• Author: Madge Jollie
• Date: 1877
• Place: Aboard sailing vessel Rangitiki
• Comment: Journal kept by Madge of her voyage to England via Cape Horn.
• People:
• Description: Diary
• Keywords:
• Original: AA015

Monday 12^th. Ten miles outside The Heads and scarcely moving at all, but a nasty swell on which laid prostrate those who had held up against seasickness the day before, I being one of the number, although I dresses early and went on deck several times.

Tuesday 13^th. In bed all day nothing particular happened.

Wednesday 14^th. Went on deck in the afternoon. Fair wind. Albatross flying above and four caught.

Wednesday 14^th. Crossed the 180^th meridian yesterday or last night, so have two Wednesdays this week counted as one day. Frank caught 4 albatrosses which a man in the second cabin skinned and Mamma is going to have them made into muffs.

Thursday 15^th. Calm and very hot, lay on the deck and enjoyed myself. More albatrosses caught.

Friday 16^th. Nothing particular.

Saturday 17^th. Ditto.

Sunday 18^th. One week at sea. Sung hymns in the morning. Rather drizzly.

Monday 18^th. Severine can't believe that last week had eight days, she says a week never had eight days and that it is impossible. She is a Norwegian whom Mamma engaged to come with her as nurse, but she became frightened of so many children and Mamma got another nurse whilst Severine went in the second cabin.

Wednesday 28^th. { I wrote up yesterday as far as the 19^th. - }

Tuesday 20^th. Nothing particular.

Wednesday 21^st. Fine. One of the sailors who was at the wheel, was not attending to his work and steered the ship wrong so that the water began to come in onto the lower deck and it took three men to pull the wheel right again, The Captain was very angry and did not recover till sometime later in the afternoon when his favorite man came to the wheel.

Thursday 22^nd. Nothing particular.

Friday 23^rd. Came today into the part where Papa met with icebergs when he went to England with Ma in 1861.

Friday 23^rd. Northeast wind.

Saturday 24^th. Ditto.

Sunday 25^th. Misty. Had service in the morning in the saloon.

Monday 26^th. Misty and Northeast wind.

Tuesday 27^th. Northeast wind. Porpoises about the ship; Mr Buvey got a harpoon ready to spear one if he got the chance.

Wednesday 28^th. Northeast wind. Mr Buvey climbed up to the mizzen top and wrote his name there, Mr Hamilton was following when Captain Scotland spoke to the first mate, Mr Bassed, to ask a sailor to tie him up there, as he had not paid his footing, but Mr Shepherd heard him and called out to Mr Hamilton who came down, but we are going to try and get him up again.

Thursday 29^th. Tomorrow is Good Friday with us but in New Zealand today is. It is blowing a strong Northeast wind and we have had to take in several sails, all except the crojack and lower topsail on the mizzen mast. I forgot to say yesterday that a great many porpoises swam past the ship; they were marked, or rather slashed with broad white bands which seemed from the ship to be two inches broad, but were in reality I suppose four.

Friday 30^th. Good Friday and Frank's birthday. Wind Northeast. Thermometer 45^deg below. We had Hot Cross Buns in the evening.

Saturday 31^st. Easter Sunday in New Zealand. Wind the same. Thermometer 45^o

Sunday 1^st April. All Fool's Days and Easter Day. North East wind, we have had this wind for nearly three weeks now, with a south wind once. In the evening service.

Monday 2^nd. Wind the same but pretty fine, the gentlemen played quoites as usual. I was sitting alone this evening on a form at the stern, singing to myself the "Skipper and His Boy" when the man at the wheel turned round and said "You'll break my heart young woman if you go singing those songs". I couldn't think of anything to say but Oh!, finished my song and walked away. On fine evenings the mate whose watch it is generally brings up a concertina and we girls dance, on deck, it's rather hard work sometimes.

Tuesday 3^rd. Wind Northeast. Ther. 50. Captain Scotland says that if this breeze keeps on we shall be abreast of Cape Horn tomorrow evening. Cape pigeons flying about.

Wednesday 4^th. Still Northeast wind but sea nearly calm, going about 5 or so knots an hour. Fine rain yesterday evening. Whale seen this morning.

Thursday 5^th. Such a lovely morning! we were going about one knot an hour. A ship was sighted from the mast before breakfast and after breakfast it could be seen from the deck. They said at first it was a brig but she afterwards proved to be a three masted schooner with yards only on the foremast, of the North of Germany from the Arnbointe Isles bound to Africa. Wind South West. A good many albatrosses, icebirds, molly-mawks, Mother Carey's Chickens and Cape Pigeons flying about. The Doctor tried to catch some Cape Pigeons but they wouldn't be caught. This afternoon the wind got up and we took in some of our topsails; we have doubled the Cape and are going Northeast. There was a little snow about five - the first we've had and the spray swept over the deck. We are on the lee side tonight so I must take care not to fall out of my bunk as it is the top one.

Friday 6^th. Wind Southwest. Thermometer 40^deg in the morning, 44 in the evening. This is the coldest day we've had yet. This afternoon we say a ship and about three hours later she came near enough to be signalled. She was the "Magnet" of Sunderland from Conception to Cork for ????, laden with wheat: tonnage 455 tons, rig a barque.

Saturday 7^th. We past another ship last night, but it was too dark to tell what she was and this morning when the Captain went on deck only the tips of hers masts could be seen. Caught a petrel but let it go again. It has been such a lovely day, compared to those we had lately. Shortly after I wrote about the petrel I went on deck and found the gentlemen with Frank and the two 'Eddies' pulling ropes, "Come along Maggie" said Mr Buvey so I went and helped. Presently he said something to me and I said "No I didn't". "Phillipine" he cried and I was nicely caught. The wind changed twice in the afternoon but is now nor'west.

