Herbert Mackarsie journal

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October 23rd. Still at anchor with a heavy gale of wind blowing and raining like fun, one of the most miserable days I ever saw. At 9 it blew a perfect gale and we were obliged to give her more chain to prevent her driving; and the rain came down in torrents the sea or I should rather say the water getting into a nasty babble, and every part of the ship wet and miserable : glad to turn in early

October 24th Blowing fresh and raining fast: at daylight got steam up again, and hammered away with fore and aft sails for Monte Video, our duty being to accompany the Star from the Mount to Rio, she being in such a leaky state, that doubts were entertained of her getting there safely. In the afternoon it blew fresh: at 3.30 passed the light-Ship and bore up for the Mount, and after having made sail we went along quietly 12 knots and a half. As evening closed the weather became worse and a drizzling rain came down preventing us from seeing the light at Monte Video. At 7.30 came to anchor in 4 fathoms - Midnight saw the lights of the town; blowing a heavy gale.

October 25th Between 12 and 4 it blew very hard, in squalls. At daylight it cleared up a little and we could see the town distant about 3 miles. Employee cleaning and white washing ship fore and aft. In the afternoon it blew very hard and we were obliged to let go a second anchor, giving her more chain on the first one. After sunset hoisted position lights and fortunate for us we did so, as a large ship running in barely escaped runing over us. In the evening cards and brandy & water: turned in at 8 in a bad temper.

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Sunday October 26th off Monte Video During the night the winds moderated and the sea consequently went down - At 9.30 got steam up, and prepared for going in. By 2 PM we came to an anchor close to the Star. Officers went ashore to the Opera.

[margin] Very seedy Christian [/margin]

October 27th At daylight saw the Harrier at anchor, At 8 commenced coaling: the weather most beautifully fine, and the wind very light. Finished about 3 and then washed down decks. Turned in very early after winning half and half at Cribbage.

October 28th A beautiful morning, almost calm, and not too waarm - Preparing for sea tomorrow. Dr Morgan came on board for a short time. In the evening we were very dull most of the Officers being on shore, and I turned in early. About half past eleven, Morgan with some other Officers came on board, and wanting Portes went to the Wine Chest (mine) but not knowing it was a patent lock they broke both key and lock, and were unable to get what they wanted: I never heard them come on board, but was much annoyed about the mishap.

October 29th A fine morning again with a fair breeze blowing: in a funk about my watch which I had sent on shore for repair, however the Steward brought it off, putting me to the expense of 16/- At daylight we unmoored, and shortned in cable - 10 Commdr went on board the Starand from there with Captn Boyle returning

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at 11.30, when we weighed and made sail in company with the Star for Rio, but going down first to the English Bank, to ascertain if the report was true about the buoy which we had laid down from Sidneys Survey was carried away. In the afternoon it came on to blow, and a signal was made to let the fires go out, and proceed under sail. Before sunset we were ordered to get steam up again, and keep it up, for what reason God only knows. At 7 stopped. In the evening we had cards in the Gun Room, but old Higgs was in his bed laid up with his old complaint Dyspepsia. Made sail as requisite, and steamed when we were dropping astern of Star. At 9 turned in.

October 30th At 6.30 took the Star in tow and made all possible sail. What an old Humbug Captn Boyle is, as he made a signal in the afternoon to cast her off, get up screw, & make sail, shortly after which it felt calm. After dark hoisted position lights.

October 31st Fine weather, little wind, and rather warm - 9.30 went as usual to General Quarters. After Quarters in the evening exercised shifting sails. Played a game at Ecarte & turned in.

Saturday November 1st 1856 At Sea. In the middle watch it came on to blow, and Ross who had not sense enough to have his port put down got his cabin half filled with water - at 6 the Star being about 7 miles ahead, we got steam up in addition to the sail and gradually came up

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with her, rattling along at a jolly good rate for Rio. In the evening we had Cribbage and having made it Saturday night, and had a [?] turned in.

Sunday November 2nd 1856 At Sea - Steamed when requisite to keep close to the Star, and in the middle watch from some mismanagement we very nearly got foul of her - Blowing fresh, with a [jump?] of a sea on - At 9.30 went to Divisions and inspected ship. At 3 Commdr dined with us, and a very seedy dinner it certainly was. Turned in about 7 and slept comfortably till daylight.

