| ⚪ | Sunday, 4th | Struck the English coast today, and most curiously the place we struck was Portland Bill, and exactly a year ago on March 4th we arrived in Portland, Oregon. It is curious how the dates coincide. Of course the same easterly wind. We are doomed to remain here for weeks. It is quite a common thing for a ship to be a month in the channel, continual streams of vessels passing all ways. | |
| Monday, 5th | Still tack and tack. It is most awfully disheartening. We have already actually sailed twice the distance to Leith, and are only a hundred miles up channel. Off Isle of Wight. | ||
| Tuesday, 6th | We have been besieged all day with tug-boats and pilot boats. We signalled Beachy Head this morning. We have now a good supply of papers and all the latest war news from the captains of the tug-boats. Of course head head wind. Tacked ship 8 times. | ||
| Wednesday, 7th | The “Shark” (pilot without a certificate) came aboard at daybreak. The Old Man would have nothing to do with him last night, but he is now afraid he will not see any other pilots. The Shark wished £20 for the run, but got £16. He is a proper “hard-case” looking old chap, and looks more like a man who lives under water instead of on top. Passed very close to Dungeness. Could see the people ashore quite distinctly. An enormous amount of shipping has been passing us all day and night. Passed Dover and Forelands 5 p.m. “Goodwin” light-ships while I was at the wheel. 6 p.m. I was at the wheel when we passed twenty six months ago. A most curious lot of things have happened since then. | ||
| Thursday, 8th | Head winds all night. Twice tacked ship. We had no sooner turned in at midnight than we were again called on deck for half-an-hour. I blessed the pilot, I can tell you. So did all hands. Pilots have no mercy for the crew and always, regardless of time, want all hands. Fishing smack came alongside with fish. We managed to get some off the Old Man. Fresh fish (kicking, so they are fresh) will go down well now, after six months of salt junk. Passed “Gallapor” and “[- ? -]” light-ships 8 p.m. This is ths spot where we had the smash-up in March 1898. | ||
| Friday, 9th | Fair wind. Passed Lowestoft this morning and several light ships during the day. Abreast of Cromer tonight. Splendid weather. All day spent in puting the finishing touches on the ship. | ||
| Saturday, 10th Lat 54°7’N Long 0°5’W 126 days |
Past two outward bound ships in tow this morning. One was the “[- ? -]”, a French ship we were with in Iquique. Magnificent day. All day a great many tugs, steamers, etc. around. We are abreast of Flamborough Head tonight. | ||
| Sunday, llth | Took the tug-boat tonight at 7 p.m. Great joy prevailed all over the ship. All morning exceedingly misty. Fog horns going all the time. 3 p.m. a N. Shields tug came alongside, but he didn't make a bargain. The captain of a tug has his work to cut out to beat down a deep sea captain. This chap was quite content to exchange a basket full of fish for some salt junk and a couple of bottles of rum. 6.30 p.m. the “Hector” came alongside. First he asked £65 for the tow up, then £60, 59, 56, 54, 55 50. The Old Man said £40. The tug then droped astern, I suppose to allow the captain to collect his thoughts, as he said each time, not a cent less than 59, 56, etc., he this time said the same only £47. Our Old Man calmly and peaceably said £40. At last the “Hector” agreed to take us for £45, and commenced towing at 7.30 off the Tyne. We are now going ahead in good style, with a ripping fair wind, and for my part I am not sorry this voyage is finished. We are now 127 days out. I could write pages by the score tonight, but as this is all I can muster, such a thing is out of the question. Magnificent night. | ||
| Monday, 12th | Had head gale. Tug no use. We have had to set all sail and tow the blooming old tug. Still what does it matter. One day more and this exciting sailing-ship life is over for ever. | ||
| ⚪ | Tuesday, 13th | Droped anchor opposite dear old Leith at 7.30 a.m. Thank God this voyage of voyages is finished. Too excited to write more. Links. |
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| This is the final Journal entry. The typescript concludes with the page I have used as thePREFACE. | |||
| BACK | 67 | ||
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