Gold Rush Era Collections

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The passengers who wished to stay on deck, would stand, to get out of the water that was floating on deck, and to keep their feet dry. This the Captain observing and thinking probably that this chance was better than they deserved, and that they were getting more than they bargained paid for, took the trouble to have it it removed, and for no other conceivable reason than to gratify this innaccomodating disposition, this is but one of numerous acts of comtemptable meanness that he has performed. And this is the man that we were told before leaving Boston, would do evrything in his power, for the comfort and convienience of all who took passage on board the Pharsalia.

Towards night the wind ceased blowing, and it bcame nearly calm. Saw towards night saw we had some visetors from the court of South America in the shape of butterflies some of which wer caught, rather along flight for such an insect, as we were 5 or 600 miles from land.

[centered] Wednesday 7^th

Wind light ^ from W, and variable, saw a sail astern, we were making no headway as the wind had died away, but she came up towards us to quite fast bringing the wind with her, she passed us about twelve o'clock about 1/2 mile one half mile to the leward wint but not within hail, they wrote with chalk on her side, that she, 49 days from N.Y. with 6 Passengers bound for San Francisco. She this was the Barque Madonna, she sailed 11 days before us. Soon after passing us it fell calm and we lay within half mile of each other untill night. Saw a sail gust ... it [at] night, it pa ahead she and passed to the east towards th[e] North

[centered] Thursday 8^th

Lat [Latitude] 27° 28 ... Lon [Longitude] 36° 44" [inches]. Barque wa still near us ... the sky was sun rose clear although the sky was mostly covered with heavy black clouds ... at 8 o'clock wind sprung up from the east ... blew fresh at noon, as the wind freshened up increased, the Captain sounded [ordered?] an all sail, untill every stitch of canvas, that would draw was set; studding sails and all, and for two hours we had quite an exiting [exciting] time; in this little world of ours, in trying to pass the barque, we steddily gained on her, and passed her, and before night, she was several miles astern.

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represented, in most eloquent language, and I think it might well be well applied on board this ship, about noon a squall came up and as it passed the wind came into the N.W. and blew quite strong ... continued squally through the day ... Had the victims of yesterday made into a pot pie for dinner.

[centered] Monday March 5^th

Lat 24° 00" [inches] ... Today General F Taylor Samuel ... Samuel takes his seat as President of the United States of America. Wind NW, this saw a sail this afternoon, it was ahead and to windward, steering N.W. the vessels neared each other rapidly, expectation was on tiptoe, in the hopes of speaking [to] her and prehaps, have an opportunity to send letters home to our friends. But as she came nearer we could disern the Monte Videan flag flying from her Peak, they she seemed to manifest a desire to speak, as for when directly abreast of us she altered her course, and stood directly for us, but as our Captain see took no notice of it but kept the ship on her course, she bore away and passed us about one mile astern. She was a Barque and had lost her main top gallant and royal mount.

The sky has been undergoing a change this afternoon ... huge masses of clouds fill the heavens and obscure the sun ... While a long heavy swell comes from the south, before night the wind commenced blowing verry strong from the N.N.W. ... the studding sails were taken ... others furled and in a short the ship presented a verry different appearance from what it did an hour or two before ... in the evening it commenced raining with thunder and lightning ... I slept below or tried to sleep but got but little rest as the hatches were all closed and the air verry close

[centered] Tuesday Thursday March 6^th

The morning dawned gloomy and uncomfortable ... the vessell roling and pitching ... Wind high with rain ... I know of no disagreeable place than on board a ship in a storm with the decks covered with water, sails driping and with water, Which instead of and everything wet and uncomfortable, which instead of being decreased is augmentedly the course the Captain Allan sees fit to persue, hea does not to be sure in a bold open and manly way, for he is not man enough for that, but in a small mean manner, for instance there was an oupen [open] platform running extending along on the quarter deck in front of the Cabin ... this platform was about three feet wide, on this some of

