Bermuda

Journal of a Voyage from Falmouth to Halifax & Bermuda & back

Sailed 8^th April – Returned 14 July 1829

Wednesday 8^th April 1829 – at ½ past 10 oClock A.M. Lieutenant Sullivan, whom Captain Snell, as he intended to remain one voyage at home, had appointed in his own stead, came on board with the Mail, when we started from Falmouth immediately. The wind blew from the SW, as foul as could possibly be, and during the whole day, the weather was very variable and cold. At 9 P.M. we had got on no further than a few miles from the Lizard Point.

Thursday 9^th – wind in the same quarter. During most of the night a calm prevailed, so that this morning, we were nearly in the same Situation as yesterday, near the Lizard. Weather cloudy but fair, with occasional gleams of sunshine. At 2 P.M. we stretched out to sea and in the evening, tacked again to land.

Friday 10^th – fine day – wind unfavourable. Course S 148º W distance 47 miles. Lat 49º 11’ N. Long. 5º 31’. Chronom.^r 5º 20’.

Saturday 11^th – weather wet & disagreeable with very strong but unfavourable breeze. Course S. 73º W. Distance 31 . Latitude 49º 01’ N. Longit. 6º W.

Sunday 12^th April – weather changeable – wind unfavourable. Course N. 72º W. Distance 61 . Latitude 49º 15’ N. Longit. 7º 48 Chronometer  8º 16 W.

Monday 13^th – fine day – wind rather more favourable. At 5 P.M. spoke with H.M. Cutter Bramble [1] bound with the Mail for Lisbon, left Falmouth on the 10^th April. Course S 6º E. Distance 53 . Latitude 48º 22’ N. Longit. 7º 40 W. Chronometer  8º 8’ 30”.

Tuesday 14^th – morning & forenoon changeable. At ½ past 12 P.M. a furious gale of wind came on, which obliged us to take in every stitch of sail, and lay to. The wind continued the whole day with abated and then [un]abated violence. Course S. 52º W. Distance 96 . Latitude 47º 23’ N. Longit. 9º 22’ Chronometer 9º 45’ W.

Wednesday 15^th – weather squally – In the evening a calm. Course S 45º E. Dist.^ce 33. Lat.^e 47.1 N. Long 8.50 W. Chronom: 9º 14’ W.

Thursday 16^th – fine weather – wind unfavourable, with sudden squalls. C.^rse S 22º W. Dist.^ce 65 Latitude 46º 1’ N. Long. 9º 26’ W. Chronom: 9º 58’.

Friday 17^th – weather fine nearly a calm the whole day. Course S 12º E. Dist.^ce 66 miles. Lat.^e 44º 56’ N. Long. 9º 10’. Chronom: 9º 23’.

Saturday 18^th April – most beautiful weather. In the morning a favourable breeze sprung up, which soon lulled into a calm. At 4 the breeze again freshened and continued so during the night. Course S 44º W. Dist.^ce 48. Latitude 44º 24’ N. Longitude 9º 59 W’. Chron: 10º 16’ W.

Sunday 19^th – fine weather favourable and fresh breeze. C.^rse S 53º W. Dist.^ce 149 miles. Lat.^e 42º 58’ N. Longit.^e 12º 44’. Chron: 12º 55’ W.

Monday 20^th – fine weather in the forenoon – afternoon cloudy, with occasional slight showers of rain. Wind again changed against us. C.^rse S 42º W. Dist.^ce 136. Latitude 41º 16’ N. Long.^tde 14º 46’. Chronom: 14º 56’ W.

Tuesday 21^st – weather fair but cloudy, wind strong & unfavourable. Course S 6º N. Dist.^ce 125. Latitude 39º 20’ N. Long. 15º 15’ W. Chronom: 15º 18’4” W.

Wednesday 22^nd – weather cloudy – breeze very strong but unfavourable. Course S 5º W. Dist.^ce 114. Latitude 37º 26’ N. Longitude 15º 30’ W. Chronom: 15º 36’ W. Terceira bore N 79º 39’ W. distance 400 miles.

Thursday 23^rd – wind favourable and we are on our proper course, but there is a very heavy swell. Weather changeable. Course S 8º E. distance 99 miles. Latitude 35º 47’ N. Longitude 15º 13’ W. Chronom: 15º 9’ W. Bearings and distance from S.^t Mary’s island, one of the Azores N 79º 43’ W. 478 miles.

Friday 24^th April – beautiful weather – wind again unfavourable, so that we cannot make any Westing. In the evening it became more favourable. C.^rse S 65º W. Distance 59. Lat.^e 35º 41’ N. Longit 15º 28’ W.

Saturday 25^th – wind again unfavourable – fine weather – breeze more favourable in the evening. Course S 30º W. Dist.^ce32. Latitude 35º 14’ W. Long.^e 15º 47’ W. Chron. 15º 37’.

