![Thomas Keir diary - 20 December 1863 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20-18631220-ViewScan_0111-k.jpg "7-18631126-ViewScan_0098-k")
Sunday 20th – Crossed the line this fore-
noon latitude at noon 0°8’ south a fresh
breeze from the S.E. longitude about 28° west
another of our number has been called in to
give in his account, a M[iste]r Gray from Belfast[1]
he died in the afternoon after a severe illness
he has been bad since he came aboard. He
[page]
has left a large family. They are Roman Catholic,
and they sat up with the body all night, and
various rites were performed, which we knew
nothing about. A married woman has been
caught with two young men. She is confined
in the hospital and guarded by a constable
as when the Captain reproved her she threatened
to fire the vessel. her husband is weak minded
and only laughed at the disgrace, and there
are various rumours as to what will be done
to the men when we reach port Lyttleton
We had the usual ships service in the morning
in the afternoon, the Scotch had public [meeting?]
conducted by M[iste]r Robertson & others. It is beautiful
moonlight and the man in the moon is seen
lying on his side
STANDARDISED
Sunday 20th
Crossed the line this forenoon, latitude at noon 0°8’ south, a fresh breeze from the S.E., longitude about 28° west. Another of our number has been called in to give in his account, a Mr Gray from Belfast. He died in the afternoon after a severe illness, he has been bad since he came aboard. He has left a large family. They are Roman Catholic, and they sat up with the body all night, and various rites were performed, which we knew nothing about. A married woman has been caught with two young men. She is confined in the hospital and guarded by a constable as when the Captain reproved her she threatened to fire the vessel. Her husband is weak minded and only laughed at the disgrace, and there are various rumours as to what will be done to the men when we reach Port Lyttelton. We had the usual ship’s service in the morning. In the afternoon, the Scotch had public [meeting?] conducted by Mr Robertson and others. It is beautiful moonlight and the man in the moon is seen lying on his side.
HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY
Dec 20th showery
6th Sunday. Very hot & showery. At 12 Oclock we crossed the Equator, 7 knots per hour,contrary winds. Saw one homeward bound vessel. For dinner plum pudding & bouilli. Service by Captain, put my Sunday clothes on for an airing. Had tea with brandy in & loaf bread.
Notes
1. The deceased was Hugh Grey, a land steward from County Fermanagh, Ireland, who was travelling with his wife Prudence and their 11 children. See the table of assisted emigrants for their names and ages. The captain noted in the ship’s log:
Hugh Gray age 42 Passenger expired from dicease of the Chest. the change of living seemed to disagree with him as he comenced to fall away soon after leaving. Dr Cocksedge attended him. Monday 8.30 A.M. Buried the deceased
![Prologue of the gospel of St. John from the Clementine Vulgate, edited by P. Michael Hetzenauer, O.M.Cap. Biblia Sacra, vol. V, Regensburg: Verlag Friedrich Pustet, 1922, p. 197 [Wikipedia]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Prologus_Ioanni_Vulgata_Clementina-Wikipedia.jpg)
Prologue of the gospel of St. John from the Clementine Vulgate, edited by P. Michael Hetzenauer, O.M.Cap. Biblia Sacra, vol. V, Regensburg: Verlag Friedrich Pustet, 1922, p. 197 [Wikipedia]