November 3rd Wind falling light : at 10 it looked very squally, and showers of rain came down, but no appearance of a fair wind, making it very doubtful if we can be in time for the mail to England. At mid day it looked very unsettled, and had a threatning appearance. In the evening we had Vingt un in the Gun room by which I lost a dollar: not feeling inclined to lose any more I had my pipe and after a glass of grog, went to bed.

November 4th. At 5 we had a Pampero, and turned the hands up to shorten sail: by the [no key?] how it did rain, and the thunder was very grand, being daylight we could not enjoy the lightning so much. At 9 tacked and stood in towards the land, under sail only: all chances of saving the mail for England was now quite disposed of. In the evening we had cribbage in the gun room, and after a pipe turned in.

November 5th A little after midnight I went on deck to smoke, there being at the time a heavy sea running and on coming over our taff rail, carried me, pipe & all

Gun Powder

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away to the fore bits: in the morning it moderated and we only went 9 knots, Star distant about a mile. In the forenoon made sail. In the afternoon passed a sail hove to. In the evening had a slice of corned beef, glass of rum and water, a pipe and turned in.

November 6th At daylight distant about a mile from the Star: wind falling light, made sail to a fine warm breeze, cloudless sky, deep blue water and went along smoothly at 8 knots. In the evening there was a little rian.

November 7th 9.30 went to General Quarters: Commdr suffering from Bilious headache. Star about 5 miles ahead of us: in the forenoon the breeze freshened and we gained upon her and before sunset were abreast of her. Played at cribbage in the evening.

November 8th Light winds and the weather getting much warmer. Cleaned and whitewashed lower decks & holds. Star in company. Constantly annoyed by the beastly Master's Assistant making out Charts of the English Bank, occupying most of the table with his damned books. Commmdr much better tho still rather shaky but able to attend to his duties. Saturday night was made very early.

Sunday November 9th 1856 At Sea. At 8 am 115 miles from Rio running with a fair wind in Company with the Star. At 9.30 inspected Ship, mustered by open list and read the sentences on several Courts Martial upon different Officers and men - 11 breeze freshning, came up with Star and had to shorten sail. At 3 Commdr dined with us: 8 PM blowing fresh, a signal made by Senior Officer to close.

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November 10th Shortly after daylight - a signal was made from the Star to take her in tow which we did just as we sighted the land, and by 11 came to an anchor in our old position close to the Madagascar, and found here the Flag Ship, [Walp?] and Lqren. Got letters from L and Mrs Thompson. At sunset a boat was sent for me by my old friend, Eversfield, and I at once went on shore, meeting Doctor and Mrs Bynoc, and had the pleasure of being introduced to Mrs Eversfield and after having a pipe and glass of rum & water went into the drawing room, and had a quiet game at Whist, leaving at 9.30 and taking a passage in Dr Bynoc's gig, after which I had a game at Cribbage: my patient had gone home but was not quite recovered - turned in.

November 11th Very hot, a signal made from F Ship to send boats away. During the forenoon Captn Fellowes of the Marines came on board. Noon the invalid (Sweatman Purser from Star) rather seedy; anxious to get him on board his own Ship which he did not feel inclined to do. About 2 he left and I was very glad to see him Safely over the side. I was playing a quiet game at Cribbage in the Engineers berth, when an old Messmate, and his friend came on board, and we had pipes and brandy and water, and it was ten o'clock before I got to bed.

November 12th Signal to loose sails, Two Brazilian Steamers went out. 10 a signal for the Commander to repair on board Flag Ship

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and preparing to beach the ship preparatory to getting the Shaft out. After knocking down several bulk heads and getting sundry tanks out, we got the new shaft up from the farehold without any accident. In the evening Christian went over to the Opera.

November 15th At 9 Commdr came on board. Stokers employed cleaning the new shaft. Ships Company cleaning ship. In the evening had a game at cribbage made it Saturday night and turned in very early.

Sunday November 16th 1856. At Coal Island. At 1 am it came on to rain and blow like [fugre?] and did not clear up till 5. At 9.30 went to Divisions and performed Divine Service. During the forenoon some ladies came alongside, quite a treat, as they had broad, sea side straw hats, and were dressed in white. Commenced my annual accounts. The evening very unpleasant and every one much the same on board 7 turned in very early.

