Herbert Mackarsie journal

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whole - number only 2 galleys kept ahead of us, we being the 3rd boat: after they returned to their respective ships the signal was to man and arm boats, fortunately I was too unwell to go away for it was frightfully hot, I saw the Dv of Trident was sent in charge - In the forenoon a subscription was made of the Officers and men to purchase instruments for making a small band, a very capital and useful arrangement - Received orders to be ready for going to sea on Thursday - In the afternoon Mr. Booth went ashore with the Musicians, having railed very nearly £12 - In the evening the Music was tried, but being the first attempt they did not symphonize - A most sultry unpleasant evening.

July 25th - At 4.30 I was awoke by a pampero which came on very suddenly and while it lasted blew very hard. At 8 it moderated and we had rain. At 9 a signal from Admiral to prepare for sea and be ready for sailing by 1 PM. At 6 a signal for the Commander, on his return learnt we are going direct to Pernumbueo. Guns firing from the Fort and the Constitution on account of the escape of a prisoner. In the afternoon there was a signal from the Fort of a Vessel being in distress outside, where there was a heavy swell in consequence of the blow this morning : a Brazilian Screw Steamer was sent out, with boats from the English and French frigates. At 2 commenced bending sails - An order from the Admiral to require a Mate - Bought some more instruments for our band. Steamer returning having in tow a disabled brigantine. French Admiral gave a dinner -

July 20th Daylight commenced to unmoor and prepare for sea : at 9 Mr. Senner (Mate) joind from the Madagascar. 10 Minute guns firing from both Harts and Constitution, boats sent away from each Flag Ship 11 A signal to get steam up as soon as

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possible - Commdr went on board Flag ship 12.30 Steam up weighed and steamed out of the harbor. At 5 set fires go out and made sail. In the evening very fine.

July 27th Light winds Cape Frio astern of us (I wished for ever) and just visible - Made all possible sail, passed several vessels going to Rio - our new Messmate took the [?] catership.

July 28th A fine fresh breeze from SE running with topsail studdy sails. In the afternoon it freshened and after quarters we had to reef: going ten knots.

July 29th Sunday, At Sea. Strong breezes with occasional heavy squalls all day - Noon passed a brig standing to the Nward. At 3 Commdr dined with - At 7 went to bed.

July 30th Woke with a frightful headache, which was quickly followed by rigors, and as soon as I had seen my sick, took a large dose of Antimony and Arsenic and rum and turned in again During the day there were heavy squalls with rain.

July 31st The same sort of weather : after Quarters exercised at gun drill : felt considerably better : made and shortned sail as requisite to heavy squalls : passed a Brazilian brig : in the evening.

Wednesday, August 1st 1855 At Sea. Beautiful nite & morning with a fresh breeze - After quarters exercised at gun drill - In the afternoon saw a great many flying fish, got a dolphin line rigged - After quarters exercised at shifting jib boom, found our new one would not fit - At 6 our band came up and played some tunes very well, considering the short time, it had been in practice, and during the interlude we had songs - Made arrangements with the Commdr about forming a Whist Party. Chess, Backgammon and Cards in the evening, and all turned in by ten o'clock.

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August 2nd - In the middle watch the breeze fell light, but again freshened as the sun got higher, and by 8 we had a fine fresh breeze tho' rather too much to the Eastward - Saw large shoals or flocks of flying fish. In the evening squally with heavy showers of rain.

August 3rd Blowing fresh, with a nasty lump of a Sea running. At 8 shortned sail - 9 Exercised at General Quarter. In the evening passed a ship standing to the Southward At 10 made sail and kept away three points.

