Arthur David LINKLATER

His ’Journal’

Apprenticed aboard British Princess

10.xii.1895 - 13.iii.1900

Monday, 15th
Sailed for
Junin
Been getting ready to sail. After dinner took up stern moorings, at 6 oolock the tug ‘Cavancha’ came and towed us. We almost fouled Sava's boom. It just cleared our mizzen rigging, but carried away our signal halyards. Splendid night.
Tuesday, 16th
Arrived in
Junin
Arrived in Junin at 7 a.m. Took all morning to get moored. Let go both anchors at 35 and 60 fathoms. Junin is very small and has a curious railway on a steep incline up the mountains working on a wire. Greatly troubled with rats tonight.
Wednesday, 17th Chipping under Fo'o'sle head all day.
Thursday, 18th Had to go up inside boom today working with carpenter. Blowing forge, taring deck seams.
Friday, 19th Bent all stay Sails, Jibs, Spanker and Galf. Chipping winches, pumps, ect. Blowing very hard tonight.
Saturday, 20th Sand and canvased poop, main deck ect. Knocked off at 3 oclock. Finished all washing about 5 p.m.
Sunday, 21st A splendid day, and celebrated it by having a day in bunk. Grand moonlight night.
Monday 22nd Expected cargo today, but it did not come. Started to unload ballast, but had to knock off.
Tuesday, 23rd Started loading nitre. Loaded two lighters, 600 bags, each bag weighing 300 l bs. Unloading ballast. ‘Pericles’ came in today.
Wednesday, 24th “Surf day” so no lighters. Been cleaning hand cuffs, shark hook, harpoons, ect. Chipping over the bow.
Thursday, 25th “Feast day” ashore, so I have been chipping over the bow on a stage, ny feet dangling in the water. A lot of seals playing around.
Friday, 26th Nitrate gang took in 3 lighters. Our ballast gang was working till six. We have to [- ? -]
Saturday, 27th Nitrate gang took in 3 lighters. We heaving out ballast. Had to wash down after three oclock. Two hens jumped overboard, which caused the dear old man great excitement.
Sunday, 28th Had a great treat today. Had some currants put in our rooties. The old man was growling about them. Mate has been spinning yarns.
Monday, 29th “Feast day” ashore again. All hands chipping over the side. Had to go for the beef today. There was a very heavy surf on.
Tuesday, 30th Nitrate gang took in 3 lighters. We have almost finished the ballast. Had a cape pigeon on deck today. They are sick, and can't fly, as soon as you put them on the deck.
JULY 1986
Wednesday, 1st Nitrate gang took in 3 lighters. We have been chipping. Tonight a fire occurred in the store room. We were all ordered to man the pumps, and bring buckets of water aft. Damage not great. Resulted from a paraffin lamp being upset.
Thursday, 2nd Nitrate gang took in 1,000 bags (4 lighters). I have been down in the tanks all day. The rest chipping. Had to go for the meat again. We had a truck and a mule. We had some good lark on the trucks.
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