ENPages That Mention Gravesend (Kent, England)
Robert Suggate journal and commonplace book, 1874-1878.
p. 15
Pages
70 Sumatra
72 Sailors' Leave on Shore at Canton
73 Pulo Penang or Prince of Wales Island
74 Seamens' work when at Sea
75 Singapore
76 The Thames
77 The River Arun and Arundel
78 The Yare River
79 The Tyne River
80 From Newcastle by Land
82 Brighton
84 A new Night-Mare
89 Hastings
90 Lowestoft
92 The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads
95 The Range of Cliff from Lowesloft to Yarmouth
97 The Robin and the Snake
99 The Sea-Side walk from Gorleston Haven.
101 Tunbridge Wells.
102 Gravesend
103 The Pelican Island
104A Exeter, Exmouth, and Sidmouth.
104 Bath
105 Calne
106 Stamford
108 Ipswich
109-110 Southwold
p. 28
10
season the hardships which sailors have to undergo on board these coasting vessels, are dreadfully severe, a sad per centage of them having too few hands to work them properly, and [underfound?] in necessaries, finish their careers among the treacherous sands and shoals of the Eastern coast.
After some considerable experience in this way of life, and conversations with my uncle, I aimed for a larger ship and to see foreign parts, so returned home to Carlton and assisted in the family business again, and although I found a glad welcome amongst all and desire that I should remain, I could not settle down, and in somewhat less than a year I found my name on the books of a large East Indiaman called the Lord Lowther, and bound to China. She was lying at Gravesend when I joined her on the 7th April 1830. She was a fine vessel of about 1600 tons. After taking in pigs, fowls and sheep for the Captain's mess-table, on the 18th "wives and sweethearts" took a last farewell of their jolly tars and left the ship, orders were given to get the anchor, the bars were ship'd to the capstan and round we went, the old fifer giving us the tune of-
"Go where I will I'll ne'er forget The girl I left behind me."
I believe the only tune he ever learnt, for whether outward or homeward bound, making sail or reefing topsails, fair or foul weather, he reminded the jolly tars of their vows to their absent fair ones by giving them that tune to work by, he was a funny little old man, with a jolly good temperance, grog-loving face. I shall not easily forget it or his tune either.
We ran into 'the Downs' and it coming on to blow strong and right in our own teeth, we let go the anchor off Deal where we remained several days, making during the time some
Abstract log of the E. I. Ship Clarence, 1864-1891.
p. 17
E. I. Ship Clarence
Joseph Watson Commander From London to Madras & Calcutta
June 18th 1864
at 11.15 AM, Hauled out of the East India Dock. in charge of Mr Martin Pilot & proceeded down the river in tow of the steam eng. [engine] "Caledonia" at 2.30 PM moored ship to the buoy off the town pier Gravesend.
June 19th
Fresh SW wind & fine. The "Winchester" sailed PM with thalf the 18th Regiment of Hussars.
June 20th
Fresh SW wind & fine troops provisions were sur- veyed employed taking in baggage tc.
June 21st
at noon embarked the Head Quarters of the 18th Hussars consisting of 15 officers and 3 ladies 257 men 33 women 4 children over 10 years & 32 under 10, together with all their baggage
p. 125
took the ship in tow. at Midnight Mr. Gasson trinity pilot came on board & took charge. Dungeness NNW
May 3rd
am at 2 Passed through the Downs Moderate breeze at South & veering to the Eastd [Eastward] at 5 Passed the tongue light vessel unbent the sails at 8.30 Passed Southern fresh SW wind & fine Wr [weather] at 1 Passed Gravesend at 4.30 Hauled the ship into the West India Docks & made her fast & here ends this log Joseph Watson