August 4th At daylight, squared the yards and set starboard stinsails. At 9 Saw the land of Pernambuco distant about 25 miles; employed cleaning ship throughout. At 11 fired a gun and hoisted a Pilot jack. 11.30 Shortned sail and fired another gun. Noon home to. At 1 Pilot came on board and took us close in to the bar, over which we could not go being low water, so we anchored and furled sails - At 2 Commdr went on shore to wait on the Consul, the Purser to find out the price of Provisions: in the afternoon a Brazilian Officer came on board: got the screw down and prepared for steaming inside tomorrow. Pilot went ashore for the night. In the evening it blew hard with showers of rain - At 8 it cleared up when the band played several times.

Sunday August 5th At Pernambuco. 7 sent gig for the Commdr & Pilot came on board weighed, but the tide not answering we stood out to sea : heard from the Commdr of our terrible loss at Sebastopol, by which 8000 men were sacrificed. At 11 up helm and ran in for the Recipe, which is an anchorage inside of a long natural reef extending to the Sward nearly as far as Bahia where we moored - English Consul came on board, remaining about an hour, when Christian and he went ashore together. Arrived a large French Ship - After dinner

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several of the Officers went ashore : I amused by reading the Papers the Consul brought off and in preparing letters for Land M, writing also one to the Admiral, the Purser not being on board. Evening very cool and beautiful, went early to bed.

August 6th Morning showery, a most beautiful rainbow held a survey on 80 lbs of Fresh Beef received yesterday, condemned it and threw it overboard. 9 March to Quarters after which we began to refit, and gave one watch leave to go ashore; the boat had been sent for the Commdr and the liberty Mech had nearly got on shore, where they met and the 1st gig ordering the men to return, and bringing a message on board for us to light fires at once, and get ready as soon as possible, to proceed to the Northward, where a French Barque with Passengers, was on shore : shortly afterwards the Commdr & French Consul came on board when we unmoored : the Packet left for Rio and a Brazilian Barque and English Brig went out : after some trouble owing to a foul hawse, and narrowly escaping getting on board of two vessels, we steamed out, and when outside the Pilot left us; it was one of the hottest days we had felt for a long time: at 2 we observed the French barque on shore, heeling over on her starboard side : by 3.30 we were abreast of her and stopped the Engines about a mile to windward of her in 7 ftms when the Consul and Commdr went away in the whaler to communicate with her. After getting on board he made a signal for us to anchor, which we did and soon afterwards another signal was made for me to go on board immediately : while they were hoisting the pinnace out we saw the Commdr coming on board, so I waited for him, he brought in his boat one of the French Sailors who had nearly bled to death from a cut in the foot. Having learnt from the Captain of the French Barque that his cargo was a valuable one, and that the Brazilians in the neighborhood had commenced to plunder, we, sent

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an Officer and party of Marines & Blue Jackets armed to protect the property.

August 7th After breakfast relieved the Guard and sent a party of men to assist in stripping her; At 10 the Consul & Commdr went on board. In the afternoon the Commdr returned and from him I learnt there was much confusion, quarrelling & drunkeness on board : at one time seeing a Brazilian walking away with two bottles of champagne, he stopped him when the man drew a knife, but was soon secured and disarmed: the Consul had gone up to Pernambuco for a stronger Guard, for the Natives knowing we had an armed party on board, and that the wreck was within range of our Pivot guns, had not again attempted to plunder on board, but had attacked the store house in which they were depositing the articles saved : one man had received a sever bayonet wound - At 5 the night Guard was sent on board in charge of the Gunner, with written orders about signals if he wanted assistance : I had gone to bed when I heard the Officer of the watch report the firing of a rocket. I at once dressed expecting to be sent away with an armed party: a gun was fired and blue light burnt to show we had seen the rocket, and the Commdr went away with an armed party, but very soon returned : no rocket had been fired from the wreck, neither had any been seen from shore by the Sentries, so it must have been a mistake of our Quarter Master : there were several meteors and he must have been deceived by one of them - A very nice little punt was given to the Commdr which was hoisted on board. My patient doing very well - Turned in again -

