DIARY OF THOMAS ANGOVE

Passenger on the Clipper ship "Schomberg" from Liverpool to Melbourne in 1855. Extract from the remains of his Diary.

NB. This was the last voyage of the Colonial Clipper, Schomberg. In 1855, the Schomberg, skippered by the tough, courageous and quick-tempered Captain James “Bully” Forbes, set forth to establish a new England-Australia sailing record. When the ship he once described as "the noblest that ever floated on water" was drifting to disaster on the rocks west of Bass Strait, he strangely seemed to lose interest and opted for the latter destination in his famous signal - "Melbourne or Hell In Sixty Days". Why we do not know. (From BHP "History of the Bass Strait" Series.)

- - - One of the men is much elevated by being made President of the Mess and he does all the dirty work such as clean knives and forks, empty the slops for the ladies, etc. and this he does with pleasure to be called "Mr President". The other, the filibuster of the lot, has been exposed to the destroying hand of time for his hair, which was once a fine carroty colour has flown from the top of his head and has reappeared on each side of his face and chin in abundance which puts one in mind of a Southcotte. The other is half-woman and does not figure so high as the former. The weather is truly delightful with a nice breeze. We are in the Trade Winds and tomorrow we hope to be in the Tropics. Our latitude today is 25 17`.

Sunday October 21st, 3p.m. Altitude of the sun today was 58 15`. We made a very good run since yesterday, viz 270 miles. Divine service today on the poop at 10.30a.m. And in the afternoon on the quarter deck at 3.30 p.m. We had the church service in the morning. The doctor was the person who preached on the words, "Seek the Lord while he may be found". Of course he read the sermon but it was a very fine sermon according to my idea of the matter; one the poor old Parson Mason should hear instead of "Swearing on the dog in the church". We have still beautiful weather and our ship is gallantly spinning along. The old Admiral Schomberg still points the way and as yet he has not moved the telescope from under his arm although I think he must have washed his face on the night we carried off the main degallant mast. We have no less than thirty-three sails spread on different masts. There is not a ship afloat that carries so much canvas. The main yard is 110 feet long, the main sail about 100 feet in length. Today for the first time I saw a few flying fish. A ship, or rather, a schooner appears on our Larboard side. Some of the Number 8 Mess who have been trying to walk over some of their own party have written a letter today and sent it on the poop to one of their mess-mates who is a widow. She of course does not like it and she does not take the trouble to write a letter but gives it to them right and left. The party with whom she is concerned are chiefly Irish and probably have moved rather above the sphere in which the fleas and lice swarm and for this reason they seem larger to themselves than they do to Englishmen. It strikes me they fancy themselves primary bodies and their neighbours like so many other satellites moving around them. There is evidence of them having been looked to as bodies capable of being magnified by artificial means, such then is the case with the system to which they belong. But those bodies that are to be seen always the same, bodies called fixed stars, whose distance is immeasurable, can scarcely find them in creation. It is a known fact that the highest magnifying power in the world cannot make a fixed star appear anything larger. They are without the reach of the telescope as far as its magnifying power goes and if they move at all they must move in a circle that circumscribes the whole of that system which is to be brought nearer by human artificial means. In short these Irish are revolving planets with their satellites abounding with lice and fleas and the others are those fixed bodies that little is known about. No 1Cabin and the Mess have this afternoon re-baptised three of No 8 Mess. The first is called "Big Ben" for his size and voice. The other, who does the dirty work, is called "Nincompoop” for his tendency to condescend to turn his hand or his mind for anything. The third poor man, miserable hermaphrodite, or tool for the lot, has received with due honour the name of "Lickspittle" and by tomorrow each one will be called by his name by Mess No 1. I expect to hear of a breeze tomorrow on account of the above letter.

Monday October 22nd We have a fine breeze this morning and the ship is on her course speeding away at the rate of 9 knots per hour. The breeze which was anticipated last night came on this morning about 10.00. The captain and the doctor came down and of course wanted to know the meaning of the letter sent on the poop. In the first place Ben attempted to show the letter had no reference to the Public Mess but only the Private Mess that each individual had contributed to one common store. He attempted to show the letter only wished for the widow to retire from the Private Mess and the letter was written in that sort of style that little else could be inferred there from. But Big Ben was not exactly up to what his friend Nincompoop had done. He had been to the captain and apologised for signing his name to the letter in question. But when the captain reminded him of this he would have denied the apology but the doctor was witness against him. The time had now arrived for a second Babel and the only words that I understood were, "I beg your pardon Sir", repeated by each one chattering against the other like so many jays and cross fencing like a second Inkerman. In short it was a real hubbub. The crew was in a hubbub, their master Beelzebub. A collision of these bodies was inevitable. The whole of their planetry system must shortly be dissolved and like the Baselip fabrics of a vision leave not a single wreck behind. The words of a wise man were about to be verified, "Too much familiarity breeds discontent". But here stood the widow who had cast her mite into the (she called a lady) saying she would not relinquish her share of the private or the public Mess to please them and all this affair was quite out of the captain's jurisdiction and therefore the battle is suspended for a little season. By the by, as I am to give a faithful narrative of the incidents that may occur on this ship, it will not perhaps be out of the way of decorum, if I state my opinion why the captain did not give them a rope's ending. The widow lady in question sleeps in the same berth as Miss Hart and the latter is the lady who found herself locked out and because the widow would not withdraw from her berth the Irish Brigade wished her to withdraw from her No 8 Mess. It would scarcely be possible for this Brigade to take anything but a dirty advantage hence their aim at the present one. Latitude 17 25' at a little after noon, sight St Antonio Island. 3 p.m. Still in sight of the island but there is such a haze about that although close to it we cannot distinguish it as we would wish. 6 p.m. out of sight of land again. Several swallows flew about the ship and some in the riggings. 7 p.m. The No 8 Mess went on the bulwarks to sing as usual but the emetic which they gave the commander in the morning had not cleared his stomach and so he ordered them forward if they choosed to sing. 10 p.m. sighted a ship on the starboard bow about four miles off and although it was good light yet we could not make her known. One thing, she shared the fate of all her sister ships. It was her misfortune to be left behind. Our Mess had a little jollification on deck till 1 a.m., drank out of a bottle of brandy and were quite convivial.

Tuesday 23rd We had a squall this morning about four o'clock which caused us to furl our skysails. 8 a.m. a good breeze but too much ahead of arm. The captain gives orders to have the royals lowered and the stunsails to be brought down for the south-eastern horizon indicated an approaching storm. All hands were busy at work carrying out the captain's orders, who at the time was calculating the distance of the Buster. The stunsails being down and the halyards being all made ready for a run as soon as the gale had reached us for you must bear in mind sails are not reefed for nothing. In less time than I have been writing the last paragraph the fact was revealed a dark ring of water was seen in the distance heading towards the ship. On and on it came. It reached us, just showery for the moment and now the time of confusion begins. The number of orders that were given by the captain as fast as he could utter them, one after another. But the first order given was "Luff" to the helmsman. That was to throw all the wind out of the sails by bringing her up close to the wind. Then, "Let go your mizen royal halyards". Again, "Luff! Luff!" But the helmsman did not make the ship till the moment drew from our gallant commander the word "Luff" accompanied with something else and "What are you afraid of" to the helmsman. By the time I had fixed myself close by the captain, who was on the quarter deck, now peeping over the bulwarks, now giving an order for one of the thousand ropes to be let go, some halyard or some tack in fact I could not help enjoying this treat. To hear the Scotch accent and to see him like a lamp lighter or I might say like a bounding kangaroo, hopping here and bounding there, it made a squall a delight to me, and to see our bark ploughing through the water was a satisfaction that lead me to think we should not be long at that rate before we got to the golden lining. While I was enjoying this treat it was not so with others. Just as soon as the wind began to blow the main stay sail sheet either broke or snapped and the blocks were beating and banging about in every direction. Some of the ladies screamed out, "There is someone overboard!" This news spread through the ship like lightning and while the captain was anxiously waiting the result of the tempest (the blocks were beating and banging about in every direction) he was informed by several voices at once of a person being overboard. You may judge at his feelings then for if every passenger on board the ship had gone over there was no possibility of saving them then. The captain now ordered, "Haul down the flying jib” with a voice that would have made a gentle breeze turn out of its course and lay on the water as steady as a rock and before it is over the captain sings out, "Hoist away! Hoist away!" "It will soon be over". He now enquires about the person overboard and it turns out to be imagination but many tears ran down the cheeks of the timid ones. Our next thoughts were about the ship that was sighted in the morning on the lee side. The squall past, we have a view of her again. We are gaining on her. 10.30 we hoist signals. She replies. We give our name, where from and where bound. She does the same. Her name is, "Stambool" from London, bound for Bengal. 12 noon we are close to the side of the other ship, say a quarter of a mile. She does not carry skysails, only royals. She is a beautiful and fast ship, about 800 or 900 tons, laden with ballast trim. We enquire how long out. She gives 2 days. We 17. The next she asks how many days from Cape Clear and before we reply she herself by the number 14. We immediately reply by the number 13 days. Now what upon earth did she go down to Cape Clear from London. Be as it may be she wishes us a good journey and we wish her the same and after dipping colours a few times we bid her adieu as we have all others. Our ship was brought close to her for the captain to have a view of the mighty ship Schomberg. Latitude today 13 35' or 815 miles from the equator.

