29 November 1863

Thomas Keir diary - 29 November 1863 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]

Sunday 29th
Fine morning with the first fair wind
we have had during the voyage. at
10.30 am the Captain read prayers
&c in the english stile on the main
deck his Bible and prayer book were
placed on the Capstan covered with
one of the ship’s flags. there was a
good swell in the sea and we
had some difficulty keeping our
feet the first time ever I heard the

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english service but I did not think
much of it. By 4 P.M. the sky was
obscured with clouds and it soon
commenced to rain in torrents the wind
gradually rose and blew very hard
from the N.E. and we are going 13
Knots and that in the right direction
the first fair wind we have got
since leaving England 8 P.M.
thunder and lightening and raining
very heavy. a sea broke over the
vessel and three of the passengers got
a thorough ducking with salt
water before going to bed. 9 P.M.
the wind blowing hard and the ship
going on beautifully. I feel very
well today and had a hearty
dinner &c. We passed a few sails
during the day.

STANDARDISED

Saturday 29th

Fine morning with the first fair wind we have had during the voyage. At 10.30am the Captain read prayers etc. in the English style on the main deck. His bible and prayper book were placed on the capstan covered with one of the ship’s flags. There was a good swell in the sea and we had some difficulty keeping our feet. The first time ever I heard the English service but I did not think much of it. By 4pm the sky was obscured with clouds and it soon commenced to rain in torrents. The wind gradually rose and blew very hard from the north east and we are going 13 knots and that in the right direction, the first fair wind we have got since leaving England. 8pm thunder and lightening and raining very heavy. A sea broke over the vessel and three of the passengers got a thorough ducking with salt water before going to bed. 9pm the wind blowing hard and the ship going on beautifully. I feel very well today and had a hearty dinner etc. We passed a few sails during the day.

HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY

29th – wet

3rd Sunday Had service in the morning by the captain. For dinner spice pudding, potatoes and boulli. At night it began to thunder and lightening and rain and blow, knocking the ship about and boxes and everything else, and about 12 or 1 o’clock at night it was awful for we feared we should go down and nothing else.