Herbert Mackarsie journal

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the Admiral to alter course. Exercised with muskets. Towards afternoon the breeze fell light. Passed a Swedish Man of War, who saluted the Admirals Flag with 13 guns, which was immediately returned by the Indefatigabale. At 3 Saw Flores Light House, which we slowly passed, but eventually the breeze freshened, and we came to an anchor off Monté Video, at a distance of three miles from the pier, having nothing to eat in the mess, which was now about £80 in debt. After playing a few games at cribbage, & smoking two pipes (I must give up smoking). I turned in.

January 9th 1857 At Monté Video. During the night it blew very hard, and the sea got up very quickly causing a most unpleasant motion in the ship. At 7.30 lowered the Tan. 9.30 By signal from Admiral, went to General Quarters. Afterwards a signal to weigh and alter our position, which was done with some difficulty, and at the end terminated by anchoring about 50 yeards from our former position. The Syren being dilatory in answering a signal the Admiral gave him a gun. The evening was beautiful.

January 10th Employed cleaning ship throughout. The wind and sea had both gone down, and the weather appeared more settled. [?] 9 a Butcher came alongside, accompanied by a washerwoman, the former supplied us with mutton, but being in Quarantine we could not send our clothes ashore to be washed. In the forenoon after we had shifted our billet an Officer

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came off and told us we must again shift our position, as we were in the way of Packets arriving, so after dinner we got hawsers out, and veered more astern, with some trouble and a little growling. Several boats beating out tried very hard to weather us, but without effect. In the evening most of our Officers went ashore, but Kinnear and myself made it Saturday night & turned in.

Sunday, January 11th 1857. Monté Video. At 10 am went to Divisions and inspected ship. At 11 there was every appearance of a Pampero. Commander went ashore to Church. Our Mess getting worse and worse - more into debt, and nothing to eat, but as usual the Same lot of discontent About 5 PM a fire broke out on shore, and there was great fun in seeing the different boats sent ashore, English, French, Spanish and Brazilian: the Troops were also turned out, and the different Church Bells, kicking up the devil's own bobbery, and just as they (blue jackets and red coats) arrived at the site of the fire, it was all out, so they had merely to come back again, quite a Man of War's cruize. Dr Aitchinson from the Syren came on board but soon left when the fire bell was heard. In the evening all Officers went ashore, except Booth & myself. Turned in very early

January 12th. Commenced transoming coals in the bunkers preparatory for coaling - Got furnace

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out to bring off Provisions &c. No chance of getting our Government Bills cashed, unless with a loss of 2/4 on the Pound. One watch on shore on leave , the many came off before their leave was expired, most probably by being gased of their dollars. A leak reported on the Port side aft, by which we made 14 inches in the 24 hours. I was only sorry it was not 26. The Harrier expected from Buenos Ayres tomorrow. Ross on shore trying to get Monthly money and Ginger beer, all of which he effected. Admiral's Flag hoisted on board the Syren. At 5 the Admiral, Flag Lieut and Secretary went ashore. In the evening we had a quiet game at cribbage and after a quiet pipe & glass of grog turned in.

January 13th At 6 a Spanish Man of War sailed. Sun very hot but the ship healthy there being only one on the list from losing a toe. Hourly expecting the Harrier from Buenos Ayres. In the afternoon Lieut Hovendow came on board and smoked a pipe with me, being very anxious to rejoin our Ship. At 6 Admiral & Lieut went on shore, with the Brazilian Minister; who was saluted when he left the Syren. In the afternoon party of officers went ashore to ride. After sunset I had a quiet game at cribbage.

January 14th Early in the morning a small Brazilian Man of War came in from Buenos Ayres. Many Officers from Flag Ship on shore, making our Ship a half way house. Harrier arrived.

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January 15th Before breakfast seven Carpenters came on board from the Flag Ship and commenced putting up the Admiral's Deck House. Admiral came on board to have a look at his new arrangment on deck. In the evening Mr Barker (a clerk) came on board, but not feeling well I was obliged to go early to bed. Several deserters on shore, some of them good men.