Wednesday Wind light and quite contrary. We are a good way off our course. I expect we shall about ship at noon. The evening being mild and pleasant there was slack rope dancing and a plan of jumping that excited considerable amusement. The person who jumped had to spring off a board fixed on two rollers and unless he was very cautious he would be sure to be thrown to his nose.

Thursday 24th Wind light at the rate of 7 or 8 miles per hour. Sighted a ship, “Spitfire", homeward bound for Boston. 10 a.m. Close enough to talk with the Spitfire. Our captain asks her to report us from Liverpool "all well". She replies yes and asks us how many days out. We reply 16. This is the time since the left. The next thing she asks is, "Is Sebastopol taken?” We reply "Yes" and bid adieu. Latitude 9 23’. The captain sends a letter to the second class passengers inviting them to a Ball on Wednesday. This evening the intermediate passengers have a jollification.

Friday 25th Becalmed. The entertainments last night were rather uproarious and consequently brought the captain and the officers down amongst them to request order. One of the passengers had his things thrown overboard and this morning he seemed greatly annoyed at the treatment he received last night and thought to make his grievance known to the captain and at the same time present him with a note. But the captain would not listen to him but ordered him forward immediately so poor man he will have to wait till he arrives at Melbourne before the captain will apologise to him. 11 a.m. there is a formal trial going on in the saloon about some love letters that had been written by a young couple. They have their solicitors and the judge is on his seat. There are policemen and one of them has a tidy black eye too. 1 p.m. The case is adjourned till 2 p.m. Latitude today 7 37’. 4 p.m. We have changed our course after having a torrent of rain for about two hours. Music and dancing all the evening. The weather is very hot and the ship is doing very little.

Saturday 26th Becalmed. Sighted a ship this morning homeward bound from China for Liverpool and all those who can write are busy so communicating their thoughts and attentions to their absent friends and I arrange a list that send a letter. The captain went on board of the other ship at noon and took the letters with him. 1 p.m. The captain of the came onboard and dined with our captain and saloon passengers and jolly noise they made about it. Many "Hurrahs" were offered and the necks of many bottles of champagne were broken. The dinner past nothing less than the German band will do and then a dance which would have done well enough if they had the good sense to knock off in anything like season but not so, and they kept up jigging away till past five o'clock before the stranger went on board his own ship. Nor was it ended here. A party with Captain Forbes at their head must accompany the seagoing gent to his ship and there they stayed until eight o'clock. You may suppose by this time the passengers were dissatisfied and thought the commander had treated them ridiculous for during all he time the other captain was on board of us there was a pretty fresh breeze blowing and of course that we might not sail away part of the sails were thrown against the wind and the others were filled with it and consequently the power of one neutralised the power of the other and we were still. As soon as Captain Forbes and his party arrived it came to rain which entirely ended the breeze and now Sunday 10.30 a.m. we have none. The lowest estimated distance lost by the spree is 30 miles and 30 miles into the tropics where calms are so prevalent is very valuable. We have a ship in sight on the starboard bow. The trial that I mentioned in my notes of Friday came off in the presence of the other captain in the afternoon.

Sunday 27th Divine service on the poop 10.30 a.m. We have a ship in sight on the starboard side. Caught a shark and the sailors cut it to pieces in a short time. Some like it for cooking and I heard some say it was very good but I did not partake of it. The butcher and the baker have a quarrel. 5 p.m. the boatswain is taken very ill with violent pain in his stomach and bowels. The doctor takes off a quart of blood from him and he is relieved. There are several complaining of disease on board but as yet nothing serious has happened.

Monday 29th Becalmed and no likely of a breeze. We have not sailed 60 miles since last Wednesday. Oh for a good breeze to take us out of this tropics. Caught a shark 9 feet long. The life boat is sent out with as many of the second class passengers as like to go. Several embrace the opportunity and some of them are foolhardy enough to bathe and one among the rest could not swim an inch plunged over the side of the boat and had not the oars been lying in the water he would most decidedly have been sent to Davey Jones's Locker. The evening was as usual spent in music and dancing. I had a sharp lookout for the Southern Cross last night but the clouds would not permit. I have not seen the Great Bear since we were in 20 Latitude for several degrees above the horizon has been cloudy. In the evening the captain and one of the saloon passengers had very high words but I think the latter had the best of it. He seems to walk over the former very coolly while on the contrary the former was very warm. How it ended I know not.

Tuesday 30th Becalmed. Several sharks are passing around the ship. The captain orders the hook to be thrown out and it was not done so long before one of the monsters caught hold of the bait and was soon landed on the deck. There is something awfully grand to see them lolling about in the water so close to you. The sea is clear as crystal and sometimes he ports on the surface and then you see him fling his tail and down he goes like a huge monster as far as the eye can penetrate and then in a short time you may see him steal alongside the ship again to wait for more prey. The shark is accompanied by four or five pretty little fish called the Pilate fish. They immediately take their leave when the shark is hooked.

Wednesday 31st Wind very light. Several large fish called Blackfish have been sporting around the ship today. They sometimes leap many feet in the air. Since we have so long been becalmed the lively countenance of many a person has been turned sad and the heart heavy. For my own part I am quite comfortable only I would rather be dashing along 14 miles an hour. While I write this the band is playing on the poop. The music tends to gladden the heart and when an opportunity occurs there will be plenty of dancing for the last three days and nights we have had torrents of rain. Such rain I never witnessed before besides too the wind is scarcely 15 minutes in one quarter. The crew of the ship is the scraping of no less than 8 different countries - England, French, Spanish, Italian, Swede, Chinese, Irish and Scots, a stupid lot. This evening Mr Landon will keep up the birthday of his intended mistress. We shall join in the treat with half a dozen wine. The Ball that was purposed to come off tonight has been postponed till some future day. Some of the passengers have caught some Men of War. This is something that floats on the water in the shape of a boat with one sail and side before it is considered blubber but there is a quality belonging to it. If one touch it will sting him for his pain and so many have had their turn.

Thursday November 1st Becalmed. The weather has been anything but comfortable for the last day or two. It has rained in torrents and there is no appearance of a change as yet. The second class passengers complain of their beef today and a nice breeze it has created. The purser came down and he and Mr Melville had very high words. The former threatens to break the latter's back and he in turn said he would knock the purser's head off. In consequence of the row the purser has arranged each Mess to see their own meat being handed out or else go without and tomorrow's dawn will usher in a boisterous day for not one will see the meat weighed and probably we shall have no dinner which will be jolly good fun.

