Herbert Mackarsie journal

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April 30th Sent the usual boats ashore and at 10.30 Commdr came on board, and at once sent for Ross demanding an answer to his Memo: after he had finished it, he presented it to the Commdr who again sent for him on the Quarter deck and told the Commanding Officer to stop his leave for 2 months. In the forenoon the Flag Lieut and Secretarys Clerk came on board. In the afternoon it was quite calm and comfortably warm. Old Ross sober for once altho' he had three bottles of ale his rum, sundry glasses of brandy?

Friday May 1st 1857 At Buenos Ayres. Most beautiful weather. Filled up the monthly return of Pick for Admiral. Sailed a Brazilian Man of War. Sent a boat for the Commander, who did not however come off before six bells, but left very soon after went ashore. In the afternoon, it came on to blow, with every appearance of a SWester: sent a boat for orders but they had to put back again; A little before sunset a strong breeze was blowing and very cold, several ships driving. A Brazilian boat came alongside, fortunately the Officer and crew got on board just before she swamped, shortly afterwards the Harriers boat got alonside, and was secure astern.

May 2nd the wind moderated a little and the strangers were able to leave, which I was very glad of, as the Spaniard got very drunk, and after being put to bed, vomited all over the bed in which he slept. Went to bed early.

Sunday May 3rd - Very unwell, not able to turn out sent boats for Commdr and orders. 10.30 went to Divisions, but I kept my bed, and did not get

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Lizzy's

up till afternoon still very unwell, when I found old Ross as usual - Most of the Admiral's thing came on board. Ross very drunk.

May 4th a very bad nights rest from the acute pain in my legs. Sent the usual boats on shore and old Ross, to close the accounts. In the afternoon an Inspector of Machinery belonging to the Buenos Ayres navy came on board, an Englishman of course, and dined. In the evening sent Gunner in search of Ross and ours; as the boat was a long time of returning the Commanding Officer went away to the Galley, by the time he got on shore the 2nd Gig had returned about half an hour after the whaler returned but no Ross - Up all boats.

May 6th Sent Market boat ashore and at 7 another for orders. About 11 Commdr came on board, with the other Officers, and immediately gave orders to light fires. Pilot & Secretarys Clerk came off. Old Ross after having a glass of beer got very screwy. About 1 the Admiral and all come on board, weighed and steamed down the River in Co. with Harrier. At the usual dinner hour Ross was drunk, & when the Secretary came in for a plate of soup, was drunk asleep at table: he had scarcely left when the Commdr came in, Ross was in statu, his mouth if anything wider open. At 2.30 the water was high enough to allow us getting over the bar when we steamed to the Outer Roads communicating with Wasp & Harrier, and when the latter was ready went down the River. Turned in soon.

May 6th At 9, saw the Mount: 10 saw the Harriet and the Virages at anchor. Still very sick, just able to see my Sick, and turn in for an hour or two by which time we

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almost impossible to write, or do anything else. In the afternoon an order came off for the Band to be sent to the Wasp, and in lieu of them we are to receive some quantity of Marines. Several men killed & wounded on shore. In the evening played at whist and turned in to bed after a quiet smoke.

March 27th At 7.30 Lieut Bushell came on board, on his way to the Wasp, to bring Captn Fellows and the Marines, and at eleven any quantity of Red Jackets came off, but only with a Sergeant in Command. Lots of firing on shore in the evening. Great pleasure in not being disturbed by the Bughlers, but very much annoyed about our Mess Regulations, which are getting worse every hour. In the evening we had whist in the Gun Room, and after a pipe turned in.

March 28th At 10 Christian came off. No news from the shore. Dr McEwan of the Wasp came on board. Shortly afterwards an order was sent from the Admiral for every thing to be in readiness for the coming crisis, a boat with an Officer, blue lights & rockets to remain off the pier all night, so as to communicate with our Admiral at the earliest opportunity. All the Officers who were on shore including Dr Martin who thought he might be wanted were all sent off, and Lieut Bushell was made Commg Officer.

