These excerpts are from the journal he kept on board. I have typed it as he wrote it. It is an amazing insight into how the journey progressed.
James was single and 26 years old. He travelled with two of his cousins. On arrival they went to Forest Creek on the Castlemaine Gold Fields.
June 28th
Monday
Up at eight, the sea
rough with the wind quite in our teeth. Nothing but tacking about. Passengers
most of them dreadfully sick as well as some of the sailors. Went to bed about
eleven o’clock and discovered in the morning that my bed and pillows were very
wet…
30th
Got up in no pleasant
mode – went to the Captain and complained. He ordered the Mate. The Mate
ordered the Carpenter – and the Carpenter had something else to do…So I am
still the same but am determined not to put up with it. Pulled my bed etc. on
to the deck to dry – but found them very damp – am again going to (do) it.
July 1st
In the broad Atlantic
weather – very cold for the time of the year. Nothing particular transpired
during the day. Went to bed and found our Cabin in total darkness – the man
being too ill to light the lamps. Men laying like children, their nasty messes
laying in all direction…still quite well in health.
16th
Up
at 5am to the sound of the words “Land O” which proved to be Porto Santo and
about 2 pm we discovered Madeira at about 15 miles distant. Weather hot and
fine…
...After watching them till
I could not possibly look any more I laid on the deck to sleep – but took great
care to keep my head covered as it is attended with great danger not to do so
in these latitudes owing to the power of the moon – Moonstroke proving at most
times fatal.
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