Friday November 2nd No wind and so dark has been the weather that we have not made an observation the last two days. I thought yesterdays fuss would have caused us to go dinnerless today but not so. We were served just as usual with the addition of vinegar for the first time on our voyage. The party who made the complaint about the meat yesterday seemed to think themselves much better served today in consequence of their complaint yesterday. Well the old adage says, "Conceit will kill and conceit will call” and it is better to be well pleased than well served. But for the majority of our Mess they think we never had so salt fish or so strong tasted pork as Friday's dinner presented to us. I trust the last breeze will satisfy their appetite for the voyage. The Irish brigade says that Mr Melville is the only one at the Mess who comes out like a man. This may be the right in their eye but the optic of the No 8 Mess seems vastly different. Although this day has not been such a boisterous one below as we expected yet it has not passed without its melancholy. The forenoon was very cloudy and the ship lay almost still and the rain poured down at intervals in torrents until about noon when the rain had eased for a while and the atmosphere seemed as if it Were filling with the liquid to give us one more finishing drencher. At 3 p.m. the wind began to spring up in the distance and the huge black clouds were seen to move hither and thither as if there was great uncertainty of the place where they were to empty their contents. The sun too seemed as if it would have shone out of his hiding place but there was something alarming shortly to take place and as if he watched witness the sun peeped through a hole for a moment and then withdrew behind the curtain again. The shining of the sun for the moment induced one of the saloon stewards to put out some of his towels on the lifeboat which is hung on the davits by the Mizen stays (and by the saloon doors) to dry but as soon as the horizon appeared to blacken the steward came out for his towels again and in getting from the boat to the ship he fell off the bulwarks into the sea. I was not far off when I heard the splash and the sound of "Man overboard". I saw the poor fellow struggling close to the side of the ship like one who was unconscious of what he was doing. The captain immediately threw out the life buoy and then a second but the man did not, that anyone could ascertain, attempt to lay hold of either of them. The ship by this time, feeling the edge of a breeze, was making a little way however she was soon hove to and the boat lowered to try to pick him up but it was in vain. The top of his head was seen close by the life buoys but for a short time only and by the time the boat had reached the buoys, which was not more than the ship's distance astern, he was invisible or had sunk to rise no more. Now several conjectures took place as to the speedy cause of his death. The greater part of the boat's crew thought he must have been caught by a shark as there were two of these monsters seen close the ship not long before but my opinion is he struck himself against the iron stays of the Mizen Mast while falling from the boat to the water for it was impossible to let fall a perpendicular line without the side of the boat without it touching or rather falling on the side of the stays or the side of the ship. Be this as it may, he is gone to his resting place. Either cause would of course cause almost instant death and it matters nothing to him now. As soon as the boat arrived with life buoys there was no more thought of him. The order was given, “Hoist away! Hoist away!" for the breeze, accompanied with a torrent of rain, had taken us and we wanted to be on our way for Melbourne.

Saturday 3rd The breeze that caught us last night is most likely the tail end of the Trades. We have had today a very strong breeze but it is so much head we cannot sail near our course. 3 p.m. sighted a ship on the port side but a squall soon met her and we had not time to signal her. Two of the cabin passengers came down in the second cabin to receive subscriptions for the widow of the unfortunate man who fell overboard on Friday. Latitude today 3 27’ North and if we had anything like a fair wind we should be on the line tomorrow.

Sunday 4th The wind still strong but too far south us our course. While I am writing this there is a Divine Service on the poop and I suppose the parties who are engaged in prayer below call it divine service. There are a great number of Catholics on board and several in the second cabin. They too have their prayers read by Mr Lickspittle and they have their excesses suspended on their backs. This is what they call "Taking up their cross". We have today put one of the sailors in a straight coat. He has been in irons for the last two days. When he was allowed his liberty he would climb the ropes like a cat. He was never so happy as when he was on the skysail yard furling the sail in a squall. He was undoubtedly a smart little fellow one time but ever since he has been on board this ship he has been treated by the Boatswain and the Third Mate cruelly. This has been a day of varieties. We have had religious service three different times including the catholic service and in the evening there was a trial of a love case brought on by the 3 officer and one of the intermediate passengers. The passenger was found guilty and had to pay a fine of one bottle of rum. About 8 p.m. the watch sang out, "Ship ahead". In a moment Our blue lights were put on the forecastle and a barrel set fire and thrown overboard for it was discovered that old Father Neptune was coming. He passed along the ship with the barrel of tar but he sent his despatches on board to say that he should be on board to see the ship Schomberg and to visit his children the following morning. The plan had been all arranged for the reception. The and the old fathers representative chosen, but there was a drop of rum and somehow or other crept into the head of the Autocrat of the Seas and being either excited with the liquor, he was (against orders) showing the actions of Neptune in the intermediate when the steward came down and ordered him out of that place. But the brave son of Neptune refused to go, consequently a quarrel took place and the other officers were called to assist to chain or hand bolt him but the three officers were not able to do so although each of two of them looked fully as big as he. The fellow screamed aloud for the captain to whom he gave himself up contentedly and I heard he was kept in the wheelhouse for some time and liberated. The captain felt angry that such folly should have been displayed through drink and immediately ordered no more liquors to any man on board the ship, not even himself, without an order.

Monday November 5th Guy Faux Day. The foul breeze last night has hindered all Neptune's demonstrations today. We cross the line today at 11 a.m. Latitude at noon 8 South, Longitude about 30 West or off the coast of South America. We have a fine breeze and are not much off course. When I say a fine breeze, the ship is close hauled with a strong wind. The list of the contributions for the steward's widow is published today. Nearly 40. Tonight the captain gave strict orders to keep a sharp look out for rocks were near our path of sailing.

Tuesday November 6th A strong breeze. Ship close hauled. Sailing S.W. by South. Latitude 3 42' South, Longitude 31 30' West. The Ball which was postponed will come off tonight. Several of the second class passengers are going. There seems to be a great delight with the people from every country in this thing except the Cornish people. They do not seem to delight in it much. There may be one here and there but there is one young lady who is rather light weight fond of trying to move her feet. She is dying to learn dancing. I trust that now we have crossed the Equator that it will prove but the beginning of a new era in our lives and circumstances. We have new worlds open to our view and I am persuaded that the one who will contemplate on the sublime and magnificent sky of a clear evening will be better satisfied than sweating at a fantastic masquerade for four of five hours.

Wednesday November 7th The amusement of last night has left an effect on many this morning and I am included in the lot. The reason of my broken rest was caused by the noise of the band after I went to bed. They played exactly over our berth and did not leave off until near midnight and then if the Ball was ended here it would have been better but several of the feminine gender come down stair and sit chattering away on the merits of this dance and that gallop and the delight which they seemed to have in discussing the numerous quadrelles and waltzes would have put one in the mind of some sharp discussion on some very important scientific subject. Had Newton and Leplace with all their several followers been present discussing the formation of the Earth, whether it was an oblate or an oblong spheroid, there could have not been more zeal displayed by the followers of each philosopher than there was by these few giglets. They stayed till near two in the morning and so great was the annoyance caused to the young men who spell their name with the Alpha of the English language that one of them leapt out of his bed and kindly told them they were all fine dancers but it was time for them to go to bed. Now amongst this lot of dancing professarios there was Mrs Vagg, the widow; Mrs Edmunds, a woman who has three little children to look after but on this occasion she has some little maid to put them to bed. Another was a young woman from near Probus called Nithowan who poor creature have found out the way to cut poor old Murray to pieces who having been able to put on a tidy dress played a prominent part both in the dance and the discussion. I do think if there is any one person who displays more ignorance than another it is those half bred trade who have been kept to what they call a school and have learned the mere outline or shape of an education and fancy they have the substance. The poor cousin John (she is not worth either her own name or cousin Jack) is a most refined lady who she tell you I has, I hasn't, you hasn't, they has and Iyer going to do this or that. I am sorry the poor drone came from the country that I did. Bye the bye we have christened her Melia for her qualities to imitate a young girl we once knew the sailors had a little fun but did not last long. We have a fine breeze. Our Latitude is 7 13’ South. Weather delightful.

