2151_6-1-diary

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whole - number only 2 galleys kept ahead of us, we being the 3rd boat: after they returned to their respective ships the signal was to man and arm boats, fortunately I was too unwell to go away for it was frightfully hot, I saw the Dv of Trident was sent in charge - In the forenoon a subscription was made of the Officers and men to purchase instruments for making a small band, a very capital and useful arrangement - Received orders to be ready for going to sea on Thursday - In the afternoon Mr. Booth went ashore with the Musicians, having railed very nearly £12 - In the evening the Music was tried, but being the first attempt they did not symphonize - A most sultry unpleasant evening.

July 25th - At 4.30 I was awoke by a pampero which came on very suddenly and while it lasted blew very hard. At 8 it moderated and we had rain. At 9 a signal from Admiral to prepare for sea and be ready for sailing by 1 PM. At 6 a signal for the Commander, on his return learnt we are going direct to Pernumbueo. Guns firing from the Fort and the Constitution on account of the escape of a prisoner. In the afternoon there was a signal from the Fort of a Vessel being in distress outside, where there was a heavy swell in consequence of the blow this morning : a Brazilian Screw Steamer was sent out, with boats from the English and French frigates. At 2 commenced bending sails - An order from the Admiral to require a Mate - Bought some more instruments for our band. Steamer returning having in tow a disabled brigantine. French Admiral gave a dinner -

July 20th Daylight commenced to unmoor and prepare for sea : at 9 Mr. Senner (Mate) joind from the Madagascar. 10 Minute guns firing from both Harts and Constitution, boats sent away from each Flag Ship 11 A signal to get steam up as soon as

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possible - Commdr went on board Flag ship 12.30 Steam up weighed and steamed out of the harbor. At 5 set fires go out and made sail. In the evening very fine.

July 27th Light winds Cape Frio astern of us (I wished for ever) and just visible - Made all possible sail, passed several vessels going to Rio - our new Messmate took the [?] catership.

July 28th A fine fresh breeze from SE running with topsail studdy sails. In the afternoon it freshened and after quarters we had to reef: going ten knots.

July 29th Sunday, At Sea. Strong breezes with occasional heavy squalls all day - Noon passed a brig standing to the Nward. At 3 Commdr dined with - At 7 went to bed.

July 30th Woke with a frightful headache, which was quickly followed by rigors, and as soon as I had seen my sick, took a large dose of Antimony and Arsenic and rum and turned in again During the day there were heavy squalls with rain.

July 31st The same sort of weather : after Quarters exercised at gun drill : felt considerably better : made and shortned sail as requisite to heavy squalls : passed a Brazilian brig : in the evening.

Wednesday, August 1st 1855 At Sea. Beautiful nite & morning with a fresh breeze - After quarters exercised at gun drill - In the afternoon saw a great many flying fish, got a dolphin line rigged - After quarters exercised at shifting jib boom, found our new one would not fit - At 6 our band came up and played some tunes very well, considering the short time, it had been in practice, and during the interlude we had songs - Made arrangements with the Commdr about forming a Whist Party. Chess, Backgammon and Cards in the evening, and all turned in by ten o'clock.

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August 2nd - In the middle watch the breeze fell light, but again freshened as the sun got higher, and by 8 we had a fine fresh breeze tho' rather too much to the Eastward - Saw large shoals or flocks of flying fish. In the evening squally with heavy showers of rain.

August 3rd Blowing fresh, with a nasty lump of a Sea running. At 8 shortned sail - 9 Exercised at General Quarter. In the evening passed a ship standing to the Southward At 10 made sail and kept away three points.

August 4th At daylight, squared the yards and set starboard stinsails. At 9 Saw the land of Pernambuco distant about 25 miles; employed cleaning ship throughout. At 11 fired a gun and hoisted a Pilot jack. 11.30 Shortned sail and fired another gun. Noon home to. At 1 Pilot came on board and took us close in to the bar, over which we could not go being low water, so we anchored and furled sails - At 2 Commdr went on shore to wait on the Consul, the Purser to find out the price of Provisions: in the afternoon a Brazilian Officer came on board: got the screw down and prepared for steaming inside tomorrow. Pilot went ashore for the night. In the evening it blew hard with showers of rain - At 8 it cleared up when the band played several times.

