William B. Hadden diary, 1865.

of the waters pressing the smaller fishes, generly the flying tribe, Many of our Men never saw any of eather species + had some very comical remarks regarding them, there was also many whales of all species to be seen making the water fly up above them like water spout, there was to be seen near where thy were lots of them [greyie?] blubber floating upon the sea, in great [?].

For the first two days we sailed very fast + passed severall small boats passing from [[Bombay]] to [[Kurrachee]]. Nothing strange took place until the the morning of the 9th when a man [[Angus Kermadie]] of the 93rd jumped overboad and was never seen again, he was for sometime previous insane + athe Sentence was over him he passed the sentrie + got upon the pup at about 3 1/2 Am. I [?] overboard + atho the ship was stoped + a boat lowered he was never seen any more, + today the Sentry is being tried for Neglect of Duty, poor old [?] here serving [illegible?] for upwards of 21 years.

today is the 10th Day on board of Ship for us + we are now lying becalmed below the line, + under a fearful hote Sun + Darn horrably tormented with the prickly heate, 14th Today we have a brisk breeze and gliding along at the rate of 8, or 9 nots per hour. we have passed the line last night and we are well off every way with the exceptions of being to much crowded, our rations are very good, and are as follows, Te or coffie for brakefast, + Bisket, 3/4 lbs. [pounds] of Salt Beff with 4 ozs [ounces] of flower made into duff, one day for denner, we have 3/4th of salt purk with a pint of peas sup, next day for denner we have 3/4th of preserved beff with 8 ozs [ounces] of Rice, + Tea or Coffee for supper every night. we also after denner get a pint of Beer or a dram of Rum, and a dram of Limejuce, it [illegible?] we have some very good sport trying to harpoon the dulphans + the Purposes daily play round our ship. + we are very much amused with the flying fish as they rise [illegible?]

waters and fly away from their destructive persuers; we have a grait many many amusing games on board of ship, such as cardes, dyce, Chace, Backgambing, pusilbroads, Reding all sorts of books +c +c, yet all these wont Keep us from wearing very much to arive at the Land who lie far in our front, the Land of our Nativity. The Lands where loving hearts dwell and longs for our apperence,

==Verses Composed on Board of Ship On her going from [[India]] to [[England]]==

While my sprightly Bark is ploughing The wild Osian deep and wide Eve, and morning, s skies I'm viewing As the lovely [Drake?] I glide

[[India]] with your glossy splendour I most leave you far behind And thy hearts thats true and tender My relations for to find

Shortly I'll have to assemble With the Gentle and the fare All that yet, would not resemble Pleasures I've spent with you there

Who can tell, the Changes times made Both in person, and in mind Love and beauty no doubt has flade Since I left them afar behind

Yet I'll view yon Flowerie Vallies And Patrialls close bedside the sea Where I've [illegible?] the tender Lillies Or work who then delighted Me

[[India]] with you groves + vinyards Once so dearly loved by me You shall alwies have my regards Yet for eay farewell to thee

S. W. B. Hadden

15th The day being very calm I with many more lay down to upon the [Dayke?] to have a chatt about some of our previous transactions. And after talking we fell into a sort of slumber, I saw through my Sleep a lovely femile coming riding upon the tope of the white waves, in front of a fearful gall, which was rapidly aproaching our [gang?] Bark. She had a mile upon her lips, + playing with her locks, who was in yallow as the Marygoulls, + hung in ringlates over her neck + bare shoulders down to her west, she came close to the side of the ship and looked pleasently upon the crowd who was making all preporations for the storm, yet now could [desaress?] her but the mass who saw + heard her transparently through his sleep, she called to me why do you Sleep you man, dount you fear Neptune, in his anger, I replied, No, Neptune never give me any reason to fear him + I have traspassed his watrie regons very oft. I admire your faith, she said, + with a smile said do you admire his daughter Miss Neptune. I do was my replie, but alase your Sex has cost me many a bitter pang of disapointement, she replied, your sorrows shall be few, + your dangers also

[illegible?] and I shall gide your Bark through every storm that may come against you, I Know your mind and all that has ever happned to you [illegible?] life you have noted manfully, although at times might have done better, but he who never erred in his life, let him percecute you, in the midst of this sweet conversation, the Boston whistle roused me I flew to the [illegible?] + looked over to see what my fancy led me to think was to be seen in reallity, but as I gained my usual senses, she disappeared in the cloud [illegible?] hung over our ship and powered wind + rain upon us to an afful degree, yet our little Bark bent her tope masts + lay over one sid and darted through the foming wave at the speed of 14 [illegible?] I score, this only lasted for an hour or so. + on the 16th we saw severale gailes passing past both behind + before, but none touched our ship, + one would actaly immagin that Miss Neptune who I saw in my sleep had directed every blast past [illegible?] us, these squalls goes along with the wind, in a cloude who only extends about a mile + all the remainder of the sea is still, but many time when a ship is [illegible?] one of these squalls