Travel Diaries and Journals

Decr [December] 2nd

Finished discharging the outward bound cargo having been much delayed for the want of cargo boats so many having been destroyed in the hurricane.

Decr [December] 9th

Completed receiving a cargo of seeds 600 tons for London & Coolie stores.

Decr [December] 18th

The ship was towed by the "[Simla]" steamer to the Coolie wharf (for 300 ks)

Decr [December] 19th

Received on board 515 coolie Imigrants equal to 456 adults for Demerara at 2 PM The Flood tide making proceeded down the river in tow of the steamer tug "Alexandra" Mr. Fosbery pilot in charge off Fort Gloucester in 8 1/2 fms [fathoms] & veered to 25 fms [fathoms] Draft of water 17.7 Ford [Forward] aft 17.10

Clarence from Calcutta to Demerara Decr [December] 20th 1864

at daylight weighed & proceeded down the river in tow of the "Alexandra" at 7.18 passed [atchepore?] at 9.45 passed Diamond Harbour at 11 passed Mr. Greens ship the "Renown" being towed up the River at Noon crossed the Rangafullah at 1 Passed through Bedfords Channel at 5.30 anchored in Sangor in 6 1/2 fms [fathoms] & veered to 30 fms [fathoms] Sangor Light house NE by N.

Decr [December] 21st

at 5 weighed & proceeded in tow of the "Alexandra" through the Gaspar Channel, & made all sail (plain) at 10 Cast off the steamer & Mr. Fosbery Pilot left the ship. Noon light NE wind & fine weather. Outer Floating light NE 10 Latde [Latitude] 20.56 No Londe [Longitude] 88.8 E PM Moderate NE wind carrying all sail all the Port studg [studding] sls [sails]

The following account of the cyclone from the log of the steam Tug "Alexandra" will be found interesting

[Saugor?] October 5th 1864 am. Blowing in heavy gusts from the Eastd [Eastward] with a heavy sea & constant rain, Bar [Barometer] falling very fast, would have weighed or slipped, but found it impossible, the sea a sheet of foam wind shifting suddenly to NEastd [NEastward] at 4 am, blowing in furious gusts accompanied with pelting sleet & seas overall. On coming head to wind, the engines were set going with seven revolutions at full power; about 8 am or 9 am it became suddenly calm with a heavy confused sea, the sun appearing at the turn for a few minutes got the head of the steamer to the Northd [Northward] having only then discovered that the cable had parted the frightful roar of the hurricane. The heavy sea breaking over forward & aft, & the steamer lying on her beam ends prevented anything being noticed with regard to the cable before. During the calm interval which lasted about three quarters of an hour

make it difficult to steer through them, sighted another wreck off Hospital Point all hands ashore (the "Baron Renfew") 3.45 PM Eastern gut tide gauge blown down [opiles?] washed away carried no ground. Sunset anchored at Fishermans Point, casting off ship gave 35 fms [fathoms] chain. About 9.30 PM a sunken ship drifted up to the Starbd [Starboard] bow causing the steam- er to lay over with a shear. It drifted clear after fouling the paddles, & went astern, ordered steam for the night. In closing this portion of the journal which has unavoidably become narrative I humbly thank the Divine Providence that has preserved all our lives through these disasters My only hope being that the loss of the vessel if it was so willed to be, might not occur through error of judgement on my part or want of support on the part of my officers, to whom I am sincerely thankful. Contrary to all laws of drift the "Alexandra" having her head to N & Ed [Eastward] with the wind at its greatest force at NW was carried by the intense force & height of he storm wave across into