| Title: | John McCracken,Quebec, to his sister Kate. |
|---|---|
| ID | 3803 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | mccracken, john/11 |
| Year | 1858 |
| Sender | McCracken, John |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Quebec, Canada |
| Destination | unknown |
| Recipient | Kate |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | T 3621/3. Presented by Miss L. Bradley. |
| Archive | Public record Office Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9310027 |
| Date | 01/07/1858 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Action By Date Document added by C. R., 04:10:1993 |
| Word Count | 6640 |
| Genre | |
| Note | (document contains letter and passage journal) |
| Transcript | Quebec 1 July 1858 My Dear Kate Here I am at last after a tedious voyage of 7 weeks and two days. I send you as you request the full true & correct account of the voyage, as I had no way of writing and fraid [afraid?] it is very badly done but you must make the best you can of it and not show it to strangers you may read it to any one you please I tried to let you see all the difficulties I had to meet I am afraid mother would not be able to hack all our windings on the ocean, every night in bed before I fell asleep I thought of you all As for my companion we got on very well together most of the time, we had little squabbles once or twice about cooking &c [et cetera?] but we never fell out. I find that he is a poet and have listened at times with pleasure to his pieces. Andy Barnett was here a month before me and gave me your note which I consider an excellent little letter and write me more of them even if you should not get an answer to each. I also got one from Rosa & Maria but will not write direct to them at present but will do so soon. I know that Georgy will write bye & bye. It appears from Marias [Maria's?] note that this should have been sent to her but I suppose it will not make much difference if I have made a mistake. Tell her that both the cakes were splendid and every time Mr Marshall #PAGE 2 eat [ate?] a bit he said so & so did I Nancys [Nancy's?] oaten bread was very useful to us. The first thing that seemed strange to me was the great number of river steam boats and the fashion of them, they have two decks one the same as ours and another nearly on a level with the paddle boxes which runs nearly the whole way along part of the machinery works above the upper deck a large walking beam which turn the paddles. As I have one or two more to write you must excuse me. I remain with kind love to Rosa Maria Georgina Fran[--?] mother & father & Mrs Eagles & family I am your affectionate brother John Notes on a voyage from Belfast to Quebec 1858 Left Belfast in the Flora [Mure?] at 1/2 past five in the evening of Saturday the 8th May 1858, we were towed down the river by the steam tug "[-?]onder" which left us a little below the lighthouse & the ships husband Mr Campbell was still on board but left us in a quay yawl before Bangor the ship having sailed on when the tug left when he gave us three cheers & we returned them as they were of no use to us. As there was a good breeze from the Northwest the vessel proceeded right out of the lough and down the south channel. We made our tea about 8 o'clock We retired to bed about 1/2 past 9 when the ship was off the Mourne mountains. Sunday the 9th [May?] On rising in the morning about 1/2 past 6 found #PAGE 3 that the wind had shifted during the night to S.W. [South West?] and that the ship was sailing north again got our allowance of water this morning but no provisions yet, had coffee & ham & eggs for breakfast which we cooked ourselves about 11 o'clock I felt sick and threw up which relieved me and I was all right for the remainder of the day, in the afternoon when we were abreast of the Copelands it fell nearly calm and we lay there for three hours when it freshened up from S.W [South West?] We had a piece of the home beef for the dinner with greens & potatoes, there was a Scotchman in our place who had no provisions with him and we invited him to dine with us had coffee & bread loaf for tea & went to bed about 9, this day was not very like Sunday. Monday 10th [May?] On rising this morning along pretty fast with a fresh S.W [South West?] wind off the Mull of Cantyre [Kintyre?], the studding sails ever shipped, had coffee and ham with an egg in coffee for breakfast, shortly after got sick and threw up where I was all right, provisions served out today, got 3 1/2 lbs [pounds?] bread 1 lb [pound?] oatmeal 2 lb [pounds?] potato 1 lb [pound?] flour 1 1/4 lb [pound?] beef 1 lb [pound?] pork 1 lb [pound?] rice 2 oz [ounces?] tea 1/2 lb [pound?] sugar Tuesday 11th [May?] I was sick this morning shortly after rising but