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| Monday Oct 11 At about half past 9 o'clock in the morning it was announced that Neptune might be expected, and a sail was put up the left between the house (in the centre) on the deck, and the side, this was filled with water. When this was done, Neptune and his wife (a sailor dressed up as a woman) were drawn around the deck on a cannon stand. They went to the poop, where Neptune announced that it was usual to shave everyone who had not passed the line before, but that as the passengers were willing to pay their toll - they should be let off - but that the ship's company who had not passed the line before must be shaved - Neptune was dressed in a large bear's skin with a black mark - and his spear was a harpoon with some fish stuck on it to resemble a fork - Mrs Neptune (who was impersonated by an American) was dressed as a woman including a fall and parasol. They were followed by the barbers (one man with a piece of an iron hoop - the other with a pot full of treacle and flour) and four constables. The men to be shaved were brought blind folded - had their faces besmeared with the mess and scraped off with the iron hoop. When this was done they were thrown into the water into the sail. There must have been no less than twenty shaved. The doctor had to undergo it as well only without the ducking - and he only was slightly done for which he had to bribe them well. All having been shaved they commenced emptying the sail by throwing the water over the passengers, and a general confusion ensued. I who expected that there would be some water thrown about had put on only a pair of canvas trousers and a blouse - I got up on a rope, and saw it all. They filled a bucket with water and pulled it up with a rope and threw it all over me which wetted me to the skin. They did this three or four times but finding they could not get me down, they gave it up and amused themselves where the sport was easier - and I enjoyed it the more and when it was over smoked my pipe - (by the by you can buy tobacky on board for 2/- a pound. You have to cut it up - that is the only trouble - we now begin to look anxiously for the Cape. Tuesday Oct 12 It would amuse many to see me making puddings - bread etc. for our mess. Wednesday Oct 13 /Thursday 14 The boxes came up and I had a look at my things - they were all in a dreadful state of mildew - boots, coats etc. - I expect they all will be spoilt. Oct 15| Oct 16| Oct 17 A rather a rough day. Monday Oct 18 I am Messman again and a busy day is with us. - We spoke with a ship - called the Ann Melish from Australia for London - You will see by the list of Latitude that I have sent how many miles we went a day. Tuesday Oct 19 | Oct 20 /Oct 21 |Oct 22 /Oct 23 The weather has now become much colder being now nearly 2000 miles from the line. We are expected to be in the latitude of the Cape of Good Hope tomorrow. I find the biscuits are made eatable by baking them. Flour is a very needful thing, for we make bread and bake it. Four of us have purchased a tin of Jones's Patent flour - weighing 14lb. When the biscuits are baked - and butter they resemble dry toast , buttered. I begin to be able to eat the pork and beef. I think it much better and not so salt as it was. Ham a very nice thing to bring - A sauce pan and frying pan will be found very useful. At 12 o'clock this night the ship was going 12 knots an hour the fastest she has gone since she left England. It is useless to bring much cheese as Mr Tullidge brought a great quantity and it is almost all spoilt. There was a meeting held among the passengers last evening. (There are always being meetings held, tho I am sick to hear the grumbling, and it is all through two or three meddling persons) about going to the Captain, to ask him to show them his papers � his private papers to convince them that there is sufficient food on board - was there ever such an absurd thing, just as if the Captain did not know his own business. I was reading Quentin Durward at the time, and it disturbed me so that I was obliged to leave off. There are one or two who have friends at the Cape and they want to put in there. Today I find that the meeting has not come to anything in fact my opinion is that they are afraid to ask the Captain such an impertinent question. I have been Messman during this week - and I am not sorry it is at an end. Sunday Oct 24 Church service on the poop as usual - I asked the first Mate what the Latitude and Longitude was today , and received an answer that he must not tell me. It seems that a Cuddy passenger named Miller has chosen to tell the Captain he is running on some rocks, the Captain has accordingly given orders that none of the passengers shall be told the Lat or Long. Monday Oct 25 It has got much colder of Late and great coats and wrapper are very needful - for it is as cold as winter in England. We are calculating our course on the Chart. I sit down in the cabin and read a great deal now for it is much warmer now. |
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