3 December 1863

STANDARDISED

Thursday 3rd December 1863

A beautiful morning, the sky very bright, warm during the day. Took off my flannel shirt, and still feel warm. The whole of the chests in the fore hold were taken on deck today and I had a good while work at the heaving, and got a good sweat.  We got all ours up but Sandy’s was the only one we wanted. Suspect it will be in the main hold. They were all put down again in the afternoon and through carelessness three of them were let fall into the hold. One young man got his toolchest smashed, another his clothes, and worst of all, the third fell on one of the sailors and he was badly hurt. He was carried up and is now lying in his bed.

Made a seapie in the evening for tomorrow of potatoes, pork and biscuit, etc. 9pm a barque (the “Wild Mane”) on our starboard. Was out on the forecastle gazing at the vessel’s lights when “ship ahoy!” came ringing through the air and wakened me from my reverie. She was a little to windward and we heard the captain’s voice very distinctly:  twenty one days out from England and bound for Coquimbo. Our captain answered in return, the vessel’s number and eighteen days out. As this is the first vessel we spoke with word of mouth, it has created considerable interest aboard. The night is fine and starry. The bright star Sirius is just rising very bright in the east. 10pm preparing to go to bed, some are playing at cards etc.

HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY

Decr 3rd – fine

Taking boxes out of hold on deck, broke Snowden’s box and one of the sailors got very much hurt by a box falling upon him. I had the headache all day. Passed 3 ships, spoke the Welfare for Chile 21 days out. Going about 2 knots per hour. Playing at merrils[4]. For dinner, spice pudding and salt pork. Dancing and singing on deck.