14

Tues Jany 6th 1880

301 miles 33o 58" Lat N 17o Long W Lovely day shining sun & motion very slight
Sighted a brig off the port side in full sail but could not make her out. All the
ladies appear to have turned up to day as there are great many more on deck than
usual The will not be many more nicer day than this as it will get hotter as we go along so they are very wise. We sighted Maderia (an island of the N.W. coast of Africa) just after dinner at least the sailors did for upon my life I could see nothing No! not with the glasses so much more the naked eye After gazing a while I discerned the land it looked like a cloud in the far distance but an old tar assured me it was land About 3"30 we sighed a large Barque in full sail, another hour and the land appeared quite plain jutting out into the sea About 5 pm we