Arthur David LINKLATER

His ’Journal’

Apprenticed aboard British Princess

10.xii.1895 - 13.iii.1900

Monday, 3rd Getting stores up ready for sea. Went ashore for beef, and sneeked 7 lbs of fresh butter and 4 polones. We lived high tonight.
Tuesday, 4th Overhauling blocks, sorting up Fore hatch. Puling oilcloth in cabin. Got no pigs today.
Wednesday, 5th Shields and myself have been aloft all day. Puting up bagrincle. Passengers luggage arrived today.
Thursday, 6th Took up stern moorings, and hauled out a lot. I had the pleasure of rowing Old Man ashore myself in Pilot's boat. It was a hard pull. We waited a long time at night for him, as he was waiting for his papers, but did not get them. Passenger arrived tonight. Could not turn in tonight, as the captain said he would likely wish the boat, but he did not.
Friday, 7th Hove up anchor, and hedged a bit, to give us a clear start. Took Old Man ashore, and he got his papers. We set topsails. Knocked off at dinner, and got decks cleared up. Our chaps aft went on the Fo'c'sle head, but none of the dutch men would help us, and we cheered every ship in the harbour. When we came aft the mate gave us grog. We turned in at nine, but could not get to sleep.
Saturday, 8th
Sailed from
Junin for
San Francisco
We were all called out at 12 oolock this morning. It was grand and cold. We hove up anchor, and set sail. After we started of course the wind droped, and we almost drifted ashore again. We got anchor up, and all sail set by 4 a.m. but it was dead work all the time. All hands were on deck until 8 a.m. We were glad to get a lye down on the chests, floor, eot. I was soon asleep and didn't care about the bells, coffee or anything else. The second mate had to call us every minute. Braced yards around a lot. Got anchors lashed on Fo'c'sle heads. Good fun tonight fishing for cape pigeons.
Sunday, 9th
Lat 19°36’S
Long 71°34’
Dist. 55 miles
Started taking regular wheels. Out of sight of land now. Going along very steady. Exchanged White duck jacket for a white shirt and tie.
Monday, 10th
Lat 19°36’S
Long 72°49’
Dist. 70 miles
Tared cable, and put it below, shifted back 20 minutes. Started navigation today.
Tuesday, 11th
Lat 19°36’S
Long 72°49’
Making bagrincle and mats. Dead calm. A lot of whales and some sharks about.
Wednesday, 12th
Lat 19°36’S
Long 72°49’W
Dist. 0 miles
Dead calm. Making bagrincle, and mats. A lot of cape pigeons, and mother kerries chickens about. Oape pigeon is much the same size as an ordinary pigeon. Has a long beak, black head, white body, mottled black and white, all black wings, tails, ect. They are splendid divers. Will dive for meat. ‘Kerries’ chickens are small black birds with short tails, swift flyers.
Thursday, 13th
Lat 19°30’S
Long 73°22’W
Dist. 32 miles
Calm. Suging boats, and bulwarks. Ship rolling a little. 1st and 2nd mates have been helping me a lot with my navigation.
Friday, 14th
Lat 19°28’S
Long 73°59’W
Dist. 36 miles
Sand and canvased poop.
Saturday, 15th
Lat 19°12’S
Long 74°57’W
Dist. 56 miles
Cleared out rooms in morning while rest sand and canvased. A lot of large whales about. Saw [- ? -]. A good breeze sprung up.
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