Text
~~.
r--~
~
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.
.
-1-
Book No. 8~ (~r)
[May 26-0ct.12;1846]
Tuesday May 26th 1846
S. Lat. 51° 20 t
days
24 to Anger
28 from q,o
52 fm.. Canton'
E. Lon •. 36° 54 f
•
Distance, 50 miles.
65 0
Ther.
•
A southwest gale, lying to under main
spencer only, or until towards evening.
I slept very little last night; the
ro~king
of the vessel
and the roar of the elements were an effectual bar to rest.
This
morning notwithstanding the severity of the wind the suh shone
~
brightly, the atmosphere except in the
hori~on
.
all around being
nearly free from clouds, or except light flying clouds.
The sea
however presented a sublime appearance, covered with goam and
rearing billows mountain high, here & there a sea bird merry in
the storm.
Wednesday, May 27th 1846.
S. Lat. 30° 49 t
•
24 days to Anger
29 tT from
do
53 days fFo~ Canton.
E. Lon. 35°. 45 t
•
78 miles, ,dis. Th.
69°
The storm is laid; the sea that wrought and was tempestuous is still; then are they glad because they be qUiet. So it is '
with us and I desire to be thankful for the relief which is afforded: but it will not be of long continuance probably in this region.
The wind now, instead of blowing in the form of a gale from the
Southwest, is gently wafting us in that
dID~ection
coming fram the
Northward and smoothing the roughness by which yesterday we were
made uncomfortable, a long swell
ho~ever
remains and reminds us
of the storm, as the sobbings of' the child after its crying is
quieted, reminds us of.' its former disturbed state.
Birds are flying about - the speckled haglet or
v
Ca~
pigeon is a very pr etty b·ird. , it s back and wings are speckled'fJiip.
-2-
as its name denotes - head &
ti~
of the tail black - its belly a
beautiful & delicate white- its shape like that of the
rat~er larger in size.
~igeon:
but
Another bird is the Cane1hen - black and
larger than the
~igeon
like the crow.
Another bird of slender wings and longer
- not so delicate in its
~ro~ortions
-
mare
~ro~or-
K
.tee~ing
tions is seen' also -
is pleasant to see these
farthe'r off apparently more shy. It
a~uatics.
As we advance into cold weather my feet begin to be cold.
Yesterday and the night before last they were
~uite unco~~table.
'By putting some dry mustard into the toes of my socks a glow of
heat was at length imparted and relief obtained.
I hav,e not
thought of doing this before, though my kind wife provided me with
a bottle of this article for the
I
~urpose
of applying to my feet.
suffered very much in Canton from cold feet, and some'also on
the
~assage
from the islands, particularly the last part of the
voyage.
Thursday, May 28th 1846.
. S. L. 31 0 421.
Distance 102
E. Lon. 340 13 1
mil~s.
2'
,
Ther.
Moderate.
.55 days
Friday, May 29th
S .Lat
. 320
54 days
E . Lon.
Distance 101 miles.
~2o
16 1 •
Ther
70 a
The weather in the morning was very fine;
v
but before noon a change was indicated by the appearance of dark
clouds in the S. W.
N. E.
Our c.ourse being then W. by S. the wlind about _.
Sail was taken in and all preparations made for a gale,
which came on and from about noon blew with violence during the
day
com~elling
us under very
sho~t
sail to lay our course about
s.
While taking in sail one of the hands- Buckley- came very near
. losing his life, being engaged reefing he missed hi s main support,
and but for a small rope which he happened to have hold of, [h~ -:._
would have been hurled into the ocean- .in which case there would
have. been no hope of saving him.
Saturday, May 50th. 1846
56 days.
64-tO
Ther.
.
The gale cont inued about 18 hours and our progress' has
been very li t.tle -
The wind continues from the S. W. but does
not blow 'With violence.
Since about 6 otck A. M. our course has
been 'about N. W•
.
.
Distance say 5 miles.
Sabbath, May ~lst 1846.
.57 days.
o .
0
S. Lat. 51 55 ' . E. Lon. 52 121
Ther.
67 0
Lost 11 miles the last 24 hours.
about 8 o'ck last
Q t
9J8nin~
ana dG 10
ok
The wind during the last 24 hours has been. directly ahead,
and our course about N.
Owing to this we have lost. distance. A
bark has been seen bound in the same' direction with ourselves.After 12 otck meridian our course was changed and we stood on the
wind to the
Southw~rd,
and had a pretty
Monday, June 1st 1846.
S. Lat.53° 05 1
~uiet
day.
58_days
E. Long. 31
0
53'
Ther.
67 0
: and at
G
gale and continued with violence· du:ci.~~~]being
The wind began to freshen towards dark lasteveni
10
0
1
ok it blew a
accompanied with a heavy sea, the vessel laying to under close
reefed fore top sail main spencer & jib.- the bark still in sight
lying to under close reefed main sail.
a heavy sea broke over our
~uarter
pouring some water into the cabin.
Between 12 & 1 olckP.M.
drenching every .thingaft and
Between 5 & 6 ofck sail was
-4-
added to the ship and the rudder lao sed as during the gale which
lasted about 20 hours it had been lashed dOVIn.
. Tuesday June 2nd 1846 •
s.
Lat. 32 0 41 t
59 days
E. Lon. 320 8 t
•
680
Ther.
, ,We have lost way during the last 24 hours:
35 miles
east has been lost.
60 days.
Wednesday June 3rd.
s.
E. Lon. 30 0 59 t
Lat. 330 15',
, Distance 'f0 :miles;
Ther.
Have had the wind from the north since
the latter part of the night; the sea also has been going ,down
and since morng. have been enabled to lay our course.
We are nearly in the meridian of Port Natal r South
Africa where the Am. Board have a Mission.
Port Natal extreme point lies in S. L. 29 0 53! E. Long.
Delagoa Bay - Cape Inyack is in
s.
Lat. 250 58'.
E. Long.
Since noon we have had 'a fine breeze from about N. E.
which has enabled us to keep a course due 'W. and to carry studding-sails-
Near sundown the wind hauled more to the Northward
and freshened so that the studdmng-sails were taken in.
We have
now a moon in her second quarter and pleasant evenings.
Thursday June 4th 1846.
61 days.
S. Lat. 340 36'
ot
E. Lon. 280
Ther.
'fl e
Distance 175 miles.
About noon the wind which had been veering changed to
the Westward & began to freshen: tacked ship and stood to the northward.
So' our moderate and favoring breezes last but a short time:
-~-
they have blown only about 24 hours; for this however we should
be thankful; but, alas! the heart is slow to render the tribute
which is
du~;
it is ready enough however to complain.
has 'blown with great violence from s?-y 4
0
1
The wind
ck till say 12
0
f
ck
at night
Friday June 5th 1 8 4 6 . 6 2 days
S. Lat. 340 13 1 •
E. Long. '27 0 40'.
Distance 20 miles.
running to the westward.
Ther.
64 0
Our advance has been owing to a curren.t
The gale continued its violence about
18 hours, and it has been on the whole the most severe of any we
have encountered.
The Wind. has so lowered its tone that we n<::N
(12 o'ck A. M. ) are. able to carry sail.
The changes of weather are very sudden; from a pleasant
breeze' from the northward it has become in a few hour.s a violent
gale from the westward.
West being now our due course, su'ch a gale
is a dead set against us.
At 4 o'ck P. M. saw land on the Ooast of Africa, the
firat we have se'en of the Continent~·
The land we' see is the high
Com.rnandantts
land of Oape Recif the West point of Algoa Bay- the Governors
house being S.L. 33° '58.
E. Lon. 25° 36 1
25 0 35! E
and Cape Recif S. Lat. 34°2'
•
This afternoon for the first time saw an albatross. The.
wind has died away and at evening it is pretty nearly calm, but
the sea still continues disturbed and occasions an uncomfortable
motion to the ship.
The sun showed her face just before sbe
made her bed in the north. which indicates better weather.
Saturday June 6th 1846
63 days
E. Lon. 25 ° . 26 t
Ther.
Distance 125 miles - 65 of these have been gained by the
•
-6--
current.
We are now south of all land of the continent of Africa,
the most s~utherly point being Cape Lagullas in 34 0 51 t
19° 5?'
East.
•
S. and
the Cape of Good Rope is 34° 22t S. lSo 24t E.