In the evening we had whist and after a pipe turned in with the expectaton of being turned out every five minutes.

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Sunday March 29th 1857 Buenos Ayres. The Commander did not come off as usual, so Lieut Bushell inspected Divisions & lower deck but had no Divine Service. During the forenoon Captain Fellows came off and mustered the Marines. Two or three Officers went on leave to sunset, and by 9 PM all was dark & quiet.

March 30th Commdr came off with an order from the Admiral for me to go on board - the Wasp on a Survey on her Paymaster: blowing fresh and she laying at least 6 miles off in the Outer Roads. Captn Fellows again mustered the Marines. Felt rather funkish as the Commdr carried on so much in the whaler, that I really expected every minute to have a capsize It was after 12 before we got back, and after dinner felt very glad to lay down.

March 31st Turned out very unwell, and was sorry to find that Dr Martin was ashore as I could hardly stand upon my legs, however I managed to get through my work. Commdr came to sign Quarterly Bills.

Wednesday April 1st 1857 At Buenos Ayres During the night, a fire occurred in the City, but did little damage. At 7.30 a Steamer came in from Paraguay, and was boarded by us when great excitement took place among our Men of War, and signals very soon went up from the Admiral, to discharge Supernumaries to Harrier, including Captn Fellows, for a passage

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to Monte Video. Blowing hard with occasional showers of rain. Most of the Officers on shore on leave.

April 2nd Very cold, thermometer down to 60°. Sent boat for Commdr. Finished my Quarterly accounts and concluded (as close as possible) letters for Home. In the morning, while playing at cribbage, heard of a chance of sending letters home cheap, finished mine at once, & gave them to the Secretary's Clerk.

April 3rd Thermometer 56° and blowing fresh. An accident occured by a bucket falling on a man's head making a nasty gash in the scalp: it was sewn up, and will no doubt heal soon. A boat went for Commdr at 7.30. Came off at 10, but had not been long on board before a signal was made, and he had to return again. In the afternoon it came on to blow very fresh and was very cold. In the evening we had cards.

April 4th Still very cold, thermom. 54°. Sent the galley for the Admiral. Cleaned ship throughout. Commander came off in the forenoon, and went ashore again in the evening. Had a quiet game at whist, a pipe, Saturday night and turned in.

Sunday April 5th 1857. Buenos Ayres. A beautiful morning, but cold. Sent a boat for Commdr. At 10 mustered by open list, and performed Divine Service. Arrived during a Church time a small steamer apparently from up the River. All the Officers on board for once. An order from the Admiral came off about

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the New Uniform: unfortunately I have none, and not able or willing to get any, there being every probability of soon getting our relief from England, God grant it may be the case. Had another row with the Commdr about a patient of mine, altogether very uncomfortable. Deal received a note from Machell, saying he was a Gaucho and very comfortable & contented. In the afternoon a party of ladies and gentlemen came off to see the Engineers and vessel; they made a great noise, and I felt glad to get into my cabin, and keep closed doors, and actually went to sleep under the influence of their sweet music as one of them had a tongue, with which she made more noise than the Clapper of a bell. I was glad to hear them go away.

April 6th. Beautiful weather, tho' cold. Boat went as usual for Commdr who did not however come off. In the afternoon a message came on board saying the Admiral was coming to inspect ship, in all probablility for the last time. In the evening being very cold, I turned in early but they made, a horrid noise in the Gun Room, playing at whist.