Sunday 8^th. Wind northeast. We are now past the Falkland Islands and in the 40^ties, but in which one I know not, but it is decidedly warmer than yesterday.
Evening. The weather was beautiful for two or three hours before and after noon but grew colder afterwards, the wind changing to the southeast and rather showery. I've two Phillipines tomorrow one with Mr Buvey "Yes and No" and one with Miss Hirst also "Yes and No". Mr Buvey has one with the Captain which we are all very anxious to see the end of since they both have the reputation of being very sharp in such matters. Carrie and Lucy are settling the programme of a concert to be given on my birthday but I doubt if it will come to anything.

Monday 9^th. Fine with hail showers now and then. I won my Phillipine with Mr Buvey much to me joy and the Captain lost his. I was sitting on deck when Mr Buvey came up and said to me "I caught your mother beautifully just now", do I said "Did you" and he said "Yes".

Tuesday 10^th. Such a lovely day; all but calm with Cape hens, petrels and a few albatrosses flying about! Wind from the sou'west. Thermometer 50-54. The purser, Mr Simms, was caught in the rigging of the foremast by the sailors today and tied there; he got loose once and nearly managed to tie up the sailor who went to tie him up again, he was fastened again but at last managed to free himself and get down. Those on the main deck have taken to quoites, but they do not play so well as those on the poop. That sale which I mentioned some days ago is to come of tomorrow I hear, at two o'clock. Saw 3 whales.

Renzo was no sailor
Renzo, boys, Renzo
He skipped into a whaler
Oh! Renzo, boys Renzo
He didn't do his duty
Renzo, boys Renzo
For he stole the captain's trousers
Renzo, boys Renzo
He stole the captain's trousers
For he drank the captains coffee
Renzo, boys Renzo
He drank the captains coffee
Renzo, boys
So they lashed him to the gangway
Renzo, boys Renzo
They lashed him to the gangway
Renzo, boys Renzo
And they gave him five and twenty
Renzo, boys Renzo
The captain was a good man
Renzo, boys Renzo
He took him in the cabin
Renzo, boys Renzo
He taught him navigation
Renzo, boys Renzo
The next ship Renzo went in
Renzo, boys Renzo
The captain was a bad man
Renzo, boys Renzo
He didn't pay their wages
Renzo, boys Renzo
And he wouldn't give them whisky
Renzo, boys Renzo
So they lashed him to the gangway
Renzo, boys Renzo
And gave him five and fifty
Renzo, boys Renzo
And they made the first mate captain
Renzo, boys Renzo
                

"Oh blow the man down" I heard a
man say. Hey! Hey! blow the man
down. "Oh! blow the man" I 
heard a man say "Give me some time to blow
the man down. Oh! one I heard an old
man say Hey! Hey! blow the man down.
Oh! once I heard an old man say "Give us
some time to blow the man down"
As I was going up London Street, with a
Hey! Hey! blow the man down. As I was going
up London Street. "Give us some time to
blow the man down. A pretty maid I chanced to
meet...
                

Wednesday 11^th. Wind due north, dead against us; we have only the lower topsail up on each mast. The waves wash over the deck.

Thursday 12^th. Wind the same, we are obliged to steer northwest. Afternoon. The wind has changed to the sou'west but we are still under the same sail, as there is a head sea.

Friday 13^th. Fine with the wind in the same direction. Thermometer 60^o. Mr Hamilton was tied up in the rigging by the bo'sun this afternoon but it wasn't fair as he had already paid his footing so of course he wouldn't pay it again and he had nearly freed himself when the Doctor said he'd "shout" for him whereupon the bo'sun undid him much to Mr Hamiltons disgust, as, if he had freed himself the bo'sun would never have heard the last of it.

Saturday 14^th. This morning before breakfast our cabin smelt so stuffy that I foolishly opened one of the ports, but it had not been open 5 minutes when an enormous wave came in, flooding the cabin to the depth of two inches and running across the saloon into Mr Tervill's cabin. Notwithstanding the mess, Bessie and I couldn't help laughing, for I was wading about barefooted and in my petticoat, trying to soak up the water with Mary's night gown which she had left on the floor, and squeezing it into the bath. Then Rachel came in with a horrified countenance, asked some questions and then went and told the steward who used such a strong expression that I can't write it here and then came in with a bucket and a dustpan with with he began baling up the water, but as the dustpan had a hole in it's bottom he didn't get up much at a time. However it was good in one way, for, besides making me more careful, the cabin got a thorough tidying and I found sundry articles that I had lost, such as, a comb, which had been lost since the beginning of the voyage, my brush and silver fruit knife. The wind is still fair but our main skysail and all the royals are taken in, whilst on the mizzen mast the upper topsail has a reef tied in it. We saw some blackfish this afternoon but soon left them behind.

Sunday 15^th. Very fine; wind the Captain says rather too fair, as, when it is right aft, the sails deaden each other. This morning Captain Scotland gave us leave to open our ports but ½ an hour afterwards a large wave broke over the ship, flooding Mamma's and Papa's cabins, but luckily the port in our cabin which was near Ma's had just been shut, so we escaped with a little water, which ran though from Mamma's. We had service this morning and good many people from the Second Cabin came.

Monday 16^th. Nearly calm, - we are going about 2 knots an hour and it is so warm that we've put on our summer dresses. This afternoon one of the 2^nd class passengers was playing leap-frog and fell, cutting his head so badly that he remained unconscious for some time. Doctor ???? says it is rather serious. The sale that I mentioned some time back took place this afternoon after the accident. There were sold; a box of tobacco about 6 lbs knocked down for 21^s. to the boatswain and some cigars that Miss Maling won in a raffle about a fortnight after we came aboard. The ladies are going to make some things to sell when the rest of the cigars are sold, the proceeds of which, with that gained today will be given to the "Merchant Seaman's Orphans Society Asylum"
Orion, which we see upside down in New Zealand, is nightly coming right side up being now in a horizontal position.