soon got better, vessel still on the same course N [North?] by W [West?] with a light wind pitching a good deal, no land in sight since Sunday afternoon, saw two sails this day but at a great distance. Wednesday 12th [May?] 6 am [a.m.?] a beautiful morning with a nice breeze blowing pitching a good deal, #PAGE 4 yesterday evening we had a regular concert in the fore saloon they were all singing songs round, we are very comfortable here place swept out two or three times a day, today we had it washed out with mops, have not had much conversation with Captn [Captain?] yet, only fine morning tried the ships pork today and managed to make very good pea soup from it, better than I expected, I did it myself, - every one looks out for himself here, we have about 40 young men here in the fore hold, all quiet chaps and everything goes on agreeably, had a good sleep last night I did not sleep much before was sick after dinner today for a little the wind freshened up in the evening. Thursday 13 [May?] Wind still fair and sailing right before it with studding sails set, an hours singing in the fore saloon. Ever since the flour has been served out pan cakes [pancakes?] has been the rage. I am just after making a pudding & I have it on, we are getting on nicely, we could not wish for better weather. Pudding very good, had my bed on deck today airing, wind fallen off a little fine sunny afternoon Friday 14 [May?] On rising at 1/2 past 5 this morning found the vessel rolling a good deal, wind blowing up pretty strong & I fear getting up a little, had some singing yesterday evening men all very obliging, I think I am almost sea hardy now tried the oaten bread yesterday & found it very good. A hawk has flying round the vessel all day chased a swallow but did not catch it, it is on the main top the last time I saw it, before I went to bed it was blowing very fresh [---?] right aft Saturday 15 [May?] Did not sleep much last night as it was blowing half a #PAGE 5 gale but nearly all sail set, the sea would hit her a solid skelp on the bow now and then and make her tremble all over I did not feel very comfortable. When I got up at 5 o'clock the wind had fallen a little it is now (10 o'clock) blowing strong again but changed a little to W [West?] ship close handed on a wind still lying her course W [West?] by N [North?] this is not so comfortable as sailing before the wind, passed a sail on the weather bow this morning, but a long way off. The crew (with the exception of the mate and second mate who are Irish) are all English men, the passengers are mostly Irish, but we have five or six Scotchmen 7 o'clock p. m. we have just got clear of a heavy squall, we were carrying all sail when it came on and laid her over on the one (port) side, but she behaved very well, I was on deck with some more of the pasengers and we all lent on and got the light sails off her and reefed the fore & main top sails. The Capt. [Captian?] was below when it came on but came on deck immediately and issued his orders quite coolly. I hope we may have no more Another squall at 9 p.m. but as we had not so much sail set it was not so bad clew'd up the mainsail and reefed the fore & main top sails went to bed about 9 1/2- but could not sleep, a third squall struck her at 1 a m this was the worst of all and lasted for near an hour took some more sail off her and it passed without doing any harm Sunday 16 [May?] Weather more moderate this morning but sea is little heavy we are 2 or 3 points south off our direct course since yesterday morning Monday 17th [May?] Yesterday & this morning calm but rocking a good deal, saw a #PAGE 6 large shoal of porpoises I can compare them to nothing but enormous snails with a sharp hump on the back & broad tail the largest were leading, & were as large larger than an ox, they rose out of the water for a second or two and then went down for a minute or so. Came on to blow about 2 p. m. with squalls, staid [stayed?] on deck for a watch from 8 to 12 during which time it blew very hard, with squalls, about took a reef in the top sails stowed all the other sails but the fore stay sail, we had lightning & rain, but it passed off better than was expected, about 11 the moon came out and made a rain bow [rainbow?] on the lee side I never saw a moon bow before it is just like one made by the sun but not quite so bright, the sailors considered this a good omen & we let out more sail as it was quieter Tuesday 18 [May?] Last night and this morning was very coarse but it moderated toward 2 p m wind against us almost lying to, a large ship passed us homeward b [bound?] with a fine fair wind but at a good distance off, in the afternoon a large steam boat homeward b [bound?] passed us but too far off to speak. She had French colours