14

10

evening I went on board the Star, had tea and returned at 7.30
with her Master: found all my messmates had gone to the theatre.
After smoking sundry pipes Akaster went on board -

May 21st After breakfast sent cutter on shore for bread - Star
refitting: sailed a Brazy Steamer. Made out descriptions of Machell
offering a reward of £23. At 1 Captain Seward of the Star
came on board : every appearance of a Pampers - The Menai
left for Buenos Ayres: in the evening heavy rain - Three of the
Stars came on board and played at Vingturo-

May 22nd Raining all night. At 8 it cleared up. Purser
came on board. At 11 Commander came off in a very bad temper.
Received an order from Captn Seward to dress ship on Thursday,
being the anniversity of Her Majesty's Birthday - Wind very cold
with a heavy swell from the SE. 12.30 sent pinnace on shore for
Bread. In afternoon blowing very hard, all communication
with shore gone - I gave her more cable

May 23rd Still blowing fresh, shortned in chain, loosed
sails to dry, prepared for going to sea - orders from
Captn Seward to muster on Thursday in Cocked hats &c
In the evening went on board the Star returning at 10
Other officers came off about twelve.

May 24th At 7 commenced to dress ship in commemoration
of the anniversary of Her Majesty's Birthday & hoisted the flags
and Ensigns, all the Foreign Men of War doing the same -
At noon the French Commander firing a salute the Americans, Spanish
and Brazilian following. Letter bag closed sent one (large) to Lizzy and
one to S.MB. In the afternoon went on shore to settle Mess Bills -
At 8 Two of the Stars came on board. -

May 25th At daylight have short. at 7 weighed and made sail: the coldest
morning we have yet had: set Stirsails - At 9 shortened sail, and
braced up - Went to General Quarters. Passed a large Trench