We have now a smooth sea, being just on the edge of
soundings,a
p~easant
wind from the north and are making headway
with studding sails set.
A hump of land on the African coast is visible bearing
about N.N.E.
The clouds are singularly red in the region of the
sun-setting; clouds also are rising and spreading over the sky and
indicate wind.
We have a moon advancing to the full which re-
lieves the gloominess of night; but it shines just ·new through a
thick atmosphere.
·The wind is still favorable and the ocean
smooth.
Sabbath June ?th 1846.
S. La t. .35 0 ?
t.
64
days.
E • Lo ng • 22 0 39 t
Distance 136 miles.
Ther •
.A. ·change of weather has been experienc-
ed; the wind veered to the N.W.and has varied from that point to
S. W.
blowing strong.
W.
has been, however, 'the most stationary
point since the change, but it has not blown with such violence
as to cause our vessel to lie to; though she has been put under
close reefs.
Being now in the track of vessels passing the Cape, five
2
including ourselves have been seen today studding the horipon in
1\
different directions and varying in distance from each other.
A
French ship passed so near us in the evening that she was spokeh
by our Captain.
She is from Bourbon bound to Nantz.
Cast lead this day in 65 fathoms.
Monday June 8th
S. Lat. 35° 8'.
65 days.
E. Lon.
22 0 16 t
Ther.
-7-
Distance 16 miles.
wind ahead and a heavy sea.
Have been under short sail with the
This morning at about 5 O'clock a
heayy sea broke over the quarter and drenched the Captaints State
room, one of the dead lights being out and the port defended only
by a square of glass which was broken· by the rush.
We are now in the meridian of the Antipodes of Oahu and
the difference of time between us is just 12 hours.
Was troubled
with very cold feet last night.
Tuesday,. June 9th 1846.·
66 days.
3. Lat. 360 2e t E. LOn. 21 0 50!.
Ther.
Distance 80 miles- including 26 miles Westing.
At 12 otck tacked and stood in again towards the land,
as wind, se.a &. current being strong against us, we were in a more
disadvantageous pos.i tion than yesterday at noon.
Bu t on the pres-
ent tack we can make scarcely a north course taking variation of
compass and ever1fhing in our favor that can· be appropriated.
This is James' birthday and I have thought of him much,
and made :him the subject of my prayers.
Wednesday, June loth 1846.
He is eleven years of age.
67 days.
mer.
Distance 90 miles - lost 3 miles westing; and this the Captain regards as a good dayts work, considering the course upon
Which the ship was put and kept for the last 24 hours.
At 12 otck
the high land of the coast for a long distance. in the neighborhood of Point Leven and St. Sebastian are in sight; Cupulo and
Table Hill are prominent objects as well as the mountainous range
or ridge of the coast - the nearest point of the shore is by calculation distant only 15 miles.
Point Leven is in S. Lat. 340
-8-
After standing on our course, which was about S. W. a
~er~od
of about two hours, the wind became more mDderate, and the
ca~tain
ordered that the main
to~sail
shoUld be backed and the
vessel brought to for fishing.
Lines were let down, and scarcely
theld;! )
did the baited hooks reach bottom before a fine fish was hold &.
/\,-
taken, and so smartly was the work plied that in about one hour
55 fine fish could be reckoned as our fare, one of them was large,
the others weighing from. _two to -5 or 6 pounds each, as they were
drawn from the water.
At about 3 otck- the ship was put upon her course again.
Thurs day, June 11th 1846.
S. Lat. 34 0 54t.
Distance 65 miles.
68 days.
E. Lon. 20 0 45 1 ~
Ther.
62 0
We have-had a favoring-breeze of mod-
erate strength since the latter part of the night, or from day
light.
&.
PaTt of the night it was calm.
It is now about full moon
I hope the favoring wind will hold on until we are around the
Cape.
Lagull-as or Agulhas or Aguilhas, the most southern land
of the Continent of Africa, being distant, by
LOy]
estima~
at noon,
only 30 mile s .
At s~set we were off c~pe Lagullas and so near that th~
low land of the coast was very plainly seen.
Quoin Point 20
miles farther to the Westward was distinctly visible.
The san set
clear, and the air seemed remarkably transparent, and we hoped a
cant inuance of fine weather. - A. singular black cloud of small dimensions attracted our attention rising over the high land some
distance in the rear of the shace suddenly changing its shape,
becoming at one time nearly invisible and soon reappearing Ln
another
sha~e;
it was so different from any other object Yisible
-9-
in the horizon, that one might almost fancy it an animal, a dragon in imagination as indeed it assumed the shape of that imagined
creatUre.
It might have been an indication of wind; for very soon
the wind which had been very moderate began to breeze up and to
fTeshen first in the direction in which we had seen the cloud and
afterwards to haul more ahead.
Sail began immediately to be taken
in, and one sail after another was furled and reefed until we
were moving with speed under close reefs:
........
The wind fre'shened un-
til it blew a gale 'and the ship was lain to under clo se reefed'
main·topsail and main spencer.
So sudden was our prosperity check-
ed, and the wind ahead turned against us, blowing a gale.
Friday, June 12th 1846.
69 days.
Ther.
Distance 35 miles southing and 39 miles W.. and fallen east
or Cape Lagullas 9 miles.
The gale has continued during .the day.
A
heavy sea broke
over the quarter last night and carried from its fastenings on
>-
the Starboard side a spar designed for a spare top-gallant mast.
The water also rushed into the CaptainTs State room thro. the
port wetting the berths and the captainfs wife.
ond time they have been wet by shipping a sea.
This is the secI
slept very
little last night.
70 days.
Saturday, June 13th 1846.
S. Lat. 35 0 7t
E. Lon. 19 0 15 t
•
Ther.
The gale subsided and left a heavy sea
Distance 64 miles.
which by degrees sunk down and at evening we are
calmed.
p~etty
The clouds hang over the land from which we
-
much be-
may
be dis-
tant 30 m. but the sky seaward is pretty clear except some detachments of fleecy clouds.
"
-10-
We can see False Cape or HaRglip and the Cape of Good
Rope having the ,appearance of a high iluff' beyond.
is
a.
,
I
Bay;, "~the two points are distinctlY marked.
Between these
Wi th
_1
an.Y~hing
like a favorable breeze we might be r0und the (ape in t~e mo~ning.
, .
I
Add one day for detention at Anger,)
24 to Anger
47 from do
and our full number or; days froml
}
the G. Ladrone to the cape is
from Canton ~to Cape.
72 days.
)
Sabbath, June 14th 1846.
Distance 80 miles.
At
l~O'Ck
of the Cape, anG at evening the
near due East fram
Ther.
E. Lon. 180
S. Lat. 340 22t
us~
rectly ahead- a ,heavy
72 days.
62 0 '
A. M. we were in the exact lat.
Cape~nd
Table hill bore pretty,
We have very little wind and this is di-
I'
sw~ll
from the
restwar~
A ship and a bark have been in sight all day_
.
is also against
us~
We'may now consid-
er ourselves as round the Cape, thOUJ: not to the North of it.
This has been to me a
~uieJ
Sabbath, though the
f~ct
of
being becalmed in the region of dangers has caused emotions of
solicitude.
Monday, June 15th 1846.
73 days.
61 0 •
E. Lon. 17 0 3 t •
Ther.
Distance 55 miles.
We have adlanced to the west 53' miles,
S. Lat. 340 36 t
•
but have receded to the South 24t. carrying us so much to the
Southward of the Cape.
posed to
The wind is Jtill ahead and the swell op-
UB.
In the night I raised a small clot or two of blood and
this d.ay I have expectorated some bldOdY matter; the cause of it
I
do not know.
Close application tl reading & other duties may
have had an influence to produce it, or the state of my bowels may
-11-
have had an effect to cause it.
74 days.
Tuesday, June 16th 1846.
S. La t ~ 530 57 t .
E. L. 15° 52 f
Distance 75 miles.
Ther.
•
Since leaving the cape we have had the
wind directly ahead and pretty strong till this evening, when it
hauled mDre to the westward admitting of studding sails and a N.
by TN. course,.
But the ship !ells,ba,ly from the effect of a
long westerly swell.
Wednesday, dune 17th
75 days
S. Lat. 32 0 55!. ,E. Lon.
l~o
40t.
Ther.
Distance 87 miles .
