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| Tuesday Oct 26 | Wed Oct 27 Very wet, cold, and miserable all day. No getting on deck. Thursday Oct 28 | Friday Oct 29 Very Cold. Mr Thompson a gentleman, having no cabin particularly to sleep in , having slept in a hammock on deck during the best part of the voyage, asked us if we minded his slinging his hammock up in our berth it being too cold to sleep on deck. So we let him and he rolls it up during the day and it does not take away any of our room. Saturday Oct 30 As had been long expected - at about 12 o'clock today a young lady was introduced into the world - Mrs Clarke was confined - she went into the hospital, which is next to us - a rather uncomfortable position for me. She is doing well but I wonder at it - with the noise and rocking of the ship, and who can keep such a number quiet. The child does cry but is pretty good. Mrs Clarke must have been a very courageous woman knowing what little comfort she could expect on board ship. I wish her well - but suppose I shall have a month of it. I cannot reconcile my Chum to the crying of the child. He says she ought not to have come there to annoy him. We must make the best of a bad bargain. Sunday Oct 31 The "mother and child are doing well" ____ I would advise anyone coming out to bring a complete suit of water proof clothing for in the wet, when you have to run about it is very uncomfortable to be without. Monday Nov 1 A beautiful morning with a wind that blows us along at the rate of about 12 knots an hour. We saw a ship ahead this morning - which we caught up as usual - although she sailed well. She turned out to be an American with no signal flags, and would not tell us her name. Our Captain told her in signals that if she refused to hoist up her name he would report her at Lloyds. She then hoisted her name �Hindoo� The mate then for fun hoisted up the signal to ask her "if we should tug her along, or send her a steamer." Tuesday November 2 This being Ted Meaking's birthday of course we intend to keep it. We got some preserved meat, potatoes, and milk which we had saved for the occasion, and made some dishes that would have astonished the Cooks of England. I made the bread and baked rice pudding (in which I put suet). We invited a select party of eight to supper - what the names of dishes were I can not recollect - but we had 6 dishes all different. There were two ladies among us Misses Goodhall and Bullen - two of the nicest girls on board. The supper was very good but very rich - After supper we adjourned on deck to amuse ourselves by singing not wishing to disturb Mrs Clarke. Wednesday Nov 3 We had a most dreadfully rough day today - the sea rose to great heights - and the ship went about 15 knots an hour. As I have nothing much to do - I will write what I do when I am Messman. On Monday morning at half past 7 woke up with "Lay up for your biscuits" What "Lay up" is I don't know but it means that they are going to give out the biscuits and milk. After that you have to go for the hot water for the mess. You then have your breakfast - Immediately after it you have to fetch some salt water to wash the things up in - from the head of the vessel (which on a rough day is anything but a pleasant occupation, for the vessel is so much on one side). At about 9 o'clock the beef or pork is given out which we have to a soup and wash it over board - then we have to fetch the flour, then the tea, sugar, cheese, potatoes, coffee (which we have to pay the Cook 6d for roasting) pickles, butter suet, pepper, salt, mustard, raisins etc etc and each separate so that most of the day is taken up in getting them - at 12 o'clock we leave off for dinner, when you have to fetch the beef, pudding and pea soup, after dinner you get some cold water in the pail, and take it to the cook who gives you hot for it. Then you wash up the things which are generally very greasy and nasty. You then go on getting the things till tea time, then hot water for tea and water for washing up. Besides this you have to get the mess water , which is four Gallons a day - and which is no easy load to carry on a rolling ship. Tuesday and every morning throughout the week, we have to "Lay up" for Biscuits, Milk, Flour, Beef, Pork, Preserved Meats. Take the pudding and meat to boil or bake - mix the potatoes fetch the pea soup get water and wash up after every meal. Get hot water for tea and breakfast - and fresh water for the mess and this I think is nearly all we have to do - and hard enough it is for though the duties may seem nothing to read, yet in a rolling ship at sea where there are 28 messes served separately with each article it becomes hard work. Thursday November 4 A Cold but fine day. Many of the passengers amusing themselves by shooting at the Cape Pigeons, Boobies, Albertrosses etc etc. |
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