Thursday November 8th After being in bed a few hours I was awoke by the sound of sailors on deck. The Captain too added to these discordant sounds by calling on Mr Keen the chief officer and then enquiring of the helmsman how her head was going and then as soon as he was informed he replied by a growl, "Man you are all off the course". As far as I could understand I thought something up. I stole out of bed and slipped on my shoes and trousers and went on deck as quiet as a fox on the moment of his prey. The passengers in the second cabin were all fast asleep and silence reigned throughout the interior of the mighty ship Schomberg. As soon as I got on deck I looked on the top of the main mast to see if it was carried away as the royals and skysails were up when I went to bed and in a squall I thought they might have carried off the degallant mast again, but not so. I paraded the deck up and down and then went on the weather side of the ship and saw nothing. The sailors too were trying how quietly they could do their work. Well, I thought, this looks rather unusual. There is something agate. I then went on the lee side and was convinced that I saw land. I returned to the other side of the ship again and then I met an old man who makes a practice to come on deck every night or morning about 1 o'clock. I asked him if we were not close the land. He said yes for some two hours ago the light of some lighthouse was seen by him and all the crew. The second officer took it to be a ship and put a lantern on the bows to warn the supposed ship of our being close to her. The fact was soon revealed to me when I heard the Captain order the heaving of the lead. The lead being hove, the line showed 13 fathoms of water. The land was very plain only four miles off. It was the headland that projects from Peranambrico. Every preparation was made to ‘bout ship should it be required. Tackle all pulled taut, halyards all mand the mainsheet tacks a braces all in readiness for the turnabout the mate did not heave the lead for some little time. I thought I would inform my brother what was taking place. He was asleep as sound as old Jonah when he was running away from Ninevah but I awoke him and just as he came up the lead was hove and sounded 16 fathoms. We both had a view of the land for it was a beautiful night. The lead sounded three times consecutively 16 fathoms and then 18 fathoms. The topsail jib and the main royal staysail were again set and we both retired to our cabin. The lead was hove again and we heard 20 fathoms which satisfied us we were bearing off and we slept soundly till 6 a.m. About 7 a.m. several fishing boats came within 3 or 4 miles to us but we had no fresh fish from them. The land we bid adieu with a light breeze sailing due south, latitude 10 4’. This afternoon we had a lecture on the poop on Astronomy and Poetry by the Reverend Ross. It was a repetition of Sir John Herschel’s opinions without any illustration. I would much rather hear a lecture on the subject in the starlight when the lecturer would have had an opportunity for illustrating his lecture. The starry heavens present the most magnificent and sublime spectacle in this latitude that I have ever seen.

Friday November 9th A fine breeze and we are steering South by East. Latitude 13 38'. The sun is only a degree or two from being directly over our heads.

Saturday November 10th The wind is light and the weather is very hot. The sun is within a few minutes of vertical. Latitude 16 25', Longitude 33 53’. In the ship Schomberg there is a fine class of people. There is here a Mrs Edward who has left her husband and two children in Birmingham. The talk is she could not live with him but could she not live with her children. It is possible for a mother to forget her child after this. Another case is in a woman who with her husband came on board together but he perhaps having some cherry amie of his in England could not leave her and on the night before we left he defected from his wife without her knowing it and went back to Liverpool again. His wife and child are on board and I was informed she was seen bitterly crying yesterday but she bears it up generally as well as might be expected. Probably she rests under the hope that the loss of one will be the choice of twenty more. The other case in in a man that had lately taken to him a second wife in London while his first wife was alive. He with the second wife had agreed for a passage in the George Marshall from London but his former wife heard of the game made straight way to London and enquired the fugitives out and stop the game from being wholly carried in the above ship. But Man, that determined animal when he sets his mind on a lovely woman, is hard to be put out of his inclination. He goes to Liverpool and engages a berth in ye mighty ship Schomberg for himself, cheating his first wife altogether and promises to meet his second delight (who retains her passage in the George Marshall) when in Australia. The above ship was to sail in a day or two after us and no doubt he will shortly after he arrives in Melbourne be in possession of his second rib. The Belles and Beaus of the No. 8 have each had their turn at something again today. The young ladies were both ill till 4 a.m. and the notorious pair of whiskers and light weight were obliged to keep watch with them. Such sickness I never saw before, the moaning, fainting and grunting, they wearing no bonnets on their heads and like Dame Dordons chazzledtail maids they trapse the deck forth and back and in and out and dance when the opportunity occurs and to finish go and sit on the bulwarks and sing songs till 9.30 or 10 p.m. when the second part of the play comes off in the shape of a sickly farce.

Sunday November 11th Weather fine. Wind fair. Latitude 19 30’, Longitude 32 10'. Bob, the sailor who has been confined in a straight coat for some days past. The treatment that this poor fellow gets is horrible indeed. He is kept on deck in the forecastle under the rays of a vertical sun without any hat or covering over his head and the effect of the sun has been so great that it has burnt the skin of his head brown. The sailors too are the most inhuman creatures towards him that I ever saw. There is one big fellow left to take care of him but he bad as the rest allows the most mischievous and cruel of them to tantalise him to any degree. They will offer him perhaps a knife and then catch it from him the moment he is about to lay hold of it. He very much wished to go to the church to serve the Lord as he says and then when he finds the others scorning him he calls them heathens. Much might be said of this poor fellow but the real opinion of the great part of the passengers is he would get about again with proper treatment. Sighted two ships today. One an American homeward bound but she would not answer us. The other was not near enough to answer

Monday November 12th Latitude 22 4'. Mr and Mrs Melville are in their lowest humour. They have moved in such fine company in their day that they are quite satisfied with No. 3 Mess. It so happens that this Mess are so unanimous in their opinions for the nonsense of always complaining that this company have really disgusted Mr and Mrs Melville who by the by turn up their sweet noses at everything that is set before them but should any one thing be neglected by the President their thunderbolts are showered on his head to the amusement of all the rest who are quite up to the comedy and part of them play one part and part the other so that the poor Mrs Melville is kept in a profuse sweat from one end of the week to the other. There has today a fresh mover taken place. Mrs M. says neither she or husband can say one word at the Mess but it is written down and to make her more suspicious on the subject, Mr Langdon carried his diary on deck in their presence and began taking notes today which will create no small amusement. Sighted a ship to the eastward bound but could not speak her. A trial took place in the second cabin between Mr Langdon and Mr Snaby the third mate for assault (or that was the cause). It was committed by the third mate. He laid over the shoulder of the Plaintiff. Mr Snaby defended himself very ably but he was found guilty and fined one bottle of rum and one bottle of sherry. The most notable part of the trial was when the defendent called on what he called his most sincere friend and best witness. He first examined his own witness and the witness replied by saying exactly to each question asked him. But when he was cross- examined by the plaintiff's counsel the defendant giving him five shillings and then looked for 2/6 of it back again. In the saloon there was the Wizard of the North performing his bottle tricks and many others to the astonishment of the passengers there. But the laughable farce was yet to come, about 11 p.m. when John was undressing and going into bed he was not little surprised to find something cold and clammy. He felt around and at last discovered it to be a sheep that had been killed in the day by the butcher and skinned. It was carefully laid on its back with its trotters upward. We had then to turn to and get this intruder out of the bed and no small amusement was the result.

