James Adam diary: 1857-1863 (Ms. Codex 1948) (Travel Diaries and Journals)

James Adam diary: 1857-1863 (Ms. Codex 1948)

Diary comprising two volumes spanning the years from 1857 to 1863 written by James Adam. Volume 1 contains Adam's descriptions his journey from Scotland to India as a medical officer. On August 15, 1857 Adam departed from London on a steamer ship the Candia. He wrote of his sea voyage including officers he traveled with, the weather, landscapes, missing his family, sea sickness, and miles traveled. He arrived at Kalkota on November 5, 1857. Adam worked at a hospital and witnessed a portion of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. In February 1858 Adam was deployed to the ship Belgravia to take charge of the wounded and sick at the South African Cape. He traveled with his servant Harold. Once anchored at Table Bay Adam described the native people, seeing Dr. Livingstone. Adam noted he had a muster of forty natives whom he reluctantly treated for skin diseases. There is a copy of a letter to his parents and pencil drawings of the Cape of Good Hope. On the journey back to Calcutta there was an incident with the captain regarding ailing horses. In June 1858 Adam mentioned seeing cholera cases, reading Waston and works on homeopathy. Adam also worked off of the H.M.S. Proserpine. In March 1859 Adam began his voyage back to England on the Ivanhoe he mentioned playing chess and catching fish. Reading volume 1 from back to front are poems and songs. One of the poems was "written on board the Candia". Tables of daily latitude and longitude for the voyages to India and England are in the volume. Some accounting of receipts and expenditures is in the volume. Adam arrived back in Edinburgh on August 5, 1859. Volume 2 commences in 1861. In sporadic entries Adam described his arrival and work at Bethnal House Asylum with Dr. Ritchie. and Dr. Miller. In August 1863 Adam wrote of his trip to Scotland and attending a wedding in Portobello. He mentioned seeing family members in Edinburgh. Reading volume 2 from back to front is a clipping of an epitaph for Lord Clyde pasted over writing in pencil. Adam wrote an autopsy of a young woman named Ann Jones aged 23. A majority of volume 2 is blank. Inscribed on the first leaf of volume 1: J. F. Adam journal, commenced August 13, 1857 on leaving home for the first time to sail for India. Inscribed on the last leaf of volume 1: James F. Adam, Surgeon, H.M.S. Proserpine. Volume 2 is inscribed: Private, Jame Adam M.D., January 20, 1861. https://franklin.library.upenn.edu/catalog/FRANKLIN_9977359130603681

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Dec 1 to 6th Gen Wyndham attacked by rebels at Cawnpore. [down into scored through] he retreated into entrenchments. tents of 4 regiments burned down by the sepoys. Releived by Sir Colin Campbell coming up to his assistance. Mail arrived from England per St [Steamer] Nubia, evening of Dec 5th. Commenced to write a letter home Sunday 6th have not as yet got any letters by this mail. Dec 6th to Jany. 19th. Still at Bany. Continued to dislike it. at last made up my mind to enter the companys service. got appointed to the "Proserpine". 12 guns Brig the Man of War for the Indian Coast. Joined her on the 19th. Saw Mr Bockeet Chf Officer on board. during the latter weeks I have received letters from home from Fred. & B, All well. Feby 12th. Received orders to join the transport Belgravia to take charge of sick & wounded to the Cape of Good Hope.

Last edit almost 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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13th. Received an order to attend a Commitee of inspection of the Belgravia & also at the Commisariat on provisions of medical comforts for the use of troops on board

14th. Feby. Joined the 'Belgravia" Took leave of Capt. Goodwin Mr Johnston Dibbs. Left note to Hornby to Barry to settle his mess bill orders with Barry to draw my pay fully to remit 50 Cos.Rs. home monthly got my traps on board at 2 oclock left Kedgeree Calcutta Anchored at o clock. at Wrote a letter home.

15th Weighed Anchor at Anchored at at OClock

16th Weighed anchor at Oclock

17th Weighed Anchor at Anchored at a man fell overboard & was drifting [slowly struck through] swiftly past the ship when a rope was

Last edit almost 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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dropped from the quarter of the ship & the native succeeded in taking hold of it. 6 seconds longer & he would have been lost. This forenoon made visits round the sick men found most of them improving. 2 men however still remain in a precarious state.

19th Left Kedgeree in tow of the Sydney past Saugor island between 12 & 1 oclock. lost sight of land at 2. OClock. Pilot went left at 4 oclock. I sent letters for home stating that I was of to the Cape & that Barry was to draw my pay & remit Cos. Rs. 50 monthly. Wrote to Fred Bessie & Kate I. This Afternoon boy fell overboard from boat. [illegible?] and bravely lines dropped for him but he struck out from the ship Lascars would scarely help to save him but on being Shouted to from our ship they reached him an oar As soon as he got into the boat he

Last edit about 1 year ago by Dendendaloom

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pitched into the rescue. They took the pilot in & were off. 20th to 23rd Sydney. Left us. nearly on the Latitude of Galle at 6 oclock in the evening.

23 to 25th nearly becalmed since the Sydney left us. 23rd had a bath on deck this morning.

25th saw a shark alongside got out hook baited with pork but did not succeed in catching him. Patients all imp roving in health but grumbling about their rations. Examined Salt beef & found although it looked bad outside that it was very good inside, & that it had been boiled too much. Boat went out this afternoon to Straiten out rope. weather awfully hot. the iron about the Ship can scarcely lay hands on lying nearly becalmed the Sails flapping lazily about tonight a breeze seemed to be

Last edit about 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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springing up, the last two nights have been squally with rain. Reading Hooper's Vade Mecum & I am: Harald, My. servant. not having got on board the ship just sailed as he was Coming alongside in a dingy with my clothes from the Dhobie & Cap, on the day we left Calcutta. Have got a Soldier named Hicks as a servant. Passed the evening reading letters from Home. Friday 26th till Wednesday 3rd. Mch. During this period the weather has been excessively hot, till the 1st of March the calm continued during which the heat was excessive. Lieut. Robinson R.A has been laid up with fever but is recovering. A good many of the soldiers have also been laid up with fever. We crossed the line yesterday & a light but favourable breeze is carrying us on slowly. the

Last edit about 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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