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Lat 12° 02" ... Lo [Longitude] 34° 06" ... Wednesday 28^th ... weather fine wind west ... This morning about sunrise passed a large ship bound north ... We passed about 3 miles to windward of her, she was telegraphed but did not answer. The studding sails were set this fore noon

Thursday ... March 1^st

Lat 15° 03" ... Lon 34 00° 006"

[centered] Friday 2^d

Lat 181° 041" ... made 3 degrees south since yesterday, which is the greatest distance we have sailed in 24 hours since we left Boston. The weather is extremely fine, we have a good east wind, thermometer ranging from 75° to 85° ... the health of all on board is verry good as a general thing ... those that were sick with the measels have recovered and ^ nearly all find occupation, in, a few in study, some in conversation, others in reading and writing, and not a few in card Playing and various other kinds of games, while I love to spend hours in thinking of the friends kind friends and much loved home I have left so far behind, this mor[n]ing saw a sail to windward steering south but we soon left her behind

[centered] Saturday 3^d

Lat 19° 08" ... wind light ... weather clear and warm to night

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(Sunday 4^th

Lat 19° 08" ... wind light from the north)

the sanguinary appearance of our ship with blood covering the deck and streaming from the scuppers, might bring to the mind scenes of strife and carnage, where mortal foes had met in deadly strife, but in this case it was far different, for it was found necessary that the life blood of some should be sacrificed to prolong the lives of the remainder, and so as is generally the case the stronger took the advantage of the weaker, and the knife soon did its work, but not without many loud vosiferations on the part of the victims, against such procedings but all was soon over, and the carcases of three poor swine white and stiff b might be seen hanging up under the boats; and so ever the tragedy. Studding sails set on both sides, saw a sail to windward just at night, she passed astern, towards the west

[centered] Sunday March 4^th

Lat 21° 30" ... Lon not far from 35° ... Weather fine, wind aft, steering South, listened, to, an exelent sermon of Dr Chapins on, that unruly member the toungue, in which the eivel of slander, lying and profane swearing were forc^eably

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exelent singing by the club; and a prayer read, after which Mr Pierpont delivered an oration, the sentiment of which were verry good; then there was a poem, after which several exelent toasts were given, and we made the old Ship ring with our cheers. In the evening we had a grand Ball and danced untill midnight, there was nothing but one thing lacking wanting to make our enjoyment full and complete and that was Woman, as it was we had a right merry time of it and turned in to dream of friends and the enjoyments of home

Friday 23^d ... Lat 1° 27" [inches] ... Weather fine wint east steering south.

[centered] Saturday 24^th

Lat 2° 05" ... wind east, tacked ship about one o'clock and stood north east untill 8 oclock, this I suppose was necessary to get far enough to the east so as to double Cape St Bougie in safty [safety]

[centered] Sunday 25^th

Lat 04° 07" at noon Lon [Longitude] about 32° 00" ... wind blowing strong from the eastward, steering South, this morning saw what appeared to be a brig to windward, running Notherly. About 7 o'clock we descovered what appeared to be a sail in a south westerly direction; but as we neared it it proved to be a verry high peak on the nothern part of the island of San Fernando de Kormorna, lying in Lat 13° 53" Lon 32° 33" ^ extending about 15 miles from north to south, saw some large birds flying round the ship probably from the island, before night we had lost sight of it altogether

[centered] Monday 26^th

Lat 06° 00" ... wind still east, ste[e]ring south close hauled ... Weather delightful. Crossed the track of a brig, steering west, saw another sail to windward pass to the north

[centered] Tuesday 27^th

Lat. 9° 22" ... Weather extremely fine, the east wind comes to us cool and refreshing. Saw two sails to windward, steering North ... Considerable dissatisfaction exists among the Passengers in regard to the provisions both as to quality, quantity and the manner in which they are served up, the cooks and stewards are a lazy, slovenly, and ignorant set of fellows, mo the molasses which has to answer the double purpose of sweet shugar and butter, smacks strongly of the destilery [distillery] being sour and unpalatable. There has been some complaint made to the Captain but they got but little satisfaction, "G-d d-am them said he, it is better than they deserve; they never lived so well before in their lives as since they came on board["].

