| Monday, llth | Still the same winds. Took in Topgallants at 8 p.m. Very black, but nothing came of it. Going about W. instead of S. It takes the cake. Sand and canvas ing poop all day in the rain. | ||
| ⚪ | Tuesday, 12th | I think we have got the Trades at last. I hope so anyway. Past a three masted barque this morning in grand style, and by noon she was out of sight. Another ship away on weather quarter. Oiled poop. The Old Man wished to know why they trusted me up there. He is fast turning Mr. Pym against me. I hate him! And if he fell overboard I would chuck him a grind-stone. There has been a terrible row today. Renshaw and I were up the main tarring down, and took three hours to come down as far as the cross-trees. Both the second and first mates are in a blue fit, and we have to start work half an hour earlier every morning, and knock off half an hour later at night. I have been having arguments with every one of the officers. Life is getting exciting and no mistake. Things are getting pretty hot for me now. Today was the turning point of this ship. Before this she was an easy going thing, but from today everything has gone wrong. | |
| Wednesday, 13th | All hands tarring down. It is a stale job. About half a dozen pots have come down. Preparing for shaving tomorrow. | ||
| Thursday, 14th | Crossed the Line this morning, 33 days out. 30 days is the average. Going to shave the new chaps tonight. Taring all day. Had another burst up with the Bosun. There are far too many officers on the ship this time. At 5.30 p.m. we came aft for the doomed fellows, Skuse was Neptune, and Jones, Mrs. Neptune. Perin was barber. Two policemen forid and Tomy and Myself aft. It came off very well. Jones and Perin were splendid. We had the large wash-deck tub full of water, and a couple of buckets alongside. We marched aft, and Jones asked the mate if he had any of his children to shave. The mate said “Yes”, so we asked if we could have them, and as soon as it was granted they were seized. So they at last got into our “Tender mercies”. He said, “Policemen do your duty”, which was immediately carried out, both being seized and hauled forid. Brown was finished first, the passenger standing by with his eyes blind-folded. He was made to sit on the edge of the tub, half in the water, and a sack, which had been soaked in the tub for an indefinate time, was then clapped round his neck for a towel. Then started the shaving. The lather consisted of Tar, grease, fat, mollasses, hash and all other handy things. He was covered with that beautiful mixture, than shaved with a shark's tail. The paper, after the lather was put on it, is of course stuck all over his face and head. Then, when more dead than alive, “[- ? -]” head over heels into the tub of water. The passenger got the same only far worse. We then marched aft. The Old Man, and Mrs. being the whole time on the poop. Jones said he hoped we had done everything to their satisfaction, and that he would like a piece of cake for the baby (which was a kind of doll), and that it was a very dry wind, in fact the driest he had experienced for many a voyage. All broad hints of course. So the Captain promised grog at 8 p.m. and we all went forid again. The other two were all evening trying to get the tar off. All hands had grog in the evening. After it was over, the two unfortunates each got a certificate of babtism. The men were dressed up so well as to be hardly recognisable. | ||
| ⚪ | Friday, 15th | Beautiful day. Good trades. Overhauling blocks. Repairing. | |
| Saturday, 16th Lat 5°6’S Long 27°19’W |
Running about 9 knots. Made up and past a three masted barque, and left her astern. I washed down in the afternoon and a record wash down it was too. | ||
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