![Thomas Keir diary - 1 January 1864 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/26-18640101-ViewScan_0117-k.png "7-18631126-ViewScan_0098-k")
Friday 1st Jan[uar]y 1864 – As soon as the
bells struck “eight bells”[1] denoting that it was
twelve o’clock, and that the year 1863 had
ended. (I was sitting quietly below for most
of the passengers were on deck) my ears were
saluted with the most terrific noise & shouting
that I ever heard. The young men had them
selves provided with tins of every description
spoons &c for drum sticks, accompanied
with a fiddler, and marched repeatedly
round the deckhouse, producing such a
![Thomas Keir diary - 1 January 1864 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/27-18640101-ViewScan_0118-k.png "7-18631126-ViewScan_0098-k")
mixture of strange sounds, that one of the
married men was /almost\ terrified out of his senses
for he rushed on deck (leaving wife and children)
making for the boats with all speed, the
poor man had been suddenly disturbed in
his sleep, and thinking that the vessel had
struck he was determined to save his life if
possible. But I have no doubt he was
agreeable surprized that it was only a
number of fanatics beating away at their
pudding dishes & plates. Afterwards thus cheers
were given to Captain, Officers, Crew, and a
blue light off [?] the vessel on the port
bow who returned the compliment. we went
dow below, and soon after I tumbled in to
bed and slept till it was between five & Six
the morning was fine and continued so with
occasional gusts of Scotch mist. Had an ex-
cellent potatoe pie for dinner & a nice currant
loaf for tea & a glass or two of toddy after.
[page]
In the evening Murray Robertson[2] was dressed
in the Highland costume, with swords &c &
went through an act, with good success, before
the assembled crowd, on the quarter deck after
dancing was kept up with spirit till 9.30
then came below had a glass or two with
bread & cheese. Wilson was elected chairman
his printed jokes & ready wit kept us in amuse-
ment. retired about 12 or 1 having spent
on the whole a pleasant day more so than
I ever expected to pass at sea where 500
people are stowed in a single vessel. We have
to thank the Captain for his kindness he
ordered the place to be cleared for our dance
produced flags for the tree &c &c.
STANDARDISED
Friday 1st January 1864
As soon as the bells struck “eight bells” denoting that it was twelve o’clock, and that the year 1863 had ended, (I was sitting quietly below for most of the passengers were on deck) my ears were saluted with the most terrific noise and shouting that I ever heard. The young men had themselves provided with tins of every description, spoons etc for drumsticks, accompanied with a fiddler, and marched repeatedly round the deckhouse, producing such a mixture of strange sounds, that one of the married men was almost terrified out of his senses for he rushed on deck (leaving wife and children) making for the boats with all speed. The poor man had been suddenly disturbed in his sleep, and thinking that the vessel had struck he was determined to save his life if possible. But I have no doubt he was agreeably surprised that it was only a number of fanatics beating away at their pudding dishes and plates.
Afterwards thus cheers were given to Captain, Officers, Crew, and a blue light off [?] the vessel on the port bow who returned the compliment. We went down below, and soon after I tumbled in to bed and slept till it was between five and six. The morning was fine and continued so with occasional gusts of Scotch mist. Had an excellent potato pie for dinner and a nice currant loaf for tea and a glass or two of toddy after.
In the evening Murray Robertson was dressed in the Highland costume, with swords etc and went through an act, with good success, before the assembled crowd. On the quarter deck after dancing was kept up with spirit till 9.30, then came below had a glass or two with bread and cheese. Wilson was elected chairman, his printed jokes and ready wit kept us in amusement. Retired about 12 or 1 having spent on the whole a pleasant day, more so than I ever expected to pass at sea where 500 people are stowed in a single vessel. We have to thank the Captain for his kindness, he ordered the place to be cleared for our dance, produced flags for the tree etc etc.
HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY
January 1st 1864 dull & fog
Playing at cards and and all sorts of games. Saw a ship, going about 8 knots per hour. I painted my name upon my great box. For dinner bouilli and spice pudding, tea loaf bread, eating my apples etc. The Scotch had a great day of it being dressed up and singing & dancing, fiddling etc, they had a fine garland. The Captain throwing lights both last night & tonight.
Prov 6 Chap 12 verse[3].
Notes
1. eight bells: signifies the end of a four hour watch. Read more about ship’s bell time [West Marine]
2. There is no Murray Robertson listed as an assisted emigrant or a cabin passenger. There is a Robertson family group who travelled as assisted emigrants, though with no obvious parents with them, the eldest being 19 year olds James Robertson (in the single men’s quarters) and Isabella Robertson, who was in the single women’s quarters along with Agnes (17), Marjory (11) and Mary (9). All from Perthshire, Scotland, they appear to be a group of siblings. Perhaps their parents (or father, at least) paid their own fare?
3. Proverbs 6, 12: A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. [Holy Bible, King James version].
Further reading
Wilkie, Benjamin. “Hogmanay in 19th century Australia & New Zealand“, The Scottish Australian (posted 1 Dec 2012).
Hogmanay, lino cut print by Clare Melinsky, published in Radio Times