August 8th Sent boat to relieve Guard: at 9 boat returned with a present of a cask of ale and case of cognac which Christian caused to be thrown overboard; there were also several Gallons of Linseed Oil Turpentine, Copal Varnish, Yellow & Black Paint

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and a small cask of Santorne which was also thrown away. At 11 a Signal was made for a boat, and on her return she brought five French Sailors who had refused to do any more work, they were at once sent aft and put under the Sentry's Charge : my patient being much better expressed a wish to return to his own ship, but it was not allowed by the Commdr at the request of the French Consul, before he left. It appears her cargo is valued to £10,000, rich jewellery, pianoes, scents, soaps and many other valuable articles. At dusk sent an armed party again - arrived a Brazilian Man of War

August 9th At 8 the 2nd gig came on board bringing the French Captain who wished to communicate with our Commander : we bought a barrel of butter weighing 56 lbs for18/. At 8.30 got steam up and shortned in cable - 9 weighed and steamed for Pernambuco, leaving the protection of the wreck to the Brazilian Ketch. At 1 Pilot came on board, but the tide not being sufficiently high we had to remain till 2.30 when we went in and moored in our old position. Passed a large French Ship in Quarantine from Bahia where we were told the Fever was very prevalent and fatal, so our Commdr resolved at once not to go into harbor, which I was very glad of. Christian and Purser went ashore

August 10th Very hot, employed setting up rigging and staying masts. In the forenoon the English and American Consuls came on board. Gave the Ship's Company's leave - Went ashore in the evening and saw several of our men very drunk, took a long walk into the country and got on board again by 9 without being able to get the few things I wanted for Dr Woodcock.

August 11th At 9 the Commdr came on board. Gave leave to part of the Crew. In the afternoon as small Schooner from New Zealand sailed for England - Received an invitiation from the

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French Consul to dinner tomorrow - Brazilian Man of War Brig went to Sea; employed cleaning ship throughout - At 5 I went ashore with Simon and in the first house we entered we were told our liberty men had been fighting and several of them had been taken to prison; we at once walked to the prison and there saw one man: after returning about 8 PM Pridham had come ashore about them, gone to the English Consuls and got all released but three, who were said to have been ringleaders. We got on board a little after nine and found that 15 men had stopped on shore beyond their leave, and many who had come off were very drunk made it Saturday night and turned in.

Sunday August 12th At Pernambuco. Early in the morning a party was formed to ride out to some Falls 20 miles distant: of course I was not one of them, though very strongly pressed, by the Gentlemen who came off to breakfast. As many of our men were ashore and most of them on board half drunk we did not as usual go to Divisions - At 3 some gentleman came to dinner, and left almost immediately after for a ride in the country. 5 Went ashore, had a long walk by myself, but on my return could not get a boat, consequently got a bed at a friend's Mrs Chapman - Bahia mail came in (Quarantine).

August 13th Before 6 I was up and dressed, and on going donw to the beach I found three of our men very drunk, got them into the boat, and took them on board. At 1 the Commdr came off bringing with him two men out of four who had been Prisoners. At 3 lighted the fires and unmoored ship, preparatory to going to sea. At 4 Commander came off with a Pilot and the other two men from prison, weighed and steamed out of the Reef. At 4.30 Pilot left, let the fires go out and made sail to the Northward, set stinsails. All hands very shaky from the effects of the shore.

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August 14th At Sea - A light air from the Sward; running to the Nward with stinsails : a large sick list from the effect of the shore, but all trifling cases. At 3 hoisted signal for a Pilot, who very soon came off and took us into the entrace of the Parahibco where we anchored : at 6 a Brazilian Steamer came in and was put into Quarantine, having come from Bahia.