. Put a large blister on my s' de last night, which drew
well; but the pain of it deprived me.[f ,Sleep
m~st
of the night.
My expectoration is still somewhat dlrcolored:, l.e. there are particles of bleod in what I raise from my lungs.
I arose in the
morning depressed, washed and apPlieiOintment, to my blister and
then I returned to my berth and had
breakfast consisting of a
mug of tea & crackers handed in to me by the ~teward.
~e
long western swell continues, and at times the roll-
ing of the vessel is even distressin§: it has been so to
under the effects of a blister and present debility.
myself
The Captain
remarked that a saying of seamen seemed likely to be verified in
our case:
"Rolling from the Cape
a~l
the way to St. Helena."
Add oJe
day at Anger not counted &
I
we ha~e been 76 days from the G.
Ladrone.
I
Thursday, dune 18th 1846.
16 days
s. Lat. 32 0 llt E. Lon. 130 l6 t
Distance 83 miles.
,
Ther.
Several of the men continue 111:- four
~
of these are in the second mates wat1h - most of them keep about
-12-
but they are weak and can hardly perf0TIn duty.
,
.
I
The captain savs
~
it is very common for seamen to be ill coming home from Canton:
he attributes it to the water as the lain cause.
Some few of
. the seamen at intervals have been off duty ever since we lert
Anger.
The water and refreshments which we obtained there seem-
.
I
- diarr:efl1a & dysentery.-
ed to forward the complaint
Fr'iday} J"une 19th 1846.
days.
I
Ther.
Distance 50. miles.
Calm during the night.
For the firstt:iJ:ne since sarbath evep.ing have come up 'on
deck and walked upon.the
The sun shines pleasanyly,
~uarter.
the wind mild and gentle and in our flvor', though our motion is
very slow thr9ugh the water which is scarcely ruffled by the breeze.
The sun at its setting was a brilliant sight, slowly .
sinking in the horifon- blazing thrp~h an atmosphere whach gave
it a
li~uid
appearance and reflected its rays in a very glowing
manner: it seemed a mass of
li~uid
zontal line to the eye forming a
U-F0h
t-h.g.
Sa,.fa~1!.
rays or multiplied suns A
or th.,.
gold pouring itself in a hori-
mos~ ~rilliant
path of reflected'
UTlal-(taTIItf!, Oc.can·
It seeme.dJto be the orb of day poured
out into the ocean and flowing in a
It ream. from the horizon to
the eye- the gently rolling billows giving its strong rays a fluctuating moving appearance.
A most Jeautiful sight.-
. Saturday, J"une 20th 1846.
s. La t. 310
.
1 t.
E. Lon. 11
Distance 80 miles.
80 days from Batavia.
78 days
0
6 '1"
Ther.
64 0
In the afternoon spoke a Dutch Bark
~
I
very long passage
as Batavia is only 60
miles from Anger and our time from tte latter plaQe is only 52
days.
She must be a dull
saim~r
as we passed her very fast and
left her very far astern at evening.
-13-
The Barometer indicates a change of weather, and the wind
freshens and in the night hauled to·the N. W.
; Sabbath, June
S. Lat. 30 0
•
~lst
6 f.
1846
79 days.
E. Loon. gO 17' ~
Distance 49 miles.
Ther.
,The wind continue s strong from the N. W. and brought us
down to close reefed topsails.
The mercury in the barometer has
sunk lower than any t1rn.e during our passage.
gale -
It maybe called a
our seventh since we encountered the Cape.
Monday, June 22nd 1846.
S. Lat. 2g 0 36'.
80 days.
E. Lon. gO 50'.
Ther.
The gale has subsided but the wind still holds from the
N. W. just the point to· which weo wish to steer, and blows fresh.
Distance 50 miles.
SlOdays
Tuesday, June 23rd.
3. Lat. 2S o 10'. E. Lon. gO 22'.
Distance 86 miles.
Ther.
Becalmed since the morng. and a heavy
westerly swell- the effect of the late gale.
Something was de-
scr±sd in the water which was judged to be the mast of a vessel.
82 days.
Wednesday, June 24th 1846.
S. ·L.
E. Lon. 9
Distance 25 miles.
o 21'.
Ther.
We have been almost entirely becalmed
during the last 24 hours; but as a current has been in our favor
we have not been entirely stationary.
-
I have remembered this as the birthday of fuartha Ann.
t.
Thursday, June 25th
83 days
S. Lat. 27 0 2'. E. Lon. SO 13'
Ther.
Since day light we have had a gentle S.
Distance 70'miles.
E. wind - hope it may continue.
at St. Helena.
The Captain has decided to stop
Thus far our progress has been very slow from·
-14-
the Cape.
Friday, June 26th
s. Lat." 25 0
"84 days.
E. Lon. 6° 19'.
40T.
Ther.
S. E. wind continues, and as our course is
Distance 138
pretty much before the wind, the ship rolls considerably; but
this can be easily borne When we are making progress.
Towards
evening we spoke the Ship Tiber, of Boston, '71 days from BataviaRichardson, supercargo.
85 days."
Saturday," June 27th
S. Lat. "24 0
E . Lon. 4 0 13'
1t
Ther.
S. E. wind continues.
Distance 147
86 days
Saooath, cTune 28th
S. L. 22 0 46'
E. L.
Distance 128 miles.
2 0 22t.
Ther.
Very quiet sailing though a little
reeling occasionally wind say S. E.
Had some conversation at edge of evening with Er.
Camerin the second mate on the suoject of religion.
more
l.
access~ple
Found him
than I had expected though ready to excuse him-
self for the neglect of the suoject on account of the difficulties
at sea; but candid enough to acknowledge or at least admit that
God does not require of us what we are unable to perform.
Monday, June 29th l846
87 -days.
Ther.
Four of the sick men have oeen "induced to
Distance 127.
come on deck and show themselves read21 to do what they are aole
though not expected to perform laborious duty.
Tuesday, cTune 30th
S. Lat. 20 0 3
f
•
W. Lon. 0 0 .44'.
88 days.
Ther.
Distance 118 miles.
As I am out of reading oooks, I have recently read the
-15
Preface to Sc·ott t s Bible as contained in the Reference Bible
which I have with me.
I have also read the preface to
~ohnsonts
Dictionary, and it is a composition worthy of perusal.
In the evening a porpoise was caught, which produced
.
aome animation of feeling among. the actors.
8 and '9
0 t
clock or perhaps not far from 8
[s iCJ
itA happened
0 '
clock..
be~ween
We have now
a moon just entering its first quarter, and the evenings are pleasant and the temperature of the atmosphere is becoming agreeable.
Wednesday,
~uly
89 days .
1st 1846.
S. Lat. 18° 32~.
2° 57 f
W. L.
.
Ther.
Distance 158 miles.
Cap. Miller '.s last voyage was estimated from Macao ·to
Anger 2000 miles in 39 days
;
51~11/39 per day.
Anger to Cape of Good Rope 5551 in 49 days
= ll5f
14/49
pro day.
Our passage to Anger was made in 24 days
2000 = 8311/3
miles pro d. or 27 days from Whampoa is - 74f2/27 pro d.
I make our distance to the.Cape i.e. Cape Rang-lip,5406
miles, in 46 days, gives 117f12/23 m. pro day.
Saw whales this afternoon at a distance.
This evening experienced the sensation usual to me when
blood starts from the lungs an indication which I could not mistake and which was followed by the presence of a small quantity
-t hro""Yl.
throw~
raised from my mouth.
retired immediately to my bed.
I took a p.ill of sugar of lead and
By keeping in a reclining
post~re
it was suppressed.
Thursday,
~uly
2nd 1846.
S. Lat. 17 0 32t.
W. Lon. 4 0 38 '
Distance 113 miles.
90 days
. Ther.
A sail astern reported; also a Sperm
-16-
whale close by the side of our vessel.
Raised. blood.
arro~oot only for supper .
berth most of the day - ate no dinner and
Friday, .Tuly 3rd 1846.
S. Lat. 160 41' .
Kept my
91 days.
W. L. 5° I I t
Ther.
•
69°
Distance 62 miles wind very light.
St. Helena in sight distant 46 miles direction W. half W.
Raised some blood in the afternoon.
I am very much
discouraged and depressed: the frequent indications of fresh blood
starting from the lungs damp my hopes in regard to ultimate recovery: but I hope even against hope: for nqthing is too hard for
the Lord.
