E.S. "Gordon" Lacey - Diary 2

frequent life belt drills Friday 17th there was a stiff wind blowing & the sea got up again, & that night I lost my moneybelt again , but this time it was for keeps. 18th Went to church with Park. In the afternoon we sighted a steamer & just after that an island, which turned out to be Pitcairn Ild., loomed up on our port bow. We passed within about 8 miles of the island.

It is not a very big place in fact it looks like a big mountain sticking out of the ocean. 23rd We loaded up the 6 pounder gun we carried on the stern but she wouldn't go off as the striker was broken. 24th The gun was fixed & we fired 2 rounds We are getting into the tropics & I have seen tons of flying fish. They are mighty interesting as they spring clear of the

water & fly along and plonk into the water like a bullet, with hardly a splash. The weather is getting warmer & the awnings have been put up on the poop & well decks. 26th Sunday Church Parade as usual. A man does nothing but read, eat & sleep here on Sat. & Sundays. The ships paper was first published It has some name. "The Dummy Funnel". Now that

the weather is getting warm we are cutting down our trousers & getting about in shorts & singlet & I'le bet we would make a hit if we were let loose in the middle of George St. as we do look a set of guys. Calm weather is still prevailing & things are running smoothly. 29th Another infernall guard. 30th Came off guard and then we went on the poop deck & got ready

to do our musketry. A case was thrown overboard and we had to shoot at it with a Service Rifle & 303 ammunition. There is talk of us sighting the American coast shortly & everybody is excited & waiting for the welcome call of "Land Ho". 31st Friday. I was doing my washing when land was sighted so you can bet I hopped through it & went up