William Strapps Diary Part 1

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about 3 o'clock by the cry of "Fire, Fire". There was a general stampede for the decks some with nothing but shirts on [but shirts] some with one stocking some with trousers & others the more composed dressed comfortably and took things more easy. On awakening I slid into my stocking pulled on my trousers and lay in my bunk waiting the course of event s for it was no use going on deck as I shou ld only gget into the sailors way and hinder their efforts to put the fire out. It appears than someone in the third class cabin left a candle burning and after having burnt itself down the tallow ran about and the wood caught fire but I have no doubt, but that either he or she has repented of carelessness for a good soaking is not at all desirab le just now as it blows rather cold

Last edit over 4 years ago by Helens
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Some young fellows made a rush for the deck and were bound to be in the boats chance who else got in but I suppose in a general rush like this we are apt to forget the women and children and if you think we all naturally look after numb er one. Queer sensations crept over me at first. This is the time to try human being s when death is likely to stare them in the face. Happy are [are] they that are prepared to go but the jocular way which an old gentleman in the bunk opposite to mine treat it. He said "Now How lads dont get into such a stew we may as well go to the bottom quietly as make a noise about it. It made one feel more resigned so much as I never turned out of my bunk nor do I think Joe did for although our numbers are 125 &126 Joes is round the corner of where mine is

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situated. A feeling of sublime peace crept over me and I felt ready for the worst. But our anxieties were quited very shortl y by the stewards & officers crying out "Its Alright! It was not much of a fire after all but it might have been if allowed headway. One young fellow a passenger got his eyebrows & whiskers singed off dur ing his efforts to quench the flame. Those who were in the greatest hurry to be sav ed had to pay for it in the shape of cut & bruised feet on pieces of glass etc clothes saturated with water. 2 o'clock p.m. We are going up and down in fine style and its good to tell we are "in the Bay of Biscay O". I feel ten degrees better now but whether its going to be permanent. The seagulls following in our wake will perhaps object to such being the case. I wondered on coming down the channel

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why the sea was called the deep blue sea as it was of a dark green colour but to day I notice for the first time it is a deep blue. Our ship still rolls considerably but for my ow part I do not mind it much.

Sunday January [?] 1880 292 miles 42 degrees 47" North Latitude 11 degrees 57" West Longitude. Calmer this morning sun shining brightly. A vessel was sighted about 10.0 a.m. The church bell tolled at 10.30. All the men on board parade aft every Sunday morning in their Sunday clothes and pretty sight they make. There was a clergyman on board a minister of the Church of England bound for Sydney named C. [Pym?] who conducted the serv ices which was held in the first saloon. He took for his text as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so

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shall the Son of Man be lifted up and spoke thereon. Service again at 1/2 past sev en and spoke for a few minutes on the subject of "Brethren" and that as we were to be together a long period we ought to live together as such. The first saloon is fitted up very nicely. It is panelled and large paintings of glass adorn the sides. These reach the whole length of the cabin. Tables are fixed by means of screws to the deck in the centre of the cabin and extend nearly from top to bottom & suspended over them large racks & stands or rather swings full of decanters and glass in them faced with silver. The chairs all along the tables are fixed to the floor with a screw and can be turned in any direction. Look very neat and are well lined with red velvet. The floors are carpeted. Very comfortable lodging altogether but they

Last edit over 4 years ago by Helens
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