January 16th An appearance of a Pampero but it ended merely in a blow with a small dash of rain. Employed scraping ships sides preparatory to painting. The flies most insufferable, both by day and night, preventing any one to have any rest. Dr Woodcock called to say I was on a Survey on board the Harrier. The Brazilian Steamer Constitution came in and we could make out Mr Freeman on board (Mr Christie's Secretary).

January 14th At 10 went on board the Harrier on the Survey, meeting some old friends who I had not seen for years. The Admirals House on deck getting on capitally. Dr Aitchinson of the Syren came on board. Most of the Officers went on shore in the afternoon for a ride in the country. Orders came off for being ready for sea on Monday next but to all appearance, there was not the remotest chance of doing so. We had a very quiet evening made it Saturday night & turned in.

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Sunday January 18th 1857 Monté Video. In bed all day from ague.

January 19th very restless all night - soon after daylight the English mail came in got letters from L, M & E with one from M in Canada with two papers. At 9 had a relapse almost as soon as the first, and altho' I had so much writing to do, I was obliged to lay down. In the evening got up again feeling much better, going to bed, after my boy had made my bed up, but not to sleep for the fat headed Master's Assist made such a noise on deck with the dogs.

January 19th Turned out at 5.30 and had a bath, after which felt quite myself again. After a good breakfast I finished and closed my annual accounts for sending to England. Heard of our going out to the Flag Ship tomorrow to take in the Admirals luggage. The weather beautiful but very hot. During the forenoon I was busy with my accounts. Persevered in my determinatioin of leaving off smoking, and as every thing was very dull, I went early to bed.

January 20th After breakfast went at it again, and by noon, I was enabled to take my accounts in for the signature of the Commdr, sealed them up and sent it for conveyance to England. The hottest day we have had, Thermom. in my cabin 92° in the sun, on deck it rose to 130° - a steak might have been cooked on the black paint work. The flies below were intolerable, so that between me and the other, we were comfortably situated. Had a game at Cribbage & turned in very early.

January 21st Still oppressively hot. Getting

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every thing ready for sea. Towards the afternoon the weather assumed a very threatening appearance. About sunset Captn Derriman of the Syren came on board with Christian and a Spanish lady & gentleman. At 8 there was every appearance of a Pampero.

January 22nd About 1 am I was awoke by a crash of thunder, which made the ship tremble, and no less than 5 minutes, a complete hurricane struck us, making everything crack again, and close astern of us was a Spanish Brig, who we hailed to veer but I suppose they did not understand us, so we drove into her stern on and there kept grinding till the hurricane passed over us, smashing our whaler, carrying away our life buoy, and doing severe damage abaft: the rain then came down and knocked down the wind. When daylight came in we could see one ship on shore, and when the sun got up a barque was seen in the offing on her beam ends, and a signal was made to the Harrier to get up steam with all despatch and proceed to her assistance: on her return we were told she was an American with a valuable cargo of general goods; she was abandoned, but the Harrier took her in tow, but could not manage to bring her in; and left her, when she was very soon surrounded by any number of wreckers, who took everything they could get hold of.

January 23rd Dreadfully hot. At 8.30 a French Man of War Steamer, went out, on her way to the Parana 9.30 went to General Quarters. in the afternoon the Admiral came on board to look at his house, returning to the Syren to dinner and at 8 PM came on board to

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sleep. Went early to bed.

January 24th At 5.30 the Admiral was on deck. At 6 unmoored, fished and catted one anchor. At 7 lighted fires and got steam up: 9 weighed and took Syren in tow cast her off as soon as she got a good offing and proceeded for the Frigate; close to which we anchored, and were soon joined by the Harrier. Great bustle and confusion ensued. The Admiral went on board the Indefatigable to see his traps sent sent away. Our first gig was sent on board the frigate and the Admirals galley came here in lieu. Afterwards came any quantity of chairs, sofas, basins wash stands, mosquitoe curtains &c. At 2 everything was ready and we made a start with the Harrier for Buenos Ayres but for what reason I know not, but we came to an anchor a little after ten.

