Herbert Mackarsie journal

199

Mother

Mother and Anty, and after a glass of hot toddy went to bed, the warmest and best place.

Sunday April 26th 1857 At Buenos Ayres. At 9.30 the Commdr came on board with a very hot cold and mustered by Open List, going ashore soon afterwards to the Rakes which are to conclude today. In the evening both Ross and Higgs got drunk and began to sing till they were stopped by the Commanding Officer. After gun fire went to bed.

April 27th Woke about 3 when it was very cold but I had not pluck enough to get up & look at the Thermometer: the Sentries light in the steerage had gone out, the Officer of the watch must have been asleep for everything was as quiet as the grave, so I very soon hopped in to bed again. Sent the boats on shore at the usual times for orders: two on the list. In the afternoon all the Officers, leaving only Higgs, two Engineers and myself: after gun fire we had some hot whiskey & water and I was soon under the blankets.

April 28th Every thing very quiet all day. At a little after sunset the Commander came off in the 2nd gig with some drunken men and after seeing the worst one put in irons went ashore again.

April 29th Still very cold and uncomfortable: after quarters exercised at gun drill; sent boat for Commdr who did not come off but a sent a messg to Ross ordering him to explain in writing his reason for breaking his leave. An old druken merchant Captain a friend of old drunken Ross, came on board to dinner and after Quarters several of the Officers went on board with him

200

April 30th Sent the usual boats ashore and at 10.30 Commdr came on board, and at once sent for Ross demanding an answer to his Memo: after he had finished it, he presented it to the Commdr who again sent for him on the Quarter deck and told the Commanding Officer to stop his leave for 2 months. In the forenoon the Flag Lieut and Secretarys Clerk came on board. In the afternoon it was quite calm and comfortably warm. Old Ross sober for once altho' he had three bottles of ale his rum, sundry glasses of brandy?

Friday May 1st 1857 At Buenos Ayres. Most beautiful weather. Filled up the monthly return of Pick for Admiral. Sailed a Brazilian Man of War. Sent a boat for the Commander, who did not however come off before six bells, but left very soon after went ashore. In the afternoon, it came on to blow, with every appearance of a SWester: sent a boat for orders but they had to put back again; A little before sunset a strong breeze was blowing and very cold, several ships driving. A Brazilian boat came alongside, fortunately the Officer and crew got on board just before she swamped, shortly afterwards the Harriers boat got alonside, and was secure astern.

May 2nd the wind moderated a little and the strangers were able to leave, which I was very glad of, as the Spaniard got very drunk, and after being put to bed, vomited all over the bed in which he slept. Went to bed early.

Sunday May 3rd - Very unwell, not able to turn out sent boats for Commdr and orders. 10.30 went to Divisions, but I kept my bed, and did not get

201

Lizzy's

up till afternoon still very unwell, when I found old Ross as usual - Most of the Admiral's thing came on board. Ross very drunk.

May 4th a very bad nights rest from the acute pain in my legs. Sent the usual boats on shore and old Ross, to close the accounts. In the afternoon an Inspector of Machinery belonging to the Buenos Ayres navy came on board, an Englishman of course, and dined. In the evening sent Gunner in search of Ross and ours; as the boat was a long time of returning the Commanding Officer went away to the Galley, by the time he got on shore the 2nd Gig had returned about half an hour after the whaler returned but no Ross - Up all boats.

May 6th Sent Market boat ashore and at 7 another for orders. About 11 Commdr came on board, with the other Officers, and immediately gave orders to light fires. Pilot & Secretarys Clerk came off. Old Ross after having a glass of beer got very screwy. About 1 the Admiral and all come on board, weighed and steamed down the River in Co. with Harrier. At the usual dinner hour Ross was drunk, & when the Secretary came in for a plate of soup, was drunk asleep at table: he had scarcely left when the Commdr came in, Ross was in statu, his mouth if anything wider open. At 2.30 the water was high enough to allow us getting over the bar when we steamed to the Outer Roads communicating with Wasp & Harrier, and when the latter was ready went down the River. Turned in soon.

May 6th At 9, saw the Mount: 10 saw the Harriet and the Virages at anchor. Still very sick, just able to see my Sick, and turn in for an hour or two by which time we

197

to build a coffin. In the evening Diarrhoea came on and I was running up and down stairs all night.

April 20th Did not sleep an hour all night, and if possible felt worse. A note came off from the Commdr saying that an Officer with a party of 10 men were to be on shore with the corpse, where a hearse would be in waiting to convey it to the English Burial ground, a distance of three miles from the City. They were back again by one. In the afternoon the weather had a threatning appearance and after sunset there was every look of a coming [PWestis?] which very soon came on with lightning and thunder. Heard of our relief being at Rio, which made us more anxious about the arrival of the mail. Were told that Yellow Fever was still so bad in Monte Video most of the Medical men had died, the rest all hooked it for the country, business was quite suspended, most of the Clerks having run.

April 21st. It rained fast all night and in the morning it was as bad as ever. No appearance of the wished for Mail, still she may come in during the day. No communication with the shore on account of the weather. In the afternoon exercises at small arms and gun drill. Being very cold turned in early after a game at whist.

22nd Don't forget to forward Dr Martins letters. At 5am Thermometer as low as 41°. Blowing fresh from the SE with a clear blue sky. Sent a boat to Commdr in Chief for orders. On return a letter came on board immediate, or diring [directing?] Dr Martin to repair on board the Italia for a passage to Monte Video

97

PM, tacked as requisite - 9 went to General Quarters - Commenced painting my own cabin. At 4 shortned sail and got steam up, proceeding for Santos. At 7 got on shore in the [mud?], lowered the boats, got out [kidges?] and after some difficulty saw her off, and again went on, coming to an anchor abreast of the town -

May 3rd Sent Steward ashore to get something to eat: 9 o'clock arrived but no breakfast; and in consequence great dissatisfaciton in the mess. Employed giving the gun room a second coat of paint, in the afternoon went ashore, had a game of billiards, a [look?] and returned by 6 PM, making it Saturday night, afterwards turning in -

Sunday May 4th At Santos. 9.30 Mustered by Open List, read articles of war and performed Divine Service - At 3 dined with the Commander & afterwards went ashore with him, had a game at billiards, glass of Ale and returned at 8.

May 5th Several of our men who had got leave, came on board rather screwy: but on the whole, much better than on previous occasions - In the evening several came off pretty tidy, but not very sober-

May 6th Much the same state of affairs, but nothing to eat: went ashore and had some dinner - Great complaints about having nothing to eat in the mess. Most of the Officers went ashore to play at Coits, returning in the evening amidst a heavy shower of rain -

May 7th A very wet morning - At 6 unmoored and prepared for sea - 9 got steam up and went

Birth Days

102

a salute was again fired. Eversfield I supposed married. AFgter all the fun was over Kinnear and I went ashore, where we met Christian and Captain Fellowes - Got on board by nine and made it Saturday night and turned in.

Sunday May 25th Rio de Janeiro. Took the Guard - After dinner went ashore with Ross, met Sowe, Edwards and Collier - came off at 6 and after a pipe turned in, but not to sleep as there was so much drunkeness and fighting on board.

May 26th Dr Bynoc and Staff Surgeon Woodcock came on board to see a patient, on whom I operated in their presence. Several seedy with an [attude?] to my List and a Row with Lennon about a [small?] [bit?] of [Condemned canvass?] for my cabin. Every thing very uncomfortable on board. At 3 I made it up and made me a present of a straw mat - The Commdr and other Officers on shore [on duty ?] [?] like fun - Wrote a note to Eversfield on his wedding. Still raining, and myself in a quarrel with every one in the Ship - but particularly with Lennon. All in a muddle about going up the River. Went ashore for about an hour to make some calls -

May 27th Every thing and every one topsy turvy; had another row with Lennon, but soon settled it by going to the Commdr. Second Master and Purser at Cobras drawing Provisions and Stores. In the afternoon Dr Woodcock came on board with two letters of introduction at Monte Video, and the Store's Medicine Chest was sent from Madagascar. At 4 Captn Fhurleau came on board to take a passage

103

to Monte Video, where Mrs F and family were remaining - Mail bag closed one for Sissy when the Steam was got up and we weighed and went out of harbor.

May 28th Made sail and with steam we must have been going about 9 knots - In the forenoon after Quarters served out warm clothing and shoes to Ship's Company. In the afternoon set Stinsails on port side to a fine fresh breeze amd let the fires burn down. In the evening had two rubbers of whist with the Commdr beat him both, and then played two games with Ross for a black silk handkerchief and pair of Shoes both of which I won.

May 29th During the middle watch the wind fell light and at 5 we again got the steam up, just as the breeze freshened and made all possible sail on the Starboard side. At 9 we had a strong breeze and let the fires get low again - In the afternoon we were walking along at the rate of 9 1/2 knots - Evening had a rubber with Commdr and turned - Midnight blowing very hard.

