![Thomas Keir diary - 29 December 1863 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/25-18631229-ViewScan_0116-k.png "7-18631126-ViewScan_0098-k")
Tuesday 29th – Our latitude at noon
was 28°12’. A beautiful day with a light
fair wind, very warm but not oppressive
Today we easily distinguish that the
sun is a little to the north. The sea is
very smooth only a gentle ripple, like a
highland loch disturbed by a nice breeze
the day is nice & clear, and the bright sun
dancing on the waves, with a clearly defined
horizon looks very beautiful. Engaged most
of the day with the Autobiography of a Scotch
Minister Daughter. And although sitting on the
forecastle of the “Mermaid” bodily, I was men-
![Thomas Keir diary - 29 December 1863 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]](http://mermaid1864.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/26-18631229-ViewScan_0117-k.jpg "7-18631126-ViewScan_0098-k")
mentally threading the streets of Glasgow ad
miring the scenery of bonny Clydesdale, and
quite secluded Manes of Auchtermuir, sympathiz-
ing with the unhappy orphan & joining in
the joy of the pleasant termination. Today
there is a notice posted up on the doors of the
galleys &c that Joe Peters[1] has a clipper to raffle
on the evening of thursday.
STANDARDISED
Tuesday 29th
Our latitude at noon was 28°12’. A beautiful day with a light fair wind, very warm but not oppressive. Today we easily distinguish that the sun is a little to the north. The sea is very smooth only a gentle ripple, like a highland loch disturbed by a nice breeze. The day is nice and clear, and the bright sun dancing on the waves, with a clearly defined horizon, looks very beautiful. Engaged most of the day with the Autobiography of a Scotch Minister’s Daughter. And although sitting on the forecastle of the “Mermaid” bodily, I was mentally threading the streets of Glasgow admiring the scenery of bonny Clydesdale, and quite secluded Manes of Auchtermuir, sympathizing with the unhappy orphan and joining in the joy of the pleasant termination. Today there is a notice posted up on the doors of the galleys etc that Joe Peters has a clipper to raffle on the evening of thursday.
HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY
Dec 29th v fine
Saw a ship homeward bound, a great shoal of porpoises & flying fish etc. 28 deg 12 min S going about 6 knots per hour. Dinner salt beef & potatoes & Pie, for tea fat cake. Reading Valentine box. Saw a great many lice.
Notes
1. Joseph Peters was one of the crew, an Able Seaman. A 23 year old from Cape Verde, his last ship had been the Aberdeen-registered Star of China.