up & we ran up the ensign. Wednesday 19th [May?] Strong breeze last night increasing to a gale today & the spray dashing over the bows, ship going ten knots under foresail, mainsail, double reefed topsails & jib we can hardly stagger about & the things will not stay at rest toward evening, still getting worse with heavy sea, saw a beautiful rain bow [rainbow?] in the worst of the storm Thursday 20 [May?] A very bad night and no better this morning sea #PAGE 7 running in hills and valleys with a good deal of broken water, ship lying head to under close reefed topsails, drifting to leeward. I was standing at the weather bow this morning watching the waves when she shipped a sea & wet me all over The women and children kicked up a row last night, Waves very grand to look at, but I would rather they were a little quieter, saw two stormy petrels, just like swallows fly the same way, a brownish colour with white at the tail & and a little larger Friday 21 [May?] Gale still continues from N. W. [North West?] I believe, wish it was over, nothing but confusion tins & pots rolling about when the vessel gives a lurch, a voyage is a fine thing in good weather but very disagreeable in bad almost a weeks bad weather now, ship drifting head to and losing ground fast not much prospect of a quick passage now, slept pretty well last night although I believe it was the worst night we have had yet. I am afraid the beef will not keep any longer, had to wash it and hang it up, got it boiled this afternoon, a ship passed us this morning in the opposite direction 7 o'clock a vessel going the same way on the weather side but a long way off, wind rising instead of falling Saturday 22 [May?] A very disagreeable night wth heavy squalls, gale still continues this morning vessel lying head to under low canvas, wind took off in the evening, got provisions today & baked a first rate cake for tea, I am a capital cook now. Sunday 23 [May?] A fine morning with a nice steady breeze, wind not just fair, vessel close handed on a wind, had a prayer meeting in the fore hold #PAGE 8 at 11 o'clock, We have a school master on board & I spoke to him about it & he officiated, he is a nice little fellow, but he is humped backed, lame of a leg & has no power in one of his hands, he was in the "Aurora" when she was wrecked, and lost all his books and clothes I pay him all the attention I can, he is a Methodist and I think a very good man. 5 o'clock p. m. spoke the "Lord Harding" of & for Glasgow from Jamaica told him to report "Flora [Mure?] 15 days out. (24 '9 Longitude he showed) great excitement, passengers all on deck, the first vessel that has come near us. Prayers in the main hold at 7 p.m. school master officiating made a very nice prayer. Wind rising considerably & a sail passed pretty close at dark Monday 24[May?] Wind fallen a little, ship still on a wind saw the fin of a shark, tossed a bit of pork astern but could not entice him, a sail on the same course with us, the vessel is tacking today wind very light & showery weather, They are whitewashing the berths today, this was our day, (Marshall & I to sweep the fore hold) Tuesday 25 [May?] A fine strong breeze this morning, ship going very fast on a wind, we have distanced the other vessel, I do not know if we are on the direct course, I got a lesson in German (from a man who was with Mr Heyn) this morning. The vessel is shipping a good deal of water over the bows, half a dozen of chaps got right soused it is laughable to see the passengers staggering about the deck with pork &c [et cetera?] I was going up to make breakfast this morning with a tin full of meal in one hand & a teapot in the other just #PAGE 9 as I got on deck away I went on my - but I did not spill anything. I am afraid we are going to have another burst, but are on our course, going 9 1/2 knots to 6 knots, Wednesday 26 [May?] A very rough night & still continues this morning, ship lying to under close reefed topsails. Every day being much alike I will just tell you how we proceed, Rise between 6 & 7 o'clock, wash hands & face three or four times a week. I then put some water in a pan go to the fire & boil it, wet the tea with part of it and make stirabout with the remainder & sometimes we have an egg or a bit of ham which the cook does, after washing the things & making beds we go on deck & walk or read for two or three hours, when about 12 o'clock, we prepare the dinner, put a piece of beef in the pot with potatoes & a turnip & put them in the same pot & boil altogether, the beef having all been previously boiled, boil a little rice for desert [dessert?] in a separate pan wash the thing after dinner then walk or read till tea time about (6 o'clock) when we have tea in the usual way, then go on deck and