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On board Bark Winthrop
Commanded by Captain Shephard Blanchard
October 10, 1853, Tuesday
In fulfilment of my promise to you my dear Aunt Rebecca I will keep a record of our “Life on the ocean wave, A home on the rolling deep.” And of our doings in the distant land whence we are bound.
After leaving you this morning we went to the old neighbourhood and took leave of our friends there. Then on to the Station. After taking a last look of faithful old Jenny, went to the waiting room, where we were joined by our much esteemed Dr Spaulding who came to see us off. It afforded me much pleasure, as by his good care and attention I have been carried safely through a long severe illness. Soon other friends arrived who accompanied us to Boston. Hattie and Walter met with us at South Acton. At last the whistle is heard and we are hurried to the cars.
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though filled with myriads of stars. It is delightful much do I enjoy a “Home on the rolling deep” even if it is rough. It is all so new, and strange. We have passed the Western Isles. We have traveled at a great speed the Captain says within the past three days.
26 Tuesday. A cold squally day, the ship pitching and rolling making it difficult to get about without holding to something. Have had ten showers, some of them very heavy, the sun shining between each. Last night had a severe gale. The vessel tumbled and strand as though she would go in pieces. We were in danger of losing the masts. On land one can form but little idea of the motion of a ship in a gale. The tossing and rolling a person gets while trying to lie in their berths. The Captains wife says while she does not like to complain she is tired of strong fair winds. Our passage thus far has been very rapid, and somewhat uncomfortable. Captain
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says he never has experienced such a run. Mr Jones calls it “Promiscous Weather”. Have not been well for a day or two.
27. Still another cold windy day. Some were laughing at the captain about losing his bearings and going to Greenland it is so cold in this region. Mrs Blanchard said it reminded her of a story told of two sailors who were trying which could tell the biggest yarn. One said “Once when they were sailing up the coast, it was so cold that when they attempted to speak the words froze upon their lips, and when in the spring it thawed such a gibbering gabbering was never heard” Have just been on deck, it is cold, the wind blowing hard, waves beating our little Bark. The view is fine but when in the cabin and we must stay there most of time, one gets tired being tossed about for so long a time. When we go on deck we are lashed to a settee which is fastened to the deck. We have rain every day. There has not been a clear sunset, and but one clear sunrise
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since we have been at sea.
28 Thursday. Passed a large school of porposies this morning. Have seen two sails. Was in a gale last night. It is pleasant today. I have not told you how we live and will try to give you a little idea. The cabin is sitting, and dining room combined. Has a long table fastened to the floor, is neatly furnished and has berths on two sides. On one side is a sofa and door which opens into the Captain's room. Off from the cabin is a bathroom. At seven bells we have breakfast, tea, coffee, hash, ham different kinds of fish beef potatoes, mush, buckwheat cakes, and hot biscuit. This morning had toast. At one bell attend prayers, In reading scripture all take part, then singing and prayer. After when pleasant go on deck walk, read sing, or sit and watch the water, and fishes as they leap from the water in sport. When tired go down read sew or amuse ourselves with games. Again at one bell we go to dinner which consists
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of soup meat chicken Irish and sweet potato vegetables corned beef, dessert pie or pudding, had baked apple dumpling today. After dinner take a nap read write or go on deck. At three bells supper, which consists of tea bread and butter cheese sauce gingerbread dried and salt beef tongue hash seause. After supper go on deck spend the evening in a social manner. At seven bells attend prayers and soon all retire to berths for we all get tired with the rough weather. This is the usual routine, varied with slides over the cabin floor. At the sides of the table are settees in which we pass then the Captain ties us in and he is often complimented as being a good shepherd keeping his flock. His name is Shephard. The captain and his wife are most amiable persons, live Christians striving every way to make our voyage pleasant and ourselves happy. They are lively and have a store of anecdotes and stories to relate of sea life. Mother is sea