Family History 1.721

(The shipboard diary of my great-grandfather, Charles Gaze, aged 27)

17th January 1860

A shower between 6 and 7 a.m. but cleared off soon after. Much cooler. Fair wind still.

Several Cape Birds, Albatross and others seen today. A single man in the steerage fired a double barrel gun, but missed. An attempt also to catch them by a fish hook baited with a piece of pork made to float on the surface.

Lat 36-23S Long. 19-26W.

I went on the forecastle and was invited by some of the Single men (Scotchmen) to join with them in singing some tunes and comparing them with some I started at the services on Sundays. They have several tunes like ours but sing so much slower than I like them.

Helped my wife wash 4 of my shirts.

19th

Showery morning, heavy rain nearly all day, much calmer, a heavy swell though that makes the ship roll very much but not sailing at all fast.

Several Cape birds, still flying about our stern. An Albatross shot by a 2nd cabin passenger, which was thought by many persons to be a pity, as they are no use, if they were even caught; and to shoot them was only to see them fall and float it may be in agony, for a long while on the waters, but we soon lost sight of the one shot. The Captain did not approve it and gave orders for no one to be allowed to fire again.

A gale driving us E at night. Most sails reefed.

20th

Very dull and cold and showery. Head wind, still sailing east.

Lat 37-40 Longitude 14-15.

Several Capebirds flying about us very amusing to see them alight on the sea and take the bait (Pieces of pork) but none caught, the Captain won't allow it any more

fine eve. Daylight till past 8.