17 January 1864

Thomas Keir diary - 17 January 1864 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]

Sunday 17th – Strong breeze from the N.W. going
about 10 Knots. Fine all day. In the afternoon
noon the wind shifted to the N. and to-
wards evening increased to a stiff gale.
Longitude at noon with my watch 31° east
of greenwich. Had service in the forenoon
and Burnell’s child was baptized by the
Captain[1]. The Doctor was godfather and took
upon himself the vows. It struck me as
inconsistent, that a man that would
never in all probility see the child after land-
ing, should take upon himself the re-

sponsibility of seeing the child taught
&c but it seems that it is the custom of the
English church, and I am afraid that custom
goes a good length with them. In the after-
noon the Scotch had a meeting on the deck.
But, oh! how different from the quite Sunday
in Scotland, whistling, singing, jostling & [press?]
ing going on at ones, within the small com-
pass of a vessel. There is scarcely on home in
the day but my mind takes its flight back
across the mighty deep, and her that I have
left behind. But if God wills the time may
not be far distant, when we will have the
pleasure to meet again, and I have no doubt but
the sp separation will be for our good.

STANDARDISED

Sunday 17th

Strong breeze from the northwest, going about 10 knots. Fine all day. In the afternoon the wind shifted to the north, and towards evening increased to a stiff gale. Longitude at noon with my watch 31° east of Greenwich. Had service in the forenoon and Burnell’s child was baptised by the Captain. The Doctor was godfather and took upon himself the vows. It struck me as inconsistent, that a man that would never in all probility see the child after landing, should take upon himself the responsibility of seeing the child taught etc, but it seems that it is the custom of the English church, and I am afraid that custom goes a good length with them. In the afternoon the Scotch had a meeting on the deck. But, oh! how different from the quiet Sunday in Scotland, whistling, singing, jostling & [pressing?] going on at once, within the small compass of a vessel. There is scarcely on home in the day but my mind takes its flight back across the mighty deep, and her that I have left behind. But if God wills, the time may not be far distant, when we will have the pleasure to meet again, and I have no doubt but the separation will be for our good.

HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY

17th fine & cold

10th Sunday. Got a new woll shirt on. For dinner spice pudding & boulli, for tea spice cake. Had service & a christening a child Caroline Maria Rose Burnell. I ate my last apple. 10 Knots 43 ½ deg Lat 32 Long. A child poisoned.

Notes

1.Eliza and Henry Burnell’s daughter was born on 24th December. The christening had been postponed because of bad weather. The captain noted in the ship’s log: