Herbert Mackarsie journal

130

September 19th Still no appearance of the mail from England, and to my horror, I was roused up at 6.30 am from an Engineer having cut his throat. Sent at once for Medical assistance to the Star, and got the wound sewn up with some difficulty and a great loss of blood: found the larynx and pharynx both divided: the suicide was committed with an unhandled razor. Poor unfortunate devil, he was married with a family. In the evening he seemed more composed.

September 20th My patient passed a fair night and slept for some time in the morning. Dr Morgan came on board in the forenoon, when we invalided Mr Sweatman, Paymaster of the Star from D.L. In the evening we shifted Channon's cot, and linen, and after making him comfortable for the night, I made the usual toast and turned in.

Sunday September 21st At Monte Video - Still no mail. The Engineer in the same state. At 10 went to Divisions and Church, the latter I did not attend. At 3 A party was given in the Gun Room - late in the evening the Mail came in when I received a letter from Mother, & L with a Courier.

September 22nd My patient doing as well as could be expected. In the forenoon Dr Morgan came on board: orders came by our Commander for us to go to Buenos Ayres tomorrow morning at day light to which we objected for fear of hurting the Engineer by the motion of the vessel. Prussian Frigate Thetis saluted the Monte Video flag, which was soon returned. Being very tired and sleepy from want of rest, turned in very early.

131

September 23rd. The Engineer much the same. At 10 Dr Morgan came on board when we determined to send him on shore for Hospital treatment, to prevent any risk from the motion of the vessel. The right side of throat being open, in consequence of one of the ligatures giving way, I put in a fresh one. Toward evening he was more emposed, but complained of more difficulty swallowing, and there was more discharge of mucus externally.

September 24th My patient not so well, being restless and evidently inclined to make another attempt at self destruciton. Finished my letters to L and Mother in a very hurried manner, being constantly wanted to look at the unfortunate man. At 2 PM a fine Spanish Barque came in, with her colors half mast On making enquiries, it was found that the Captain had committed suicide by cutting his throat in a proper manner, without giving any trouble about it. Had a call from Dr Morgan on Service. At 4 when the Commdr came off, when tossing the oars one of the men got a lick over one eye, which made rather a deep incision and deeper addition to my Sick list. The Engineer able to swallow a little better. Weather very cold and apparently included to blow from SE. 4.30 PM some of the Officers went on shore, to arrange about Mess debts. Suffering from a bad cold, alltho' quite able to attend to my duties, visiting my patient every quarter of an hour, and administering but tea, arrange water and thin arrowroot with Port Wine as often as he wanted any nourishmet. There was however an escape of food

132

on both sides of the oesophagus when being fed, but pulse continued good, bowels regular, general appearance better, discharge from wound rather increased, tongue much cleaner, but still expressing a wish to die. At bed time gave him a strong dose of Morphia.

September 25th A cold disagreable morning and still no orders for our departure, except to go up the River for water. The Patient rather better but still lingering between life and death, and desirous of death. Dr Morgan came on board as usual to see the Engineer. In the evening sent our Steward forward being perfectly useless. Turned in very early

September 26th The poor devil spent a better night, and without any morphia, but the external wound still remained open; part of the food being discharged: the larynx was evidently closed as the voice was much improved. Still blowing hard with rain, and every appearance of continuing to do so. Our Purser on board the Star making up her Pursers acounts, which were in a very shaky condition like himself. In the forenoon Dr Morgan called and approved of the state of my unforutunate, who was still progressing favorably, but yet in a precarious state. Ross came on board and commenced making out the Quarterly Bills, much wanted by some to make most of them to pay their arrears of mess money, which was terribly deficient, saying nothing about the debts we owe at Rio, Buenos Ayres, Pernambuies &c.

133

In the evening, had a game at Ecarte by which I lost a bottle of Beer: it was a most miserable night, blowing, sleeting and very cold, so I turned in as soon as I could be spared.

September 27th The same sort of weather with even stronger squalls than yesterday. In the forenoon the Commdr went on board the Star for ultimate orders. On his return all boats were hoisted up, and we hove short, and at 11.30 weighed and made sail, with a strong SE gale blowing, fortunately fair, but to which we had very soon to shorten sail. It was quite a change for us, and at one time there were evident symptoms of Sickness, as there was a little bubble of a sea on. In the evening, after coming to an anchor, furling sails, we had a game at Ecarte in the gun room and having drank to the health of Sweethearts & lovers, not forgetting all absent friends in some hot brandy and water, qualifieid by a pipe, and having put fresh dressing on my patients throat, I was very happy to get below the rug, as the weather was very cold.

Sunday September 28th River Plate. Weather very miserable and all in the ship much the same. My patient rather better but of course very weak. At 10 went to Divisions & performed Divine Servie on the lower deck. At 3 the Commdr dined with us, and as the evening was very dull, damp, and dirty, I very soon turned in.

September 29th A little improvment in the weather and my patient doing as well as we could expect, there was no probability of the wound healing by the first

134

intention, but from his voice the larynx evidently must have closed, and from the great improvement in his swallowing, the pharynx was also uniting giving me some hopes of his recovery, and to be able to send him to England on our return to Monte Video. Ships Company employed watering Ship, which was as muddy as the Thames at Woolwich.

September 30th In the River: weighed in the morning, and made sail for Monte Video: hammered away like fury against a stiff, contrary breeze, but eventually got in and anchored about 8.30 PM.

Wednesday October 1st 1856. Monte Video My patient much in the same state, but with some chance of recovery. As usual blowing hard, and very cold. No breakfast so I had to use a bottle of beer and some biscuit which was so hard, that several people had broken their teeth by eating it. Enclosed my Quarterly Bill to Lizzy - Being in the Outer Roads we weighed again to get closer in, but after knocking about for - several hours against a head breeze, we found ourselves in much the same position, or rather a little further to leeward: the most bungling piece of work I ever saw done - From where we lay we could see the remains of the hull of a fine German Ship, that had been lost since we left: still blowing as usual, with every appearance of continuing

October 2nd At daylight commenced warping ship to windward, why the Lord only knows, and got on at our usual slow and slummy pace.

135

As usual, no breakfast, not even salt. Towards the forenoon it came on to look very threatning over the Mount and at 2 a Pampero came down with any quantity of rain, lightning and thunder - In the evening it cleared up a little but still rained. Went on board Star.

October 3rd Still blowing and raining - Camilla in sight coming in from Buenos Ayres. At the usual hour again it commenced to rain and blow: at 2 went on board the Star on duty. The weather looking really threatning was glad to get back to my own ship. At 10 wind shifted to SW the barometer fell, the lightning came down like fury and by midnight we had a heavy gale of wind.

October 4th Blowing very hard, rendering Communication with the shore difficult and dangerous. My patient progressing favorably. In the evening the wind moderated, when I went on board the Star on duty.

Octoer 5th Fortunately a beautiful quiet morning and I was enabled to removed my patient to the Camilla for a passage to Rio and England and having seen him safely lodged in his cabin & a glass of brandy and water with the Dr, I returned. At [?] the Camilla went to sea. In the evening most of the Officers went ashore to a Bull Fight.

October 6th A fine healthy morning, and having some small bills to pay, I went ashore with Booth, had luncheon, with an American Officer and got on board again by two PM. In the evening the 1st Lieut and Surgeon of the Star came on board, and smoked Sundry pipes. Turned in early after Ecarte.

136

October 7th Cold but very healthy, but with a fresh breeze blowing from NE. Our miss gradually going to the devil. Gave leave to part of the Ships Company. In the evening calm and fine.

October 8th Fine weather; three of our men ashore, descriptions were made out: heard of our old Capts mate having been drunk, falling and hurting his head. After dinner went on shore to pay some small bills, came off at sunset, and fell overboard and was glad to have a glass of hot rum & water with a pipe and turn in.

October 9th Felt rather unwell from my submersion my right arm being a little hurt when I fell, but as the only cap I had to my name came off, I had a short swim for it with a frock coat on, picked it up, got into the boat and from here on board. At 9.30 went to General Quarters going through the old game again. In the evening most of the Officers went to the Opera, and I went to bed early.

October 10th A fresh breeze blowing. Christian went away in the cutter with some friends on a shooting expedition returning in the evening, with poor sport.

October 11th Had a slight touch of Ague, but got better by noon. In the evening there was a quarrel between some Spaniards and Americans, in which one of the latter was killed and many severely wounded.

Sunday October 12th Monte Video. At the usual time went to Divisions and performed Divine Service on the upper deck where it was very cold, altho' a fine day. Some of the Officers afterwards went ashore to Church. At noon there was any quantity of Saluting, among the French

137

Brazilian and Spanish, on account of the Brazilian Commodore visiting the two ships. At 1 Mrs Houston came on board with her husband and Commdr: a very pretty woman, with a very handsome figure. They left in the afternoon.

October 13th A fine morning, but cold: exercised at Quarters with the fore pivot gun. At noon as usual it came on to blow. A Brazilian Man of war Steamer arrived. In the afternoon some of the Officers went on shore; another murder had been committed by stabbing, but being such a common occurrence in the Town little was said about it: the Murderer was apprehended and taken to prison. Looked at the moon in Eclipse (beautiful)

October 14th At 9.30 a signal was made from Star to shift foretopmast, which we managed in 66 Minutes miraculously without an accident of any consequence, only some slight contusions. Commdr Boyle came on board. In the evening we had some friends from the Star and a Brazy Man of War, but managed to get to bed before ten.

October 15th Fine, but cold: orders sent on board for us to be ready for sea early on the morrow. At 2 the Brazilian Commodore came on board. Officers from Star came on board to Survey an anchor, one of the flukes being carried away on the English Bank. Brazilian Commodore came on board, but did not stop a minute. In the evening we had a game at Ecarte, a pipe and turned in.

October 16th At 6.30 lighted fires, and got steam up: the Buoy was brought alongside, Captain Boyle and Lieut Sidney came on board

138

and at 8.30 we weighed and proceeded to the Egnlish Bank, having the buoy in tow about half past one we got to the requisite position, and after much trouble and no little danger to the men suceeded in putting it down; as soon as it was properly secured by Lieut Sidney, we up boats and steamed back to Monte Video coming to an anchor about 9 PM when Captn Boyle, Lt. Sidney and the Emperor went away. Played at Cribbage in the evening and turned in very early.

October 17th At day light unmoored, hove short, and prepared for sea. 10 Commdr waited on Senior Officers and at 10 we weighed and proceeded for Buenos Ayres. In the afternoon it was nearly calm, but towards evening the breeze freshened and we set stinsails and in the first watch we were balling along at a rate of 9 knots.

October 18th At 6 lighted fires and got steam up, and at 8.30 came to anchor in the inner roads, distant about a mile from the town: a large fleet of Merchant Ships in the outer Roads: Sydneys Schooner about an hour before us. At 10.30 Christian and some of the Officers went ashore, remaining all night. In the evening we had a game of whist in the Gun Room and having made it Saturday night and taken a pipe we turned in.

Sunday October 19th 1856. At Buenos Ayres. At 8 Commdr came off bringing me a message from my old School fellow John Hak, who promised to come off in the afternoon. Blowing rather fresh, and nasty foggy weather. At 9.30 Mustered by Open List

139

read articles of War and performed Divine Service on the lower deck, after which the Commdr went on shore. Went very early to bed.

October 20th Blowing very hard all night with a nasty loss of a sea on. At 7 sent 2nd gig for Commdr and he came off with two Officers, bringing a message for John Kirk, saying if the weather was fine he would try and come on board: anxiously looking for the arrival of the Camilla, to receive my letters from L and to hear how my cut throat patient got on. After having breakfast Christian and Ross went ashore, as the Commdr's cabin was being painted. In the evening we had whist in the Gun room.

October 21st Got up at daylight in full expectation of seeing the Camilla in sight, but was disappointed. Blowing so fresh that we could not send a market boat on shore: at noon the smoke of a Steamer - was reported in the distance and at 2 PM we made out the English Mail, and by 4 I got letters from L, M, Anty Copl and young Ellen with two papers. In the evening a note from the Commdr for us to be ready for Sea early tomorrow morning.

October 22nd Every appearance of a Pampero : sent boat to market. In the forenoon we hove short, and prepared for sea: Mr Daley Pilot came on board sent boat for Commdr, and after he came on board we weighed and steamed out of the Inner Roads, having lighted fires at 3 PM. A fresh gale of wind blowing, with every appearance of increasing. At 6.30 the gale increasing we came to an anchor in four fathoms, distant from Buenos Ayres about 5 miles.