Tuesday November 13th A fine breeze. We are going at the rate of 12 knots with the wind right behind us. We have on nearly all of our stunsails, our main and fore skysails set but the mizen sky royal sails are furled and the mizen is drawn up. We sighted a ship on the starboard bow at 10 a.m. and by 11 a.m. we were very close by her. She had a dead headwind and was making little or no way and sailing in reefed topsails and mizen sails all furled. She was carrying only four sails and a part of her jib. It was a delightful sight to look at her while we were passing her. Captain Forbes ordered the helmsman to sail close to her and we did so for the fore stunsail boom took away her colours as clean as a whistle. She was a Yankee ship and no doubt her captain felt indignant at the Schomberg's insolence. Latitude today 25 25', Longitude 29 55' West. During the evening the breeze strengthened and we were obliged to lower main and fore skysails and royals and take in the mizen degallant royal and skysails and to make one reef in the mizen topsail and haul up the mizen sail, take a reef in the main sail. Carrying nothing but main top, main degallant foresail fore top and degallant sail. The strong wind lasted till about 9.30 a.m. when it came to rain and the wind suddenly turned right around. The captain was on deck for several hours with the rain pouring on him like a torrent with nothing on him but a Chinese trousers and shirt, no hat or shoes on his feet. It was a most anxious time for him but the passengers were greater part below and knew nothing of what was passing at the time on deck. In consequence of the wind changing so suddenly we were obliged to change our course but such thing is not easily done when the sea runs so heavily, first one direction and the wind blows another. If you turn suddenly you endanger the ship or she may ship a heavy sea and all but bury her. On the other hand if you turn too slow you endanger the mast by the wind blowing for a length of time in the wrong direction. For this reason it took no less than five of the best men in the ship at the helm at the time and the captain shouting "Port", "Port". We shipped a sea for the first time on deck. It came in over the boat which was fastened to the davits and there was a lady standing in the saloon door at the time who was turned topsy turvy by the water. The boat was filled as might be expected and the davits which were made of iron 4 ½ inches diameter bowed down like reeds. I think this agitated the captain a little for this unfortunate lifeboat has been saved in the nick three times, once by the rain and twice by the sea. The ship had scarcely been put torights by midnight and then we were close hauled.

Wednesday November 14th Head wind. Ship close hauled. Make sight of ship bound for the eastward. Latitude 27 56’, Longitude 27 46’. Mr Starr lectures on intellectual pleasure and the pleasure of freedom. He went on very well until he touched the green isle of Erin when he, poor man, to show his dislike to tyranny, got himself in such a high pitch that I fear he will not be able to come down again. Whilst in this maddened strain the captain took the opportunity to send him forward to finish his lecture. Now I think he was quite right in doing so, for it must be remembered that there are a very great number of Irish beings here and the lecturer being allowed to go as far as to rave as he would like he would most decidedly tend to excite them so as to become troublesome therefore the wisdom of the Scotchman outshone that of the Irish man.

Thursday November 15th Wind quite contrary. We have had nothing like a fair wind since we left Liverpool but a few hours together. The ship has been close hauled more than three-quarters of her time. We have today had several albatross flying about the ship also several Cape gulls. Latitude 28 58’, Longitude 25 29'. The poor Bob the sailor was brought on the main deck today, close by the doctor's room. This morning while getting the main sheet ready for to about ship one of the sailors was struck by the flapping of the sail. "Man overboard". The cry rushed through with the velocity of lightning but the sailor was fortunate enough to lay hold of one of the ropes that was connected with the sail after he came up from the watery element. The second officer would soon have been over after him but Jack climbed up the side of the ship without any assistance. He looked a little surprised but no sooner was he on deck than his wet clothes were off and had resumed his duty. We were glad to see him again for it appeared to the passengers as one raised from the dead.

Friday November 16th Nothing of importance presented itself. We sighted the mast of a ship in the morning and by 10 p.m. we were close enough to speak her. The Ball commenced at 9 o'clock in commemoration of Capt. Forbes' birthday. It was opened by the firing of a gun which the other ship must have heard and probably made her bear towards us as near as possible. When she was within rocket length up was sent one from us but she did not answer. Another was sent from us but still no reply and the curious customer bearing right against us without light made it look rather suspicious or at least the inhabitants of the Schomberg thought so. Our captain took his stand in the boat on the starboard side for that was the side she was. He spoke her by asking, "Who are you?". He could not distinctly hear her reply but Capt. Forbes hails her again and she answers, "The ship Gladiator from London bound for Sydney 58 days out". We give our name and time out and where bound. The next enquiry was about what sort of winds you have had. The reply is, "A great deal of South winds". The stranger enquires what sort of south-east trade winds we had and the reply was very bad. We were driven on the coast of Peranambuco in 16 fathoms of water. The other says he was within 50 miles. Capt. Forbes asks him on board but he refused and they bid each other a safe passage promising to report each other all well. We then gave her three cheers and she replied by several voices which I think were passengers. Our separation taken place the band plays God Save the Queen and then the Polka for a dance and we soon left the poor Gladiator behind sailing much farther from the wind than ourselves.

Saturday November 17th The Ball continued and then supper in the saloon. There was not much excitement elsewhere until 3 a.m. when the parties were returning from the feast. Some one of the second cabin came down drunk and he performed the second act for two hours by calling his nephews all the most ridiculous names that was possible for the human mind to conceive, ridiculous names. He said he would show them in their true colours for trying to walk over him which no doubt he did to a very great nicety. The young chaps in question are very sentimental and consequential in their own way and one of them is so very much of the effeminate gentleman that if he gets a pimple on his face he keeps it covered all the day long with a handkerchief in his hand fearing that any may see the excrescent on his skin. Poor Counter Hoppers. What do they do when teazed with the mosquitos? The third part of the play was performed by another member of the second class. He would go on deck to have the hose poured over him with nothing but his trousers on but not satisfied he wanted to appear like our first parents before the fall, took off his trousers and made them pump on him naked and gave the third officer good exercise running around the deck after him. He now comes down in the second cabin in this state of innocence and struts about where he likes to the amusement of his own sex and perhaps to the satisfaction of some of the tender glances of some of the fairer sex who might have a full view of him over their berths for the sun had risen upon him. He (although it must be confessed was in a rude state) would have made a beautiful subject for the sculptor. A model of Achilles or one that the queen need not disdain to look at and he then paraded up and down the floor of the cabin quite harmless, only now and then he would threaten the other man who had been swearing on his nephews and would sometimes put himself in an attitude of defence before the fellow over the table, which really looked to be quite classical. The young man is one of Bishops lerngriton in Devon. In the evening we sighted and came close a Bark but did not speak her.

Sunday November 18th. Becalmed. Nothing of importance today. The sailors have had plenty of work tacking the ship.

Monday November 19th. Wind light and contrary. At noon about ship. The wind being so light the ship missed stays and therefore would not turn until she wore around. The Irish brigade again. This party seems to be fit for no other purpose than to make everyone uncomfortable who may be around them. They desire of the person who they think has to attend to their likes and dislikes more than it is possible for any human being to perform and should one please for a little time in serving them they will take care to add to his duties, first by fractions until fractions make integers and then not satisfied with a unit at a time they begin to multiply unit by unit until they swell up to tens. From this they square and then rapidly cube the burden of their servants and when they have exhausted their patience in involving the work of their servant in the ordinary way they, like mathematicians, have recourse to artificial numbers to render the work more expeditious for their requirements are indefinite. Such has been the case with the Irish brigade in the second cabin. The head steward has endeavoured to please them as far as ever a man could in fact he passed below them. He has even cringed to them and other parties have seen it but have said little about it. As for No. 3 Mess "They never say nothing to no business of them" but like the old magpie that couldn't speak have thought the more. Well Monday is the usual day for the stores to be delivered and the steward goes for them generally in the forenoon. But it happened that he went early this morning and when Thomas got out of bed at 6 a.m. which was his usual hour he found the cheese had been divided and our No. 3 Mess part was on the table and it was a most beautiful cheese. I took the article to the cabin and went on deck as usual. While here I was informed of a deuce of a row below about the cheese. Some, in fact all, were growling about the inferiority quality of it except No. 3 who never grumbled at all and the senior of the I. B. wanted for the steward to carry back the cheese to the purser again which he objected to do knowing right well that purser would not change it. Thus the introduction to a squall commenced but the bulk of the weather was still to come. At 8 the bell rang for breakfast and down go all feeders each one in his place. When all are seated a side wind begins to blow and now and then we should hear a puff or two thrown to No. 3 then we soon discover the blowing was in the direction of our cheese and I can assure you No. 3 do not often go to the leeward. The breeze being stronger and stronger we took the pleasure to luff ourselves up as close to the weather as possible where we were sure to be safe. We are now as tight as possible and they I. B. or any other might blow against us. It was only in vain for by our luffing up we raised our steam and were able to blow it off profusely. At this time the doctor came down to see some sick person and was taken the different cheeses and No. 3 were pointed out to him as a lot that had a superior cheese and such was the fact that the man of distinction drew near us and asked if we had a good cheese. We all reply, "Yes and we have always got beautiful cheese here". We think we are served better than anybody or Mess in the ship. The anatomist wished to see it but we did not choose to show it but we told him we had first rate biscuits and first rate attention in fact everything was better than we had ever anticipated. The man of medicine smiles and says, "Ah, you are awake to your business". And Bob nods and snobs sobs and we wish the medical man good morning. After breakfast, after having chewed and mumbled their breakfast with sight of a dirty cheese in their eye, its nauseous smell in their nose, its insipid or disagreeable taste to their mouths mixed with the smell of the steam blowing off from the victualling office of No. 3 Mess they withdrew from their table not the least satisfied. The occupiers of No. 1 cabin finding they had plenty of feed in their boilers and the steam blowing off in abundance now offer the second cabin inhabitants as much water as they like to take by calling at No. 1 saying at the same time they had a large jar from which they could draw water when they liked. This bravado coupled with the former set the whole of the Irish Brigade on an end. They seek the next opportunity to have a dreadful fall out with the steward and they write a letter to the Capt. and present it for the different messes to sign but not at No. 3. Now there was one or two who signed and that was all of the English against the steward. The steward writes a letter also and the consequence he is removed to the saloon as second steward. If we had picked all England for our mess we could not find a more agreeable lot than No. 3 together. They by their content have more comfort than any mess in the ship. If any mess begins to complain of the victuals they are only laughed at for their delicacy and told that it is a first rate living, that they the grumblers never had such living in their lives. Since we have adopted this plan the purser has not been sent for once.

