Travel Diaries and Journals

Ascention

Wednesday June 8th. 1859.

Sighted Ascention yesterday afternoon came up within 7 miles about six oclock but did not venture into harbour the Capt. not having been in before did not care to venture. the island from the So.E. presented a series of irregular cones ending in low points at each extr. it appeared perfectly sterile & barren not a blade of grass visible it being volcanic in origin. We went tack & tack of[f] the island all night the rocks had a steep declivity down to the waters edge. this mg. at daylight we went round the island under easy sail. the Capt. Peterson Payne & I watching the different points of land as things opened. we kept about 2 miles off. saw a tent & wooden house at a place where turtle is caught be tween seven & eight I saw the masts

Ascention

of a vessel in the harbour & about 8 let down our Anchor. 3 or 4 merchant vessels. the H.M. "Tortoise" & Sharpshooter Gunboat were in Atr. the 3rd. Lt. & Doctor of the Tortoise came on bd. in the Quarantine boat Capt. Peterson & I went on bd. "Tortoise" after breakfast. Got trocham v [?] from Dr. Mason for Peterson. landing could not be effected at the pier head in the mg. for ship & we intended to try a landing at Comfort Cove but while we were on bd. the Man of War the prevention flags were hauled down & the Man of War's boat shewed us the way in. the surf broke heavily on the rocks. we managed to land but nearly had our boat swamped & stove by the the violence of the surf Capt. Peterson & I went to the Govrs. office with 1st. Lt. Tortoise

on bd. "Ivanhoe"

Danish barque & another [Written above: barque]. all bound southward all had different winds within 5 miles. very rainy a NE squall nearby took us aback at dinner time 5 PM. Almost no wind again. ladies all sitting in the passage Peterson & I obigid[obliged] to take to the Cabin. Close & warm. French boy struck a snug shark with Payne's harp- oon brought him on board. immense numbers of bonito about leaping. took an obs. today at 12 Correct Therm at 5ocl 80°

Saturday June 18th. 1859.

Fine day with light breeze from N.E. fell nearly Calm towards evg. weather pleasant expect we hace got into N.E. Trades. Young Ascention kid killed for dinner Children having got a blowing up from the Capt. last night

At Sea

have been very quiet all day. P & I took possession of couch last night to smoke cheroots. Passage obstructed A bird resembling a swallow kept flying round the Ship last evg.

Sunday June 19th. 1859.

Passed 4 vessels during the night & a Im:[?] schooner supposed to be a steamer No signals British at dinner time a Bremen 3 masted Schooner & a full rigged ship to leeward the former spoke. Ensign & 175 number. fine day with light breeze from mg.

Monday June 20th. 1859.

Woke up this mg. at 6 went on deck. fine breeze. Walking along but a good deal westing. day rather cloudy Skinner fell off the main yard but did not hurt himself saved by buttlines. Therm: 81. 9.19. 24.25. light wind at 12

at Sea.

Friday June 24th. 1859.

Made 144 miles northing today a good stg breeze laying N. by W. 8° off the Line today. Weather pleasant cool. Therm: 75°

Saturday June 25th. 1858.

Two ocl this mg. went on deck saw a ship's light on the port Quarter. Fine strong breeze continues done 152 miles northing today at 12 painting the ship & scrubbing.

Sunday June 26th. 1859

after 12 hrs laying so well as yesterday did 145 miles northing today. only 3 degrees off the Line but it is quite Cool. Peterson laid up with fever boatswain caught a rat in his fingers yesterday bit him slightly. Therm: 75°

Monday June 27th. 1859.

Beautiful Clear day wind lighter