![Thomas Keir diary - 14 January 1864 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/31-18640114-ViewScan_0122-k.png "7-18631126-ViewScan_0098-k")
Thursday 14th – Early this morning the
studding, royal & mizen & fore top gallant sails
were taken down it blew hard all morning
about 5 A.M. the main stay sail came down
with a loud noise, going from 12 to 14 Knots
in the evening the wind abated and the
sails were again hoisted. The weather is very
cold with occasional showers of rain & hail
the ship rolling a good deal, a heavy roll
![Thomas Keir diary - 14 January 1864 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/32-18640114-ViewScan_0123-k.png "7-18631126-ViewScan_0098-k")
on the ocean. Upon the forecastle when the
sun shines, the sea looks very beautiful. Wave
after wave succeed each each other, one here one
there crested with white spray. black patches
in the deep green where the sun is obscured
by the overhanging clouds & the vessel ploughing
through the water at headlong speed. Our
longitude at 2 P.M. was 18°23 east on
the meridian of the Cape. We have put another
pair of blankets on our bed. I have put on
my flannel shirt and now feel very com-
fortable. The weather is not unlike a Scotch
March. Our latitude must be about 42 or 3 south
& she is still southing a little.
STANDARDISED
Thursday 14th
Early this morning the studding, royal and mizen and fore top gallant sails were taken down, it blew hard all morning. About 5am the main stay sail came down with a loud noise, going from 12 to 14 knots. In the evening the wind abated and the sails were again hoisted. The weather is very cold with occasional showers of rain and hail, the ship rolling a good deal, a heavy roll on the ocean. Upon the forecastle when the sun shines, the sea looks very beautiful. Wave after wave succeed each other, one here one there crested with white spray. Black patches in the deep green where the sun is obscured by the overhanging clouds and the vessel ploughing through the water at headlong speed. Our longitude at 2pm was 18°23 east on the meridian of the Cape. We have put another pair of blankets on our bed. I have put on my flannel shirt and now feel very comfortable. The weather is not unlike a Scotch March. Our latitude must be about 42 or 3 south and she is still southing a little.
HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY
14th cold & stormy
Blew very hard last night & blowing a stansail away and going 15 knots at 1 O’clock. A very cold day hailing & raining going about 12 knots. 18 deg 22 min Long East having sailed 320 miles in 24 hours. Saw a many stormy petrels & porpoises. Dinner salt pork & pea soup. I finished my butter from home.
![Map showing location of the Mermaid on 8 January 1864 at 42° S 18°23 E [GoogleMaps]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/14Jan-map-GM-ft.jpg)
Map showing location of the Mermaid on 14 January 1864 at 42° S 18°23 E [GoogleMaps]