Tuesday 17^th of April. Wind shifting. It is nearly calm, we are going 1 knot an hour. For the first time since we left Lyttelton the awning has been put up. Bessie, May and I got up at 7 this morning and had a salt water bath. It was so nice, even Sally enjoyed it. Thermometer 75^o in the shade. Two Portuguese Men of War have passed the ship today full sail.

Wednesday 18^th. Last night while we were at tea we heard a flute, drum, rattle and concertina playing together with a good deal of talking, laughter and the sound of dancing on the main deck: after tea went up and saw 4 or 5 sailors dressed up in blankets and counterpanes dancing and making impromptu speeches. One of them whose name is Lilliwall was supposed to be a Pakeha Maori in a quilt and tiara of feathers made of albatrosses wings, put round his head after the manner of the American Indians. Another man - one of the second class passengers had a tall ???? sort of cap made as far as I could see from newspaper. One of the sailors named Clemens appeared as a Turk and looked remarkable well. After a good deal of dancing and mock fights Lilliwall was called on for a song and after him a man called Palmer sang one about some fishermen. Then Mr Buvey brought out a sailor named Price who said "Ladies and Gentlemen, this gentleman has asked me for a song and I don't know one inst from the other" However he sang one about Sarah, the chorus of which was :-

            Sarah's an angel, she's only got one eye.
            She rolls down the street and so merrily does cry
            Bloater and mackerel and the best of fish you can buy
            Cockles and Mussels all alive OH!
        

            Waste not, want not
            The maxim I would teach
            Let your watchword be dispatch
            And practice what you preach
            Do not let your chances
            Like sunbeams pass you by
            For you'll never miss the water
            Till the well runs dry.
        

            Two thumbs and two fingers keep moving
            Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!
            For we're all jolly good fellows
            Which nobody can deny
        

Thursday 19^th. Same weather as yesterday. Nothing particular taken place except that we are all busy sewing for the Gift Auction and there is a good deal of practicing for a concert there is to be next Saturday in aid of the Merchant Seaman's Orphans Society.

Friday 20^th. Sea rougher and several have been obliged to lie down for the four days calm weather had spoilt them for a little rolling.

Saturday 21^st. Sea a little calmer than yesterday. Everybody is preparing for this evening.

Sunday 22^nd. The concert last night went off splendidly. Mr Fosswill appeared in character as "Ilma de Muskrail" in an enormous platted bow wig, a white dress and blue shawl, he also shaved himself for the occasion. Mr Basset came on the stage as an old gentleman in blue spectacles and sang a song about

            And if you want a spree
            That a saint can only see
            You must join the jolly party
            In the Alleluia Band
        

Monday 23^rd. Wind northeast. Thermometer 84^o-86^o. Rather squally, saw some flying fish this morning, they are very like birds appear of a dove grey colour. This afternoon Mr Basset took Carrie, Bessie and me round the maindeck but we didn't go on the forecastle or below.

Tuesday 24^th. The decks weren't washed and the bath wasn't filled this morning, for our fore-top gallant mast was carried away last night in a squall. There are rather contradictory accounts as to how it happened but it is generally supposed that the wind took the sails aback. Everybody is busy making a new mast even Mr Hamilton and Mr Buvey are planing etc. with the rest. This afternoon we went on the main deck to see them hoisting up the new mast which was done with the aid of the engine. So severe was the strain on the rope that the tar oozed out of it.

Wednesday 25^th. It is very squally weather again today. Last night an iron chain was broken and the Captain says that if he had not been on deck at the time, our new mast would have gone overboard. They are busy today mending the chain and binding the topmast with iron for it was split the other night when the first top-gallant mast went over.

Thursday 26^th. We are now in the sou'west trades and are going at about 8-9 knots an hour. It had been very hot today; I pitied the men who were employed aloft, tarring and painting the ropes and yards in the glaring heat of the midday sun. This evening between 8 and 9 two vessels past us, both outward bound, - both fullrigged ships their sails shining white and weird in the moonlight as they sailed passed us to the southeast, growing more and more indistinct, till they vanished in the distance. When they were gone, inspired by the example of those on the maindeck who were dancing quadrilles and Sir Roger de Coverlies most vigourously and making all sorts of queer mistakes over them, Carrie and Mr Foswill took turns in playing whilst we danced with hats off in the moonlight till we were too hot and tired to dance more.

Friday 27^th. Still very hot and still tarring and painting. I lost my Phillipine with the Captain but hardly fairly I think for he nearly pulled it out of me. Frank was lying asleep in the moonlight on one of the seats when Bessie got some black paint off one of the chains and rubbed it on his face and Carrie took off one boot while Mr Hamilton took off the other and when he woke up he did look curious and was rather cross.

Saturday 28^th. Oh dear! this has been a sad day. This morning when I went on deck before breakfast to see two ships - one a barque, the other fullrigged I found Mrs Buvey sitting on a chair with Mary in her arms gasping and looking deathly pale. She got no better and about ½ hour Carrie told me that Doctor Harrison said she had congestion of the brain and it would be a miracle if she recovered. Soon after she was taken below while all tried to keep the children quiet on deck in order that she might not be disturbed, both our lunch and the children's dinner was bought on deck. About ½ past she was brought up again and some said they thought her better but an hour or two afterwards the doctor said she was getting gradually worse so she was taken down again. And so it went on, every now and then faint hopes arising only to be crushed again till a little after 8 o'clock when just as Lucy, Carrie and I were going to the other side of the deck to play a quiet game called Rigmarole, Papa told us she was dead. She is to be buried at 4 o'clock tomorrow morning before the children are awake. I have asked Rachel and Miss Hirst to call me at ½ past 3 for I wish to show to Mr and Mrs Buvey that I do sympathise with them.

