![Thomas Keir diary - 10 February 1864 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/38-18640210-ViewScan_0129-k.png "7-18631126-ViewScan_0098-k")
Wednesday 10th – light wind of the starboard
quarter all day. Forenoon dull, afternoon bright &
clear. The longitude about 154° east. The tween
decks got a more than usual clean out today
and the cleaners were rewarded with a drink
of Porter. Evening beautiful, in the southern sky
the southern cross and other brilliant constellations
and in the northern the beautiful Orion & a little
higher up the the bright star Sirius, or dog star, shining
in silent grandeur.
STANDARDISED
Wednesday 10th
Light wind of the starboard quarter all day. Forenoon dull, afternoon bright and clear. The longitude about 154° east. The tween decks got a more than usual clean out today and the cleaners were rewarded with a drink of Porter. Evening beautiful, in the southern sky the southern cross and other brilliant constellations and in the northern the beautiful Orion and a little higher up the the bright star Sirius, or dog star, shining in silent grandeur.
HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY
10th fine & cold
I was talking with the prisoner Hood till 12 oclock at night on deck. Saw the Aurora Boralis in Southern region for first time & Magellen clouds & the Southern Cross. Had a row with Scotch on forecastle about a lad. A man in a fit. Went to sleep in the afternoon washing ordered to be stopt. 9 knots per hour. 153 deg Long. A row between Scotch & Irish.
Notes
1. Able Seaman John Hood – see 5 February 1864 entry.
Further reading
“Large and Small Magellanic Clouds shine in southern skies“, EarthSky (pub. 3 Oct 2023).
![Aurora australis, or southern lights, captured by Colin Legg on 19 January 2013 at Wilson's Promontory in southernmost Australia. You can also see the Lage and Small Magellanic Clouds. [EarthSky]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2013-aurora_australis_colin_legg_Wilsons_Promontory_1-23-2013-EarthSky.jpg)
Aurora australis, or southern lights, captured by Colin Legg on 19 January 2013 at Wilson’s Promontory in southernmost Australia. You can also see the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. [EarthSky]
