2151_6-1-diary

7

breeze from the SW, a beautiful morning but very cold: at 9.30 went to General Quarters - Gradually the breeze died away till it became quite calm, and the Sun came out quite warm & pleasant. At noon we saw the Colonial Coast, and could make out three vessels at an anchor. At 3 the tide having drifted us in we made out the Star and showed our Pendants to her which she shortly answered. At 4 anchored in 4 fths distant from the town about 11 miles, furled sails.

May 12th At 7 a breeze sprang up, weighed and made sail, close hauled, passed several small craft running up the River: at 8 the wind was dead off the land, tacked: at 9 there was a signal from the Star, but it was ten before we could make it out, it was to get the Steam up: I was employed making out an Invaliding case: employed cleaning ship throughout. At twelve came to an anchor close to the Star, Commdr went on board.- At 1 I went on board and dined there, found two of my patients who I had sent to the Vixen on board: at 4 two of the Officers returned with me : in the evening Purser went ashore: was told on board Star, that we are to leave for Monte Video on Monday, return to Buenos Ayres, and wait for the Sharpshooter, after her arrival we were to proceed to Rio de Janiero. Had a long chat with Christian while smoking two cigars, he was uncommonly pleasant which gave me much pleasure not having been on the best of terms with him for sometime - At 9 made it Saturday night and turned in.

Sunday May 13th AT 9.30 went to Dividious and inspected ship. Noon went on board Star smoked two pipes with Akaster and returned at 1: weather beautifully cool and bracing, dined at three when several of the Officers went ashore. In the evening Sidney Blakestone and Akaster came on board, Purser all of a muddle. Went to bed as soon as they left.

May 14th At daylight got steam up weighed and steamed

8

down the River for Monte Video : at 9 let the fires burn down, and disconnected: tide and wind being against us came to an anchor: weather very cold: it was four o'clock before the tide became slack, when we weighed and made sail in company with a Spanish Man of War Schooner : at 8 PM it was very cold and I was glad to get between the blankets.

May 15th At 4 Came to an anchor on account of the tide: At daylight saw the Schooner close to us: 7 a fresh breeze, making it colder than ever: At 8.30 weighed and made all possible plain sail on a wind but made very little progress: the Spanish Schooner in company lent to leeward of us. At 2 anchored on account of the tide: a large barque passed running up the river. At 4 exercised at shifting fare topsail gard, did it twice but very indifferently taking nearly half an hour each time. At 7.30 weighed and made sail

May 16th A most lovely morning, with a very light air from NE. Schooner still in company: at 7 saw the Sight Ship distant about 8 miles, made all possible sail - 9 Exercised at General Quarters. Tacked as requisite : in the afternoon the wind fell very light and in the latter part of the evening we came to an anchor, having made out the light on the Mount, very cold.

May 17th Another beautiful morning about two miles from the anchorage but both tide and wind against us, the Schooner having kept under weigh during the night got in - We were all very anxious to get there the mail being due to day and as she leaves tomorrow we might lose our letters. At 11.30 weighed and made sail, set topmast Gt.g. stirsails. 1 PM calm - at 3 a light air off the land, trimmed sails and stood in towards the Mount distant - about 10 miles, but still as appearance at present of going in tonight. At 9 tacked and stood off the land, and came to an anchor in sight of the lights of the town, the wind falling light and the tide against us very cold, glad to wear a monkey jacket & woollen socks.

9

After smoking several cigars turned in.

May 18th At 6 lighted fires and got steam up, weighed & steamed into the Harbor of Monte Video passed the American Frigate Havannah found in port all the Brazilian Squadron, two French Men of war, and the Spanish Schooner. At 8 came to an anchor in the middle of the Fleet: at 9 a French Officer called on board. Commander went on shore. 9.30 Purser went on shore to get necessary money, [beef?] &c Much disappointed in finding the English Mail had not arrived. In the afternoon went on board the Star who came in about 2 PM and went on shore in the evening with her Surgeon and other Officers to the Club, where we had billiards, cigars &c. At 9 went down to the boat but the Commander not being there had to wait, till our patience was completely tired out, when we again went to the Club, & eventually got on board about 12.30 -

May 19th 55. At daylight saw the English Packet coming in, turned out as soon as I heard it reported and by 8 I had letters from L, Mother, Bill, Eversfield and Sir Wm Burnett : reading letters and papers all afternoon : increase of pay 1/per diem - At 11 went on board Star, heard that we were to sail for Rio de Janeiro on the 25th Sailed two Brazilian Men of War Steamers - Gunner on shore entering men for service. In the afternoon Commander and Purser went ashore to billiards. At 5 Camilla sailed for Buenos Ayres. P Morgan and Akaster came on board, had a quiet game at Cribbage, pipe, and having made Saturday night before they left, turned in.