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and found the rain pouring down in torrents, and myself nearly in the water on the deck, but I staid till morning for I thought "Retreat were dangerous as going oer"

Monday

19 } It ceased raining about sunrise and the decks being flooded with fresh water the scuppers having been stoped [stopped], all turned out and commenced washing, and it was quite laughable to see so many men all turned washerweomen

[centered] Monday 19th

Lat 01° 48" [inches], Lon [Longitude] about 31° 25", made about 24 miles since yesterday noon. Still calm ... the sky mostly covered with large clouds that remain nearly stationary for hours together with but little promise of wind ... just at night

Weather cloudy and warm with scarcely any wind so I suppose we have lost the trade winds. ... Temperature 80° ... here we lay all day rocking to and from with the sails flapping idly against the masts

[centered] Tuesday 20th

Lat 1° 24. ... made 24 miles during the last 24 hours ... still calm and the sky mostly covered with large heavy clouds that hang about, stationary for hours to gather with but little sign of wind.

Just at night a light breeze sprang up which continued through the night.

There are now quite a number of cases of the measles on board but and all doing well, no thanks however to the "experienced Physician" that was promised us when we engaged passage, ... he has hardly as yet ben seen out side the Cabbin door.

Wednesday .............. Wednesday 21^st

Last 00° 19" ... Lon 30° 50"

Wind light from South east co Steering South ... Passengers held a meeting in the evening for the purpose of choosing officers. Celebration on the morrow of the birth of Washington. Mr Darby of Boston, was chosen to act as Presedent of the day. Mr Rob^t R. Pierpont ^ a student of law at Rutland Vermont accepted an invitation to deliver an oration.

[centered] Thursday Feb 22^d ... 1849.

Lat 00° 42 " South ... Lon about 30° 00". ... last Night we crossed the lines and succeded in dodging old Neptune, I suppose as he did not make his appearance

The morning was clear and pleasant with light winds from the East. ... The exercizes of the day commenced at 10 ^ PM oclock and passed in a verry agreeable manner, we had some

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which was the best man, poor Jack of course got the worst of it, the Captain came forward, and struck him one or two blows, which he bore without flinching ... the Captain then ordered him to be tried [tied] up to the rigging, for the purpose of giving him a flogging, but this time the mate interceded for him, so he let him off and he returned to his duty, this as may ^ readily be supposed created considerable excitement in this little world of ours ... furnished matter for the long winded ones to harp uppon all day, and a great many arguments, pro and con, were offered; and many verry sage oppinions expressed, to the justice and injustice of the matter, and so the matter passed off

[centered] Friday. Feb. 16.

Lat. [Latitude] 16°. 00" [inches] Lon [Longitude] ... wind still same, course to south east, with a heavy sea. Weather getting to be extremely rather hot, ^ and finding it anything but pleasant to sleep down between decks with 120 persons, I took my mattrass up on ^ top of the hause ... placed it under one of the boats ... placed lashed there bottom up and slept verry comfortably. The most inconvenient part being was getting in, and out, of my sleeping appartment, for the boat rested on ^ with the stern and stern on the deck, which left a space of about 7 or 8 inches between the middle part of the rail and the deck, so that by laying flat on the deck I would just squeeze myself in, but this did not prevent my having companions, of whom one was Emerson, and we continued to sleep there as long as the weather would permit ... There are I believe something like 15 boats on board belonging to the passengers, who had formed small parties ^ or clubs of from five, to ten, persons; bought a boat and laid in st provisions enough to last from six months to two years, after arriving at our destination. Arragements were made to day [to] celebrate the birth day of Washington on the 22^d ...

Saw a large barque far to windward, lon steering North.

[centered] Saturday 17th

Lat 04° 34" [inches] ... Lon [Longitude] 34° 05" ... Wind N.E. ... Course south east, weather verry fine

[centered] Sunday 18th

Lat 02° 42" ... Lon 32° 01" ... Wind blowing fr strong from NE ... course SE.

Forenoon prayers and a sermon were read.

