| ⚪ | Sunday, 4th | Today started with very heavy squalls which came into a gale. This morning a very heavy squall came up and we let the main to'gallantsail rip, and the buntlines carried away. I was on the yard at the time, and the whole mast was banging about like a blade of grass. I never came down from aloft in such a hurry in my life. Slid down everything. I am sure I was on deck in 15 seconds. Everyone thought the mast and I were going over the side. This afternoon furled both upper topsails, and are now under lower topsails and Foresail, with a very high sea running. Decks under water. 3 p.m. Our ship was as near lost as she could be. Three tremendous seas came aboard and filled us full up to the top of the rails, poured through our windows and door. You could not see out for water. She sank down and took all her time to come up. The ports were lashed, I managed to force open our door, and ran out and cut two of the ports. The Old Man rushed on deck. So did the mate and Bosun. The Bosun called all hands on deck, as he thought she was foundering. So did the Old Man. My bunk was washed out, and the boards underneath were also washed away. Of course my mattress was floating about the house almost on a level with our heads. Four of our chests were washed out of the house into a locker, Tommie's upside down. Both mine were full. I haven't got a dry thing to my name. It took us two hours to bail our place out with buckets. The sail-locker is full. Terrible sea running. These three seas seemed as high as the mizzen top. All hands were kept on the poop, as otherwise they would have got washed away. Miserable day and night. Everything I have is ringing and nearly all spoiled as the dye has run out of a reefer all over the place. Did over 200 miles under lower topsails and Foresail. |
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| Monday, 5th | Cleared up a little, but in the afternoon glass fell to below 28°and it came on again with renewed vigour. Had a terrible job getting fresh water, being washed all over the place. The ship seems water loged. She won't rise to the seas and the decks are full all the time. Also our house. Tried to get some things dried today, but almost got them all blown away. Must still stick to wet gear. Miserable. | ||
| Tuesday, 6th | Same weatter. Moderating as evening sets in. Sea going down. Hung all things out to dry again, but immediately it commenced to rain. | ||
| Wednesday, 7th | Better day. Fore topgallant sheet carried away while I was aloft, and very nearly finished my illustrious career. All sail set. Expecting to sight Australia. | ||
| Thursday, 8th | Got up cable. Off Cape Leewin. Discovered matches and everything are spoiled. | ||
| Friday, 9th | Got up Fishtackle and got anchors ready. Splendid wind. Fine weather. | ||
| Saturday, 10th | Trying to get things dry. Going ahead about 10 knots. | ||
| Sunday, llth | Squally. Furled all light sails, also mainsail. Later: Glass falling. Heavy sea getting up. I suppose we will be under water soon again. Caught an albatross. Too small, so let it go again. | ||
| ⚪ | Monday, 12th | Scrubbing paintwork all day. At half past eight tonight a tremendous sea came aboard and stove in the starboard side of the deck-house, smashing everything inside, bunks, chests, etc. All the men's gear being washed outside and then overboard. At present the damage is patched up with tarpauline and planks. The sea was so large that it lifted the lee braces clean over the side into the sea. She was full fore and aft. The mate came running in and told us she was foundering, but it was a false alarm. I had a line of clothes out too. They were washed away and have no doubt safely arrived in Davy Jones' locker. If anyone had been standing at the side of the house at the time, he would nave been washed right through. It was a tidal wave. | |
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