Sunday May 20th 1855. Very cold with a fresh breeze blowing. At 9.30 went to Divisions and performed Divine Service : Arrived the Menai from Buenos Aires and two Brazilian Men of War. At noon Commdr called on board the French Senior Officer. An invitation for all of us to go to the Opera, declined, all the rest going - Answered L's letter preparatory to leaving for Rio, as the English Mail would have left previous to our arrival there, resolving to have my letter with the Star. In the

10

evening I went on board the Star, had tea and returned at 7.30 with her Master: found all my messmates had gone to the theatre. After smoking sundry pipes Akaster went on board -

May 21st After breakfast sent cutter on shore for bread - Star refitting: sailed a Brazy Steamer. Made out descriptions of Machell offering a reward of £23. At 1 Captain Seward of the Star came on board : every appearance of a Pampers - The Menai left for Buenos Ayres: in the evening heavy rain - Three of the Stars came on board and played at Vingturo-

May 22nd Raining all night. At 8 it cleared up. Purser came on board. At 11 Commander came off in a very bad temper. Received an order from Captn Seward to dress ship on Thursday, being the anniversity of Her Majesty's Birthday - Wind very cold with a heavy swell from the SE. 12.30 sent pinnace on shore for Bread. In afternoon blowing very hard, all communication with shore gone - I gave her more cable

May 23rd Still blowing fresh, shortned in chain, loosed sails to dry, prepared for going to sea - orders from Captn Seward to muster on Thursday in Cocked hats &c In the evening went on board the Star returning at 10 Other officers came off about twelve.

May 24th At 7 commenced to dress ship in commemoration of the anniversary of Her Majesty's Birthday & hoisted the flags and Ensigns, all the Foreign Men of War doing the same - At noon the French Commander firing a salute the Americans, Spanish and Brazilian following. Letter bag closed sent one (large) to Lizzy and one to S.MB. In the afternoon went on shore to settle Mess Bills - At 8 Two of the Stars came on board. -

May 25th At daylight have short. at 7 weighed and made sail: the coldest morning we have yet had: set Stirsails - At 9 shortened sail, and braced up - Went to General Quarters. Passed a large Trench

11

Frigate standing to the Mount - In the evening shortned sail

May 26th Made and shortned sail at requisite breaking to the Eastward in bed all day from a Stye and sore throat : got up in the evening had my bed make drank a tumbler of hot brandy and water with a fid of butter in it: by the bye the latter did not improve it and again turned in.

Sunday May 27th 1855 - At sea, passed a very restless night, and as the weather was very raw and cold I kept my cabin - 9.30 went to Divisions and had Divine Service - In the evening the breeze freshened and we shortned sail, took some medicine, and after commencing a letter to L which I was obliged to leave off on account of my eye, went to bed.

May 28th At daylight after a restless night woke with my eye quite closed up, and also a severe attack of Mumps - At 1 a breeze sprang up from the S Eward, made sail and kept her away her course - A large discharge from my eye giving me much relief. By seven we were going along nearly eight knots.

May 29th A most beautiful morning, with a very light air of wind - Said fires preparatory for steaming - At 8 a light breeze from the Nward, braced sharp up on the starboard tack. At 11.30 paid monthly allowance money to Ships Company. In the afternoon the breeze freshened. 9 PM went to Night Quarters, firing three rounds.

May 30th At 3 tacked, sounded in 37 fths. At 9 tacked standing in towards the land. In the afternoon breeze freshened tacked as requisite. At 6 a fresh breeze laying her course. At 8 saw the Sight, at 12 anchored in 10 fths, veered to 4 shackles of chain and furled sails.