Family History 1.7

Shipboard Diary

A typical 19th century ship

Went on board the ship "Lord Burleigh" in St Katherine's Docks. Slept on board, went out of Docks next day 15th about half past 2 in the afternoon Towed by steam tug Punch to Blackwall, left (Blackwall) about half past 3 in the morning, as before, by tug. The anchor being drawn up aroused several of the passengers.

Arrived at Gravesend about half past 7 of the 16th, anchored, Government inspectors came on board about 2 o'clock. All the passengers were called up on deck, names called, and we had tom pass from one side ofn the ship by the Chief Cabin entrance (where 2 or 3 Gentlemen were standing 1 of whom was the medical inspector, who merely asked us if we were quite well and then we passed on to the other side of the ship). It seemed complete nonsense to me, and caused a great deal of jocular remark amongst the passengers. This concluded the Government inspection.

1st class passengers came on board about 13 o'clock larger number than was expected, one Gentleman told me it had cost him near 20 pounds extra to bring his family and luggage to Gravesend as the ship would not call at Plymouth. (Charles and his family were "enclosed steerage" passengers, according to the embarkation order we still have, and their contract ticket tells us they paid a total of 60 pounds for their passages, 30 pounds a month before in October, and the last 30 pounds when they boarded.)

A Gentleman from the Religious Tract Society came on board and sold several Bibles, etc, also gave to all emigrants who would accept of them, a brown paper packet containing tracts and a little work entitled "Emigration, what it is", also a book of prayers for every day of the week, prayers to be used in Storms at Sea, Thanksgivings etc.

The sailors were very busy all the day getting ready, lashing up spare spars, water casks, the cows house etc on deck etc. Several passengers went ashore at Gravesend. Small cask, pail, basket and 3 tins served out to each captain of mess.  The steward gave me a card with names of each in my mess my name being placed on it , as captain of Mess No 7. A Miss Alexander left behind in consequence of being ashore.

All cabin lights being ordered to be put out at 9 o'clock, retiring to rest soon after; woke up in the morning of the 17th understanding we were towed away from Gravesend about 2 in the morning. Off Margate about 8 am. Anchored for a short time, seasickness very bad, most of the passengers ill, very bad myself little better in the evening. My wife and children seasick (except little Alice who seemed ill not withstanding). Pilot left about half past 5 off Deal in a small boat.