Family History 1.732

(Shipboard diary of Charles Gaze, my great-grandfather, approaching Australia; age 27)

 

March 1st 1860 

Fine, calm and very light N.W. wind. Got ahead of us in the afternoon and blowing south east, towards 5 p.m. reefed topsails etc.

S. Lat. 44 E Long 137=40.

March 2nd

Rain, and wind ahead still.

The young woman came into the hospital, in labour exciting the sympathies of most married women but a mystery to most persons, she going by the name of Miss Murphet and having no friends on board.

P.M.  Half past 1. The cry of the new born heard and very shortly announced to be a boy, when some of the sailors exclaimed he belonged to their watch on deck, he must stow the main royal, and take the wheel etc. My wife engaged to relieve the Lady, who sits up with the mother and child tonight, at 4 a.m. tomorrow.

Being driven so far northwards..

S Lat. 41=25 E. Long. 139. It is reported (and that found to be true) it is the Captain's intentions of Steering for Basses Straits.

3rd

Which she did and announces Mother and Child doing well.

Weather fine and much warmer and good S.W. wind.

 

 

 

 

 

Sailors busy hauling up the cable out of the hold and fixing it, also preparing the anchors; quite an excitement, many passengers lend a hand at the windlass etc. (myself included). The handle that I held not being made secure came off in turning, by the rolling of the ship and laid me on the Forecastle head across one of the anchors but providentially not hurt, they then fixed the handle, and we all had a good laugh and joking and on we went again. We can generally find something to amuse such as a pull at the rope at hoisting or taking in sail, breaking up flour casks and for the cook and helping him fetch his coals from the hold.

A pig killed.