Herbert Mackarsie journal

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anchored off the port of Parana. In the forenoon a Brazilian Officer from a Steamer came on board. Most of the Officers went ashore to a ball in the evening. Had to look at our Mess Books, and found we were above £90 in debt. the evening cool and few mosquiotes.

March 6th. At anchor off Parana. Several of the Officers went away shooting, but returning with very few birds. In the afternoon Major _ and his lady came off to see the ship, and hear the Band play. In the evening the Officers went again ashore.

March 7th At 4 lighted fires, got steam up, and at 5.30 weighed and went down the river for Rosario. Passed several Schooners and sloops. At 3 PM we sighted Rosario, and at 3.30 anchored off the town, the Band playing much to the amusement of the people on the pier. No Saturday night.

Sunday March 8th Going down the River. At 10.15 the Admiral gave an order for Divisions but shortly before a Pampero came on, with any quantity of lighting, thunder and rain. There was no Church or Divisions. We did not anchor till half past nine, at the Mouth of the River.

March 9th. At 6 got under weigh for Buenos Ayres, passed several Merchant Craft and at 2 PM came to an anchor. Admiral & Suite went on shore. Got letters from L., M. , Mr. Machel and Fred.

March 10th Being anchored rather too close to a Yankee Merchant Ship, we were obliged to unmoor again, and pick up a new billet. Sent a note ashore to John Kirk, but on return of the boat, I was informed he went home as mad

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as a hatter from Delirium Tremens. Several of the Officers went on shore.

March 11th Sent boat for the Commander. In the forenoon Guy came off returning to dine with the Admiral at 6. I was very sick all night from eating fish, and woke very unwell in the morning.

March 12th Vomiting away like fun with an accompanyment of Diarrhoea, which I am very sorry to say is much on the increase among the Ship's Company. Old Ross and Guy still on shore. In the evening had a game at Catch the Ten, at which I had not played for many years; and after a glass of grog and a pipe turned in early.

March 13th At 7.45, the Cutter went ashore for the Commander; and at 9 we went to General Quarters, afterwards shifting jib boom and Sundry other evolutions. In the afternoon Commdr & some Officers went ashore. Every appearance of rain from the Barometer falling so rapidly.

March 14th At 2 am it rained heavily and a squall with some lightning & thunder passed over us. 7.45 Cutter went ashore for Commander on his coming off he sent for one on the Quarter relative to a note I had sent to him about our pantry and said I was mad, in which I differed. In the he and most of the Officers went on shore.

Sunday March 15th At Buenos Ayres. At 10 Christian came off & mustered by Open List

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going ashore directly afer. In the forenoon some gentleman came off to dine, but I did not meet them: they all went ashore at 5, so we had a very quiet evening.

March 15th Blowing hard all night, and a little sea got up, and in consequence we could not send the usual boats. In the afternoon it moderated and some Officers went on shore. The evening very cold. At 8 the Menaic Steamer arrived

March 17th A beautiful calm morning, sent a boat for the Commdr, who shortly returned with a new first gig in tow, purchased on shore by order of the Admiral. After Quarters exercised shifting and furling sails and sundry other evolutions. Heard that the Fever had reached Monte Video but from all I could learn, it was merely a surmise from fear. Yellow Jack never having been known there. In the afternoon Commdr and some Officers went on shore. Played 4 handed cribbage in the Gun Room, & turned in at 9.

March 18th Heavy rain, with lightning. At 8 it cleared up and we had a beautiful day, enlivened by the Band playing some very pretty airs. Sent boat for Commdr. In the afternoon it came on to blow, and the appearance of the sky was threatning, by 8 in the evening we had any quantity of rain and lightning.

March 19th A wet morning. No one on the list except an old Bandsman. In the evening every appearance of a blow, by 9 PM raining hard.

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March 20th Shortly after daylight observed HMS Wasp, coming in under sail. Clear List. Great preparations making for the 29th which will of course end in smoke. Captain Fellows & Lieut Boyer arrived with a party of Marines. In the afternoon it blew fresh no communicaiton with the shore. In the evening I had a severe attack of Diarrhoea and vomiting & passed a very restless night.

