William Strapps Diary Part 2

at the ressurection of the dead.

Sun Jan 8th 1880 512 miles 39° 56" Lat S 101° 40" Long E After a good boneshaking we tumble out pretty early As you lay in your bunk the ship heels to one side and sends you thump against the side of the bunk & then back again as she rolls back. It is fine fun to see us washing on a morning like this just as a body gets some water in his bowl the ship gives a lurch & over it goes bowl & water & oft the man with it till the side of the vessel stops his further passage We are rightly rocked in the Cradle of the Deep to-day The heaviest rolling we have had We saw a whale blowing but a good way off & soon after a monster shark went swimming past a few yards from

the side of the vessel This is the only one we have soon out at sea Quite a little flock of birds keeping us company today including Albatrosses Gulls molly hawks (& Mother Carey's Chickens trip by now & again or birds very much like them) Service was held as usual & sacrament after We had a methodist minister down our cabin in the afternoon as the regular one had been sitting up with the doctor the last few nights Our poor Doctor died this afternoon and about 8 oclock tomorrow morning will be sent to his last resting place We had a strong discussion down our cabin on intemperance & th abstainers were condemned as a who on a/c of the Tea Pot "Gin Drinkers"

Mon Feb 9th 1880

320 miles 40° 3" Lat S 108° 38" Long E Sea not quite so rough but still rolls considerably fair wind as soon as eight bells struck (eight oclock) the funeral bells as expected began to toll & we gathered aft to see the last of the poor Doctor The flag was flying half mast high. The minister read the burial service The captain first & second mates. & other members of the crew standing round The body was wrapped up in sails & weighed with shot over the top of him was laid the Union Jack & at the words of the minister he was let go & fell with a dull splash into the water He leaves a wife & two children Our minister says he believe him to be a consistent Christian "Blessed are they that die in the Lord"

Tues Feb 10th 1880 327 miles 40° 22 Lat S 115° 46" Long E Sails are well filled out this morning & we are going along in fine style We passed cape Lewin on the Australian Coast a long way from land of course you can see if you refer to the map by the Lat & Long lines The sea has gone down considerably this afternoon probably on account of being under the lee of the Australian Shore. we have one young fellow in our cabin & a lady down the 3rd class who are very ill. The Frenchman who is officiating in the place of the Deceased Doctor is very attentive to his duties as we oft see him up & down the various cabins Towards evening the wind changed & we have to be content to go somewhat slower A testimonial

to the chief steward is being formed will be presented to him on reaching our destination

Wed Feb 11th 1880 293 Miles 39° 19" Lat S 121° 58" Long E This morn ing about 5 oclock We were awakened by an awful din methought the roof was coming in For some who could not get to sleep Brayed pots & pans with hands & feet To spoil others of their slumber sweet Some of our fellows were beating the tins to wake all up because they were awa kened up themselves last night by others making a noise. Our run is rather less to-day & we have only the jib & main trysail set A testimon ial is being formed for the minister Today being the first day in Lent all the Italians & most of the