Sunday 29^th. Poor little Mary was buried at 4 this morning but I wasn't there because no-one called me. After Carrie and I were in bed last night we heard a great noise on deck - someone calling out as if in a fit and Captain Scotland speaking very angrily. Papa came in some time after and he told us that Mr MacDonald was ordering something about the flags for poor little Mary when William (one of the boys who wait at table) offended him somehow and he hit him with his fist in the stomach for which the Captain ordered him to his berth which he at first refused to do but afterwards went and the steward put hand-cuffs on him. There he will remain till the end of the voyage. We had service on deck this afternoon but it was rather a sad one.

Monday 30^th. We were nearly becalmed this morning but since then the wind had freshened a little and we are now going 2 or 3 knots. Today at 12 o'clock we were 96 miles from the Equator. A great many ???? have passed today, both pink and white. This afternoon between 12 and 1 a shark was seen over the stern of the ship and a line was quickly put out with a large piece of salt pork on an iron hook at the end. The first bait he took without being caught, but the second time he was hooked and pulled on board flapping his tail and struggling to be free. Of course there was great excitement as the Captain dragged him along the poop and threw him on to the main deck where his tail was immediately cut off by Mr Armstrong to keep him from flapping. Last Saturday night Mrs Haworth who has been nursing Mrs Fosswill's baby for her lately, had a baby a girl. I believe she is going on very well. Thermometer 87^o.

Tuesday 1^st May. Nearly calm. This morning we were going 3 knots but this afternoon only ½ a knot an hour. We were about 50 miles from the Equator at 12 today. For some time now they have been hammering the rust off the outside of the ship after which they are going to paint it. There was a row last night between the Steward and Purser and the Captain got very angry and said such things to the Steward, that he was very near giving up the stewardship. This morning also there had been a row, for a great many stores have been stolen, all the best saloon biscuits, 20 boxes of figs, 15 of potted anchovy, 4 doz. of port wine meant for medical comforts, besides raisins, nuts, potted fish etc. - all gone no-one knows where. We saw a ship yesterday afternoon but too far off to signal.

                The Yarn of the Nancy Bell

            'Twas on the shores that round our coast
            From Deal to Ramsgate span
            That I saw alone, on a piece of stone
            An elderly naval man
        
            His hair was weedy, his beard was long,
            And long and weedy was he
            And I heard this wight on the shore recite
            In a singular minor key:

            "Oh! I am the cook and the Captain bold
            And mate of the Nancy brig
            And the bo'sun tight and the midship mite
            And the crew of the Captain's gig"

            And he shook his fist and tore his hair
            Till I really felt afraid
            And I couldn't help thinking, the man had been drinking
            And so I simply said -

            "Oh! elderly man, 'tis little I know
            Of the duties of men of the sea
            But I'll eat my hand if I understand
            How you can possibly be"

            "At once the cook and the Captain bold
            And mate of the Nancy brig
            And the bo'sun tight and the midship mite
            And the crew of the Captain's gig"

            Then he gave a hitch, to his trousers which
            Is a trick all seamen learn
            And having got rid of a ???? quid
            He commenced his singular yarn

            "'Twas in the good ship Nancy Bell
            That we sailed to the Indian Sea
            But there on a reef we came to grief
            Which had often occurred to me"

            "And pretty nigh all the crew was drowned
            ( There was seventy-seven o' soul )
            But only ten of the Nancy's men
            Said "here!" to the muster roll"

            "There was me and the cook and Captain Book
            And the mate of the nancy Brig
            And the bo'sun tight and the midship mite
            And the crew of the Captain's gig"

            "For a month we'd neither wittles now drink
            Till a hungery we did feel
            So we we drawed a lot, and accordin' shot
            The Captain for a meal"

            "The next lot fell on the Nancy's mate
            And a delicate dish he made
            Then our appetite on the midshipmite
            We seven survivors stayed"

            "And next we murdered the bo'sun tight
            And he much resembled pig
            Then we wittled free, did the cook and me
            On the crew of the Captain's gig"

            "Now only the cook and me was left
            And the delicate question, which
            Of us two goes, to the kettle arose
            And we argued it out as sick"
    
            "For I loved that cook, as a brother, I did
            And the cook he worshipped me
            And we'd be blowed if either'd we stowed
            In t'other chaps hold d'ye see"

            "Dear James" says he " to murder me
            Were a foolish thing to do
            For don't you see, you can't cook me
            While I can, and will cook you"

            "I'll be glad if you dines off me" says I
            "Ay that" says he "you'll be"
            "I'll be boiled if I die, my friend", quoth I
            And "Exactly so" quoth he.

            "Dear James" says he with a proper pride
            Which his smiling features tell
            "'Twill soothing be. to let you see"
            "How extremely nice you'll smell"

            So he boils the water and takes the salt
            And pepper in portions true
            ( Which he nearer forgot ) and some chopped chalotte
            And sage and parsley too

            Then he stirred it around and around
            And sniffed the foaming froth
            So I ups with his heels and I smothers his squeals
            In the steam of the boiling broth

            "And I ate that cook in a week or less
            And so I eating be
            The last of his chops, why! almost drops
            For a vessel in sight I see"

            "So I never larf and never smile
            And never lark or play
            But one single joke, I sit and croak
            Which is as I now say"

            "Oh! I am the cook and the Captain bold
            And mate of the Nancy brig
            And the bo'sun tight and the midship mite
            And the crew of the Captain's gig"

                            Audited and found correct
                                (signed) L.V. Hamilton
        

Wednesday 2^nd. Today at 12 o'clock we were 20 miles from the Equator so that we have only gone 20 miles in 24 hours! We are now going at the rate of ¼ a knot an hour. The sea is calmer than ever but it is a little cooler than yesterday I think. though p'raps it's only because I'm more used to it. There's been a three-masted schooner in sight since 10 but she'll soon be out of sight now ( ½ past 8 ). Mr Basset says we crossed the Equator at about 6 o'clock this evening so we are now in the North Atlantic Ocean for the rest of the way. 3 knots.