Towards night the wind gradually died away and the sky looked lowerg [lowering] and threatening, the evening verry dark with occasional flashes of lightning.

I turned in under the boat about 10 oclock and was soon dreaming of doing what I never did do, viz washing sheep ... from which I was awakened sometime in the night ...

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The Mate being accuser, witness jury judge and executioner, the victim of resentment bore his punishment without a murmer

[centered] Tuesday 13th

Wind east ... course south east, Weather pleasant

[centered] Wednesday 14th

Early this morning the cry of "sail ho" from the deck, started all hands, the lazy ones in particular from their berths earlier than usual. I dare say there was not one on board who did not feel cheered by the welcome sound, for we had seen no sail since the third day out, while crossing the Gulf stream.

On coming on deck I saw five or six miles astern what proved to be a Brig of I should judge 2 or 3 hundred tons burden, on the same course with us and apparently nearing us fast. The Captain immediately gave orders to have all sail made on the ship, which was no sooner seen on board the brig, than she followed suit, and the wind being light she had the advantage of us and gained steadily on us. When ^ within a couple of miles her flag was run up and the glorious stars and stripes were unrolled to the brezze [breeze], this was immediately answered on board our ship ... Private signals were then exchanged, when the brig having got considerably to windward, bore down towards us for the purpose of hailing. I sh It was a verry fine sight to one unaccustomed to the sea, to see her now lifted high up on the crest of a huge wave, anon disappearing all but her sails and rigging, seemingly engulfed in the foaming waters; about eleven o'clock she was abreast of us to windward, and within hailing distance. The Captain got out his old rusty trumpet and sail to "Ship ahoy! Where are you bound" came over the waters from the Brig, which was answered, and the question returned; she was the Victoriene, 20 days from Baltamore (having been out 2 d two days longer than we had) and bound for Rio Jenerio [Rio de Janeiro] where Captain Allan requested him, to have the kindness to report kindly ... She then she then bore away more to windward, as she could sail closer to the wind than we could, and at night was several miles to windward and nearly abreast of us.

[centered] Thursday, 18th

Lat 7° 46" [inches], Lon [Longitude] 38° 19'', winds still east, course about south east. Brig still to be seen far to windward still abreast ... To day the Mate and one of the sailors had some words which ended in an agreement to fight and see

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Mariposa ... Mariposa

the man at the wheel, she came up int in the wind and was taken aback, so they put her about and stood off ot the North for a number of hours ... We have had some sickness and and a number of deaths since we started among one class of passengers, viz. the pigs, of which there [are] quite a number on board, but I do not think that the sea life agrees with them such consumptive constitutions as they naturally possess.

Some difficulty occured today between one of the saliors [sailors] and one of the cooks, a black son of Africa which ended in a scuffle, and they being in the Galley at the time, pots pans and pokers flew about for a few minuets [minutes] in stat admirable confusion, but the mate soon put a stop to that and the Captain coming forward, poor Jack had to take a terrible cursing [?]; by the way I have not so favorable opinion of Captain Allen as at first, we see but little of him and when he comes on deck, he looks cross, and savage, his face red and eyes swolen, looking as I suppose a man would who was in the habit of drinking a good deal of brandy

[centered] Wednesday Feb 7th

Lat 22° 19" [inches] ... wind East ... squally, stearing south south East, ouer co our course is south east by east, but the wind will not permit it our keeping it, we have one man on board sick with the measles.

[centered] Thursday 8th

Wind south East steering nearly south, some great number of flying fish flying and skipping from wave to wave at noon ... weather clear and pleasant

[centered] Friday 9th

wind East, frequent showers

[centered] Sat 10th

Wind still same ... Lat 17° 00 Lon [Longitude] 45° 00

[centered] Sun 11th

East Wind still continues, Weather pleasant, this afternoon had at Old English service read, and a sermon read with singing

[centered] Mon 12th

Wind ^ from a point or two farther to the north, so that by laying close hauled, are able to keep our course. To day the mate got into a scuffle with one of the Cooks which ended in poor darkeys being lashed to the windlass and a ropes end applyed [applied] to his back