March 21st. A very cold morning but very fine old Ross and Higgs still on shore. Still very unusual, fortunately none sick. A little before dinner Ross came off. Mr Piddell a Master from the Wasp gave us a call, also Gordon one of the Suffs of the Harrier and a youngster. Blowing rather fresh, and an unpleasant motion in the ship from her occasionally touching. In the afternoon Lieut Buchell and a youngster came on board in the Flag Ships launch, carrying a brass twelve pounder, which we hoisted in board. We have now above 200 in the Ship and expect some more, where they are to be stowed, I can't fancy. In the evening had a quiet game at whist & after a pipe turned in.

Sunday March 22nd 1857 At Buenos Ayres Sent boat for Commdr who came off, but still no appearance of old Higgs. Only one on the List About 9 it began to blow a little fresh. 9.30 sent boat with dispatches for the Admiral. No appearance yet of the English Mail. A Mr Mackenzie came off to dinner. Went early to bed.

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March 23rd Every appearance of rain: exercised at great guns and small arms, preparatory to the grand display of Sunday next. All the Supernumaries fortunately on shore on leave which gave us a little quiet. In the evening had a quiet game at Whist in the Engineers Berth.

March 24th Great preparations going on ashore for Sunday next: 1000 Revolvers ordered by what they call the Red Party or Orkesas & Rosas (the Cut throat) Several of our Officers on leave but in the evening we had a quiet game at whist and after a pipe turned in early.

March 25th Woke as usual at Gun fire, & shortly afterwards heard the Quarter Master report a Steamer coming in which proved to be the Mail, and we immediately sent a boat for dispataches which returned bringing several boxes &c for different Officers; the Bag however went to the Admiral and we were of course kept some time without letters. However after a little delay & anxiety we at last got the bag, I, one from L - M Chard and a Derbyshire Paper. No news from the shore with the exception of a few more fellows being scuppered.

March 20th a very dull dark morning, so that altho' I heard Gun fire, I had a good nap afterwards not turning out till after seven bells so that by the time I was dressed, it was one bell when I always see the sick and went without any breakfast. As usual the blasted band commenced practice, making it

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almost impossible to write, or do anything else. In the afternoon an order came off for the Band to be sent to the Wasp, and in lieu of them we are to receive some quantity of Marines. Several men killed & wounded on shore. In the evening played at whist and turned in to bed after a quiet smoke.

March 27th At 7.30 Lieut Bushell came on board, on his way to the Wasp, to bring Captn Fellows and the Marines, and at eleven any quantity of Red Jackets came off, but only with a Sergeant in Command. Lots of firing on shore in the evening. Great pleasure in not being disturbed by the Bughlers, but very much annoyed about our Mess Regulations, which are getting worse every hour. In the evening we had whist in the Gun Room, and after a pipe turned in.

March 28th At 10 Christian came off. No news from the shore. Dr McEwan of the Wasp came on board. Shortly afterwards an order was sent from the Admiral for every thing to be in readiness for the coming crisis, a boat with an Officer, blue lights & rockets to remain off the pier all night, so as to communicate with our Admiral at the earliest opportunity. All the Officers who were on shore including Dr Martin who thought he might be wanted were all sent off, and Lieut Bushell was made Commg Officer.

In the evening we had whist and after a pipe turned in with the expectaton of being turned out every five minutes.

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Sunday March 29th 1857 Buenos Ayres. The Commander did not come off as usual, so Lieut Bushell inspected Divisions & lower deck but had no Divine Service. During the forenoon Captain Fellows came off and mustered the Marines. Two or three Officers went on leave to sunset, and by 9 PM all was dark & quiet.

March 30th Commdr came off with an order from the Admiral for me to go on board - the Wasp on a Survey on her Paymaster: blowing fresh and she laying at least 6 miles off in the Outer Roads. Captn Fellows again mustered the Marines. Felt rather funkish as the Commdr carried on so much in the whaler, that I really expected every minute to have a capsize It was after 12 before we got back, and after dinner felt very glad to lay down.

