![Thomas Keir diary - 15 February 1864 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/40-18640215-ViewScan_0131-k.png "7-18631126-ViewScan_0098-k")
Monday 15th Very strong wind all last night, going
very fast. Up in the morning at 5 A.M. and saw
two or three ranges of high hills on the western
horizon supposed to be in the South of Canterbury
or north of Otago. In the forenoon we had a heavy
shower, but it soon cleared up. Away to the westward
very black clouds hung over the land, from which
issued peals of thunder. From noon to tea time there
was not a breath of wind, the sun shone forth very
warm, and the sea /was\ without a ripple, and it was
really delightful to look over the bulwarks at the
blue expanse all around hanging over the bows trapping
the brilliant nautilus (a small species with a transp
arent sail and black hangers) and watching pieces
of seaweed &c floating past. The wind sprang up
about 6 O’C and increased to a brilliant fresh
breeze, and we expect to make the penisular early
in the morning. At 8 O’C passed and spoke a brig
the “Hero”, from Bluff harbour bound to Sidney.
STANDARDISED
Monday 15th
Very strong wind all last night, going very fast. Up in the morning at 5am and saw two or three ranges of high hills on the western horizon supposed to be in the South of Canterbury or north of Otago. In the forenoon we had a heavy shower, but it soon cleared up. Away to the westward very black clouds hung over the land, from which issued peals of thunder. From noon to tea time there was not a breath of wind, the sun shone forth very warm, and the sea was without a ripple, and it was really delightful to look over the bulwarks at the blue expanse all around hanging over the bows trapping the brilliant nautilus (a small species with a transparent sail and black hangers) and watching pieces of seaweed etc floating past. The wind sprang up about 6 o’clock and increased to a fresh breeze, and we expect to make the penisular early in the morning. At 8 o’clock passed and spoke a brig the Hero, from Bluff harbour bound to Sidney.
HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY
Feb 15th
Saw land of Otago at 6 O’clock in morning 10 knots per hour. In afternoon 2 knots an hour. Got anchors over side. Saw a ship & a whale. Screwed my box down. Dinner pork & pea soup. Past the brig Hero from the bluff harbour to Sydney with 400 sheep on board. Got on top mast saw Timaru.
![Timaru: view of township looking across water to foreshore with Southern Alps in background, by Arthur Lagden Haylock c1878 [National Library]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1878-timaru-ArthurLagdenHaylock-NLNZ.jpg)
Timaru: view of township looking across water to foreshore with Southern Alps in background, by Arthur Lagden Haylock c1878 [National Library]
![Map showing approximate location of the Mermaid on 15 February 1864 off the coast of Timaru [GoogleMaps]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/15Feb-map-GM-ft.jpg)
Map showing approximate location of the Mermaid on 15 February 1864 off the coast of Timaru [GoogleMaps]
