![Thomas Keir diary - 12 December 1863 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/16-18631212-ViewScan_0107-k.jpg "7-18631126-ViewScan_0098-k")
Saturday 12th – 7 A.M. Passed a
vessel going north, both vessels going rapidly
and she was soon out of sight. in the
afternoon passed another but farther off
there has been a fine breeze all day
and we have not felt the heat as bad.
Lots of flying fish today, we also saw
a curious looking shell elevated above
the water which I supposd to be a
nautilis[1]. in the evening saw the new
moon for the first time a slender crescent
in the west, the dark portion of the moon’s
body was seen very distinct. the appearance
was admired by all. in the evening a
company of the Scotch were enjoying them-
selves on deck, at the game of forfeits
with apparent pleasure, a fresh wind
from the east the ship going rapidly.
The old man in our end very poorly
STANDARDISED
Saturday 12th December
Passed a vessel going north, both vessels going rapidly and she was soon out of sight. In the afternoon passed another, but farther off. There has been a fine breeze all day and we have not felt the heat as bad. Lots of flying fish today, we also saw a curious looking shell elevated above the water which I supposd to be a nautilis. In the evening saw the new moon for the first time, a slender crescent in the west, the dark portion of the moon’s body was seen very distinct. The appearance was admired by all. In the evening a company of the Scotch were enjoying themselves on deck, at the game of forfeits with apparent pleasure. A fresh wind from the east, the ship going rapidly. The old man in our end very poorly.
HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY
12th v fine
Passed a ship homeward bound. Had a shark following us. A man very ill. Hung my bedding out, several lots was thrown overboard being very full of lice. Going about 10 knots. I cleaned our mess out very hot, bought a hammock with a new set of lashing for 3/- off Mac[2].
Notes
1. nautilus: a shell-fish furnished with something analogous to oars and a sail. Encylopedia londinensis, or Universal dictionary of arts, science, and literature, ed John Wilkes (London: 1810), p.640. [Online Books]
2. “Mac” may be the purser, James McQuade, a 31 year old from Dublin who had served on board the Mermaid previously.
Plate II, “Conchology”, Encyclopaedia londinensis, or, Universal dictionary of arts, sciences, and literature, ed. John Wilkes (London: 1810), pp20-21. [Online Books]