Sunday 26^th – Fine weather, with occasional showers & squalls – Wind sometimes changeable but generally quite favourable. Course S 41º W. Dist. 81. Lat. 35º 59’ N. Longit. 16º 36’ W.

Monday 27^th – fine weather with passing showers & squalls. Wind fresh & favourable. Course N 81º W. Dist. 83. Lat: 36º 12’ N. Long. 18º 15’. Chron. 18º 6’.

Tuesday 28^th – weather in the forenoon fine with nearly a calm. In the evening the wind freshened, & frequent squalls & showers accompanied it. Course S 71º W. Distance 111. Latitude 35º 45’ N. Long. 20º 28’ W. Chronom: 20º 19’ W.

Wednesday 29 – beautiful weather – heat excessive – a calm the whole of the day. Course S 71º W. Distance 59. Latitude 35º 26’ N. Longitude 21º 29’ W.

Thursday 30^th April – light airs but favourable – caught a porpoise this morning – fine weather. Course S 62º W. Dist: 57 – Latitude 34º 59’ N. Longi 22º 31’ W. Chron: 22º 18’ W.

Friday 1^st May – morning cloudy with light winds. In the forenoon a violent shower of rain fell, during which the wind lulled – but it became very strong and favourable, as soon as the rain cleared – fine weather in the afternoon. 3 sails in sight. Course N 89º  W. Dist. 84. Lat. 35º 0’ N. Longit. 24º 14’. Chrona. 24º 1’ W.

Saturday 2^nd – in the morning breeze much abated but still fresh, weather cloudy. At noon nearly a calm – with fine weather. Today the Men were exercised in firing, which beguiled the time very pleasantly. In the evening light airs springing up, but from an unfavourable quarter. Course S 86º W. Dist.^ce 154. Latitude 35º 50’ N. Long, 27º 22’ W. Chron: 27º 12’ W. Sable Island bore N 69º 56’ W. Distance 1615.

Sunday 3^rd – weather variable – wind changeable, but against us. Course S 69º W. Dist.^ce 48. Lat.^e 34º 34’ N. Long. 28º 25’ W. Chron: 27º 56’ W. Sambro light N 70º W. Distance 1746.

Monday 4^th – weather variable – wind nearly favourable. Course N 68º W. Dist. 98. Lat. 34º 53’ N. Long, 29º 11’ W. Chron. 28º 53’ W.

Tuesday 5^th May – fine weather – calm all the day, till about 4 P.M., when a breeze sprung up quite favourable & continued to encrease. Course N 68º W. Dist.^ce 43. Lat. 35º 9’ N. Long: 29º 59’ W. Chron: 29º 51’30” W. Sable Island N 69º W. 1511 miles.

Wednesday 6^th – the fifth week of our voyage has been auspiciously marked at its commencement by fine weather & a strong favourable breeze. Hitherto we have got no further than Corvo, the westernmost of the Azores – but if the breeze lasts we shall soon make up for our tardiness. Course N 69º 30’ W. Distance 104. Lat.^e 35º 45’ N. Long. 32º 2’ W. Chron 31º 39’30” W.

Thursday 7^th – weather cloudy – wind strong & favourable. Evening very rainy. At 10 o’Clock P.M. owing to the darkness & drizzling rain, an American bark from New York approached so near without being perceived, that she had almost run us down. Fortunately M.^r Geach saw her – hailed her & just in time she passed close to us. Course N 76º W. Dist. 166. Lat. 36º 26’ N. Long. 35º 21’ W. Chron: 34º 46’30”.

Friday 8^th – weather cloudy – wind changeable but generally favourable. C. N 69º W. Dist. 112. Lat: 37º 6’ N. Long. 37º 32’ W.

Saturday 9^th May – weather cloudy but fair – wind favourable, but sometimes variable in Strength. Course N 82º W. Dist.^ce 151. Latitude 37º 27’ N. Long: 40º 37’ W. Chronom: 40º 25’ W.

Sunday 10^th – beautiful weather – favourable wind. Course N 76º W. Distance 123. Lat.^e 37º 55’ N. Longit: 43º 8’ W. Chron: 42º 56’ W.

Monday 11^th – Weather fine but cloudy – breeze favourable. Course N 76º W. Dist.^ce 113. Latitude 38º 23’ N. Longit: 43º 8’ W. Chronom: 45º 15’ W.

Tuesday 12^th – cloudy weather with occasional slight showers – Wind favourable but variable in strength. Course N 65º W. Distance 140. Latitude 39º 23’ N. Long: 48º 8’ W. Chronon: 47º 46’. Evening wet and foggy.