Sunday January 25th 1857 In the River Plate. At 4 am the Admiral was on deck, when we weighed and steamed up the River. At 9.30 went to Divisions the Admiral going the rounds himself, after which we went to Church, Christian of course officiated, but the Admiral read the 2nd lesson. There was no appearance of our getting into the Inner Roads, the River being too low.

January 26th A strong Nly wind blowing, got the dispensary swamped during the night - 9 went to Quarters, the band playing all the time: closed letters for L, M M, (C) Secretary of Admiralty. In the forenoon the Commander and Flag Lieut went on shore returning at 5. Band played in the evening. Played at cribbage and went early to bed.

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January 27th Very hot, myself in a bad temper for not getting any breakfast at the proper time. In the forenoon the Admiral went ashore, coming off at 5. Pilot came on board.

Januaary 28th At 4 commenced to unmoor - 5 got one anchor up and fouled a barque, thereby smashing our 2nd gig: eventually got clear, and steamed to the outer roads, and from there towards Martin Garcia. Found the River very high, all in our favor, passed the French Steamer Nisson and several small schooners, and came to an anchor in 6 fathoms, at 8 PM amid a cloud of mosquitoes sleep was out of the question.

January 29th At daylight weighed & steamed up the River. In the evening after dusk came to an anchor off St Nicholas turned the band up and gave leave to the Officers.

January 30th At 6.30 got steam up, weighed and before 8 we were again steaming up the river. At 9.30 abreast of the place where Machell jumped overboard last year. Passed several Schooners. A rather large Sick List. At a little after sunset we came to an anchor off Rosario, when the Admiral and several of the Officers went on shore. Mosquitoes getting rather troubleseome.

January 31st. At 4.30 weighed and proceeded on our voyage. 9 passed over one of the dangerous shoals having only one foot of water to spare, going over the ground at the rate of 8:2. Passed several schooners, bound up the River. Any quantity of wild duck, and an occasional alligator. At 8 PM

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came to an anchor - with every appearance of a Pampero, and mosquitoes in any quantity. Vingt-un was plaid in the wardroom, but I preferred making it Saturday night turning in.

Sunday February 1st 1857 Steamer into Parana. At 1 it came on to blow most frightfully, followed afterwards by rain, lightning and thunder - which continued till 4 am, when we weighed and steamed up the river. At 10 we again weighed and anchored off Port of Parana at 11, when we were visited by several people. In the afternoon a man was brought on board from an Italian Schooner with a bayonet wound in the right femoral vein, the haemmorhage I had some difficulty in stopping. Most of the Officers went on shore.

February 2nd At 8 saluted the Argentine Flag with 21 guns, which were shortly returned from the Fort. At 9.30 Admiral and Lieut went on shore to call on the [?] resident. Mosquitoes very troublesome particularly in the morning. In the afternoon a mate was brought to me badly wounded by a mosquito.

February 3rd Several visitors came on board, I was very sick all day. In the evening the Admiral and most of the Officers went to a Ball in the evening, some not returning till day light.

Febry 4th At 8 the Admiral and Lieut came

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when we prepared for going up the River. By 1 the Steam was up. Just as we were going to start, some ladies and gentlemen came off but the Admiral kindly stopped for an hour, when we steam down, the River to the passage which led to Corrientes, & anchored at 7 much as the mosquitoes came off in clouds, I went to bed but not to sleep, for about 10 a Pampero came on and blew very fiercely for about an hour, the lightning and thunder truly terrific: midnight it moderated a little.

Febry 5th It rained incessantly for the night, and when we weighed it came on as bad ever: the rain came down in torrents: we passed several houses unroofed by the gale. At 7 came to an anchor and at midnight had another Pampero but not so severe as the former.

Febry 6th Raining like fun: at 4.30 weighed and commenced steaming up the River again. In the forenoon it cleared away a little & the Sun came out. Very hot. At sunset mosquitoes came off as big as cockroaches: anchored in the middle of the River at 7.

February 7th Up anchor again at 4.30: morning fine, but a strong head breeze. For some time we only went 1-1/2 miles. In the afternoon saw a deer on the bank of the River. In the evening we had some difficulty in getting through a pass, but when we did, and came to an anchor, the mosquitoes came