chat with the sailors till ten o'clock when we go to bed. I will just describe the passengers in the fore hold as I go along Between us & the bows there are chaps sleeping together with their beds on the floor, McKibbin a country chap from Hollywood [Holywood?] a good natured soul, Barton a carver & cabinet maker from Belfast, a nice quiet kind of fellow, & Black a wild character who comes from Newry & has been in New York. On the other side of us there are three, Jim a sailor lad who is always doing some thing useful, sewing for some of the #PAGE 10 passengers or baking (at which he is first rate) for himself & partners, he is a very nice fellow. Next a young country fellow whom Jim has made the boy & makes him clean the things, A country carpenter a pp [?] on [one?] night when he was frightened he got a bottle of Holy Water and used some of it to quiet the storm & said we would be all right after that. Above these are the scotch mill wrights or engineers, these very proper men. Next berth below are the country Jocks & above them is the Scotch man who dined with us at the commencement of the voyage Morris is his name I do not know who he is but he has not much to say, with him is only one other a village black smith a rum looking individual with a round head and red hair & a pug nose a pp [?] easily frightened if it blows a bit of a breeze at night any hour he is sure to turn out and go on deck he is called Hanlon, this is all on our side on the other the first top berth to our left is occupied by an old man upwards of 60 years of age he is going out to his son & says that he will work very hard when he gets out but I doubt he is past all work he wears knee breaches [breeches?], his daughter comes down to cook for his [mess?] with him is a country fellow who has been sick ever since we left, and kicks up a row when he is roused out in the morning & another young man, below these are an old infantry pensioner Mr Gilmore this is our commissioner rouses us in the morning and many a squabble he has to do it, he thinks himself a splendid cook but goodness knows I would rather not eat some of his meals, & a young man from the Belfast vitrol [vitriol?] works & another chap who apes the Yankee, right berth above are three young scotch #PAGE 11 boys, below are Wm [William?] Birch (son of the postmaster of Newry a quick kind of young man, but he cannot see a stime without his spectacles) & a young man called Pat, next above are two country fellows brothers, very quiet because they have not got over their sickness yet, below a young man called Toms this fellow is always running about joking & laughing in fine weather, but when it blows he slips into bed as quiet as a mouse, next berth above three boys always quarreling, below there is the school master & two other young men, and right is the hospital in which we had to put a young country man who has been sick ever since we left & can eat nothing, a girl said to be his wife comes & attends him all day he is very ill, there are two children ill in the other hold, we have also here in a hammock W. Heyns German boat man who is passenger cook but all he does is to light the fires & help to serve out provisions, 7 o'clock the wind has fallen a good deal. The vessel that passed us on Monday evening passed us again this evening pretty close, on the opposite tack, she must be going the same way with us. Thursday 27 [May?] A fine strong breeze & fair carrying on a good rate, two vessels ahead which we hope to overhaul. 6 o'clock p. m. we have lost sight of them, it is thick with rain we are flying along at the rate of 10 knots an hour Friday 28 [May?] A rough night last night & still blowing fresh this morning, we are going at a good rate, got our place washed out today, Saturday 29 [May?] It blew pretty fresh last night but was ahead this morning it is quite calm a lot of porpoises went across the bow this morning, they go head to wind. #PAGE 12 Sunday 30 [May?] Calm all last night but a fine breeze blowing this morning we had service in the fore hold at 11 o'clock same as last Sunday 1 o'clock vessel sailing very fast on a wind 10 knots an hour. We had the shank end of the ham for dinner today with potatoes & turnip very fine, the cook boiled it for us on Saturday evening Wind fell away in the evening, had service in the main hold at 7 p m two vessels have been in sight all day away far ahead. Monday 31 [May?] Very little wind this morning no vessels in sight. I saw a small shark swim round the bow & down to the stern A country chap opposite us says he lost a small box with 4 half crowns in it two little chaps beside him had their boxes searched, as there were some circumstance which threw suspicion on them but nothing was found, the matter went no further