James Town, St. Helena is)
5° 42' 30 Tl
-
time from Greenwich
Saturday, July 4th 1846
S. Lat. 15
o 55' 26 tT . W.Long.·
22 m. 50 sec.
92 days.
Ther.
At the striking of 8 bells- and the commencement of
the 1st watch or
ra~her
middle watch, all hands united in firing
a national salute in honor of American Independence, in which the
Captain took direction.
At daylight we were close in with the island of St.
Helena: her high precipitous and barren sides rising in most places
almDst perpendicular from the ocean were a very prominent object
meeting my eye as I looked from my stateroom port or window.
I went on deck the first since the 1st. and had a view
of the island of st. Helena, famous as the prison of Napoleon the
worldTs prisoner -
Cap. Miller on his last voyage stopped at the
I
island and visited the spot where his remains had been deposited
and thence removed some years ago by the government of France.
lie painted out Long Wood as we passed the East side of the island:
-17-
or the dir.ection of it, as it was not certain that the very:place
«I
could be seen from our position. We were two miles or more from
.
[sic]
the . shore - the surff we could see distinctly breaking along the
whole extent of the shore, the land rising abruptly- some of the
highest bluffs 800 feet :perha:ps in height.
-t opined? 1
Passing the N. E.
point of the island we opened the fortifications which are extend[s/e-]
.
ed along on the precipices to James Town.
. . two11 American vessels
di~played
themr ensigns.
.
One was the whaling Bart;Lue Powhatan, of·
.
Warren R. I. Cap. Mayo, the other ship Vancouver, from Padang
island of Sumatra, for Boston.
At 1 otck we dropped anchor just to the stern of
th~
latter vessel, and directly opposite the town, which is situated ,.
on the shore at the opening of a narrow
~alley.
On the West the
land rises precipitously to the height of s.ay 400 feet and is as
steep as' the roof of a house.
U:pon the top are buildings- either
a fort or barracks and is ascended in one direction by a flight
of steps perhaps 600 in number which running straight up present
a
sing~ar,
as they do also a striking appearance.
There is an-
other ascent by a circuitous path wide enough for vehivies.
In
the back ground on both sides the valley are edifices of the
great ones probably of the island.
The edifices on the right as
well as on the }aft of the valley- one on each side- occupy elevated summits and are conspicuous objects.
is embowered with
trees~
elegant appearance.
The one on the left
and presented to us on board the shi:p an
The houses of the settlement seemed to be near
the shore and presented a cool and neat appearance rather of a light color.
painted or
I witnessed with pleasure the spire of
a church, and. indeed it was the most conspicuous building presented to the sight.
-18-
We were soon visited by two boats from the shore- both
of them I su]]ose Government boats - and as soon as the Captain
had. answered all
on shore.
~uestions
he took ]assage in one or them to go
lie made arrangements for water, and in an hour or two
,a water boat was along side and by means of hose connected with
a tank in which the water was contained five tons were soon discharged into seven of our casks and our supply of water was complete, and nothing remained but for the Captain to return on board
when we' could proceed to sea ..
20 minutes before 6
anchor.
,ing,~Dn
otc~
Before six o' ck he c'ar:le off and at
the sbipls company
beg~n
to heave at the
It was not long before we were under way again & proceedour vo yage •
The island of St. Helena is between 26 & 27 miles in
.
,
c i rcum.ference .
The acting U. S. Comm.ercial Agt .Wm. Carrol
sent
by his son who came on board in the boat which
comple~ents
Es'q,~
brought off the captain, expressing his regret that ·my health had
not permitted me to go on shore.
Stating that he has an ac q,uain t ..
ance with Messrs Anderson & Hill and desired that his respects
lie sent off addressed to IIl:e , the Report
migh t be made to them.
of the Board for 1844.
--------
Meteorolmgical
~ournal
kept on the wmndward side of the
4
island 1,76, feet above the level of the sea.
for week ~une 11th - 17
Mean temperature
62°, 4_out of doors in the shade.
Learned that the ship Gentoo of Boston from
Calcutt~
was lost
near the Cape on her way home- went ashore in Struys Bay, just to
the east of Legullas
'-
Several persons lost
The Captain and
Supercargo and some others had made their way to St. lielena, and
had teken passage in Ship Vancouver, which lay at anchor when we
~
.... --.
~
~
....
-19-
arrived and got under way about two hours before us.
The ship
Gentoo went ashore in consequence of a mistake in regard to position, the chronometer being out of the way.
Babbath, July 5th lS46.
93 days
S. Lat. 15° 45 t W. Lon. 6° 45 t
Ther.
Distance 63 miles~
Passed ship Vancouver and spoke her.
very heavy swell from. the S. W. and ve,ry little wind: so that the
vessel rolled in a manner which was very uncomfortable •
.~
-1
:.
/
Monday, July 6th
94 days.
W. L. SO 14
Ther.
Distance 108 miles S. E. trades.
S. Lat. 14° 45'
Tuesday, July 7th
95 days
S'{ Lat. 13° 27 t .•
W. Lon. 10° 46 t
Distance 167 miles
Ther.'
•
71io
S. E. trades.
Wednesday, July Sth 1846.
S. L. 11° 40 t
70°
96 days.
W. L. 13° 53'
Ther.
Fresh S. E. trades.
Distance 212
The Isle of Ascension which is laid down on the Chart is
Thursday July 9th
S. Lat. 10° 1S t
97 days
W. L. 16° -24t.
•
Pleasant.
Distance 170.
S. E.
98 days.
Friday, July lOth.
S. Lat. SO 57' .
W. Lon. ISO 42 t
Distance 15S miles Saturday, July 11th
S. Lat. 7° 33 t
•
Ther.
Pleasant
•
-
77°
Ther.
79°
S. E.
99 days.
W. Long. 21° 33 t •
Distance 190 llliles.
Ther.
Afhale probably a fin-back-
appeared
-20-
~or
some time around the vessel and on both sides of her in the
afternoon of yesterday.
From 12 o'clock of yesterday to 12 o'clock
noon of this day is the 11th in nautical account.
There is much work going
on at the present time - tarring
,
rigging, new rattling the shrowds- serving some portions of the
rigging- preparing the vessel for port- though we cannot expect
to enter for more than a month yet.
We are now west of the most western part of the continent of Africa; the most western point being Cape Verde in Lat.
140 441 N. and longitude 17 0 32
w.
Sabbath, duly 12th 1846
S.
Lat. 50 50 t .
Lon. 23 0 41 t
Vi.
Ther.
•
Steady breeze.
Distance. 165 miles.
Monday
100 days
101 days
13th
Ther.
-
Distance 183 miles
Squally.
Tuesday, duly 14th
102 days
-
Distance 191 miles
.St. Paulf@ island
-
Squally.
0
0
55 t
•
w.
N. Lat and
Lon. 29
0
13.
80me-
times made by vessels passing this way.
Wednesday, July 15th
s. Lat.
0 0 43 t
•
w.
Distance 171 miies.
103 days
Lon. 31 0 3 t
•
Th.
Steady breeze.
Thursday, July 16th 1846.
'79
Work going on as usual.
104 days.
N. L. 10. 35. W. L. 33° 27t.
Thero
S. E. wind squally.
2el miles.
At night raised blood: the first indications of i t were
felt
a~
the moment I was making an
ef~ort
to shut the port
o~
my
state-room, as I wished to have the dead light at command in case
of need.
-21·'
Friday, duly 17th
N.
L. 4° lot.
105 days
0
W. L. 55 47 1
Distance 209.miles.
•
Ther.
Squally and rain.
Continuing to have
unco~ortable
teelings in my side. I
put this evening a blister upon.my chest.-
This is Warren's birth-
day and he has been much in my thoughts and prayers.
Saturday, duly 18th 1846
N. L.
50
W. L. 57 0 8'.
54
Distance 153 miles.
106 days
81°'
Ther.
Squally & rain.
Raised blood.
Sabbath 'duly 19th
N. L. 6° 58 t
,
W. L. 37 0 59!.
107 days
Ther.
Han a tUrn of raising blood last night and called the
Captain who waked up the steward.
He' provided some fine salt
which I took, also digitalis.
Have kept my berth the whole of the day and my spirits
have been muc.h depressed.
The regular trades seem to be suspended 71 miles.
distance
r--~
~
;: ... ~-. --;=--,;..