Thursday 3^rd. Fine, with little or no swell on, but we have been going this morning 8 knots, but now 7 or 8, which, though once we'd have been disgusted with in the cold weather, we think a great deal of now. The sailors have been scrubbing the vessel outside round the poop today; after that they'll hammer the rust off and then paint it. We saw two large shoals of blackfish today, one this morning some way off and one this afternoon which came about her bows. Two of the men, Beeton and Freeman had a fight the day before yesterday, whilst Mr Basset lay in his hammock and looked on. "Why shouldn't they fight if they like" said he. 2 knots. 8 p.m.

Friday 4^th. Very hot with not even a swell on. Rather less than 1 knot an hour. We're going to have a concert someday next week, perhaps on my birthday, with a wax-work exhibition. Mr Basset sang us some sailor songs last night all of which I intend write out here. Saw another shark today.

                "Shanty Songs"
            The song of the sailors when turning the capstain preparatory to starting.

            Goodbye, fare ye well

            We're homeward bound* that good old sound
            Goodbye, fare ye well
            Goodbye, fare ye well
            We're homeward bound that good old sound
            Hurrah! my boys! we're homeward bound.

            * Outward bound, as the case may be

            We're homeward bound to fair London town
            Goodbye, fare ye well
            Goodbye, fare ye well
            We're homeward bound to fair London town
            Hurrah! my boys! we're homeward bound.

            Oh! London's a place of high renown
            Goodbye! etc.
            Oh! London's a place of high renown
            Hurrah! etc.

            For it is where the girls come down
            Goodbye! etc.
            For it is where the girls come down
            Hurrah! etc.

            Now, Julia and Hannah we're going away
            Goodbye! etc.
            Now, Julia and Hannah we're going away
            Hurrah! etc.

            We'll be welcome back with our nine months pay
            Goodbye! etc.
            We'll be welcome back with our nine months pay
            Hurrah! etc.

            And we do come to the Blackwall dock
            Goodbye! etc.
            Our friends they'll come down to the shore in flocks
            Hurrah! etc.

            I thought I heard our "old man" say
            Goodbye! etc.
            I'll give you some grog this very same day
            Hurrah! etc.

            Then heave up you anchor and let us away
            Goodbye! etc.
            Then heave up you anchor and let us away
            Hurrah! etc.

            Polly! will you come along with me
            Goodbye! etc.
            Polly! will you come along with me
            Hurrah! etc.

            We'll come back again some very fine day
            Goodbye! etc.
            We'll come back again some very fine day
            Hurrah! etc.

            Then pull up your topsails and let use away
            Goodbye! etc.
            Then pull up your topsails and let use away
            Hurrah! etc.



Blow boys blow!


I
Oh blow! my boys and blow together
Blow boys blow
Oh blow! my boys and pull together
Blow my bully boys blow

II
We'll blow for away finer weather
Blow boys blow
We'll blow for away finer weather
Blow my bully boys blow

III
We'll hoist the yard, from down below boys!
Blow boys blow
We'll hoist the yard, up aloft boys
Blow my bully boys blow

IV 
I love to hear you whoop and holla
Blow boys blow
I love to hear you whoop and holla
Blow my bully boys blow

V 
A yankee sloop came down the river
Blow boys blow
A yankee sloop came down the river
Blow my bully boys blow

VI
And who do you think was captain of her
Blow boys blow
And who do you think was captain of her
Blow my bully boys blow

VII
A great black, bigheaded nigger
Blow boys blow
A great black, bigheaded nigger
Blow my bully boys blow

VIII
And what d'you think they had for dinner
Blow boys blow
And what d'you think they had for dinner
Blow my bully boys blow

IX
They'd pork and beans and bullock's liver
Blow boys blow
They'd pork and beans and bullock's liver
Blow my bully boys blow

X
Did you ever see such a mess as that boys
Blow boys blow
Did you ever see such a mess as that boys
Blow my bully boys blow

XII
And what d'you think they had for cargo
Blow boys blow
And what d'you think they had for cargo
Blow my bully boys blow

XIII
They'd brandy, rum and new potatoes
Blow boys blow
They'd brandy, rum and new potatoes
Blow my bully boys blow

XIV
There was Sally Brown and I together
Blow boys blow
We took ship in her down the river
Blow my bully boys blow


XIV
Then walk around and pull together
Blow boys blow
I love to hear you whoop and holla
Blow my bully boys blow


Blow the Man Down


I
Oh! blow the man down my bully boys all
With a hey! hey! blow the man down
Oh! blow the man down my bully boys all
Give us some time to blow the man down.

II
We'll blow the man down for half a crown
With a hey! hey! blow the man down
We'll blow the man down for half a crown
Give us some time to blow the man down.

III
Oh! blow the man down I heard a man say
With a hey! hey! blow the man down
Oh! blow the man down I heard a man say
Give us some time to blow the man down.

IV
Oh! where you ever in Donnybrook Fair
With a hey! hey! blow the man down
Oh! where you ever in Donnybrook Fair
Give us some time to blow the man down.

V
Oh! London is my native town
With a hey! hey! blow the man down
Oh! London is my native town
Give us some time to blow the man down.

