Arthur David LINKLATER

His ’Journal’

Apprenticed aboard British Princess

10.xii.1895 - 13.iii.1900



	Monday, 17th Lat 40°41’S Long 58°00’W	We are now humming along fairly well. A lot of the birds have left us. We made up on a barque, and by dark she was far astern. Overcast today.
	Tuesday, 18th Lat 41°52’S Long 60°25’W	Scraping fairheads today. Tonight I was sent to shift the Galf journaltopsail tuck over, and it took me three quarters of an hour. There was such a lot of wind in it that I hardly could move it. It was an interesting job.
⚪	Wednesday, 19th Lat 43°15’S Long 61°20’W	Very calm. Another ship has for a while been quite close to us. We signaled to her but I don't think she could read our letters for she did not run up hers. A lot of cape hens, and other white birds about.
	Thursday, 20th Lat 44°47’S Long 61°53’W (Extract from official log)	4 p.m. fresh gale from W. 8 p.m. Strong gale, and cloudy. Furled Royals, Fore topgallant, mainsail, Outer Jib and staysails. Sea running high. 12 p.m. Fresh gale from W'ard. Sky overcast. We have been running 11 knots.
	Friday, 21st Lat 47°42’S	Ship rolling heavily. “Standing by” all day. Later on sea became much calmer.
	Saturday, 22nd Lat 49°25’S Long 64°25’W	This morning we were going along grand when all of a sudden the wind left us standing still. It is a fine day.
	Sunday, 23rd Lat 50°39’S Long 65°31’W	This morning there was no wind, but later on a strong breeze sprung up, which is driving us further off our course. We are now 7 points off. Some of the fellows said they saw land, but all I could see was the thick haze in the land direction. Tonight was spent singing hymns.
	Monday, 24th Lat 51°26’S Long 65°21’W	3 p.m. Heavy squall. Furled Royals and Upper Staysails. For about half of an hour it blew, and no mistake. I went up to the Royal yard, but was not allowed to stay up. I then went and gave a hand on topgallant yard. The ship was on an awful angle. Half gale all rest of the day. 8 p.m. Blowing very strong. Furled main sail, topgallants, and staysails. I was sent up aloft to see if I could see land, but I could not. A French Barque hove in sight bound from Start Point to Valparaiso, 65 days out, just the same as us. A lot of statin geese about. Have very long ugly necks, otherwise like a duck.
⚪	Tuesday, 25th Lat 54°24’S Long 64°36’W	At 8 oclock this morning we first sighted the main land, and Staten Island, The whole day we ran along quite close to the shore. Could see everything splendidly. When you look at Staten you are impressed with the sight. You can see nothing but lofty peaks, which rise to a great height out of water, and very perpendicularly. As you sail along the mountains get more round near their summits. In the N.E. corner there is a cove where the light house is. Two small white houses with a powerful light on their same level. This is one of the most effective and grand sights I have ever seen. Beautiful calm day.
	Wednesday, 26th Lat 56°1’S Long 63°28’W	This morning we signalled to Barque ‘Bandolph’, Liverpool, from Cardiff for Pisagua 64 days out. 4 a.m. Tacked ship and stood S. Others tacked at the same time, but we flew clean away from them, for we can sail very close to the wind. Very heavy swell on.
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