April 7th 1857 Wedding Day At Buenos Ayres. At 9 Commander came off, and everything was got in readiness for the reception of the Admiral and Suite in his fast inspection. At a few minutes after 10 came off in the Galley and a very strict inspection of the decks, holds, bilges, engine room Ship's Stewards, Store room - after mustering

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the Ships Company and inspecting the Sick, went to General Quarters. Sent for to an American Ship, in consequence of a man having fallen from her maintopsail yard: he afterwards overhauled the Ships Books, Warrant Officer's accounts and had a look at my Sick Book, with which he appeared satisfied, perhaps from not knowing the Latin names. After having lunch below with the Commdr and Suite, he ordered the hands to be turned up, and addressed the Ship's Company saying he was very highly pleased with their efficiency in seamanship and gunnery: afterwards complimented Christians for the discipline under which the ship, and after speaking to each Officer he left for the shore, it of course being the last inspection on board here. In the evening Commdr and some of the officers went on shore. Turned in very early.

April 8th. A fine mild morning with an occasional shower of rian. A few cases of Diarrhoea occurring, but none of a serious type. In the afternoon had an invitation from the Admiral to dinner but having suffered for some time from a Chronic affection of the ancles. I was obliged to send an apology and was glad to get to bed.

April 9th Kept my bed all day after seeing the Sick in the morning, suffering severely from the pain in my legs.

Friday, April 10th Good Friday, Buenos Ayres

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Great preparations for a Clergyman coming off in the afternoon to preach: old Higgs & Ross on shore Christian in the country. I remained in my cabin during the day. At 10 they went to Divisions, Dr Martin doing duty for me. No boats allowed on shore. A grand procession on shore among the Catholics, and the Brazilian Ships all dressed, with crossed yards. In the evening we had a quiet game at whist in the Engineers Mess and after a pipe and glass of rum and water, I turned in but in severe pain from my legs.

April 10th A find mild morning: at 9 a Brazilian Steamer arrived from Rosario. Sent a boat for the Commdr and for orders from the Admiral.

Employed white washing, coal tarring & making every thing as uncomfortable on board as possible. Our Steward and Cook (for want of proper management doing just as they liked, old Higgs being quite incompetent for a Caterer, having told a falsehood to the Admiral, when asked about My accounts saying we only owed £16 instead of £160. But liking as far as possible a quiet life I keep my cabin where I hear all that goes on without entering into any of the arguments which are often very annoying.

April 11th Great fun shooting at Judas Iscariet who was hung up to the Yard arm of a Brazy Corvette, salutes being fired by the Garrison and the Foreign Men of War. A grand procession on shore by the Roman Catholics, with a quantity of Rockets and Fireworks. Rum & water & turned in

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Sunday April 12th 1857 Buenos Ayres. Heard of an Insurrection at Rosario, and we were ordered to prepare for going up the River immediately we had a sufficient supply of Coals. At 9.30 Commdr came off when we went to Divisions, inspected ship and performed Divine Service. Old Ross on shore without leave, and wanted by the Commander. At eleven the Commdr went on shore in search of Paymaster, who was soon found and sent off but in a very drunken state. In the afternoon a party of ladies and gentlemen came on board to see old Ross, who they found asleep in the skylight: they did not remain long on board, after which Ross got very drunk and troublesome, going into my cabin and turning every thing upsidedown and I was obliged to put him out by force - Afterwards I went on deck to smoke and on going into the gun room found the old fool cruizing about with my Pocked hat on, which I removed & hammered it about his face & head, and then laid hold of him by the throat, and knocked his head against the Bulkhead till I made his nose bleed, after which he was more quiet, but went on drinking so long, that he mistook his own cabin and turned in to Dr Martins, who fortunately was on shore: in his mania, he came into my cabin just as I was going to turn in; and on opening my door, without knocking, I shoved my candle in his face, which rather astonished his nervous system & then turned in.

[letter]

Indefatigable. Thursday

Dear Mackenzie,

I was very sorry to hear from the [Secretary?] yesterday and also by the letter which you kindly sent me by [Martin?].. that your health appeared to be so much broken. I think you must go home when we arrive at Rio as you are not right to remain in such a state on board ship. I cannot well come on shore today but hope to be able to do so tomorrow when I will do all I can to come & see you. Martin says to be kindly remembered to you. Hoping this will find you better & I remain

dear Mackenzie

Very sincerely yours,

Alex Woodcock