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| Wednesday Sept 15 The sun shining on the beautiful blue water, appeared very enlivening to the eye. I passed the morning and greater part of the day by the side of the ship speaking to Miss Goodhall while she smoked. It was a very beautiful day - but not so hot as we have had it. Mr Tweed the doctor of Brook Street, Grosvenor Sq. - married Miss Goodhall�s sister - I found. During the evening a breeze sprang up and we glide through the water at the speed of 7 or 8 knots an hour - The phosphorous on the water was very beautiful. Wind W. by N.W.W. Thursday Sept 16 The wind still very high - changed the tack to E - very fine weather but very hot - We amuse ourselves by reading aloud on deck - for it impossible to read to oneself. I find that my books are a great blessing. Friday Sept 17 The vessel has again found her equilibrium. Saturday Sept 18 All the morning busy mopping and sweeping out my berth - It is rather an amusing sight to see some on their knees scrubbing - some mopping - some sweeping their berth out. I cannot describe the heat - it is impossible to find a cool place that�s all I know. We have had an awning - or cover over the deck to keep the sun off. Sunday Sept 19 I have a sponging bath every morning � and I find it keeps me from being as thirsty as I other wise should have been � The quantity of water is not too much � We have 1 pint at Breakfast the same at Tea � and 2 quarts to drink make pudding with etc � it is not a drop too much. The service was read on the poop by a Mr Heath, a consequential gentleman, who takes a great deal upon himself. Monday Sept 20 We are now in the trade winds and are going on at a good pace - at about 9 miles an hour - and have sailed about 186 miles since 12 yesterday. Tuesday Sept 21 How mistaken we were - we are be calmed again - it is dreadful - and is hot. Wednesday Sept 22 Calm still - A shark seen - and caught- the first shark - It was about 8ft long - Our mess cooked some of it - and I thought it was uncommonly good we had it for supper. Thursday Sept 23 Too hot to do anything but sleep. Friday Sep 24 | Sat 25 | Sun 26 A breeze sprang up on Saturday evening - which they had to take in many of the sails and which lasted all Sunday - the port holes were obliged to be shut to prevent the waves coming in. To walk on the deck - was like walk up Greenwich Hill on a wet day. A ship was seen in the morning with her top mast off. Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 So hot and almost a calm - dreadful - can do nothing. Friday Oct 1 I slept on deck for the first time - at about 4 o'clock a squall sprang up, which woke one up as well as the Captain, Mate, etc and in a few moments the deck was in a state of confusion. The Captain hollowing to seamen's "Hi! - Hi! Sirs" - the wind roaring through the ropes. The ship all on one side was gliding through the water , at a terrific rate. It was astonishing how quick the sails were taken in. And during this it poured in torrents. Ted Meakin and I took our cans, tubs, etc. and caught a great deal of rain water. Saturday Oct 2 A notice was posted up on the mast this morning to this effect - that no lady or gentleman was to be allowed to sleep out of their berths without special permission of the watcher. A self elected body of married gentlemen proposed themselves as watchers at night to prevent any improper proceedings. This all coming from a mere report caused the anger of most of the passengers. The notice was pulled down three or four times - until the mate nailed one up. The first night watch was Mr Gedge Sen who I find is a very deceitful and who has fallen in my opinion greatly - and Mr Neath - who thinks no little of himself - I wish them joy of the night - it looks very like rain. |
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