Sunday August 5th At Pernambuco. 7 sent gig for the Commdr & Pilot came on board weighed, but the tide not answering we stood out to sea : heard from the Commdr of our terrible loss at Sebastopol, by which 8000 men were sacrificed. At 11 up helm and ran in for the Recipe, which is an anchorage inside of a long natural reef extending to the Sward nearly as far as Bahia where we moored - English Consul came on board, remaining about an hour, when Christian and he went ashore together. Arrived a large French Ship - After dinner

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several of the Officers went ashore : I amused by reading the Papers the Consul brought off and in preparing letters for Land M, writing also one to the Admiral, the Purser not being on board. Evening very cool and beautiful, went early to bed.

August 6th Morning showery, a most beautiful rainbow held a survey on 80 lbs of Fresh Beef received yesterday, condemned it and threw it overboard. 9 March to Quarters after which we began to refit, and gave one watch leave to go ashore; the boat had been sent for the Commdr and the liberty Mech had nearly got on shore, where they met and the 1st gig ordering the men to return, and bringing a message on board for us to light fires at once, and get ready as soon as possible, to proceed to the Northward, where a French Barque with Passengers, was on shore : shortly afterwards the Commdr & French Consul came on board when we unmoored : the Packet left for Rio and a Brazilian Barque and English Brig went out : after some trouble owing to a foul hawse, and narrowly escaping getting on board of two vessels, we steamed out, and when outside the Pilot left us; it was one of the hottest days we had felt for a long time: at 2 we observed the French barque on shore, heeling over on her starboard side : by 3.30 we were abreast of her and stopped the Engines about a mile to windward of her in 7 ftms when the Consul and Commdr went away in the whaler to communicate with her. After getting on board he made a signal for us to anchor, which we did and soon afterwards another signal was made for me to go on board immediately : while they were hoisting the pinnace out we saw the Commdr coming on board, so I waited for him, he brought in his boat one of the French Sailors who had nearly bled to death from a cut in the foot. Having learnt from the Captain of the French Barque that his cargo was a valuable one, and that the Brazilians in the neighborhood had commenced to plunder, we, sent

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an Officer and party of Marines & Blue Jackets armed to protect the property.

August 7th After breakfast relieved the Guard and sent a party of men to assist in stripping her; At 10 the Consul & Commdr went on board. In the afternoon the Commdr returned and from him I learnt there was much confusion, quarrelling & drunkeness on board : at one time seeing a Brazilian walking away with two bottles of champagne, he stopped him when the man drew a knife, but was soon secured and disarmed: the Consul had gone up to Pernambuco for a stronger Guard, for the Natives knowing we had an armed party on board, and that the wreck was within range of our Pivot guns, had not again attempted to plunder on board, but had attacked the store house in which they were depositing the articles saved : one man had received a sever bayonet wound - At 5 the night Guard was sent on board in charge of the Gunner, with written orders about signals if he wanted assistance : I had gone to bed when I heard the Officer of the watch report the firing of a rocket. I at once dressed expecting to be sent away with an armed party: a gun was fired and blue light burnt to show we had seen the rocket, and the Commdr went away with an armed party, but very soon returned : no rocket had been fired from the wreck, neither had any been seen from shore by the Sentries, so it must have been a mistake of our Quarter Master : there were several meteors and he must have been deceived by one of them - A very nice little punt was given to the Commdr which was hoisted on board. My patient doing very well - Turned in again -

August 8th Sent boat to relieve Guard: at 9 boat returned with a present of a cask of ale and case of cognac which Christian caused to be thrown overboard; there were also several Gallons of Linseed Oil Turpentine, Copal Varnish, Yellow & Black Paint

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