7 December 1863

Thomas Keir diary - 7 December 1863 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]

Monday 7th Dec[embe]r 1863

A little dull this morning and very
little wind, the sun broke through
during the forenoon and our latitude
at noon was 27°2′ Greenwich time
by my watch 1.20 P.M. The afternoon
was beautiful and the forecastle was
crowded with people, lying and sitting
in clusters, some playing at cards, some
reading, others chating and the females
sewing and knitting. I have been en-
gaged most of the day reading &
arithmetic and commenced my algebra
got preserved potatoes served out today
for the first time, they have a very
singular appearance not unlike rice
only not so regular in the grain. In
the evening had a stroll about the
deck, and when lying on the forecastle

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gazing at the starry vault above, my
mind winged the flight to Old Scotland
and them I left behind. In fancy
I travelled up the valley of the Tay
as far as Tullymet, the road from
Ballenluig to the Milton[1] was a
distinct before my mind’s eye as
if I actually /was\ there. the halfway
house the old schoolhouse with
the old well behind, the steep
bit brae up to Ballencragan gate
and along by the old Lodge as
far as the bushy hollow, where
with boyish glee we were in the
habit of hunting for bird’s nests, these
were the happy days, alas! never
to return. 10 P.M. the wind has risen
since nightfall and we are going
along nicely.

STANDARDISED

Monday 7th December 1863

A little dull this morning and very little wind. The sun broke through during the forenoon and our latitude at noon was 27°2′ Greenwich time by my watch 1.20pm The afternoon was beautiful and the forecastle was crowded with people, lying and sitting in clusters, some playing at cards, some reading, others chatting and the females sewing and knitting. I have been engaged most of the day reading and arithmetic and commenced my algebra. Got preserved potatoes served out today for the first time, they have a very singular appearance not unlike rice only not so regular in the grain.

In the evening had a stroll about the deck, and when lying on the forecastle gazing at the starry vault above, my mind winged the flight to Old Scotland and those I left behind. In fancy I travelled up the valley of the Tay as far as Tullymet, the road from Ballenluig to the Milton[1] was as distinct before my mind’s eye as if I was actually there. The halfway house, the old schoolhouse with the old well behind, the steep bit brae up to Ballencragan gate, and along by the old Lodge as far as the bushy hollow, where with boyish glee we were in the habit of hunting for bird’s nests, these were the happy days, alas! never to return. 10pm the wind has risen since nightfall and we are going along nicely.

HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY

Dec 7th v fine

Tom[2] made a potato pie which was very good and pease soup for dinner. Going about 3 knots per hour. Tom Snowden commenced making a box for himself. Had tea and used some of my preserves.