Tuesday 1 June Last night was very stormy this morning is not quite so bad but still blowing fresh, ship close [hauled?], going about 9 or 8 knots, I think she is on her course 7 o'clock very squally all evening vessel under double reefed topsails Wednesday 2 June Stormy night but a good deal quieter this morning quite calm in the evening Thursday 3 [June?] Still quite calm saw a school of white porpoises this morning a sail passed at a distance The hold was washed out today & [---?] with tar & oakum, Boiled the tongue yesterday & had a piece of it today, very good, A nice steady breeze sprung up in the evening Friday 4 [June?] A fine favourable breeze which has continued all night. We are now on the banks of New Foundland it is quite thick. I am on deck during the morning watch helping #PAGE 13 to keep lookout (12 to 4) it was quite foggy and the vessel sailing 7 or 8 Knots under all sail, the bell ringing at intervals, it is quite cold here. The spray from the bow at night gleams lightly almost like faint lightning. The Capt [Captian?] asked me down to the cabin and gave me a glass of brandy & we had some chat, this is the first time he has taken particular notice of me, before I turned in it cleared up and wind fell away Saturday 5 [June?] Clear morning with fine fresh breeze but increasing wind ahead in the evening, ship lying to Sunday 6 [June?] A fine morning but wind still ahead Soon got quite thick again bell kept ringing, a steam boat passed us going same way at 2 a. m. (I heard) 35 fathoms, passed three fishing boats at 12 noon fore and aft schooners of 50 or 60 tons 3 o'clock 45 fathoms very cold on deck and not much warmer below, had service in fore hold at 11 a. m. made a first rate pudding for dinner, service at 7 p. m. in fore hold as the decks were too wet for the master to go aft Monday 7th [June?] Calm this morning but fine not just so cold A vessel on the lee bow far off thick as a hedge all afternoon wind rising vessel nearly on her course 41 fathoms A cod fish passed swimming on its back close to the vessel suppose it had been hurted [hurt?] by a fisher. I was leaning on some buttress but ran on deck with all hands to see it. There was a bird something like a green canary flying about the rigging today we have been dining on cold ham with potatoes & turnip & tongue for the last week, we do not like ship beef & pork, we have pancakes or a hot cake nearly every evening with coffee, we had quit the tea as it was #PAGE 14 bad, taking only stirabout & one egg for breakfast we live very well that nasty bell ringing away Tuesday 8 [June?] Stormy & thick all night & still continues, wind right ahead vessel going along fast it is ruinable weather this part as cold as ice decks all wet but we are near the land if the wind would only come fair. Wednesday 9 [June?] Thick & stormy all night but at 9 am this morning the fog cleared away & the sun came out wind still ahead we have had no weather for fishing since we came on the bank We are going to have a right long passage two sails on sight away to the windward today, one a brig the Capt.[Captain?] thinks he knows, the other a barque Thursday 10th [June?] Fine night & morning wind still ahead vessels a good deal nearer the brig is not the one the Capt [Captain?] thought 2 o'clock wind greatly freshened brig fallen astern barque still about the same place. A large ship passed right across our bow this fore noon sailing before the wind with all sails set royal studding sails and the main mast. I never saw a vessel under such a cloud of canvas before, it was a beautiful sight, just after she passed we saw no less than seven other sails all on the lee bow but they were a long way off still very cold but dry had the hold swept and washed today & beds all on deck, another sail passed us on the opposite tack far away to the windward She stood away past the barque both on the same tack & in the evening we went about & when the barque saw us she did [so?] [as?] we passed her on the weather side during the night Friday 11 [June?] A miserable wet & cold morning very little wind but #PAGE 15 fair sea quite smooth no vessel to be seen but they cannot be far off, one of the men (Birch) had his water stopped for not rising in time I always turn out when wakened after breakfast the second mate came down with a dirty wet rope to haul Birch out of bed when he was forced to get up but he vows revenge against the Capt. [Captain?] fine fair wind in the evening but thick Saturday 12th [June?] Cold thick morning little wind but fair, an ice berg seen early, round ahead in the evening blowing fresh saw several vessels one homeward bound pass close to us with top gallant studding sails set it is provoking to see vessels pass with a fair wind and us lying to