Jan 8th Thursday Still very stormy indeed. Boatswain nearly had his brains dashed out last night by a loose block swinging about. The forecastle has leaked and is full of water and the men are forced to sleep on the lower deck amongst the cargo. Our port lighthouse has smashed and the oil in the lamp room has spilt so that we have run short of oil. We have managed by constant tacking to get to the south of Ireland and there is a rumour that we shall run into Queenstown for repairs.
Jan 9th Friday Our course was altered to north and we had a splendid breeze which carried us up the west coast of Ireland and round the north. When we got to the north east of Ireland the wind suddenly shifted right ahead of us so that it was impossible to go to Belfast as had been arranged in order to repair damages; The Captain called the men aft and asked them whether they would rather stand out to sea and wait for a change in the wind or whether they would rather go down the west coast again and try to beat up to Falmouth. One man replied �I tell you one thing Captain, if you don�t go into port, I for one will not go to Sydney with you�. The Captain replied that it was impossible to go into Belfast, but that he would stand off until the morning, hoping that the wind would shift again, so we put out to sea. About 10p.m. all hands were called to �bout ship� as the wind had changed in our favour.
Jan 10th After standing in all day towards the coast we passed Rathlin Island and after having passed it we hoisted the signal for a pilot and hugged the shore. Our signal not being answered we pulled it down at dusk, still keeping close to shore. About 5 p.m.. we nearly ran onto some reefs only missing them by about 50 yards. At 6.30 p.m. after heaving down the North east coast of Ireland the Captain signalled for a tug boat to take us into Belfast, by burning blue lights, but they were not answered; and a gale springing we went about and stood out to sea again. During the night our fore-course was blown clean out of the bolt ropes. The wind blew a hurricane all night but calmed down to a steady gale towards morning.
An alternative, addendum or erratum is found at the end of the book for Jan 10th:
Jan 10th Sat. About 11p.m. We drifted to within 100 yards of some most dangerous rocks and nothing could have saved the ship from sinking, if it had not been for the captain�s cool self possession and the confidence of the men. There was no lighthouse or any warning of any kind and the night was very dark and stormy, the wind blowing a regular hurricane at the time. The second mate who never says anything to the men without swearing even forgot to swear while we were in danger. The men worked like niggers the whole time and generally they are slovenly and very lazy about their work.
Jan 11th Sunday At 4 a.m. we stood towards the Irish coast again and passing Belfast went down the east coast of Ireland. We had splendid weather all day running before the wind the whole time. During the evening we had one or two squalls but nothing to speak of. We ran down part of the south coast of Ireland in the night.
Monday Jan 12th During the morning we gradually neared Queenstown. About 10.30 p.m. (a.m.?) the pilot came aboard. The sea is very calm. We ran into Queenstown harbour (the 2nd finest in the world) and anchored at 12 o�clock. Bum boat people came aboard during the afternoon and the Captain went ashore. The bum-boats drove a flourishing trade. Among other things that were bought 2 or 3 bottles of whiskey & port & rum were smuggled into our cabin. During the evening we had a jollification; among other health�s that were proposed was �Good luck to the Derwent & finer weather with a better crew�. We all of us got a bit fresh, two only getting completely boozed, by name Pocock & ���
The next page has been removed, -- quite tidily, so expect it could be deliberate.. maybe to destroy the evidence!! ������..
����We went & played billiards in the afternoon at the Queen�s Hotel and in the evening saw a grand billiard match. We got back by 10 p.m. pretty fresh and frisky.
Jan 14th Wednesday. In the morning the pilots came on board and at 12 o�clock we were tugged out of harbour by the steam tug �Lord Brandon� At 2 p.m. we set sail and the pilot & tug left. We sailed SW x W running right before the wind under our mizzen upper & lower topsails & lower top gallant sail and our fore course upper and lower topsails having a nice breeze.
Jan 15 Thursday. Kept on dead before the wind setting our royals for the first time this voyage. Had a very fair wind indeed. Found three stowaways who had got aboard somehow at Queenstown. About 8 p.m. we got off the bay of Biscay but were too far West to feel any of the lop.
Jan 16th Friday. Have got every stitch of canvas set running before the wind in fine style. Shall be off the North West Coast of Spain by 9 p.m. Have gone at an average of 12 or 13 knots an hour all day. Have had the first shower of rain today. It has always been hail & snow before. It is getting much warmer already, being like spring instead of winter. Porpoises have been swimming around us all day.
Jan 17th Sat. Had to run due West out of our course because the wind was rather ahead of us. Sun shone beautifully all day.
Jan 18th Sunday Had dinner in the saloon with the captain & officers. Beautiful day though rather wet early in the morning. Still running rather out of our course.