Wednesday 13^th – in the morning very little wind which has also shifted its direction. Very dense fog, accompanied by a heavy drizzling rain, which soon drenches to the skin. During whole of the afternoon and night nearly a calm. Towards evening the fog cleared up. Course N 69º W. Dist.^ce 75 miles. Latitude 39º 45’ N. Longit: 49º 27’ W. Chronom: 49º 10’ W.

Thursday 14^th – in the morning light and favourable breezes – during the rest of the day and night a calm or nearly so. Fine weather. Course South. Dist.^ce 54. Latit.^e 38º 51’ N. Long 49º 22’ W. Chron: 49º 10’ W.

Friday 15^th – weather changeable – In the morning a breeze sprung up favourable to us, but which became a little contrary to us in the afternoon. Course S 85º W. Dist. 23 miles. Latitude 39º 51’ N. Longitude 49º 51’ W. Chronom: 49º 39’15” W.

Saturday 16^th May – in the morning a fine strong and favourable breeze prevailed, which continued all day but fell off at night. Weather cloudy in the first part of the day but very fine in the latter part. Course N 44º W. Distance 87. Latitude 39º 51’ N. Long. 51º 10’. Chronom: 50º 47’ W.

Sunday 17^th – delightful weather. In the morning very light breeze, which in the course of the day encreased so much as to carry on at the rate of 9 knots. Course N 62º W. Distance 137. Latitude 40º 55’ N. Long. 53º 51’ W. Chronom: 53º 43’ W.

Monday 18^th – at 2 o’Clock this morning a sudden & violent squall came on – the wind immediately became contrary, with a heavy swell of the sea – & it also rained “cats and dogs” – At day break weather cloudy and wind continued contrary thro much less strong, till at night it lulled to a calm – Course N 53º W. Dist.^ce 118 miles. Latitude 41º 57’. Longit. 56º 7’ W. Chronom: 55º 59’ W.

Tuesday 19^th – fine Weather – Light breezes in the morning, which became strong during the day, and were nearly favourable. Course S 5º W. Dist.^ce 10. Latitude 41º 42’ N. Longit. 56º 8’ W. Chron: 55º 58’ W.

Wednesday 20^th – strong breeze but unfavourable. Weather cold and attended with frequent heavy showers of rain, during which the wind died away. At night very little wind. Course N 36º W. Dist. 129 Lat. 43º 0’ N. Long.^e 58º 3’ W. Chron: 58º 25’30” W.

Thursday 21^st – weather cloudy & disagreeable. The wind changed from the South to the North, which occasioned a degree of cold such as I have not experienced the preceding winter. Breeze partly fresh but great swell of the sea. At 6 P.M. the wind fell off and a stark calm prevailed till 4 oClock A.M. Course N 70º W. Dist.^ce 41. Lat. 42º 56’ N. longitude 59º 36’ N. Chron: 59º 23’ W.

Friday 22^nd – weather wet and foggy with alternate calms & light breezes. We are abreast of Sable Island about 130 miles from Halifax. At Midnight we were on sable Bank in 47 fathoms water Course N.78º W. Dist.^ce 43. Latitude 43º 5’ N. Long 60º 30’ W. Chron. 60º 20’ W.

Saturday 23^rd – weather cloudy in the morning but soon cleared up. In the forenoon fresh breezes & rather favourable but will oblige us to make Shelburne light instead of Sambro  Saw a schooner anchored on Sable Bank and employed in fishing. In the afternoon the wind changed direction in our favour Extreme cold to day. At Midnight I came upon deck Saw the Sambro light house, and we came abreast of it about 2 oClock A.M. its placed on a small island, surrounded by breakers, against which the Duke of York, in her last Halifax voyage, nearly struck, owing to the distance from it having been mistaken, in consequence of foggy weather. Very few Packets enter Halifax by night as besides Sambro (15 miles distant) there are other small but dangerous rocks, which when the atmosphere is hazy, are often fatal to mariners. The moon rose at 12 to night, but was soon totally obscured by cloud, which discharged partial showers of rain.

Arrive at Halifax

Sunday 24^th May – altho’ the wind nearly died when close to Halifax, it again sprung up & we succeeded in reaching our destination at ½ past 5 A.M. As we shall return to Halifax from Bermuda and (as I hope) make a stay of a few days there, I shall defer any particulars respecting that place till then in order to preserve more order and connection in my Journal. I may mention, however, that upon our arrival, we learnt that several vessels, sailing both by the Northern & Southern passages, that had short passages – one in particular had left Falmouth several days after us & had performed her voyage in 28 days.[2] From all this, it was thought at Halifax, that we had been lost, as had been the fate of two Packets this year (Ariel& Myrtle).[3] With respect to the latter, we were told, that when about 90 miles from Halifax, with a fair & moderate breeze, such was the dense haziness of the weather, that she went right between two portions of rock, got jammed and went to pieces. Fortunately this disaster was attended with no loss of lives – all succeeded in getting on shore where they erected a sort of tent, collected what provisions they could, and finally managed to reach Halifax.