but on the whole I am wonderfully contented Sunday 13 [June?] last night very wild wind ahead this morning fine light wind coming fair the whales seen early, quite calm all day, it has been calm every Sunday since we came saw a shoal of porpoises. A brig in sight all day. Service in fore hold at 11 o'clock the master makes beautiful prayers & so earnest but I am sorry to say that not more than half of the passengers attend Had only a dumpling for dinner no meat it was very good, s[--?]lt was done but I cut some fat off the ham, Service in the main hold at 7 p.m. a wet evening Monday 14 [June?] A fine fair wind all night right aft, & going better than 10 knots this morning, Still very cold & decks wet, a brig in company with us all morning she signalised [signalized?] us, but this poor vessel has neither halyards nor signal book, although a good vessel she is worse found in running rigging &c [et cetera?] than many an old collier & that is not saying much We #PAGE 16 have gone ahead of the brig she is now astern, (soon) wind fell away in the evening Tuesday 15 [June?] Fair wind but light all night & this evening we are in the gulf of St Lawrence passed Breton Island today a good many sails in sight passed the Magdallen [Magadalen?] Islands & the bird rocks, two large rocks like the [-?]ass, the birds flew home in 50's or so, large as a goose pure white with the ends of the wings black, & orange heads, there were other kinds of small ducks all black except the breast which was white, very little wind in the evening Wednesday 16 [June?] almost calm continuing to rain no land in sight Water very bad yesterday for the [first?], better today a new cask being broached, a perfect calm all day, never saw the sea so quiet smooth as mirror, two or three little green & yellow birds have been flying about the rigging since morning Thursday 17 [June?] Light wind but not very favourable a large Island in sight on the weather side, got the pilot on board in the afternoon off lower end of the Island of Anticosti Friday 18 [June?] A stiff breeze blowing nearly ahead we stood so close to Anticosti that we saw the trees as thick as possible all over, it blew very hard all day we were tacking back & forward all the time, one tack near the land she missed stays twice & we had to [-?]ear ship, we got a slant in the evening when she went near about her course Saturday 19 Wind ahead again but not so strong we are now at the upper end of Anticosti Snow on the hills on the main land but a fine morning a good many large vessels have passed us #PAGE 17 yesterday & today homeward bound with a fine fair wind, studding Sunday 20 [June?] Made a little last night but a headwind today, but fine, tacking back and forward at 7 islands, first few days in the Gulf the sea had a dirty appearance but today it is green again, the 7 islands appear to be just great bare rocks, service twice as usual on Sunday, no wind in the evening, we have had very little flesh meat this week and today it was finished we do not use the ships Monday 21 [June?] A nice favourable breeze but light a [and?] calm in the evening Tuesday 22 [June?] Calm this morning and warm a great many vessels coming down the river 16 or 17 all barques except two brigs, A man in our end has something like small pox Capt [Captain?] thinks it is not but it is very like it this may detain us at quarantine we got as much water as we wanted yesterday & today, land on each side this last week or so 20 or 25 miles broad here, we can now see houses all along the shore on the left hand side quite thick and fire burning all day, a nice little breeze in the evening, a sea bird came floating down to us on a bit of wood and afterwards two other sticks [----?] Our pilot and the pilot of a barque that came near had a long parley, could not make out one word, a very warm day this has been, had a biscuit pudding for dinner and tea, Calm all evening Wednesday 23 [June?] Head wind this morning but light, opposite the same hill that we were at all yesterday we saw a vessel away ahead yesterday going same way today we are tacking together, she is from Malta 62 days out several vessels going home, I was #PAGE 18 up in the fore top yesterday. A man in the other end (another lame school master) had a child sick for the last fortnight or so, a little girl, 12 months old, it died this evening. A horrid ugly red headed old woman kicked up a row today fiting [fighting?] with another woman the Capt.