November 17th. At daylight commenced hauling off from Coal Island, and by ten we grounded her in 9 feet abaft to enable them to get the shaft out. Commdr went over to the Admiral with demands for different articles. Word passed that an opportunity presents for sending letters to England by the Camilla; but as no boat went across I could not send a letter I had ready for L. In the evening played at cribbage winning every game.

November 18th At 5 began work again and at 10 commenced to get the old shaft on deck, which

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was rather an awkward piece of sailorship. After getting it out and the other one down, it was found that it would not fit. In the evening had a game at cribbage.

November 19th Turned the hands up at daylight and got the shaft up again, and sent it ashore to the Foundry to be reduced in size. 10 Commdr went on board Flag Ship and at noon sent orders for Lieut Hovendow to be discharged to the Indefatigable. Engineers and Stokers employed lifting the large wheel, requiring repair. At noon had Champagne with Hovendow previous to his leaving. Ship's Company employed refitting Ship. At 2 PM we had champagne previous to Hovendow's leaving and about 4 Mr. Heppel joined. Commdr returned soon after and carried on the work of Commg Officer himself. Played at cribbage in the evening- went to bed at 8.30.

November 20th Refitting Ships, and sundry other little jobs on board. Received some men from the Star. In the afternoon Commdr went on shore. When the candles were lighted played at whist. Wasp sailed.

November 21st Very close and sultry, with passing shivers of rain. Hands employed setting up rigging. After dinner Commdr went ashore to wait on the Admiral. In the evening played at Ecarté and cribbage. By 8 it was raining very heavily.

November 22nd Raining all night, and very close, and oppresive. Great inconvenience from having to cook all the grub on shore, the galley being under repair at the Foundry: the Shaft was put in all right at last, and we began to haul off to go

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alongside Coal Island to take in and complete our coals, but the water being very low we were unable to move her: at 10.30 got our anchor up and warped over to the coal wharf, and made preparations for coaling. In the afternoon at 2 PM while we were at dinner in the Gun room the Admiral came on board, but remained a very short time. In the evening while it was raining very fast we played at Ecarté, made it Saturday night and turned in.

Sunday November 25th (56) Coal Island. Frightfully hot, without a breath of wind. 9 am went to Divisions read Article of Court Martial performed Divine Service and afterwards read a memo from the Admiral relative to smoking. Had a most horrible dinner of stale beef & onions. The evening being dull turned in very early.

November 24th Hauled alongside the wharf and comenced getting coals in previous to going over to the other side and by 1.30 PM got 10 tons in. Hands employed ratling down rigging. Hovendow came on board in the Washorn and boat. Ships Cook drunk.

November 25th Frightenly hot, not a breath of wind. Commenced cleaning ship throughout and washing the bilges and holds with Chloride of Zinc. It was however four o'clock before we were ready to make a move, when we steamed across and moored ship much in our old position. In the evening Winstanly, Guy, and Pascoe came on board played Vingt Un, had a glass of wind & left at 9.

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November 26th - Employed drawing stares from Cobras: sent spare shift ashore: 9 a signal for the Commdr: raining fast and very hot: a Screw Steamer (English) arrived. Commander dined with the Admiral, going away at 5 PM in a torrent of rain. Dr Morgan and Mr Akastia came on board to say good bye, previous to sailing for England on the morrow. The hands employed at work till 9 PM, when the Commdr came on board and piped down.

November 27th Turned the hands up at 4 am and unmoored ship. 7 The Suadror weighed and we all went to sea except the Madagascar, but the Tyne and Star were the only two that got outside, and a signal was made for us to keep company with them. At 10 the Star came to an anchor, wind being very light and a nasty swell running. The weather very foggy and depressing. At two PM we were recalled by the Admiral, and anchored not far from the Flag Ship. At 5 observed the smoke of a Steamer supposed to be the English mail, but a signal went up for an English Man of war Steamer: the Demand was made by the Flag Ship, repeated by us, and soon afterwards HMS Cruizer hove in sight, and after her one of the new Gun boats came in, a very queer looking craft. Played Vingt un in the evening.

November 28th. At daylight there was a signal for us to get Steam up, and go out in search of a missing Gun boat. At 5.30 went to General