March 31st Turned out very unwell, and was sorry to find that Dr Martin was ashore as I could hardly stand upon my legs, however I managed to get through my work. Commdr came to sign Quarterly Bills.

Wednesday April 1st 1857 At Buenos Ayres During the night, a fire occurred in the City, but did little damage. At 7.30 a Steamer came in from Paraguay, and was boarded by us when great excitement took place among our Men of War, and signals very soon went up from the Admiral, to discharge Supernumaries to Harrier, including Captn Fellows, for a passage

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to Monte Video. Blowing hard with occasional showers of rain. Most of the Officers on shore on leave.

April 2nd Very cold, thermometer down to 60°. Sent boat for Commdr. Finished my Quarterly accounts and concluded (as close as possible) letters for Home. In the morning, while playing at cribbage, heard of a chance of sending letters home cheap, finished mine at once, & gave them to the Secretary's Clerk.

April 3rd Thermometer 56° and blowing fresh. An accident occured by a bucket falling on a man's head making a nasty gash in the scalp: it was sewn up, and will no doubt heal soon. A boat went for Commdr at 7.30. Came off at 10, but had not been long on board before a signal was made, and he had to return again. In the afternoon it came on to blow very fresh and was very cold. In the evening we had cards.

April 4th Still very cold, thermom. 54°. Sent the galley for the Admiral. Cleaned ship throughout. Commander came off in the forenoon, and went ashore again in the evening. Had a quiet game at whist, a pipe, Saturday night and turned in.

Sunday April 5th 1857. Buenos Ayres. A beautiful morning, but cold. Sent a boat for Commdr. At 10 mustered by open list, and performed Divine Service. Arrived during a Church time a small steamer apparently from up the River. All the Officers on board for once. An order from the Admiral came off about

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the New Uniform: unfortunately I have none, and not able or willing to get any, there being every probability of soon getting our relief from England, God grant it may be the case. Had another row with the Commdr about a patient of mine, altogether very uncomfortable. Deal received a note from Machell, saying he was a Gaucho and very comfortable & contented. In the afternoon a party of ladies and gentlemen came off to see the Engineers and vessel; they made a great noise, and I felt glad to get into my cabin, and keep closed doors, and actually went to sleep under the influence of their sweet music as one of them had a tongue, with which she made more noise than the Clapper of a bell. I was glad to hear them go away.

April 6th. Beautiful weather, tho' cold. Boat went as usual for Commdr who did not however come off. In the afternoon a message came on board saying the Admiral was coming to inspect ship, in all probablility for the last time. In the evening being very cold, I turned in early but they made, a horrid noise in the Gun Room, playing at whist.

April 7th 1857 Wedding Day At Buenos Ayres. At 9 Commander came off, and everything was got in readiness for the reception of the Admiral and Suite in his fast inspection. At a few minutes after 10 came off in the Galley and a very strict inspection of the decks, holds, bilges, engine room Ship's Stewards, Store room - after mustering

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the Ships Company and inspecting the Sick, went to General Quarters. Sent for to an American Ship, in consequence of a man having fallen from her maintopsail yard: he afterwards overhauled the Ships Books, Warrant Officer's accounts and had a look at my Sick Book, with which he appeared satisfied, perhaps from not knowing the Latin names. After having lunch below with the Commdr and Suite, he ordered the hands to be turned up, and addressed the Ship's Company saying he was very highly pleased with their efficiency in seamanship and gunnery: afterwards complimented Christians for the discipline under which the ship, and after speaking to each Officer he left for the shore, it of course being the last inspection on board here. In the evening Commdr and some of the officers went on shore. Turned in very early.

April 8th. A fine mild morning with an occasional shower of rian. A few cases of Diarrhoea occurring, but none of a serious type. In the afternoon had an invitation from the Admiral to dinner but having suffered for some time from a Chronic affection of the ancles. I was obliged to send an apology and was glad to get to bed.

April 9th Kept my bed all day after seeing the Sick in the morning, suffering severely from the pain in my legs.

Friday, April 10th Good Friday, Buenos Ayres