VI
Oh! London's a place of high renown
With a hey! hey! blow the man down
Oh! London's a place of high renown
Give us some time to blow the man down.

VI
As I was going down Victoria Street
With a hey! hey! blow the man down
As I was going down Victoria Street
Give us some time to blow the man down.

VII
A nice young girl I chanced to meet
With a hey! hey! blow the man down
A nice young girl I chanced to meet
Give us some time to blow the man down.

VIII
She asked me if I'd stand treat
With a hey! hey! blow the man down
She asked me if I'd stand treat
Give us some time to blow the man down.

IX
Oh! yes says I, when next we meet
With a hey! hey! blow the man down
Oh! yes says I, when next we meet
Give us some time to blow the man down.

X
Then pull away my bully boys
With a hey! hey! blow the man down
Pull with a will and make a noise
Give us some time to blow the man down. (Be-lay)
        

Saturday 5^th. Sea same as yesterday but the sky is cloudier and I don't think it is quite so warm. We got hold of Mr Simms yesterday and he told us stories till 10 o'clock.

When I was a midshipman on the ???? at ???? we midshipmen had leave to go on shore. We employed ourselves in the evening by going all round the town stealing all the brass plates and barber's poles which we carried on board and decorated the gunroom with. On Christmas Eve a good many people from shore used to come on board to look over the ship and you should have seen their faces when they put their heads in the gunroom and heard their exclamations of "There's my plate" etc. When our captain heard of it he was in an awful rage and ordered us to give them all back, which we did.

And once when we we youngsters had 3 weeks leave but when we came back we found that the others middies had popped {pawned} our sextants. This came to the ears of our Captain, so he ordered all the midshipmen to come on the fo'castle with their sextants. Out of twenty sextants only three, made their appearance, so, "Mr So and so" said the Captain, "how is it that you haven't your sextant". "Oh! please sir, I've sent it on shore to be repaired." "Humph! Mr So and so where is you sextant." "Oh! sir I thought it would get spoiled knocking about here, in the harbour so I've sent it to my outfitters." "Mr So and so, how is it that you haven't your sextant?" "Please sir, I'm going to get a new one, so I've given the old one away." "It's very curious how careful you all are of your sextants, all of a sudden and I shall expect you all here at 12 noon tomorrow with your sextants." And then what a struggle it was 'raising the wind', but we all had our sextants next morning.

I was middy in the same ship as Admiral Sir Henry Hepple and he was the maddest old fellow I ever served under. He had lost four ships and whilst one of them, the 'Dido' was sinking, the French admiral came in sight. He ordered a royal salute to be fired, but, before the 21 guns were done, the ship sunk. Sometime afterwards when I was with him, we were near the rocks she was wrecked on and Sir Henry said "Oh! I've not been near those rocks for years, let's go and have a look at them". And blowed if he didn't run us onto them again. Our Captain was in an awful way, but Sir Henry said "Don't distress yourself, I'll take charge of her and we'll soon have her off". "But you don't mean to say you're going to take her to Hong Kong in the state?" asked the Captain aghast. "Why not?" said Sir Henry. In two days we had her off. Then the admiral appointed everyone to his boat and away we steamed a distance of 1500 miles to Hong Kong. Luckily the sea was as calm as it is now or we'd certainly have gone to glory, for when we reached Hong Kong and put her in dock, she'd a hole in her bottom that a man could put his head through. Somehow Lady Heppel heard of his doings so she thought she'd better come out to look after him. The admiral knew nothing of her coming till she arrived at Singapore, where he was then stationed. Directly he heard of it, he steamed away in the Serapis, 4 or 5000 miles up to the ????. But she followed him from place to place for five months and then, at last she caught him, and didn't she keep him in hand then! She was a very particular woman and became great friends with one of the captains, (a fellow who used to wear white kid gloves on deck) and these two laid their heads together and sent extraordinary orders all over the fleet, one of which was - "That officers were to wear no other than white kid gloves and were always to go on shore in a frock coat and this in a climate as hot as this (2^o North Equator). It was a very good thing to be in her good graces, for those captains whom she liked were sent to all the best stations, and those who were not so fortunate as to please her, to the worst.

When I was in the 'Edgar' under Admiral Ducre we were invited to a ball, so we began scrubbing up our French for the occasion. When there, I wanted to dance, so, I went up to a young lady and asked her in very bad French "Voulez-vous me donne le plaisir pour danser". "Oh! yes Mr Simms, if you'll speak English for I'm not French myself" I never felt so foolish in my life before. Admiral Ducre was a man of very curious temperament and whims. Among other things he had a great dislike to Baltic shirts and he made us midshipmen wear white shirts and small black ties. After we had been sometime at sea, my white shirts ran out, so one morning I I went to breakfast in a Baltic shirt and large black tie. But the old Admiral 'spotted' it directly. "Take off you coat, sir" Off it came and there I stood in my Baltic shirt sleeves. For a punishment he made me sit down and eat for half an hour without stopping whilst he stood by and looked on. But I was rather a favourite of his from the beginning and it partly came about in this way.- It was with him that I first went to sea as his aide-de-camp. So I determined to sit up all night so that I might be ready at his first call. We had sailed from Weymouth, on our way towards Copenhagen, as we were then expecting war. Now the only seafaring town I'd ever been to besides Weymouth was Brighton and at sea there is no other town you could mistake for it anywhere near. It so happened that about 2 bell the Admiral sent for me and in I ran "Whose there?" said the Admiral. "Me", "Whose that?", "Simms", "Oh! Simms, well where are we now Simms?", "Just off Brighton sir", "Sure?", "Quite sure sir", "How do you know?", "I can tell by the lights - I'm quite sure sir", "You're a very good boy Simms, a very intelligent boy, if you go on as you've begun, you'll come to some good." The Admiral mentioned my intelligence to a captain who was a friend of my father and he wrote and told my father about it, and the consequence was that my father wrote to me saying how glad he was to hear such good accounts of me and enclosing a £10 note.

