Arthur David LINKLATER
His ’Journal’
Apprenticed aboard British Princess
10.xii.1895 - 13.iii.1900
| Sunday, 30th Lat 5°55’S Long 97°42’W Dist. 98 miles |
Caught some bonetars. Had a fine awning on the knight-heads. Dossed under it all day. | ||
| ⚪ | Monday, 31st Lat 4°32’S Long 99°38’W Dist. 84 miles |
Painting life buoys. Saw some ‘Boatswains birds’. They have only 3 red feathers in their tail. It is shaped like this Also other curious sea birds  with a white diamond on their breasts and a tail shaped  |
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| SPETEMBER 1896 | |||
| Tuesday, 1st Lat 3°16’S Long 104°36’W Dist. 138 miles |
Painting life bouys. | ||
| Wednesday, 2nd Lat 1°48’S Long 103°13’W Dist. 128 miles |
Making new netting for poop rail. Cut my finger pretty badly today, and it refused duty for a bit. | ||
| Thursday, 3rd Lat 0°49’S Long 104°12’W Dist. 86 miles |
After I came from the wheel at 2 a.m. this morning I stayed on the poop and the mate was teaching me all the stars. | ||
| Friday, 4th Lat 0°24’N Long 106°7’W Dist. 88 miles |
Crossed the line about 5 a.m. Making netting for poop. Fine weather, good breeze. | ||
| Saturday, 5th Lat 1°52’N Long 107°33’W Dist. 127 miles |
Sand and canvas. When I was at the wheel this morning 4 turtles passed before we had time to stop them. Mate showed me the 1st adjustment of the sextant. | ||
| Sunday, 6th Lat 3°25’N Long 107°33’W Dist. 109 miles |
Today I had occasion to have a bit of an argument with the old man about our short allowance of water, while I was at the wheel. A lot of whales about. Rainy and squally. | ||
| Monday, 7th Lat 5°9’N Long 107°54’W Dist. 106 miles |
Showery all morning, and I got wet through, it being too hot for oilskins. About four in the afternoon it set in and was a regular downpour. We started filling the tanks. Got wet through again. We washed blankets, rugs and everything we could lay our hands on. Before long I got drenched to the skin again. | ||
| Tuesday, 8th Lat 6°52’N Long 109°4’W Dist. 124 miles |
Lots of squalls today, also raining. Tonight made Topgallant and middle Staysails fast. Soaked my oilskins in sugie, prior to oiling them. Leek like baskets. | ||
| ⚪ | Wednesday, 9th Lat 8°26’N Long 109°39’W Dist. 100 miles |
From midnight to midnight it has rained incessantly, not stoping for a second. The tank with the hose in it got filled today. Squally. Made royals and mainsail fast. Sea rose pretty quickly. Chucked man over the wheel. Some had lee wheels again. While making royal fast, my famous felt hat blew away. It caused great excitement. It was very well known. Lui fell off main yard tonight, but caught a foot roap. He was almost a goner. | |
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Duncan Linklater©2025