May 30th All of a sudden it felt calm, and we again drew the fires forward, and went under steam. At day light the wind freshened, when we shortned sail. 8 it headed us when we furled all the square sails continuing to steam with the assistance of fore and aft sails - 9 went to General Quarters . By noon we had regular SWester and shortened all sail, steaming about 2 knots an hour - Towards night the sea got up, and she was very uncomfortable - After Quarters in the evening exercised the hands at shifting jib boom.

104

May 31st Blowing hard with rain, everything very miserable on board - Had an addition to my list for a lout of a fellow carrying away some of his fingers in a block. Three times the hook of the main sheet carried away, fortunately no one was killed. In the evening it rained and blew very hard with a nasty sea running - Made it Saturday night at half past seven in a glass of hot whiskey (made from oranges) and water with Kinnear and turned in

Sunday June 1st 1856 At Sea. Still the same blowing uncomfortable weather and head sea: changed our dress from white to blue. 9.30 went to Divisions which was soon broken up by a heavy shower of rain, in consequence no Church - At 3 Captn Thurband & Commdr dined with us - Went early to bed.

June 2nd Blowing harder than ever and dead air end with a nasty head sea, making her plunge very heavily - At 8 saw a Schooner on a wind - Noon passed a Brazilian Man of war running. At 5 had a heavy squall with hail which rather astonished us. By seven I was under the blankets and asleep.

June 3rd The wind shifted a little and we lay our course, but it was still blowing hard with a cross sear. At 9 passed a Barque running to the Nward, showed Colors to her; but they were not answered - The weather very cold, with occasional showers of rain and hail. Exchanged Colors with a Brazilian Man of war.

June 4th Blowing as before, but rather less sea , saw a sail at 9 laying to under a close reefed maintopsail - Towards afternoon the sea went down a little and we made more progress - Went to bed at seven

105

Thursday June 5th Monte Video - Quite calm, but the decks in a filthy state from the mist coming out of the funnel, the coals being very bad - took soundings every two hours - At nine we passed several vessels at anchor, and saw the Mount. At 11.30 we moored ship having shown our No to HMS Star : Health boat came alongside & put us in Quarantine, the German Town an American Corvette having brought dow a report of the Fever in the Madagascar : we were then ordered to unmoor and go further out and as there was scarcely any wind, and the fires had been put out, we narrowly escaped getting foul of the German Town and would have done so if the men of war in Harbor had not sent their boats to tow: we had French, American, Spanish, and Brazilian, in all nine boats - We again came to an anchor; about 1.30 and even glad to see a boat come alongside with a leg of mutton. The evening was very cold and I was glad to get to bed early.

June 6th Very cold but fine healthy weather - At 9 went to General Quarters [text struck out] out of course we could not commence coaling -

June 7th About 6 we got Pratique, but as I had my monthly attack of Ague, I kept my bed. At noon Dr Morgan of the Star came on board to see me - After dinner some of the Officers went ashore, and a washing woman came off. Was told that Mr Christie & Clique would be on board on Thursday next, when shall go direct, not calling at Buenos Ayres - No Saturday night

Set to Home. Canada.

107

June 12th - Wind NE very cold, employed getting ready for sea, or rather the River. Brazilian Commodore and several other Officers came on board.

June 13th At 10 we lighted fires, and soon afterward the Ministers Suite came off. By eleven the fires were all right, when the Minister with his Secretary accompanied by several Officers came on board, when we weighed, and proceeded for Buenos Ayres

June 14th At 3.30 came to an anchor - in four fathoms - banked the fires. Daylight got steam up again, weighed, and steamed up the river. By nine, we came abreast of Colonia, the weather getting much warmer, a difference of 8 degrees in the thermometer. Passed several vessels at anchor.

Sunday June 15th In the River. At daylight we again got under weigh and proceeded on our way up the River. At 10 went to Divisions and inspected lower deck, the usual discontent and growling in the Mess. Had a long yarn with the Minister, who I found was not a Scotchinqu but a damned crusty old son of a b---h, and his Secretary a perfect Snob. The weather very fine, and getting warmer, and in consequence a decrease seen on my Sick List. We again anchored at dusk, just as the Engines broke down. Engineers & Stokes employed repairing the mishap - Walked with Mr Christie till 9 then turned in.

June 15th The old yarn again, at daylight weighed and steamed up the river. A difference of 15° on the thermometer. At 2 PM passed St Pedro where a few Schooners were at anchor. Sunset or a little after we reached Obligade, where we hailed by an Argentine man