7 February 1864

Thomas Keir diary - 7 February 1864 entry [National Library Micro-MS-0837]

Sunday 7th – Strong head wind this morning
the vessel tacking to the southward, about midday
wind veered to the S.E. & S. the ship was put on the
other tack, going her course close up to the wind
Fine clear evening, the south wind very cold. A meeting
was held in the tween decks, which was conducted with
spirit.

STANDARDISED

Sunday 7th

Strong head wind this morning the vessel, tacking to the southward. About midday wind veered to the southeast and south. The ship was put on the other tack, going her course close up to the wind. Fine clear evening, the south wind very cold. A meeting was held in the tween decks, which was conducted with spirit.

HENRY SCHOFIELD DIARY

7th f[ine] & cold

13th Sunday on board Mermaid. A row last night with Captain & Cook & Crow & Robinson[1]. A head wind in morning, changed at noon, 8 knots per hour. Very rough going over the ships bowspirit, no muster nor service. Dinner pie & boulli. Put my jacket to steep in a tub. 139 deg Long.

Notes

1. “Cook” may be the passenger’s cook, John Blyth, first mentioned in Schofield’s entry for 27 January. Crow is not listed with the assisted emigrants not the cabin passengers, so likely another in steerage paying his own way. Robinson may be one of several passengers.