Tuesday November 20th Wind very light. The ship Gladiator which we spoke on Friday last was in company with us again today. Ever since we mad the South American coast we have had either dead head winds or calms. Our latitude today 31 45' which shows we have sailed but little since last Friday. The German band plays on deck every evening for the amusement of the passengers. Our captain has been ill for the last three days but it is much better today. At 6 p.m. a strong breeze struck up but still hangs on the old quarter viz S.E. by South. The ship is close hauled and is running 11 ½ knots. With such breeze over the beam we could sail 17 knots.

Wednesday November 21st Sailing S.W. by West. Breeze still fresh with the ship close hauled. Carrying all our royals. Lat. 34 56', Long. 27 West. We have plenty of birds flying around us of different sorts. A great many porpoises were playing around the bows this forenoon.

Thursday November 22nd. There was a birth in the intermediate this morning. The mother and child are doing very well. The breezes we get are generally of short duration and those we have had have been contrary. We are today becalmed. Some of the saloon passengers have shot one of the Cape Hens. Its wings measured 5 feet from tip to tip. There is a considerable difference made here in the saloon and any other class passengers. The former are allowed to shoot as much as they like but no other class is allowed to fire a gun on any account. I was not aware of the English game laws extending so far. The evening was spent in the usual manner.

Monday November 23rd Becalmed. The sea as smooth as a mill pond. One of the saloon passengers shot an albatross and a cape hen. The former measured 9' 2" from tip to tip. It was like a good size swan. Theft. For some time past there has been carrying away someones clothes and no means of discovery had presented itself. The butcher has had three coats stolen and the poor fellow has not one to wear or at least he says so. However theft may be carried on on board of a ship for a long time when there are several parties agreed and no doubt such is the case in the present instance. Today some fellow in the intermediate was put in irons for theft but was soon let out again. The search in his berth proved fruitless after he was taken. No doubt he had someone to convey away the article in question while the bustle was going on about him. One of the jackets was found on him but he said it was not his but his brothers. But his brother said he had one like that but whether that was his or not he would not swear. That ended the proof for the time but should the right person be discovered there will be no luck for him. The breeze towards the evening freshens up and we were carrying on studding sails at the rate of 10 knots.

Saturday November 24th And 49 days out. This morning our breeze is light but fair. We are carrying on studding sails and the ship is sailing 10 ½ knots. A sad complaint this morning. Some person in the night cut off and carried away nearly half of one sheep and a great slice out of the leg of the other, thinking to enjoy themselves over a little fresh mutton no doubt. But the mystery is how they can get it cooked for the saloon steward keeps the strictest lookout possible on the galley and if any pies or puddings are presented for cooking he opens them all. This he has done recently when there was some pigs feet and legs cut off in the night. The pigs and sheep are killed and hung up by the purser's storeroom door all night long so that anyone may have a slice if he can cook it but here lies the mystery.

Sunday November 25th. The breeze is still fair and strong. Our ship is steadily going on at 13 or 14 knots we have been able to carry studding sails on the fore royal and degallant and top and fore sail yard and also on the main degallant and royal yards but now 1.30 p.m. the latter are taken in to hope to have a first rate run for a few days. Our latitude today is 40 10' South so we are 2 south of Melbourne today. I expect we shall see 50 South if all be well. Divine service was held in the saloon today. The weather was rather wet to permit it on deck.

Monday November 26th. Strong breeze and fair accompanied with a thick misty rain and so dense is the fog that we cannot see a mile off. The wind has continued fair ever since Saturday and now 4 p.m. we are sailing 12 knots under main and degallant and fore top mast and fore studding sails set. Our run from noon yesterday to noon today was 332 nautical miles or over 380 English miles. The highest speed the Schomberg has attained was this morning 2 o'clock. I was on deck when the log was hove and we were sailing 17 3/4 knots. The wind was blowing great guns and we had all our regular canvas spread except our mizen royal which was furled, besides fore spanker sheet and degallant studding sails set. About 10 p.m. last night our main degallant studding sail tack broke and we were obliged to send it down but today it is all to rights and we have it hoisted again. One of the sailors fell out of the riggings last night but did not hurt himself, he caught hold of a rope as he was falling. There would not be an atom of a chance for a man's life if he fell into the sea and it would be useless for to stop the ship to search for him although no doubt she would be put about to try to find him. The junior Irish Brigade "The Boatswain" is rather intimate with a lady and family who are going out to her husband and father. One of her daughters too are intimate with a youth in the second cabin and he went into the intermediate to pay her a visit and several of the lousy lads insulted him. The boatswain seeing this he took the young fellows part and he came off second best for they fell on him several of them and served him rather rough and the talk is that Big Ben of the No. 8 was cheering them on. The Boatswain's name is Hodge, a first cousin to Hodge the wrestler and has wrestled himself many times. No dancing or music tonight the weather is too moist.

Tuesday November 27th. Morning becalmed. Latitude 42 50', Longitude 3 10' West. In the evening it began to blow and at midnight we had to about ship. The wind was directly in our teeth.

Wednesday November 28th. The wind is blowing very strong. We are sailing nearly south but our right course is south- east. We are close hauled under double reefed main and mizen topsails and one reef in the main sail. The weather is very cold and there are indications of some rain. A few drops are beginning to fall and their temperature puts one in the mind of a Dartmoor November although it is the latter end of Spring here. Several of the passengers are on deck amusing themselves by running to and fro to keep themselves hot. Others are watching with wonder the waves of the mighty deep which are rolling by us in awful grandeur. Our ship rides the sea as graceful as a swan and although the weather may be rough she is quite dry. Her bulwarks are 7 feet high so that she must ship a tremendous sea to go over there. Last night the chain that holds the mizen top broke and the yard came down like a flash of lightning on the top of the mizen mast. Latitude 44 2'.

