rough weather indeed. Have felt very giddy and had a bad head ache all the day. As I went out of the door of the midshipman�s berth a wave dashed along the deck and carried me into the scuppers where I hit my leg against a spare mast, lashed to the side of the vessel and nearly put it out of joint. I could not put my foot to the ground for a day & a half. The sailors and officers say that they have never sailed in a worse ship for taking water on deck. In the least little swell she ships seas every minute, and in a storm her deck is 2ft in water constantly.
Jan 5th Wind is very contrary to our wants it being a south west wind instead of being north-east We have got off the west coast if Ireland and cannot get any further.
Jan 6th Have not seen the sun or moon ever since we sailed so the captain is rather puzzled as to our position. There is nothing but water and clouds to be seen and there is a rumour that if we do not see the sun in the next 48 hours we shall be on the rocks. It is frightfully stormy and the waves are awful. The ship rolls and takes in water by the tons. Last night 4 sails were blown clean overboard, and two more topsails have gone today. Have begun to get about today.
