Family History 1.702

Settling Down at Sea

Charles Gaze
21st November 1859

Much calmer this morning, not sailing very fast, almost standstill. A passenger caught a goldfinch that flew on board, he gave it to the Carpenter who put it in a cage and died next day. Learn'd from the Mate we were in the 49 N Latitude.

Much to the surprise of the passengers Steward and others who said they never saw it before on any other ship the Captain has allowed tween deck passengers to go on the poop but not abaft the Mizzen mast, a notice being fixed to that mast announcing the fact which is certainly a very great boon to us, as what with the sheep, pigs and cow and calf on deck it makes things anything but pleasant, they smell so bad, no matter to us t'ween decks if they all died except having a little milk of a morning, the butcher being a friendly old chap. First weeks sea rations served out.

22nd

inclined for rain

clean'd out my cabin, had a plum pudding for dinner did not care about meat and soup, which we might have had. Spoke by colours with a Turkish Brig, don't know what was said it seems a private affair amongst Captains.

23rd

Weather very fine and much warmer, beginning to eat a little more, had some boil'd pork and potatoes for dinner enjoyed it. 2 sailors came down
and swabbed out the tw'n deck for whom we made a subscription of 1 penny each.
Went on the poop and read some of a little work, Entitled "The Mind and Words of Jesus", which was put into my hand by my sister Jane on wishing her goodbye at the docks, somewhat affected by what she had written on the blank pages, commending me and mine to an all wise and overruling providential Care of Almighty God.

Passed 2 ships sailing in the same direction. 2 or 4 young men climb'd the rigging and was caught by some of the sailors (except one who came down by a rope to the poop thereby taking the skin off his fingers) who tied one to the rope ladder by a piece of rope across his chest, until he promised to pay a fine which was to be 3 bottles of Ale, it caused much laughter amongst persons on deck.

5 o'clock wind blowing strong, expecting a Gale, most of the sails reef'd, it was somewhat amusing to see 18 men across the main yard, reefing the sail.

9 o'clock much rougher, and continued all night, scarce any sleep in consequence of the creaking of the ship, and rolling and noise of the sailors on deck, they sing and appear very merry about their work.