.
.
-1-
Book No. 8~ (~r)
[May 26-0ct.12;1846]
Tuesday May 26th 1846
S. Lat. 51° 20 t
days
24 to Anger
28 from q,o
52 fm.. Canton'
E. Lon •. 36° 54 f
•
Distance, 50 miles.
65 0
Ther.
•
A southwest gale, lying to under main
spencer only, or until towards evening.
I slept very little last night; the
ro~king
of the vessel
and the roar of the elements were an effectual bar to rest.
This
morning notwithstanding the severity of the wind the suh shone
~
brightly, the atmosphere except in the
hori~on
.
all around being
nearly free from clouds, or except light flying clouds.
The sea
however presented a sublime appearance, covered with goam and
rearing billows mountain high, here & there a sea bird merry in
the storm.
Wednesday, May 27th 1846.
S. Lat. 30° 49 t
•
24 days to Anger
29 tT from
do
53 days fFo~ Canton.
E. Lon. 35°. 45 t
•
78 miles, ,dis. Th.
69°
The storm is laid; the sea that wrought and was tempestuous is still; then are they glad because they be qUiet. So it is '
with us and I desire to be thankful for the relief which is afforded: but it will not be of long continuance probably in this region.
The wind now, instead of blowing in the form of a gale from the
Southwest, is gently wafting us in that
dID~ection
coming fram the
Northward and smoothing the roughness by which yesterday we were
made uncomfortable, a long swell
ho~ever
remains and reminds us
of the storm, as the sobbings of' the child after its crying is
quieted, reminds us of.' its former disturbed state.
Birds are flying about - the speckled haglet or
v
Ca~
pigeon is a very pr etty b·ird. , it s back and wings are speckled'fJiip.
-2-
as its name denotes - head &
ti~
of the tail black - its belly a
beautiful & delicate white- its shape like that of the
rat~er larger in size.
~igeon:
but
Another bird is the Cane1hen - black and
larger than the
~igeon
like the crow.
Another bird of slender wings and longer
- not so delicate in its
~ro~ortions
-
mare
~ro~or-
K
.tee~ing
tions is seen' also -
is pleasant to see these
farthe'r off apparently more shy. It
a~uatics.
As we advance into cold weather my feet begin to be cold.
Yesterday and the night before last they were
~uite unco~~table.
'By putting some dry mustard into the toes of my socks a glow of
heat was at length imparted and relief obtained.
I hav,e not
thought of doing this before, though my kind wife provided me with
a bottle of this article for the
I
~urpose
of applying to my feet.
suffered very much in Canton from cold feet, and some'also on
the
~assage
from the islands, particularly the last part of the
voyage.
Thursday, May 28th 1846.
. S. L. 31 0 421.
Distance 102
E. Lon. 340 13 1
mil~s.
2'
,
Ther.
Moderate.
.55 days
Friday, May 29th
S .Lat
. 320
54 days
E . Lon.
Distance 101 miles.
~2o
16 1 •
Ther
70 a
The weather in the morning was very fine;
v
but before noon a change was indicated by the appearance of dark
clouds in the S. W.
N. E.
Our c.ourse being then W. by S. the wlind about _.
Sail was taken in and all preparations made for a gale,
which came on and from about noon blew with violence during the
day
com~elling
us under very
sho~t
sail to lay our course about
s.
While taking in sail one of the hands- Buckley- came very near
. losing his life, being engaged reefing he missed hi s main support,
and but for a small rope which he happened to have hold of, [h~ -:._
would have been hurled into the ocean- .in which case there would
have. been no hope of saving him.
Saturday, May 50th. 1846
56 days.
64-tO
Ther.
.
The gale cont inued about 18 hours and our progress' has
been very li t.tle -
The wind continues from the S. W. but does
not blow 'With violence.
Since about 6 otck A. M. our course has
been 'about N. W•
.
.
Distance say 5 miles.
Sabbath, May ~lst 1846.
.57 days.
o .
0
S. Lat. 51 55 ' . E. Lon. 52 121
Ther.
67 0
Lost 11 miles the last 24 hours.
about 8 o'ck last
Q t
9J8nin~
ana dG 10
ok
The wind during the last 24 hours has been. directly ahead,
and our course about N.
Owing to this we have lost. distance. A
bark has been seen bound in the same' direction with ourselves.After 12 otck meridian our course was changed and we stood on the
wind to the
Southw~rd,
and had a pretty
Monday, June 1st 1846.
S. Lat.53° 05 1
~uiet
day.
58_days
E. Long. 31
0
53'
Ther.
67 0
: and at
G
gale and continued with violence· du:ci.~~~]being
The wind began to freshen towards dark lasteveni
10
0
1
ok it blew a
accompanied with a heavy sea, the vessel laying to under close
reefed fore top sail main spencer & jib.- the bark still in sight
lying to under close reefed main sail.
a heavy sea broke over our
~uarter
pouring some water into the cabin.
Between 12 & 1 olckP.M.
drenching every .thingaft and
Between 5 & 6 ofck sail was
-4-
added to the ship and the rudder lao sed as during the gale which
lasted about 20 hours it had been lashed dOVIn.
. Tuesday June 2nd 1846 •
s.
Lat. 32 0 41 t
59 days
E. Lon. 320 8 t
•
680
Ther.
, ,We have lost way during the last 24 hours:
35 miles
east has been lost.
60 days.
Wednesday June 3rd.
s.
E. Lon. 30 0 59 t
Lat. 330 15',
, Distance 'f0 :miles;
Ther.
Have had the wind from the north since
the latter part of the night; the sea also has been going ,down
and since morng. have been enabled to lay our course.
We are nearly in the meridian of Port Natal r South
Africa where the Am. Board have a Mission.
Port Natal extreme point lies in S. L. 29 0 53! E. Long.
Delagoa Bay - Cape Inyack is in
s.
Lat. 250 58'.
E. Long.
Since noon we have had 'a fine breeze from about N. E.
which has enabled us to keep a course due 'W. and to carry studding-sails-
Near sundown the wind hauled more to the Northward
and freshened so that the studdmng-sails were taken in.
We have
now a moon in her second quarter and pleasant evenings.
Thursday June 4th 1846.
61 days.
S. Lat. 340 36'
ot
E. Lon. 280
Ther.
'fl e
Distance 175 miles.
About noon the wind which had been veering changed to
the Westward & began to freshen: tacked ship and stood to the northward.
So' our moderate and favoring breezes last but a short time:
-~-
they have blown only about 24 hours; for this however we should
be thankful; but, alas! the heart is slow to render the tribute
which is
du~;
it is ready enough however to complain.
has 'blown with great violence from s?-y 4
0
1
The wind
ck till say 12
0
f
ck
at night
Friday June 5th 1 8 4 6 . 6 2 days
S. Lat. 340 13 1 •
E. Long. '27 0 40'.
Distance 20 miles.
running to the westward.
Ther.
64 0
Our advance has been owing to a curren.t
The gale continued its violence about
18 hours, and it has been on the whole the most severe of any we
have encountered.
The Wind. has so lowered its tone that we n<::N
(12 o'ck A. M. ) are. able to carry sail.
The changes of weather are very sudden; from a pleasant
breeze' from the northward it has become in a few hour.s a violent
gale from the westward.
West being now our due course, su'ch a gale
is a dead set against us.
At 4 o'ck P. M. saw land on the Ooast of Africa, the
firat we have se'en of the Continent~·
The land we' see is the high
Com.rnandantts
land of Oape Recif the West point of Algoa Bay- the Governors
house being S.L. 33° '58.
E. Lon. 25° 36 1
25 0 35! E
and Cape Recif S. Lat. 34°2'
•
This afternoon for the first time saw an albatross. The.
wind has died away and at evening it is pretty nearly calm, but
the sea still continues disturbed and occasions an uncomfortable
motion to the ship.
The sun showed her face just before sbe
made her bed in the north. which indicates better weather.
Saturday June 6th 1846
63 days
E. Lon. 25 ° . 26 t
Ther.
Distance 125 miles - 65 of these have been gained by the
•
-6--
current.
We are now south of all land of the continent of Africa,
the most s~utherly point being Cape Lagullas in 34 0 51 t
19° 5?'
East.
•
S. and
the Cape of Good Rope is 34° 22t S. lSo 24t E.
