Arthur David LINKLATER

His ’Journal’

Apprenticed aboard British Princess

10.xii.1895 - 13.iii.1900

Friday, 9th ‘Auriga’ sailed at 7 a.m. for Aukland. ‘Nonantom’ (Amer.) sailed at 8.30 for Panamar. ‘British Princess’ sailed passed ‘Nobis’ at 10.30 a.m. Passed the Nonanton at 12, and left her astern and passed the Auriga at 6 p.m. and left her astern also. Passed another ship in the night.
Saturday, 10th Passed the German and Barfillan early this morning, running 12 knots. Combermer right ahead, gaining on her fast. At 4 p.m. we past her, licking her by 24 hours. I felt a bit sick all day as the sea is choppy.
Sunday, llth Combermere away astern. Others out of sight. Fine day, good breeze.
Monday, 12th ‘Combermere’ out of sight. German looks like a speck on the horizon. A large number of porpoises and albatrosses.
Tuesday, 13th 800 miles off Australia. We are alone now. Looks windy tonight. One of the new men had a row with bo'swain. Boswain complained about the grub. He is in our watch.
Wednesday, 14th Splendid breeze, going 12 knots. Boswain went forid twice with a blaying pin, because he thought he saw some of the men go in to the fo'c'sle. He seems a bad character.
Thursday, 15th This morning made all fore and afters fast, also royals, and hauled main sail up. Standing by topgallant nearly the whole time. The sea is right aft and has been floping over rather lively. A tremendous sea came over us a few minutes after six, as we were at tea. It filled the Carpenter's house, right up to the top bunks, washing them about the house. Our house also got its usual wack. It spoiled our splendid tea chest, bag, curio box, all half full. Mate's room and all [- ? -] has about 3 feet in it. The cabin also has a good supply. Going to make the mainsail fast. Blowing hard. The sea came right over the poop too from right forid. It is the largest any of us have seen. The whistle is going tonight. They are bailing out the cabin with buckets yet. Very squally. A lot of albatrosses about. Mainsail is now fast.
Friday, 16th
Good Friday
Sea rising fast. Gale coming on. Made topgallant sails fast. The main would not come in and ripped the whole way up. F.T. Topsail sheet carried away, and made a great racket. We are running before a very large sea, and a gale. Two hands at the wheel. She has been “pooping” a lot, and the decks have been flooded. A lot of rainbows this afternoon. Currant rooties today, to take the place of hot cross buns. Very much good friday. Not much of a holliday.
Friday, 16th
Good Friday
Good Friday again. That is 48 hours friday. We held our Good Friday 12 hours before you and 12 hours after. We unbent the topgallantsail at 10 p.m. last night, and the whole watch we were sitting on the wet deck while it rained as hard as it could with an occasional sea breaking over us. Sewing away as hard as we could. It was a joyful little company from 12 at midnight till 4 a.m. The sea is down a bit. Royals on her again. The ship is pitching terribly.
Saturday, 17th Fine weather again. Not so much wind. Killed about 100 bugs in the house today. The place is full.
Sunday, 18th Splendid day. Any amount of whales, sharks, albatrosses, about. Slight breeze. Lightning.
Monday, 19th Mate caught a very large albatross today. Also a lot of sharks about.
Tuesday, 20th Been a lot of rows with boswain today. Fine weather. Lightning. Slight breezes. A few squals tonight.
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