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had it not been for the mate who sprang forward and caught him just as he was mak ready to make the fearful plunge; rum and dissipation was at the bottom and hadmade him prefer death to life. He was perfectly wild for several days so that they were obliged to confine him to save him from himself

March Feb 1 Thursday ... The wind light but favorable, had a grand Scramble today, the Captain having a barrell of apples on board ... in overhauling after provisions it was taken out of the hold ... Some one or two of the passengers took it and appropriated it to their own use, but as there was an inquiry made for it, they had to give it up, the Captain had to it hoisted on deck and after taking out a few, told the passengers to help themselves. There was probably 100 men on deck at the time and such a scramble as then commenced I never saw, had it been filled with the dust gathered from the banks of the Saccramento they could not have been more eager to obtain a share, the barrell was soon emptied and given to the mercy of the waves.

Friday Feb 2. ... wind westerly, weather pleasa[n]t course about south east

Saturday 3. ... wind west, so far we have had a verry fine run, the weather has been extremely fine nearly the whole time, and the wind favorable as could be wished. According to the reckoning we are over fourteen hundred miles from Boston which we have made in seven days ... Things now go on smooth and pleasantly, we have singing and dancing on board almost every day

Sunday Feb 4. ... weather fine and warm as summer ... we have no chaplain on board, so every one has to be his own minister. Good order and quiet has been observed and all seem to feel that although far away from the eyes of their fellow men still the eye of God is uppon them to mark their doings whether they be good or whether they be evil ... This after noon a squall came up which lasted but a short time, but as it passed away, the wind changed from N.W. to N.E. at first it was verry light but freshened up.

Monday Monday 5" [5th] ... Wind N.E. by and cooler, course South east half South, ever all sail was made on the ship and towards night the wind freshening up ... we go ahead merrily ... Lat 26° 32" [inches] ... we ar[e] now supposed to be in the no Northen trade winds, as they are usualy taken in from 25° to 28° North

[centered] Tuesday Feb 6th ...

Wind south east with frequent sho squalls, making but little head way being obliged to lay our course so close to the wind, that one or twice through carelessness of

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Tea and coffee or what passes for such, to be sure one would be tempted to say if this is coffee give me tea if tea give me coffee if he had not tried them both and found there was but little choice

But now a few words about other matters ... Sunday Jan 28^th we had a stormy N.W. wind carried us before it at a fine rate, had the pleasure of being sea sick all day. But I had what misery loves, i e company and a aplenty of it.

29 ... Tuesday Monday 29 went NW course East or about that, today I was better. Emmerson is very sick.

30. ... Tuesday 30^th I turned out early, ^ wind fresh from NW the sea presented a very rough appearance there being no regular swell, but choped [chopped] and broken. Captain Allan coming on deck said that we were just entering the Gulf Stream ... found the temperature of the water to be 69° and a verry perceptable change could be felt in the atmosphere ... at noon temperature of the water 75°, the wind increasing rendered it nessecasary [necessary] to take in sail ^ before this could be accomplished in dooing which the fore top sail was torn to rags. The main topsail broke away from the yard. The Mizzen topsail was split and the crotchet guard was sprung, everything was at length made snug and away we scudded, before the wind.

Sometimes a huge wave would come combing down uppon us with its crest of foam and spray seeming to to threaten us with destruction, but as it nears us our noble ship she is carried upward by the buoyancy of the waters, and swaying far over to leward untill her yards are dipt in the bryne [brine]; the wave passes under her keel and goes foaming on its way to waste its force on some far distant shore; While our ship regaining her equilibri[u]m with a quick motion bounds onward as with a new impulse.

Towards evening the water twas found to be cooler by several degrees than it was at noon which led us to suppose that we had crossed the Gulf Stream which was, the captain stated, about 80 miles wide in this Longitude & Latitude

31. ... Wednesday morning we found the weather cooler still having a good wind from the West, our course being south east.

This morning soon after day light one of the sailors came up out of the forecastle and made for the gangway, and would have jumped overboard