Sunday 6^th. Northeast Trades. 4 - 5 knots an hour. Fine rain now and then. Church on deck. Mr Shepperd read the wrong Collect, 4 for 5. Ma and Rachel had a row yesterday; so Rachel had taken her things forward, for Mama'd have nought more to do with her. But I've not finished Mr Simms' stories, so here goes:

When we were in Japan at Yokohama our 2^nd lieutenant died, (the first officer in 4 or 5 years) and it is the custom for the soldiers to attend naval funerals. Whilst at the funeral I recognised an old school fellow amongst the officers of the '10^th'. We lifted our eyebrows at each other and directly after it was over we joined each other and went to the barracks. Sitting in one of rooms was an old major, writing, who looked up as we came in and said "By the by, - do you know the Rev. Mr Simms of ????". "I should think so" said my friend, "considering I'm talking to his youngest son." Up jumped the Major and overwhelmed me with protestations of delight and invited me to his house for as often as I wished to come and whenever I went on shore, there was always a horse ready for me, on which I used to ride all about the country so that I saw a good deal more of the place and people than many other fellows did.

Monday 7^th. The sea is rough compared to what it has been these last few days and the ship is pitching and rolling so that Mamma and Miss Maling are not very well. Ther. 84^o

                Paddy works on the Railway
            In 1831, I put my corduroy breeches on
            I put my corduroy breeches on
            To work upon the railway, the railway
            I'm weary on the railway
            Oh! poor Paddy works on the railway.

            In 1832, He went to a country he never knew
            He went to a country he never knew
            To work upon the railway, the railway
            I'm weary on the railway
            Oh! poor Paddy works on the railway.

            In 1833, Paddy went down to Tennessee       
            Paddy went down to Tennessee       
            To work upon the railway, the railway
            I'm weary on the railway
            Oh! poor Paddy works on the railway.

            In 1834, He'd arrived upon Columbia's shore
            He'd arrived upon Columbia's shore
            To work upon the railway, the railway
            I'm weary on the railway
            Oh! poor Paddy works on the railway.

            In 1835, When Dan O'Connel was alive
            When Dan O'Connel was alive
            To work upon the railway, the railway
            I'm weary on the railway
            Oh! poor Paddy works on the railway.

            In 1836, Paddy he got in a terrible fix
            He got himself in a terrible fix
            Through working on the railway, the railway
            I'm weary on the railway
            Oh! poor Paddy works on the railway.

            In 1837, Paddy he died and went to heaven
            Paddy he died and went to heaven
            To work upon the railway, the railway
            I'm weary on the railway
            Oh! poor Paddy works on the railway.

            In 1838, They kicked him out of heaven's gate
            They kicked him out of heaven's gate
            To work upon the railway, the railway
            I'm weary on the railway
            Oh! poor Paddy works on the railway.

            In 1839, Paddy he went across the Line
            Paddy he went across the Line
            To work upon the railway, the railway
            I'm weary on the railway
            Oh! poor Paddy works on the railway.
        

Tuesday 8^th. Wind northeast sun nearly overhead Mr Simms spun us more yarns yesterday, one or two of which I shall write down.

A lieutenant of his acquaintance wanted a ship and was going to the Admiralty to ask for one. He was a very good, smart officer but had no powerful friends to back him up and therefore he was very doubtful of success. Whilst he was at the railway station waiting for the train to come up, a porter came to him and told him that everyone must go off the platform as the Prince of Wales was expected by that train. "Oh! I wish to speak to His Highness" said the lieutenant "Oh yes, very well sir" said the porter, touching his hat and bowing, thinking he must be some very great person. Presently the train arrived. The lieutenant walked up to the carriage in which the Prince was and taking off his hat said "Good morning your Royal Highness, I hope I see you in good health". "Oh good morning" said the Prince "but I'm afraid I've forgotten your name". "Lieutenant ???? of the Royal Yacht". "Oh, ???? old fellow, I'm very glad to see you, what are you doing now." "Oh, I'm just up to the Admiralty your Royal Highness to ask for a ship." "Well perhaps I can be of use to you, what ship would you like." "Well I was going to ask for the Rodney your Highness". "Oh! very well, don't trouble yourself about it. I'll see about it for you". Now the Rodney being the admiral's flagship was very much sort after and great influence had been brought to bear on the Admiralty in favour of several others. Lieutenant ???? went back to town and two or three days later he received a letter appointing him to the Rodney. As a matter of course he gave a dinner and was telling this story when another lieutenant exclaimed "Oh! you're the man who cut me out then". He had been, through great influence, nominated to the Rodney but of course, the Prince of Wales' influence was above all others and he was superseded and appointed to another vessel instead. And the best of the story is, that the Lieutenant had never seen the Prince in his life before.

Wednesday 9^th. Weather the same as yesterday.

Thursday 10^th. Brig passed us this afternoon and we signalled her. She was the '????' of 724 tons from Greenock to Trinidad, but we were both going so fast that that was all we could find out.

Friday 11^th. Three vessels have passed us today. The first, a brig, passed only about 60 yards from our bows and we could almost read her name by the naked eye whilst hand-kerchiefs and hats were waved vigorously. Her name read on the stern was the 'Lyra Blithe" of London but we got nothing more for she stopped signalling very soon. The other two, both brigs, were too far off to signal. My birthday. I'm 15. The Doctor gave me a box of scent - Jocky Club and Moss Rose. Early this morning we passed a 'homeward bound' barque.