August 15th Frightfully hot, without a breath of wind. At 9.30 an English Barque came down the river, and a large ship was beating up for the River : at 2 the Health Officer came off and gave us Pratique : 3 weighed and steamed up to the Town where we moored, and banked fires up. Commdr went ashore to the Consul's - any quantity of Sand flies -

August 16th A very hot morning, got up with a headache from passing a restless night, being kept awake by a large bat and the flies - English Consul and Surgeon came on board - 4 PM went ashore, dined with the Consul in the evening passed an hour with the Doctor -returning to the Consuls about 8, where cards were produced and 20$ were very soon passed away at Marshall Key - after smoking several pipes and drinking sundry glasses of wine the Commdr and self got on board about midnight.

August 17th At 6.30 sent a boat for the President who came in full fig, accompanied by the Consul and several other gentlemen : had a Champagne breakfast with the Commdr Unmoored and steamed down the River: stopped opposite the Fort where the Party and Pilot were landed : let the fires burn out, and made sail to the Sward with a strong breeze from the SE. Shortyed and made sail as requisite.

August 18th Woke in the morning with a bad headache, kept

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my bed all day living on their arrowroot - Got up at 7 had my cabin put to rights and again turned in with a Saturday night of Calomel and Opium.

Sunday August 19th Off Pernambuco. At daylight there was a strong breeze and we made sail for Pernambuco where we arrived between 9 and ten, and found a very large ship from Australia with passengers : at 10 came to anchor in the Outer Roads, and furled sails. At 1 Consul & Purser went ashore. In the afternoon a boat from the Australian ship passed us full of passengers : fancied I saw an old mess mate among them.

Monday 20th At 6.30 a Steamer was reported coming in from the SW of course it was just down as the Packet Post soon afterwards she turned to be a Brazilian and at 9 she anchored close in shore of us : sent a boat ashore for Commdr. At 1 A large Clipper Ship, the Eclipse passed from Australia At 3 Saw the smoke of a Steamer South, soon made her out to be the Severn with the Mail : She anchored close to us, and seeing her send a boat towards the shore, we at once sent for our mail : seeing the Health boat stop the other from landing our boat lay on her oars, and soon afterwards the Yellow Flag went up at the fore : there was some uncessary delay about the letters and it was after nine before we got them - Received very bad news both from L and M answered them as well as I could the same night.

August 21st At 9 a large vessel passed under American colors - Commdr came on board in the forenoon : at 2 sent our gig to the Consul's to take the English mail on board the Packet: 3.30 Severn sailed for England.

August 22nd arrived a fine large Portuguese Steamer, bound home, and two English vessels from Australia - Employed Paid the salvage money for the French Wreck to Ships Company

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getting ready for Sea : a heavy swell setting in from the SEward, dispensary all afloat: 9 sent a boat for Commdr At noon a large French Ship went out : heard from the Commdr a strange account of the appearance of some retained people from the Gold Diggings an old rusty man and his wife apparently paupers going home with £25,000 - Sighted fires and got steam up, weighed and went out of the roadstead: French Barque went out under all sail : at 5 let the fires go out and made sail steering to the Northward.

August 23rd Running to the Nward with Stinsails let : exercise the watch at Gun drill. At 2 we were abreast of Rio Grande do Norte, when we tacked and stood to the Sward : in the evening played at Whist in the cabin-

August 24th At 7 passed a large ship running to the Eward 9 excercise at General Quarters - A large sick list but all trifling cases - After evening Quarters exercised shifting fare topsail on hoisting the sail carried away foretopsail yard sent the yard down and an other up - In the evening played Whist in the cabin - 10 a strong breeze, tacked and stood off the land -

August 25th Strong breeze from the Sward with a nasty cross chop of a sea - Cleaned ship throughout: In the afternoon saw two vessels running to the Nward

Sunday August 20th At Sea. A strong breeze and unpleasant jump of a sea- 3 Commdr dined with us. Went to bed very early -

August 27th The same sort of weather, my sick list decreasing. In the afternoon the breeze freshened, when we took in a reef of foretopsail - Passed a sail running to the W.

August 28th Very squally, with occasional showers of rain and a nasty sea running, passed a Brigantine and a