My great-grandfather Charles Gaze's shipboard diary
30th December 1859
Very fine and good winds S Latitude 9-16, Long. W30.
A
large number of porpoises seen today, I
should say without the least exaggeration from 20 to 30 seen at one time jumping in and out of the sea
in a row as if racing, but none of
them caught as we are sailing fast.
Ship lays very much one side, very
difficult to walk about.
31st
Very fine and warm Latitude 12-19 South. Good winds
still.
Sport in climbing up the ropes and trying one anothers
strength amongst the sailors on the
forecastle in the evening.
Rations served out again today I had mine apart from Mr W as I explained to our
steward the reason. We find the benefit,
as we have always equally divided our rations with them before, but we are entitled to 3 1/2 and they 3.
A sheep killed today
We were on deck till midnight when the National
Anthem was sung and the New Year began with the Ringing of the ship's bells and shaking
hands and complimenting one
another, then 3 cheers for Captain and both Mates separately. A splendid
night.
The moon went down soon after 11. Several persons very merry with drink but we contented ourselves
with cold plum pudding; drink too expensive for us.
Sunday January 1st, 1860
Understand
that a large number had been drunk after we want to bed ... several so this
morning. Our steward also who quarrelled last Sunday with a 2nd Cabin Passenger
he also had a
desperate fight (9 a.m.) with a Scotsman (single man in steerage) on deck. They were with
great difficulty parted, the Captain and both mates ordering him, the Steward, to his berth. He then struck the 2nd mate, whereupon he was ordered to be put in irons:
they happened to be out of order so no use.
He was then locked up in the stores and
was not seen all day. So much for drinking influences. A sad beginning of the New
Year
Half past 10 a.
m. Church Prayers on the poop. Several hymns
sung and a very appropriate address by Mr Arthur from the words, "The end of a thing is better than the beginning". Well attended by most persons.
sung and a very appropriate address by Mr Arthur from the words, "The end of a thing is better than the beginning". Well attended by most persons.
Lat. 14S. Very fine and very calm.
Half past 7 a dissenters' service in the evening on
the Poop also well attended.
A nice breeze increasing towards night.
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