Thursday November 29th. The gale continued until 5 a.m. The sailors, poor fellows, had a very hard night of it. About midnight about 50 of them went on the main yard to furl the main sail but the wind blew so tremendous that they could not furl it for two hours and there they were obliged to stay all that time when, in an ordinary time, they would have done the same thing in 1/4 of an hour. I have rather advanced on my log by writing at midnight but as it may not be out of place I will mention of the breaking of the jib hallyards about 4 p.m. yesterday and in one minute from this the Capt. and Boatswain were on the foretop and had another sail quickly hoisted. About 8 p.m. the wind blowing big guns the chain of the fore sheet broke and struck one of the sailors on the side and carried him over the stays of the bowsprit but a return sea striking the ship at the time he by the reaction was carried over the forecastle and knocked over and fell on the main deck close by the side of the water closet in the state of insensibility. He was quickly taken up and examined and is found he has two ribs broken besides some severe bruises but it is hoped he will get over it again after a little while with care. The gale still prevailing the ship Schomberg still bids defiance to the wind and the waves and rides on majestically her way as though she were a mighty monster that would not be controlled by the raging elements. The greatest part of the passengers are below and they are taken more serious than otherwise. As usual they retire to bed but sleep did not favour all. Several of the male tribe were parading the cabin and up and down our stairs to the great annoyance of the inhabitants of No. 1 whose berth is close the foot of the stairs. About 2 a.m. I got up to see the weather. The ship was sailing under double reefed top sails with main and mizen sails close furled. The whole canvas that she sailed under was single reefed fore sail and double reefed fore top sail main double reefed top sail and mizen reefed top sail in all four sails, some double and others single reefed. The wind blew on her so strong that one could scarcely walk on it. There are not many ships afloat but would have laid to. They would not have stood under the canvas but we have a nice balance in the bottom of the Schomberg. In the first place there is two thousand tons of rail iron besides other cargo plus the passengers luggage, enough together to make her draw 25 feet of water. I can only say we were safe on our tight island. And now I am happy to say we have a fair wind although light which must be expected so quickly after a storm. Passengers pump ship your humble servant rig the pump and attend the pumping her out which warms us nicely after breakfast. No observation today.

Friday November 30th. Weather rather cold and very foggy. The Capt. ordered a sharp lookout to be kept as we are close ice. The wind is from the east and we are running free with studding sails on Latitude, by correct observation, 45 51', Longitude about 1 1/2 east of Greenwich. We have now commenced to gain time old England and I hope 15 days will see us close by Melbourne.

Saturday December 1st. Fair wind. Carrying our studding sails on the fore top, fore degallant and main degallant yards. In consequence of the dense fog we have not been able to make an observation today. Our run since yesterday at noon till noon today by log was 300 miles on our course. About 1 p.m. the mizen royal staysail halliards broke and the sail was taken on deck. We have been more fortunate than many passengers have by the Marco Polo. We have not had a stunsail boom carried away yet but they had no less than thirty eight of them carried away when Capt. Forbes met her last. About 10 last night Nicholy Paters berth mate being in liquor he was rather noisy. For some time past two young men from Horsebridge formed some intimacy with two young girls who sit at the Mess of No. 3 one a Cornish girl the other from White Chappel in London and I suppose that shipboard is a loving place enough and they stick to each other like bricks and No. 3 Mess reaps the benefit of the loving youths for they make up the nicest pies and puddings for the whole Mess imaginable which perhaps would never have taken place had it not been for these happy meetings. Well Pater's berth mate thought it was too much love no doubt, got drunk and made use of some obscene language touching the family character. Besides the two mentioned he brought a jewish girl and her lover and went as far as to say she was a whore and that her pal was not an honest man. The man of course did not like this, got out of bed and then his berth mate got out also and a clamour commenced that was soon altered by a strong breeze blowing from the direction of the steward's pantry which quickly hushed the gent in question. He was told that he was only angry because his slop pail was thrown overboard and besides too he was informed of his making water in his wash basin repeatedly to the great annoyance of his berth mate. (Poor fellow. He little thought that it was known to the No. 3 Mess of his dirty actions when he has preached the doctrine of cleanliness to others). This shut his mouth for a little while but the Irish Brigade hearing something at the other end made it their business to lead him on and wanted no doubt to hear or see a row but they were rather cowardly not to come on deck. We the opponents of Mr Reed were fearing they would get their heads punched. I was in bed at the time and did not think it worth while to get up knowing right well it would take more than four proper men to beat them of No. 3 that was engaged in the row.

Sunday December 2nd. This morning the lookout sighted a small ice berg or rather a piece of ice on the lee bow. The wind blows fresh and we are able to run free. Divine service in the saloon in the morning and in the second cabin in the afternoon. The weather still continue dirty indeed, thick mist which rendered it so dark that we can scarcely see a quarter mile ahead. The sun just peeps through a hole now and then. However we have made an observation and find that the Latitude is 46 39', Longitude 13 10' East. There has been something like merriment carried on with the Captain, Doctor and one or two others. Miss Stevens, one of the No. 8 Mess, was married to a Mr Adams of the saloon by the Doctor in his room and a bottle or two of wine was cracked on the occasion. 6 p.m. The wind is getting more a head and blowing stronger. 11 p.m. Braced sharp up but still on our course, blowing a stiff breeze. 11 1/2 p.m. Carried away our flying jib and mizen degallant staysail.

Monday December 3rd 2 a.m. Mizen royal and degallant and fore royal furled. 7 a.m. The wind still more over the beam, the lee braces and haul in the weather ones. Set the mizen degallant sail. Ship running 14 3/4 knots. Noon, the breeze still continues strong. Main royal, mizzen degallant and fore degallant halliards all manned to be let go at a moments notice should the breeze increase. Fancy a piece of canvas about 30 feet long and 25 feet high on the end of a line 200 feet long and you will form a pretty correct idea of our main royal sail when set. Then let it be wide spread and the wind blowing it out at the rate of forty miles per hour and you will have an idea of the force it acts with on the hull but this is no other than an atom when compared to the rest of the canvas on her The weather is still very dirty and presents every appearance of a December day in England. No observation again today.

Tuesday December 4th. Wind light and fair from the west. Carrying on studding sail on the fore and main. About 9 a.m. we sighted an ice berg right ahead about 10 miles off. Its first appearance was like the Crystal Palace in the distance to many of the passengers who have had the pleasure of seeing both but of the former I know nothing only by reading and hearsay. The latter was a most delightful sight and it gives me great pleasure to know that I have seen one of these bodies and close by too. Our ship at the time of sighting and until we got very near it was moving about 4 miles per hour and was kept to the windward side of it to all appearance. But as we approached within about a mile of it she was brought to the leeward of it and was kept close on a course towards it. The nearer we got the iceberg the more it seemed to alter its figure for when we first saw it it looked like a large building with a tower on each end but distance makes very different appearances on things which was proved by the iceberg. As soon as we got the lee side of our course towards it we made down on it and were within three times the length of the ship to it. It was now on our side where we had a full view of it. The two towers now proved to be the highest ends of two different pieces of ice, the western end being the highest of the northern piece and the eastern end that of the southern. The length of the northern one was 160 yards and that of the southern about 100 yards. Between them the sea rolled like rolling between two cliffs with their sides perpendicular and about 100 feet high each. I think it most likely that they were one berg below the water only the eroding agency of the waves have separated them above the surface. The north-west side was much worn by the working of the storms against it and the south side of the south part was pierced in seventeen places like little niches about four or five feet above the water. There was every appearance of this being the lee side of the bi-head ice as it was worn but very little. The passage between them was about 150 feet and for a quarter of mile further south there was detached pieces floating on the surface and no doubt this caused the ship to be steered on the lee side. It was a fortunate and pleasant opportunity for seeing this floating island for if we had been in the direction towards it and close by it too on such days as we have had for the past week or even yesterday about the same time when we were running about 16 1/2 knots per hour we must have been in jeopardy of our lives for the lookout could scarcely see the ship's length before her for the thick mist which prevailed. Here we might say was a mighty interposition of Providence. He who made the of water to congeal and form a huge mass of ice that would have smashed to atoms the largest ship built by the hand of man was able to give us light to see our danger and a wind in the right direction so as to enable us to go and view with pleasure that which might probably in a fog have been our immediate destruction. The wind has changed to the westward and we now expect to have cold and clear weather. A little snow fell today which like a flash of lightning brought to mind a December day on Dartmoor. Latitude today is 47 8', Longitude 27 50'. We have sailed on our course since noon on Sunday, 608 miles.

