Wednesday, 26 February 2014

Family History 1.731

(Shipboard diary of my great-grandfather, Charles Gaze, aged 27; in the Southern Ocean, now approaching Australia)
 
 

25th February 1860

Fine, Cold and Strong N.W. wind, sea not so rough but the ship rolls much still.
A pig killed.
A wave came over the poop this afternoon and drenched 3 ladies and 1 gent.

26th Sunday
Fine, warmer and fair winds.
S. Lat. 45=30 E. Long. 128=15.
3 p.m. Bible Class.    
Half past 7 p.m. Dissenters service and address from Rev. 2 Ch. 7v.
27th
We are all well.
Fine, much warmer and very calm sea.
A young man lost a good japaned footbath overboard off the forecastle, he had been washing some clothes in it. It was seen to float for a long distance. Several jocular remarks about it, persons calling out a vessel in sight, others said he might have as well sent some letters by it.
S.W. breeze spring up at 10 a.m. and continues to increase.
28th
Fine and Strong S.E. wind ahead of us
driven Northwards consequently and the ship had to be put about at 3 p.m. and then we began to go S.
3 Molamhawks caught. The doctor and his brother very busy about them to preserve their feathers, etc. One of them measurered 8ft across the wings.
29th
Fine, calm and very light N.W. winds but favourable.
5 p.m. wind much stronger, double reefed topsails, etc. Quite a bustle on deck after being so calm all day.

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