Hosea Dudley

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Sunday June 24th

Lat 20o34"N, Lon about 120o west

We took the South east trade winds on coming out of Valparaiso and run before them steering N.W for three weeks and three days June 13 when we crossed the line in Lon 118o W before crossing the line the wind hauled into the South South West, and blew quite fresh [cross out] our course was altered to N by W, and in five days we were in 15o North when the wind came round into the N. E. so our [cross out] the ship was headed Westerley which course we kept for two or three days and on the 21st the Ship Capital which started from Boston a few days before us come in right astern to windward and before night crossed our wake about one mile astern of us steering westward, and not able to lay so close to the wind as our ship. She has over two hundred passengers on board, was in valparaiso at the time we were.

On the 22nd towards night the wind commenced blowing quite strong and having hauled farther to the N and W they {tucked?] ship and stood NE and took in sail Saturday 23rd the wind increased into a gale, every thing was taken in and the topsails close reefed, but this did not save the foretopsail which was blown right out of the [holt?] rope and torn to rags, fearing for the main top gallant and royal mast, as the ship [?] terribly they attempted to send down the top gallant and royal yards for which purpose two of the sailors went aloft but, Before they could succede in getting the yards ready to come down, the top of the top mast gave way or was wrenched off, and the top gallant mast in the utmost gepordy, for a moment, we all held our breath with anxiety and suspense, while they with the greatest prescence of mind leaped uppon ropes and came down in a moment, in getting the wreck of the top gallant mast and yards on deck, they tore a large rent in the [cross out] main top sail, and half of that sail soon, left us during the day the gale abated some what and it having hauled into the South the fore sail was set, and we scudded before it at the rate of 8 or 10 knots. this gale was as severe while it lasted as every we have experienced during the voyage.

Thus we are for the second time {cross out] full sail on the ship and shall be obliged to go into port in the condition as they would find it very difficult repairing at sea, besides it would occasion delay

27

Nothing of consequence occurs to break serious monotony of this long voyage which seems to be spun out to an [illegible] length, We have now and then some little amusement by our, dramatic club, and a part of the passengers begile the time by military exercises, under Capt, Crowningshield, of the Massachusett volunteers, During the war with Mexico, The other day the second, mate quarreled with one of the sailors and because, the sailor answered him when he abused him a blow that would, nearly felled an ox, it hit him over the eye, but fortunately, it did not break the scull, but it caused the blood to flow most copiously, and laid poor jack up for some time I would not be a sailor and be placed at the mercey of such ruffians, for half the wealth, ever transported in ships across the ocean.

Tuesday June 26th

Lat 24 degrees 07' The weather today is calm and cool much cooler than I expected to find it here, as we are now directly under the sun, indeed we have experienced no very hot weather on this side of the continent But we have had for a few days considerable fogg, yesterday the captain fellout with one of the betweens deck passengers, Mr. Lord of Lacy on some trifling pretence, he raved and swore terribly. but he had waked up the wrong man one that he could not frighten, and in the impotence of his wrath the tears sold down his brandy coulered face he raved and swore, strode about the quarterdeck and swung his arms about like a jumping jack such as children amuse themselves wtih by pulling a string placed between the legs, and with the same effect, as he amused us all very much, and made an ass of himself.

Monday July 2nd 1849

Lat 26 degrees 25' [Lon?[ about 120 degrees, for the last six days we have made, but about 020 of Lat and very little if any, the Wind, Blowing constantly from the North, and North, west and so cool is it that, to be comfortable one is obliged to wear thick clothing, with coats well buttoned up One week ago we, entertained strong hopes of participating in the first celebration of the fourth of July in San Francisco, but we now within 2 days of the glorious fourth find ourselves some far 800 miles from our anticipated haven. So good by to that hope

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Wednesday

Wednesday, July 4th 1849

Lat 27 degrees 08, Lou about 124 degrees West, Head winds, ... weather cool. And this is the day of, all other days, the greatest, in our national history. and while our friends are rejoicing amid all the blessings of liberty, and all that can make life desirable, we are spent up here thousands of miles, one might say from any where and indeed with little prospect of ever getting anywhere.

For amusements we had a variety of performances in the fore noon, The first mate had a fight with one of the Sailors, in which they pulled hair like two women, and the mate undertook to gouge one of the Sailors eyes out but did not quite succede. Finally, the Captain parted them.

Next we had musies and dancing then the Declaration of Independence was read, after which the Dramatic club entertained the .... for an hour or two, but not without some inconvenience. So one of the club, Mr Duff, who got an ugly thrust from a sword, through the carlesness of one of the others, But the cut was not in a dangerous place, yet it rendered the use of a seat anything but pleasant for him for a number of days.