We have now a smooth sea, being just on the edge of
soundings,a
p~easant
wind from the north and are making headway
with studding sails set.
A hump of land on the African coast is visible bearing
about N.N.E.
The clouds are singularly red in the region of the
sun-setting; clouds also are rising and spreading over the sky and
indicate wind.
We have a moon advancing to the full which re-
lieves the gloominess of night; but it shines just ·new through a
thick atmosphere.
·The wind is still favorable and the ocean
smooth.
Sabbath June ?th 1846.
S. La t. .35 0 ?
t.
64
days.
E • Lo ng • 22 0 39 t
Distance 136 miles.
Ther •
.A. ·change of weather has been experienc-
ed; the wind veered to the N.W.and has varied from that point to
S. W.
blowing strong.
W.
has been, however, 'the most stationary
point since the change, but it has not blown with such violence
as to cause our vessel to lie to; though she has been put under
close reefs.
Being now in the track of vessels passing the Cape, five
2
including ourselves have been seen today studding the horipon in
1\
different directions and varying in distance from each other.
A
French ship passed so near us in the evening that she was spokeh
by our Captain.
She is from Bourbon bound to Nantz.
Cast lead this day in 65 fathoms.
Monday June 8th
S. Lat. 35° 8'.
65 days.
E. Lon.
22 0 16 t
Ther.
-7-
Distance 16 miles.
wind ahead and a heavy sea.
Have been under short sail with the
This morning at about 5 O'clock a
heayy sea broke over the quarter and drenched the Captaints State
room, one of the dead lights being out and the port defended only
by a square of glass which was broken· by the rush.
We are now in the meridian of the Antipodes of Oahu and
the difference of time between us is just 12 hours.
Was troubled
with very cold feet last night.
Tuesday,. June 9th 1846.·
66 days.
3. Lat. 360 2e t E. LOn. 21 0 50!.
Ther.
Distance 80 miles- including 26 miles Westing.
At 12 otck tacked and stood in again towards the land,
as wind, se.a &. current being strong against us, we were in a more
disadvantageous pos.i tion than yesterday at noon.
Bu t on the pres-
ent tack we can make scarcely a north course taking variation of
compass and ever1fhing in our favor that can· be appropriated.
This is James' birthday and I have thought of him much,
and made :him the subject of my prayers.
Wednesday, June loth 1846.
He is eleven years of age.
67 days.
mer.
Distance 90 miles - lost 3 miles westing; and this the Captain regards as a good dayts work, considering the course upon
Which the ship was put and kept for the last 24 hours.
At 12 otck
the high land of the coast for a long distance. in the neighborhood of Point Leven and St. Sebastian are in sight; Cupulo and
Table Hill are prominent objects as well as the mountainous range
or ridge of the coast - the nearest point of the shore is by calculation distant only 15 miles.
Point Leven is in S. Lat. 340
-8-
After standing on our course, which was about S. W. a
~er~od
of about two hours, the wind became more mDderate, and the
ca~tain
ordered that the main
to~sail
shoUld be backed and the
vessel brought to for fishing.
Lines were let down, and scarcely
theld;! )
did the baited hooks reach bottom before a fine fish was hold &.
/\,-
taken, and so smartly was the work plied that in about one hour
55 fine fish could be reckoned as our fare, one of them was large,
the others weighing from. _two to -5 or 6 pounds each, as they were
drawn from the water.
At about 3 otck- the ship was put upon her course again.
Thurs day, June 11th 1846.
S. Lat. 34 0 54t.
Distance 65 miles.
68 days.
E. Lon. 20 0 45 1 ~
Ther.
62 0
We have-had a favoring-breeze of mod-
erate strength since the latter part of the night, or from day
light.
&.
PaTt of the night it was calm.
It is now about full moon
I hope the favoring wind will hold on until we are around the
Cape.
Lagull-as or Agulhas or Aguilhas, the most southern land
of the Continent of Africa, being distant, by
LOy]
estima~
at noon,
only 30 mile s .
At s~set we were off c~pe Lagullas and so near that th~
low land of the coast was very plainly seen.
Quoin Point 20
miles farther to the Westward was distinctly visible.
The san set
clear, and the air seemed remarkably transparent, and we hoped a
cant inuance of fine weather. - A. singular black cloud of small dimensions attracted our attention rising over the high land some
distance in the rear of the shace suddenly changing its shape,
becoming at one time nearly invisible and soon reappearing Ln
another
sha~e;
it was so different from any other object Yisible
-9-
in the horizon, that one might almost fancy it an animal, a dragon in imagination as indeed it assumed the shape of that imagined
creatUre.
It might have been an indication of wind; for very soon
the wind which had been very moderate began to breeze up and to
fTeshen first in the direction in which we had seen the cloud and
afterwards to haul more ahead.
Sail began immediately to be taken
in, and one sail after another was furled and reefed until we
were moving with speed under close reefs:
........
The wind fre'shened un-
til it blew a gale 'and the ship was lain to under clo se reefed'
main·topsail and main spencer.
So sudden was our prosperity check-
ed, and the wind ahead turned against us, blowing a gale.
Friday, June 12th 1846.
69 days.
Ther.
Distance 35 miles southing and 39 miles W.. and fallen east
or Cape Lagullas 9 miles.
The gale has continued during .the day.
A
heavy sea broke
over the quarter last night and carried from its fastenings on
>-
the Starboard side a spar designed for a spare top-gallant mast.
The water also rushed into the CaptainTs State room thro. the
port wetting the berths and the captainfs wife.
ond time they have been wet by shipping a sea.
This is the secI
slept very
little last night.
70 days.
Saturday, June 13th 1846.
S. Lat. 35 0 7t
E. Lon. 19 0 15 t
•
Ther.
The gale subsided and left a heavy sea
Distance 64 miles.
which by degrees sunk down and at evening we are
calmed.
p~etty
The clouds hang over the land from which we
-
much be-
may
be dis-
tant 30 m. but the sky seaward is pretty clear except some detachments of fleecy clouds.
"
-10-
We can see False Cape or HaRglip and the Cape of Good
Rope having the ,appearance of a high iluff' beyond.
is
a.
,
I
Bay;, "~the two points are distinctlY marked.
Between these
Wi th
_1
an.Y~hing
like a favorable breeze we might be r0und the (ape in t~e mo~ning.
, .
I
Add one day for detention at Anger,)
24 to Anger
47 from do
and our full number or; days froml
}
the G. Ladrone to the cape is
from Canton ~to Cape.
72 days.
)
Sabbath, June 14th 1846.
Distance 80 miles.
At
l~O'Ck
of the Cape, anG at evening the
near due East fram
Ther.
E. Lon. 180
S. Lat. 340 22t
us~
rectly ahead- a ,heavy
72 days.
62 0 '
A. M. we were in the exact lat.
Cape~nd
Table hill bore pretty,
We have very little wind and this is di-
I'
sw~ll
from the
restwar~
A ship and a bark have been in sight all day_
.
is also against
us~
We'may now consid-
er ourselves as round the Cape, thOUJ: not to the North of it.
This has been to me a
~uieJ
Sabbath, though the
f~ct
of
being becalmed in the region of dangers has caused emotions of
solicitude.
Monday, June 15th 1846.
73 days.
61 0 •
E. Lon. 17 0 3 t •
Ther.
Distance 55 miles.
We have adlanced to the west 53' miles,
S. Lat. 340 36 t
•
but have receded to the South 24t. carrying us so much to the
Southward of the Cape.
posed to
The wind is Jtill ahead and the swell op-
UB.
In the night I raised a small clot or two of blood and
this d.ay I have expectorated some bldOdY matter; the cause of it
I
do not know.
Close application tl reading & other duties may
have had an influence to produce it, or the state of my bowels may
-11-
have had an effect to cause it.
74 days.
Tuesday, June 16th 1846.
S. La t ~ 530 57 t .
E. L. 15° 52 f
Distance 75 miles.
Ther.
•
Since leaving the cape we have had the
wind directly ahead and pretty strong till this evening, when it
hauled mDre to the westward admitting of studding sails and a N.
by TN. course,.
But the ship !ells,ba,ly from the effect of a
long westerly swell.
Wednesday, dune 17th
75 days
S. Lat. 32 0 55!. ,E. Lon.
l~o
40t.
Ther.
Distance 87 miles .