Saturday 12^th. A flying fish came on board this morning. It was fried and all had a little piece of it. They are painting the masts and booms today and the children will go near them and get covered with paint. Caught Gulf Weed.

Sunday 13^th. We passed out of the Tropics sometime last night and the trade wind is already beginning to die away. 2^nd Cabin and steerage passengers are fishing for Gulf Weed.

Monday 14^th. Mamma's and Papa's 16^th wedding day. The tradewind has entirely died away and the wind is now aft. It is a perfect day, neither too cold nor too hot. We saw this morning a fullrigged ship, outward bound, with double topgallant sails and Captain Scotland says she is American. They are painting the boats and lifebuoys and other little odds and ends about the ship.

Tuesday 15^th. Warmer than yesterday with wind at the sou'west. A barque passed this morning. Walter (one of the cabin boys) has been dismissed for impudence to the steward.

Wednesday 16^th. A steamer passed us last night about ?? o'clock but we could only see her lights. Dead calm. Painting as usual.

Thursday 17^th. Mamma has been in bed all day with a bad headache. This evening before the mustering of the watch, My Buvey got up a band consisting of passengers and sailors which, with various instruments such as, violin, clarinet, flute, bones, marlin spike for triangle, frying pan and one of the tanks for a drum, came from the fo'c'stle as far as the poop. Then played different tunes with very good effect. Nilson, one of the sailors, played the violin, Jeune the clarinet, Price the bones and Lillewall the frying pan. Calm.

Friday 18^th. A breeze had sprung up this morning and we are actually going about 2 knots. This morning a barque passed us, but too far off to signal. This afternoon the Gift Auction came off. Some of the sailors bought such curious things: Boyce got a kettle holder a yard of embroidery, a bundle of red herrings, a pair of girls boots 2 pairs paper cuffs and some other things. Price, a needlecase, two woolen mats, a tobacco cutter, yard measure, flat iron, 3 pair paper cuffs a braided brush and a comb bag. Lillewall, an apron, a child's nightgown, a bundle of cigars, a hat and a pearl necklace. A barque passed us in the afternoon and proved to be the 'Gembok" from New York to Tamataire in Madagascar. This evening Mr Simms brought three people from the maindeck who played the flute, violin and clarinet, also Lillewall and the bones and we had a splendid dance, quadrilles, waltz, polka, schoffisch, Lancers, ending with Sir Roger.

Saturday 19^th. Same sort of day as yesterday, only the sea is rougher and the ship rolls more. They have been holystoning on deck this morning and this afternoon they are going to varnish. Frank is not well today and is in bed. This evening some of the sailors dressed up as niggers with music and riddles, it went off very well. Mr Bovey as conductor was very fantastically dressed.

Sunday 20^th. A dull day with rain now and then. Service in the saloon.

Monday 21^st. A little finer than yesterday but a shower in the afternoon. Varnishing and painting going on.

Tuesday 22^nd. Calm with a swell on. They are holystoning the main deck and singing at the same time which although very nice to listen to somewhat hinders their work. We are going about 1 mile an hour with a heavy swell on so that we are rolling a good deal. Several things have gone overboard, among other things, Miss Mailing's chair and a bucket went over in an extra roll. Price (one of the sailors) lost his hat over and though he had taken no notice of the bucket, he immediatly slid down a rope into the water to get it but a wave carried it out of his reach, so he got his ducking for nothing. In the afternoon we passed a barque, so near that we could see the colours of the sailors clothes. She was the Sidlaw of Dundee of 499 tons burden, bound from ??? to Cork and 120 days out.

Wednesday 23^rd. Dull and cloudy. We are about 200 miles from the Azores and are short of coals so we may have to put in there, but I'm afraid it's not very likely. William, one of the boys who wait at table, has a bad arm and is unable to work so the steward is left to do it himself with the aid of Frank and the two Eddies.

Thursday 24^th. The Queen is 58 today. There is to be a concert this evening in her honor, at which I'm going to sing "Juanita" because it is nice and short.

Friday 25^th. Fog. The concert went off very well last night except that some of the singers seemed rather backward in coming forward and Mr Basset took no part in it. Carrie sang "Coming through ???" - was encored and sang "Sally Skins" with immense applause.

Saturday 26^th. We passed a barque at 12 today, she was only 20 yards off, so of course a good deal of chaff passed between us. "Throw us over a plug of tobaccy, our pouches are empty" and "How are you off for soap" from them, and "Will you buy a cow". "Will you buy any mutton from us?" and "Thanks we've plenty of pork" with a good deal more of the same sort. She was the Abernyte of Dundee from Talcahuana in the Bay of Concepcion bound to Cork. Some of the passengers here saw her in Auckland from whence she went to Valparaiso and so to Concepcion. About 6 we passed an Italian brig bound most likely to America for families. Thick fog and very little wind this afternoon.

Sunday 27^th. The wind rose last night and the fog had entitely cleared away. We passed a steamer this morning and asked her to report us. She seemed about the same size as the "Hawca" but higher in the bows.

Monday 28^th. Same sort of weather as yesterday and so cold that some of us have put on winter dresses. We passed a large steamer which the Captain says is one of the London and New York line.

Tuesday 29^th. Fine and cold. Passed two ships. Painting, varnishing, scraping and cleaning generally going on.

Wednesday 30^th. We are about 100 miles south of Ireland but the wind is not favourable. Saw a diver, a sunfish and two seagulls so we must be pretty near land. We passed a fullrigged ship this evening and we've seen several others today.

Thursday 31^st. I don't admire the English summer at sea, for we've a headwind blowing very hard, it's bitterly cold and so thick that we can only just see a barque which is within a mile of us. They've been getting up some of the cable this morning. A swallow passe