Wednesday December 5th. Wind strong and fair. Going about 12 knots. About 5 a.m. we carried away our main degallant studding sail. 9 a.m. Snowshower Breeze strengthens. Our Latitude 47 8', Longitude 33 6'. We have run on our course 207 miles.

Thursday December 6th. Very strong breeze. Wind near dead aft. Sailing at the rate of 15 knots. Latitude 48 29', Longitude 30 0'. We have run today 270 nautical miles. At noon we furl mizen degallant and royal sails also the fore royal. We passed within 30 or 40 miles to Prince Edward Island early this morning and by tomorrow we shall pass the D ? Island all be well.

Friday December 7th. Blowing a gale. The wind strengthened about 6 p.m. yesterday and continued to do so till 6 a.m. About 11 p.m. last night the fore brace broke and one of the studding sail booms was carried away. Blowing a gale and the wind dead aft the ship roll tremendous. Boxes, cans, just everything that once stood alone on its own base rolled and tumbled about in a most amusing manner. Here would be a jar of oil, there a slop pail and the next place a lot of shoes, boots, old and new clothes in one mass of confusion to the great annoyance of some of the passengers. At 4 a.m. the sea was very high and the ship taking a roll rather on the cross-way we shipped a sea over the starboard side of the saloon which carried away the lifeboat that was hanging on the davits. The davits are full four inches in diameter and one of them was wrenched off close the bulwarks as if it had been cut with a knife. The poor boat was thrown adrift and soon was out of sight. The same sea as soon as it came on deck rushed along the saloon and entered one of the windows of No. 2 cabin and fetched two men out of their berth. The rush of the sea continued went around the poop and struck the port bulwarks and rebounded against our berth window and the window not shut close at the time the water rushed through the open part and down into John's bed and fetched him out too. I was luckily not in bed at the time. We have been sailing under close furled royals on the mizzen main and fore with all the degallant sails furled and the Crotchet (?) furled with a reef in the main and the main fore topsail. Latitude today 48 25', Longitude 48 40'. Our run for the last 24 hours has been 360 nautical miles. The weather is awfully cold here.

Saturday 8th December. Wind blows from the north-west with a quantity of rain. At noon the wind shifts and gets further aft. In the night we carried away another studding sail boom.

Sunday December 9th. Weather clear and fine. Divine service as usual. In the evening we sighted an iceberg right ahead and in about 1 ½ hours we came up close to it. The Skipper, in order that we might see it plainly, had the ship steered within I should say 60 yards. There was no beauty about the berg. It was a silent terrific looking lump about 300 feet long 120 feet high and 60 feet wide and one that I should not like to live on. The weather side showed which way the weather beats against it. The marks were plainly to be seen where the sea had gone over it some time. The east side was perpendicular. At 9 p.m. we were surrounded by floating ice. Our Latitude at noon 49 32', Longitude 59 39'.

Monday December 10th. We ought to have been in Hobson's Bay this morning but instead we are 3,000 miles away. We expect to see Desolation Island either tonight or tomorrow morning. We have had no observation today in consequence of the fog. We have covered by the dead reckoning 5 14' east. Our Longitude today 64 53'. At 5 p.m. we all on the lookout for Desolation Island but the weather was very thick and foggy. The captain said he was sure we should have seen it before 9 p.m. if it were clear. 9 p.m. arrived and no land. Our course has been altered more towards the south in the early part of the evening so as to enable us to clear the south-west part of the land should we have been close by before see it. We were sailing 11 knots at the time and on no account could we see further than a mile. About 2 a.m. on Tuesday we sighted the first rock on the port bow. It looked about the size of a large ship from us. I believe it a very small island but it gave us our position and we knew how to steer for the mainland. About 4 we made the mainland. The weather was by this time very clear and the sun was just above the horizon. We passed close a reef of sunken rocks over which we saw the breakers dashing like fury. The mainland was a good way further to the north-east and if I mistake not the "Lightning" had on one of her voyages to run between the reef and the mainland. The cliffs of the land appear exceedingly bold and some of the highest points of the land are above 2,000' high and now in the month which is equal to June in England they are covered in snow. The island is 150 miles in length and there is one very good harbour where the south sea whalers put into for refuge but there are very few if any inhabitants on it hence the name given by Cook, Desolation Isles. It was first discovered by a Frenchman named Kerguelen and is very often called Kerguelenland. Some few years ago a vessel was wrecked here and some of the sailors managed to live on it for one year by fish and fowl or on what animals they could kill added to what they found from the remains of the wreck. These noble fellows at last built themselves a boat with what timber they found on the island and set out for and reached Melbourne in safety a distance of near 3,000 miles. Strange as it may seem it is only as cold here no doubt as it is at the Landsend of England which is in about the same degree of Latitude North as this is South, 50 . There it is winter and here it is summer. I would like not this place in the depth of winter when the ships are obliged to light fire under the braces to let them run.

Wednesday 12th December. Dark and foggy. Nothing of consequence today.

Thursday 13th December. The weather is fine, wind light and fair. The Latitude today is 49 55', Longitude 84 4'. About 4 p.m. the wind freshened and continued to increase in strength. At 9 the main degallant studding sail tack broke. At 11 1/2 main royal furled, blowing strong.

Friday 14th December. 3 a.m. Wind not quite so strong, ship cutting through the water like an arrow. At 4 we hoist the fore and main royals again. The seamen tell me this is the first watch they have ever had since they left Liverpool without attending some sail either taking it off or putting it on and now this watch does not go quite out without their hoisting the fore and main royals and the degallant staysail. Our Latitude today is as yesterday viz 49 55', Longitude 92 55'. We have sailed 8 9' east since yesterday which makes 317 miles and have gained in time in one day, 34 minutes. It is now 16 minutes past 6 p.m. by us consequently the bells are ringing for 12 o'clock at noon in England, that is allowing we have sailed as far as the meridian of 94 which I am sure we have. We have sailed 13 or 14 knots all the day dead before the wind. Tomorrow I expect we shall sail a little north. A fire was discovered in the forehold this afternoon and luckily it was discovered so soon for it was among the most inflamable substance on board the ship. The name "Fire" on shipboard is more than a thousand times worse than on land and it behoves everyone to take the utmost care between decks. But I am sorry to say there are some on board this ship who would run the risk of setting the ship on fire than abandon the filthy idol smoking.

Saturday 15th December. 7 a.m. A sudden gust of wind took us and broke the main royal yard in two parts. The weather is delightful although cold wind blowing steadily and fair. Our Latitude is 48 43', Longitude 100 20' making our run since yesterday 1 12' north and 8 25' east making the distance on our course 335 miles and we have gained 32 1/2 minutes on old England.

Sunday 16th December. Latitude 48 1', Longitude 106 36' making a run of 214 miles

Monday 17th December. This morning the main skysail was hoisted again then sail was taken down with the other skysails when we made the Latitude of the Cape. Wind light but fair. Latitude 46 43', Long. 110 35' making a short run of 179.8 on our course.

Tuesday 18th December. Wind fresh and fair. The best and most pleasant breeze since we left Liverpool. The ship is going about 13 1/2 knots carrying on skysails and studding sails. There are 29 sails pulling on her as hard as they can and today we are in 117 55' east, 45 35' south making another comfortable run since yesterday at noon of 317 miles and should this breeze last we shall be under a thousand miles from Melbourne tomorrow. Our distance today is 1,270 miles. One of the second cabin ladies gave birth to a young son this evening. She was rather surprised to find the young fellow come on so speedily. She thought it would have shown its nose about March or April next and so was quite unprepared for the stranger. The child is doing well.

Wednesday 19th December. No observation today.

Thursday 20th December. Latitude 44 10', Longitude 125 59'. The child that made its appearance on Tuesday night departed again last night.