. Put a large blister on my s' de last night, which drew
well; but the pain of it deprived me.[f ,Sleep
m~st
of the night.
My expectoration is still somewhat dlrcolored:, l.e. there are particles of bleod in what I raise from my lungs.
I arose in the
morning depressed, washed and apPlieiOintment, to my blister and
then I returned to my berth and had
breakfast consisting of a
mug of tea & crackers handed in to me by the ~teward.
~e
long western swell continues, and at times the roll-
ing of the vessel is even distressin§: it has been so to
under the effects of a blister and present debility.
myself
The Captain
remarked that a saying of seamen seemed likely to be verified in
our case:
"Rolling from the Cape
a~l
the way to St. Helena."
Add oJe
day at Anger not counted &
I
we ha~e been 76 days from the G.
Ladrone.
I
Thursday, dune 18th 1846.
16 days
s. Lat. 32 0 llt E. Lon. 130 l6 t
Distance 83 miles.
,
Ther.
Several of the men continue 111:- four
~
of these are in the second mates wat1h - most of them keep about
-12-
but they are weak and can hardly perf0TIn duty.
,
.
I
The captain savs
~
it is very common for seamen to be ill coming home from Canton:
he attributes it to the water as the lain cause.
Some few of
. the seamen at intervals have been off duty ever since we lert
Anger.
The water and refreshments which we obtained there seem-
.
I
- diarr:efl1a & dysentery.-
ed to forward the complaint
Fr'iday} J"une 19th 1846.
days.
I
Ther.
Distance 50. miles.
Calm during the night.
For the firstt:iJ:ne since sarbath evep.ing have come up 'on
deck and walked upon.the
The sun shines pleasanyly,
~uarter.
the wind mild and gentle and in our flvor', though our motion is
very slow thr9ugh the water which is scarcely ruffled by the breeze.
The sun at its setting was a brilliant sight, slowly .
sinking in the horifon- blazing thrp~h an atmosphere whach gave
it a
li~uid
appearance and reflected its rays in a very glowing
manner: it seemed a mass of
li~uid
zontal line to the eye forming a
U-F0h
t-h.g.
Sa,.fa~1!.
rays or multiplied suns A
or th.,.
gold pouring itself in a hori-
mos~ ~rilliant
path of reflected'
UTlal-(taTIItf!, Oc.can·
It seeme.dJto be the orb of day poured
out into the ocean and flowing in a
It ream. from the horizon to
the eye- the gently rolling billows giving its strong rays a fluctuating moving appearance.
A most Jeautiful sight.-
. Saturday, J"une 20th 1846.
s. La t. 310
.
1 t.
E. Lon. 11
Distance 80 miles.
80 days from Batavia.
78 days
0
6 '1"
Ther.
64 0
In the afternoon spoke a Dutch Bark
~
I
very long passage
as Batavia is only 60
miles from Anger and our time from tte latter plaQe is only 52
days.
She must be a dull
saim~r
as we passed her very fast and
left her very far astern at evening.
-13-
The Barometer indicates a change of weather, and the wind
freshens and in the night hauled to·the N. W.
; Sabbath, June
S. Lat. 30 0
•
~lst
6 f.
1846
79 days.
E. Loon. gO 17' ~
Distance 49 miles.
Ther.
,The wind continue s strong from the N. W. and brought us
down to close reefed topsails.
The mercury in the barometer has
sunk lower than any t1rn.e during our passage.
gale -
It maybe called a
our seventh since we encountered the Cape.
Monday, June 22nd 1846.
S. Lat. 2g 0 36'.
80 days.
E. Lon. gO 50'.
Ther.
The gale has subsided but the wind still holds from the
N. W. just the point to· which weo wish to steer, and blows fresh.
Distance 50 miles.
SlOdays
Tuesday, June 23rd.
3. Lat. 2S o 10'. E. Lon. gO 22'.
Distance 86 miles.
Ther.
Becalmed since the morng. and a heavy
westerly swell- the effect of the late gale.
Something was de-
scr±sd in the water which was judged to be the mast of a vessel.
82 days.
Wednesday, June 24th 1846.
S. ·L.
E. Lon. 9
Distance 25 miles.
o 21'.
Ther.
We have been almost entirely becalmed
during the last 24 hours; but as a current has been in our favor
we have not been entirely stationary.
-
I have remembered this as the birthday of fuartha Ann.
t.
Thursday, June 25th
83 days
S. Lat. 27 0 2'. E. Lon. SO 13'
Ther.
Since day light we have had a gentle S.
Distance 70'miles.
E. wind - hope it may continue.
at St. Helena.
The Captain has decided to stop
Thus far our progress has been very slow from·
-14-
the Cape.
Friday, June 26th
s. Lat." 25 0
"84 days.
E. Lon. 6° 19'.
40T.
Ther.
S. E. wind continues, and as our course is
Distance 138
pretty much before the wind, the ship rolls considerably; but
this can be easily borne When we are making progress.
Towards
evening we spoke the Ship Tiber, of Boston, '71 days from BataviaRichardson, supercargo.
85 days."
Saturday," June 27th
S. Lat. "24 0
E . Lon. 4 0 13'
1t
Ther.
S. E. wind continues.
Distance 147
86 days
Saooath, cTune 28th
S. L. 22 0 46'
E. L.
Distance 128 miles.
2 0 22t.
Ther.
Very quiet sailing though a little
reeling occasionally wind say S. E.
Had some conversation at edge of evening with Er.
Camerin the second mate on the suoject of religion.
more
l.
access~ple
Found him
than I had expected though ready to excuse him-
self for the neglect of the suoject on account of the difficulties
at sea; but candid enough to acknowledge or at least admit that
God does not require of us what we are unable to perform.
Monday, June 29th l846
87 -days.
Ther.
Four of the sick men have oeen "induced to
Distance 127.
come on deck and show themselves read21 to do what they are aole
though not expected to perform laborious duty.
Tuesday, cTune 30th
S. Lat. 20 0 3
f
•
W. Lon. 0 0 .44'.
88 days.
Ther.
Distance 118 miles.
As I am out of reading oooks, I have recently read the
-15
Preface to Sc·ott t s Bible as contained in the Reference Bible
which I have with me.
I have also read the preface to
~ohnsonts
Dictionary, and it is a composition worthy of perusal.
In the evening a porpoise was caught, which produced
.
aome animation of feeling among. the actors.
8 and '9
0 t
clock or perhaps not far from 8
[s iCJ
itA happened
0 '
clock..
be~ween
We have now
a moon just entering its first quarter, and the evenings are pleasant and the temperature of the atmosphere is becoming agreeable.
Wednesday,
~uly
89 days .
1st 1846.
S. Lat. 18° 32~.
2° 57 f
W. L.
.
Ther.
Distance 158 miles.
Cap. Miller '.s last voyage was estimated from Macao ·to
Anger 2000 miles in 39 days
;
51~11/39 per day.
Anger to Cape of Good Rope 5551 in 49 days
= ll5f
14/49
pro day.
Our passage to Anger was made in 24 days
2000 = 8311/3
miles pro d. or 27 days from Whampoa is - 74f2/27 pro d.
I make our distance to the.Cape i.e. Cape Rang-lip,5406
miles, in 46 days, gives 117f12/23 m. pro day.
Saw whales this afternoon at a distance.
This evening experienced the sensation usual to me when
blood starts from the lungs an indication which I could not mistake and which was followed by the presence of a small quantity
-t hro""Yl.
throw~
raised from my mouth.
retired immediately to my bed.
I took a p.ill of sugar of lead and
By keeping in a reclining
post~re
it was suppressed.
Thursday,
~uly
2nd 1846.
S. Lat. 17 0 32t.
W. Lon. 4 0 38 '
Distance 113 miles.
90 days
. Ther.
A sail astern reported; also a Sperm
-16-
whale close by the side of our vessel.
Raised. blood.
arro~oot only for supper .
berth most of the day - ate no dinner and
Friday, .Tuly 3rd 1846.
S. Lat. 160 41' .
Kept my
91 days.
W. L. 5° I I t
Ther.
•
69°
Distance 62 miles wind very light.
St. Helena in sight distant 46 miles direction W. half W.
Raised some blood in the afternoon.
I am very much
discouraged and depressed: the frequent indications of fresh blood
starting from the lungs damp my hopes in regard to ultimate recovery: but I hope even against hope: for nqthing is too hard for
the Lord.
