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140

October 23rd. Still at anchor with a heavy gale
of wind blowing and raining like fun, one of the most
miserable days I ever saw. At 9 it blew a perfect gale
and we were obliged to give her more chain to
prevent her driving; and the rain came down in torrents
the sea or I should rather say the water getting into
a nasty babble, and every part of the ship wet and
miserable : glad to turn in early

October 24th Blowing fresh and raining fast: at
daylight got steam up again, and hammered away with
fore and aft sails for Monte Video, our duty being to
accompany the Star from the Mount to Rio, she
being in such a leaky state, that doubts were
entertained of her getting there safely. In the afternoon
it blew fresh: at 3.30 passed the light-Ship and bore up
for the Mount, and after having made sail we went
along quietly 12 knots and a half. As evening closed the
weather became worse and a drizzling rain came down
preventing us from seeing the light at Monte Video.
At 7.30 came to anchor in 4 fathoms - Midnight saw
the lights of the town; blowing a heavy gale.

October 25th Between 12 and 4 it blew very hard, in
squalls. At daylight it cleared up a little and we
could see the town distant about 3 miles. Employee
cleaning and white washing ship fore and aft. In
the afternoon it blew very hard and we were obliged
to let go a second anchor, giving her more chain on
the first one. After sunset hoisted position lights and
fortunate for us we did so, as a large ship running in
barely escaped runing over us. In the evening cards
and brandy & water: turned in at 8 in a bad temper.