Arthur David LINKLATER

His ’Journal’

Apprenticed aboard British Princess

10.xii.1895 - 13.iii.1900

Monday, 22nd Puting up shifting boards.
Tuesday, 23rd Parceling shifting boards.
Wednesday, 24th Bent all four and aft sails.
Thursday, 25th Commenced to paint ship outside.
Friday, 26th Painting outside. Mate and Marsden had a scrap. Marsden tried to stab him and hit him over the head with a blaing pin. Marsden got the worst of it and refused duty. Southerly buster tonight.
Saturday, 27th Marsden did not turn to today, but went ashore and saw a magistrate.
Sunday, 28th Scottie and myself went ashore. Captain gave us each 2/6. We had to fine feads for a 6d. each at Mr. Gunner's and spent the most of the day in the Reserve. There were 40 apprentices all together there.
Monday, 29th Marsden sunanoned the mate and mate cross summoned him.
Tuesday, 30th Bent all square sails except foresail. Came on half a gale after dinner, and had to bend the sails on the main with it.
Wednesday, 31st Bent foresail, and getting sheets, halyards ready for sea.
APRIL 1897
Thursday, 1st Making a fool of everyone. All day I have been making foxes.
Friday, 2nd Marsden, (Jacob, Layon, Boar) The mate, 2nd mate and Tommie all went to court. Marsden got fined 47/6. The mates got fined 10/- each. Scottie, Oscar, Mrs. Scott, and myself were aboard. Scottie was cook and I was supposed to watch the ship, but I went into the sail locker and went to sleep. I did nothing from 8 a.m. till 4.30 p.m.
Saturday, 3rd Knocked of later than usual as the Mate is going to have revenge.
Sunday, 4th Shields and Tommie went ashore. Rind of the Dalgonar was aboard. Also old man's brother and kids. Old man was drunk last night and came on deck about one and created a disturbance with watchman.
Monday, 5th Were all called at 4 a.m. and hove up 165 fathom of chain. Did not have breakfast till 10.30. Went alongside about 11 a.m. First truck came in before we were properly made fast. Shifted ship two or three times. Scottie and I went ashore at night. Coaling till midnight.
Tuesday, 6th Started coaling at 6 a.m. and went on all day and night. I was working all day and then had to keep tally all night. At 3 a.m. I got a cup of tea from Mate and old man. Shifted ship at 2.30 a.m.
Wednesday, 7th Left [- ? -] about 9 a.m. and made fast to bouy no. 4 alongside the “Combery”. I was in bunk all day. We went aboard Combermere and had a sing song, and then they came aboard us and we had another.
Thursday, 8th ‘Combermere’ sailed at 10.30 a.m. for Frisco, ‘Barfillan’ at 12 for Frisco, ‘Keerdweda’ (German) at 4 p.m. for Chile.
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