James Town, St. Helena is)
5° 42' 30 Tl
-
time from Greenwich
Saturday, July 4th 1846
S. Lat. 15
o 55' 26 tT . W.Long.·
22 m. 50 sec.
92 days.
Ther.
At the striking of 8 bells- and the commencement of
the 1st watch or
ra~her
middle watch, all hands united in firing
a national salute in honor of American Independence, in which the
Captain took direction.
At daylight we were close in with the island of St.
Helena: her high precipitous and barren sides rising in most places
almDst perpendicular from the ocean were a very prominent object
meeting my eye as I looked from my stateroom port or window.
I went on deck the first since the 1st. and had a view
of the island of st. Helena, famous as the prison of Napoleon the
worldTs prisoner -
Cap. Miller on his last voyage stopped at the
I
island and visited the spot where his remains had been deposited
and thence removed some years ago by the government of France.
lie painted out Long Wood as we passed the East side of the island:
-17-
or the dir.ection of it, as it was not certain that the very:place
«I
could be seen from our position. We were two miles or more from
.
[sic]
the . shore - the surff we could see distinctly breaking along the
whole extent of the shore, the land rising abruptly- some of the
highest bluffs 800 feet :perha:ps in height.
-t opined? 1
Passing the N. E.
point of the island we opened the fortifications which are extend[s/e-]
.
ed along on the precipices to James Town.
. . two11 American vessels
di~played
themr ensigns.
.
One was the whaling Bart;Lue Powhatan, of·
.
Warren R. I. Cap. Mayo, the other ship Vancouver, from Padang
island of Sumatra, for Boston.
At 1 otck we dropped anchor just to the stern of
th~
latter vessel, and directly opposite the town, which is situated ,.
on the shore at the opening of a narrow
~alley.
On the West the
land rises precipitously to the height of s.ay 400 feet and is as
steep as' the roof of a house.
U:pon the top are buildings- either
a fort or barracks and is ascended in one direction by a flight
of steps perhaps 600 in number which running straight up present
a
sing~ar,
as they do also a striking appearance.
There is an-
other ascent by a circuitous path wide enough for vehivies.
In
the back ground on both sides the valley are edifices of the
great ones probably of the island.
The edifices on the right as
well as on the }aft of the valley- one on each side- occupy elevated summits and are conspicuous objects.
is embowered with
trees~
elegant appearance.
The one on the left
and presented to us on board the shi:p an
The houses of the settlement seemed to be near
the shore and presented a cool and neat appearance rather of a light color.
painted or
I witnessed with pleasure the spire of
a church, and. indeed it was the most conspicuous building presented to the sight.
-18-
We were soon visited by two boats from the shore- both
of them I su]]ose Government boats - and as soon as the Captain
had. answered all
on shore.
~uestions
he took ]assage in one or them to go
lie made arrangements for water, and in an hour or two
,a water boat was along side and by means of hose connected with
a tank in which the water was contained five tons were soon discharged into seven of our casks and our supply of water was complete, and nothing remained but for the Captain to return on board
when we' could proceed to sea ..
20 minutes before 6
anchor.
,ing,~Dn
otc~
Before six o' ck he c'ar:le off and at
the sbipls company
beg~n
to heave at the
It was not long before we were under way again & proceedour vo yage •
The island of St. Helena is between 26 & 27 miles in
.
,
c i rcum.ference .
The acting U. S. Comm.ercial Agt .Wm. Carrol
sent
by his son who came on board in the boat which
comple~ents
Es'q,~
brought off the captain, expressing his regret that ·my health had
not permitted me to go on shore.
Stating that he has an ac q,uain t ..
ance with Messrs Anderson & Hill and desired that his respects
lie sent off addressed to IIl:e , the Report
migh t be made to them.
of the Board for 1844.
--------
Meteorolmgical
~ournal
kept on the wmndward side of the
4
island 1,76, feet above the level of the sea.
for week ~une 11th - 17
Mean temperature
62°, 4_out of doors in the shade.
Learned that the ship Gentoo of Boston from
Calcutt~
was lost
near the Cape on her way home- went ashore in Struys Bay, just to
the east of Legullas
'-
Several persons lost
The Captain and
Supercargo and some others had made their way to St. lielena, and
had teken passage in Ship Vancouver, which lay at anchor when we
~
.... --.
~
~
....
-19-
arrived and got under way about two hours before us.
The ship
Gentoo went ashore in consequence of a mistake in regard to position, the chronometer being out of the way.
Babbath, July 5th lS46.
93 days
S. Lat. 15° 45 t W. Lon. 6° 45 t
Ther.
Distance 63 miles~
Passed ship Vancouver and spoke her.
very heavy swell from. the S. W. and ve,ry little wind: so that the
vessel rolled in a manner which was very uncomfortable •
.~
-1
:.
/
Monday, July 6th
94 days.
W. L. SO 14
Ther.
Distance 108 miles S. E. trades.
S. Lat. 14° 45'
Tuesday, July 7th
95 days
S'{ Lat. 13° 27 t .•
W. Lon. 10° 46 t
Distance 167 miles
Ther.'
•
71io
S. E. trades.
Wednesday, July Sth 1846.
S. L. 11° 40 t
70°
96 days.
W. L. 13° 53'
Ther.
Fresh S. E. trades.
Distance 212
The Isle of Ascension which is laid down on the Chart is
Thursday July 9th
S. Lat. 10° 1S t
97 days
W. L. 16° -24t.
•
Pleasant.
Distance 170.
S. E.
98 days.
Friday, July lOth.
S. Lat. SO 57' .
W. Lon. ISO 42 t
Distance 15S miles Saturday, July 11th
S. Lat. 7° 33 t
•
Ther.
Pleasant
•
-
77°
Ther.
79°
S. E.
99 days.
W. Long. 21° 33 t •
Distance 190 llliles.
Ther.
Afhale probably a fin-back-
appeared
-20-
~or
some time around the vessel and on both sides of her in the
afternoon of yesterday.
From 12 o'clock of yesterday to 12 o'clock
noon of this day is the 11th in nautical account.
There is much work going
on at the present time - tarring
,
rigging, new rattling the shrowds- serving some portions of the
rigging- preparing the vessel for port- though we cannot expect
to enter for more than a month yet.
We are now west of the most western part of the continent of Africa; the most western point being Cape Verde in Lat.
140 441 N. and longitude 17 0 32
w.
Sabbath, duly 12th 1846
S.
Lat. 50 50 t .
Lon. 23 0 41 t
Vi.
Ther.
•
Steady breeze.
Distance. 165 miles.
Monday
100 days
101 days
13th
Ther.
-
Distance 183 miles
Squally.
Tuesday, duly 14th
102 days
-
Distance 191 miles
.St. Paulf@ island
-
Squally.
0
0
55 t
•
w.
N. Lat and
Lon. 29
0
13.
80me-
times made by vessels passing this way.
Wednesday, July 15th
s. Lat.
0 0 43 t
•
w.
Distance 171 miies.
103 days
Lon. 31 0 3 t
•
Th.
Steady breeze.
Thursday, July 16th 1846.
'79
Work going on as usual.
104 days.
N. L. 10. 35. W. L. 33° 27t.
Thero
S. E. wind squally.
2el miles.
At night raised blood: the first indications of i t were
felt
a~
the moment I was making an
ef~ort
to shut the port
o~
my
state-room, as I wished to have the dead light at command in case
of need.
-21·'
Friday, duly 17th
N.
L. 4° lot.
105 days
0
W. L. 55 47 1
Distance 209.miles.
•
Ther.
Squally and rain.
Continuing to have
unco~ortable
teelings in my side. I
put this evening a blister upon.my chest.-
This is Warren's birth-
day and he has been much in my thoughts and prayers.
Saturday, duly 18th 1846
N. L.
50
W. L. 57 0 8'.
54
Distance 153 miles.
106 days
81°'
Ther.
Squally & rain.
Raised blood.
Sabbath 'duly 19th
N. L. 6° 58 t
,
W. L. 37 0 59!.
107 days
Ther.
Han a tUrn of raising blood last night and called the
Captain who waked up the steward.
He' provided some fine salt
which I took, also digitalis.
Have kept my berth the whole of the day and my spirits
have been muc.h depressed.
The regular trades seem to be suspended 71 miles.
distance