Then in the evening, Lieut. Crowningshield delivered an oration, which gave universal satisfaction in this world of ours,

Tuesday July 17th

Lat Lat 34 degrees 38 N Lon about 128 West Head winds continually with weather cool and foggy, seldom blessed with glimps of the sun

The wind for the last three weeks has continued with the most unprepossessing obstinacy. So blow from the point, boards which we wish to steer; at one time we were as far west as 136 degrees and up to Lat 25 degrees 30 when they docked ship and stood in towards the land, swimming down the longitude but loosing in lattitude.

Friday July 20th

For the last three days no observation has been taken owing to the foggy and the weather has been nearly calm for the same time, what wind there is is from the NW, so if we had enough of it we could run in in 24 hours.

My patience is getting nearly exhausted and I almost begin to think that we are as doomed to the fate of the flying Dutchman.

But avast thou not of impatience

[upper right corner] (29

July 20^th, 1849

That "where there is a will there is a way" was never more fully illustrated than on board this ship and that there is nothing but what yankee inginuity will accomplish would readily be believed by any one who could take a look down between the decks, of the Phursaha among who live yankees of all trades and professions, there is scarce anything but what they contrive to manufacture from stoves down to copper nails not to mention bowls both of zink tin and wood for to be used for the purpose of gold washing, sail making, cap, hat and scarf making and really it would puzzle one to say what is not done and everything goes on smoothly and quietly for the most part of the time. To be sure there is now and then some little disagreement between some of the passengers, but such differences are usually settled without much difficulty

What had it been carried out would have proved to have been the most serious difficulty occurred some week or two since, between one J Richerson of Novia Scotia and Josh More of Lacodha, some difficulty having grown between them, Mr Richerson seemed to consider himself insulted and straightaway challenged More to meet him on deck with pistols and fight it out. Which More who was a good natured Johnathan disposed to have sport in some way or another agreed to. But in the morning, finding that Mr Richerson was in earnest he claimed the privalage of the chalanged party to choose weapons and forthwith chose cow whips seconds were chosen and they came on deck. Richerson with the pistols and More with the cow whips. But as Richerson would fight with nothing but pistols and more with nothing but cow whips this almost bloody fight never came off.

[right side] Saturday July 21^st

Lat 37 degree 0 48 miles South of San Francisco

Made land early this morning with light wind nblowing from NW and consequently dead ahead. We approached to within 5 or 6 miles of the coast, when they tacked ship and stood off over on heading slowly to windward. It may be readily supposed that the sight of the land which we have been so long in reaching gave all on board feelings of the utmost pleasure and gratitude to that power which has brought us

safely through all the dangers we have encountered, it is to be hoped was not found wanting in the hearts of all. The country, what little we have seen looked pleasant with its hills and valleys. The hills crowned with dark green trees, probably pines, but no sign of life, or that is human life was visable, or indeed any other except on the water which was littraly covered with wild sea food.

We have had our smile from the sun which lasted for about one hour and while it lasted lit up the scene with the utmost beauty, and also enabled the Captain to take an observation, then the fogg came on again gloomy and chill high ho! how dearly I should love to see and converse with the friends that I have left so far behind but that pleasure is yet in store for me, I hope.

The prevailing winds indeed as far as our own experience goes we might say the only winds here are Northerly varying from NW to NE.

[right side] Sunday July 22^d

Head winds with fogg so that there are no observations taken. The weather so cold as to be uncomfortable stood of and on all day but gained but a few miles. Saw herds of cattle on the shore, saw whales, and also a bark after a few miles to leward in the same fix that we are.

Saw a few days since the greatest shole of porpuses that ever was seen. There was a line several miles long and half a mile wide shooting in and out of the water and going at a grate rate so constantly weres they out of water that they formed the most remarkable spectacle that I ever beheld, looking like a herd of some remarkable animal, traveling on the surface of the water.

[right side] Monday July 23

Today at one oclock we entered the "Golden Gate" of the bay of San Francisco and anchored in the harbor front of the town which presents an appearance anything but inviting. The bay is magnificent with its islands on some of which were thousands of sea birds. The entrance to the bay is about one mile wide but is probably kept back by the security of lumber. A line of bold shores on each side, the town is building up very quickly. There are about one hundred vessels now anchored in the harbour. There are many contradictory reports here in regards to matters and things in general, but all agree that there is plenty of gold on the rivers but it cannot be got without labour.

[right side] Stockton Aug 12^th

After stopping at San Francisco a little more than one week on the 2 of August we sailed in the Scr [Schooner] Plymouth for Stockton on the San Joaquin. Glad to get away from San Francisco, the weather was so unpleasant, foggy mornings and cold winds in