Family History 1.709

12th December 1859

Very fine and hot. Not so rough, all better again today.

Long 24-27 Lat 10-7.

Disinfectant fluid sprinkled all about the ship, in our cabin also, a very good regulation as there are a great many bad smells.

There are some dirty muddlers aboard and I am sorry to say those with five children next to us are a great bore.

13th

Very fine and hot. More disinfectant thrown about.

Latitude 8 North.

A lark on the poop in the evening by throwing water from the Topmasts on a young man going to sleep and continue and trying to make him believe it to be a water spout up to midnight so that all on deck had to look or else get a doucing.

 

 

 

 

 

14th

Very fine and very hot. A disturbance in our cabin caused by 2 single men in their own enclosed berth quarreling. Mate came down and threatened to have them put in irons.

Several blackfish and sharks seen today. 2nd Mate caught a Mouldy one off the stern about 2ft long. The sailors caught one about 5ft long off the Forecastle. They are very strong and die very hard. The largest ones head floundered and even tried to bite after the fish was cut open and the internals taken out. Several had a piece of it each, I tasted some fried but did not like it much.

Concert on poop at night. A Whaler in the distance seen to lower a boat.

Amelia 2 years of age.