[Captain?] separated them with a belaying pin after a while she commenced to another woman when she was hauled up and tied to the mizzen rigging fiting [fighting?] and scolding all the time calling the Capt. [Captain?] all sorts of names, she is now locked up by herself Thursday 24 [June?] I was up till 3 o'clock last night helping to work ship the wind was ahead but light and we had a good deal of lightning (shaft), this morning there is very little wind with some rain Last night after the lamp had been anchored and all in bed were asleep a fellow was caught in the act of stealing anothers bread and he got a right beating and sent on deck (about 1 o'clock) Our smokers are all reduced to the necessity of smoking tea for the last week all the tobacco being done, & this morning at 10 a. m. a small schooner was near us & we hailed her but she had nothing but eggs & butter, after manouvering for near an hour (in almost a calm) to get him alongside a small slant of wind came and we bore away from him, Quite thick in the evening, the lead kept going 7 1/2 to 17 fathoms near Green Island, on which there is a gun fired every half hour we have to keep silence at the expected time Friday 25 [June?] Stores for three days served out, which we were all in great need of, last night I awoke hearing a great noise and the vessel all shaking I thought we were in #PAGE 19 breakers and was going to turn out when I minded it was the anchor cast to wait the return of the tide which runs here, Carpenter made a small coffin today, Came up with a brig at anchor a boat came along side of her at same time, spoke him and asked for tobacco, boat had been ashore and could get none sailing now along with us. I have just been on deck to see a shoal of white porpoises, She came up with 3 loaded vessels at anchor lowered the boat and the second mate went to them for tobacco while he was away a shore boat came alongside with tobacco & eggs, he sold the tobacco as fast as he could lift it at 6 per stick 1/8 of a pound worth 1/ or 1/6 per pound here. I got 1 1/2 dozen eggs for 1/-. Came to anchor at 3 p.m. lowered the boat and sent the dead child ashore with the father. Still quite thick just got one glimpse of the land it is very high here, boat came back at 1/2 past 4 p.m. when we saw her coming we raised anchor & made sail. Saturday Up at 3 this morning with some others lifted every box in the place and washed it well, the anchor was down from 2 to 3 a. m. twice a cross current running, going along nicely with a light air and the tide in the evening, later in the evening got up to the quarantine ground Grose Isle Sunday 27 [June?] Doctor came on board at 7 a. m. examined us all on account of the man with small pox got our beds and some provisions & sent the sick man was sent to hospital and we were put in a large house with bunks on each side same as aboard, there are about a dozen of such houses on the Island we were confined to one end and could not go over pailings [palings?] Sunday and all as #PAGE 20 it was the women started to washing bed clothes &c [et cetera?] in a large house convenient for the purpose, fitted up with troughs along both sides four stacks of chimneys with three boilers in each with a fire place below them & eight fires for cooking, they were all occupied from 12 o'clock till nine when they were stopped There is a church and a chapel here very neat but small the clergyman invited us to go to church and we had a special service at 3 1/2 p. m. he is a very nice young man the houses here are all built of wood overlaping [overlapping?] like the planks of a boat roofed with split wood called shingles they just look like slates. There are no regular inhabitants here all leave in the winter, no cultivated land here, we got fresh beef & milk & bread for dinner (at the store) cooked it ourselves, the land is all rocky with small trees, saw a small snake in the wood beside the grave yard where there are some head stones erected one very nice monument to the memory of four doctors and 5,424 people who left Ireland in 1847 to settle in America but found only a grave. Monday 28 [June?] Henry Jenkinson offered to get his sister and one or two more to was [wash?] for me so I got soap and what dirty things and got them all nicely washed and splendidly dried on the rocks in two or three hours time had my blanket & quilt & sheets washed, doctor came at 3 p. m. & counted us out and we went down to the boats and got all on board at four, set sail with both wind and tide and cast anchor off Quebec at 10 p m Capt. [Captain?] served out a couple of glasses of rum all round and we had a song or two #PAGE 21 and the Capt. [Captain?] and some of the crew danced reels, we went to bed at twelve o'clock Tuesday 29th [June?] Dressing in the morning when I was called for on deck to see some one jumped up and found Andy alongside in a boat but he could not come up, went down into the mizzen chains and shook hands with him and found he had been here from 1st June and also at Toronto, got ashore with him in the evening and sta |