With respect to the Ariel, about which no intelligence could be gained hitherto, it seems that there is a vessel here which went under the stern of the Ariel, while she was lying to in a gale of wind & spoke her. This was 12 days after she had left England, and not one hundred miles off.

The weather today is excessively hot and oppressive, while only yesterday we were shivering with cold.

[Miss Powell our Passenger landed]

We [landed here the only two passengers whom we carried out with us] viz. a [lady and gentleman. The lady was call’d Miss Powell] and [had come out to Halifax as Governess to Sir Peregrine Marsland the Governor’s children. She seemed to be a very pleasant and agreeable lady “of a certain age,” from] whose [manners a residence of four years in Normandy has served] to rub off [that reserve and irracability] which is so often cast up to us as the characteristic of our nation. [She was also an excellent sailor – as after the three first days she suffered little] or nothing from sea sickness. [If I were asked] what was the extent of [her accomplishments] I could give a correct [answer- for as many points of History, & useful information, she showed either real or affected ignorance] – but as to the more elegant [accomplishments of languages, Music and drawing in these she showed herself an excellent proficient.] Upon the whole I believe [she] was as the world and education now go fully qualified to give the most complete satisfaction [to her fashionable employer.]

[Senhor Young our Passenger – Leave Halifax]

I shall now say a few words regarding [our gentleman passenger Senhor Young.] I found that [he had] been 6 years at [Liverpool] and that during the two last [he] was [in the] same [office as Andrew Maclean, who] of course, will probably know [much about him. He appeared] to be a very [informed] young man & [one who had mixed] a good deal [in good society. His manners however were some unequal – and he betrayed occasional traits of impatience & rudeness which] may be attributed to the circumstance that, during the whole voyage [he] was [seldom free from indisposition a single day – and on] this ground alone [could an excuse] be found. But I may say generally that [He contributed his share to the common] amusement & information.

At 2 oClock we received the Mail on board, and started immediately for Bermuda, with a fine fresh breeze, nearly favourable, leaving in harbour H.M.S.^s the Hussar – Tyne – Rose, [4] the same we met on our return from Rio in Nov.^r & the Manly [5]– Rear Admiral Sir Charles Oyle. Evening very cold

Monday 25^th May – fine weather but cold – wind strong and nearly favourable. Course S 28º E. Distance 83. Latitude 43º 16’ N. Longitude 62º 39’ W. Chronom.^r 62º 50’ W.

Tuesday 26^th – morning cold and foggy. In the afternoon the weather was beautiful, warm & clear. Wind pretty fresh all day & nearly favourable. Course S 9º 30’ E. Distance 83. Latitude 41º 6’ N. Longitude 62º 11’ W. Chronom.^r 62º 29’ W.

Wednesday 27^th – beautiful and very warm weather. Moderate breeze all day but unfavourable. Course S 16º E. Dist.^ce 92. Lat.^e 39º 35’ N. Long. 61º 38’ W. Chron. 61º 56’45” W.

Thursday 28^th – weather very variable – much rain. In the forenoon fresh breeze but unfavourable. In the afternoon the wind became favourable and continued fresh all night. Spoke an American Bark, called the Charles Drew, from Havannah, bound to some port in America. Course S 39º E. Distance 99 miles. Lat.^e 38º 23’ N. Long: 60º 19’ W. Chron: 60º 9’30” W.

Gulph Weed and Spars of Wood

Friday 29^th – beautiful weather – fresh and favourable wind all day, till evening when it lulled to a calm. I forgot to mention a circumstance which has been of very frequent occurrence. Ever since we left the Azores, scarcely a day passed without our seeing large quantities of Gulph Weed, & large logs and spars of wood. Till we reached Halifax, what we saw resembled our common sea weed – but between Halifax & Bermuda it was of a different appearance & was far more beautiful. It consisted either of detached pieces or conglomerate masses, inumerous stems of which was incrusted with an elegant network of a whitish colour, which we supposed to be formed of coral. It was of course a great amusement to us to angle for these weeds, and to examine what they might chance to contain. Nor was our trouble unproductive of reward & instruction. We dislodged from their floating houses hundreds of small crabs – shrimps – several peculiar and curious fish, of a small size – & could easily imagine that this weed, when the sea presents as it were one great field, will give shelter & food to innumerable fish, and various birds – the latter of whom are said often to seize the advantage of such an occurrence and take a passage from one place to another, in this frail vehicle.

Another, but rarer incident, than our meeting with this Gulph Weed, was the passage of large & small spars of wood. Several of these we laid hold of – and when examined, we found them, more or less covered with barnacles, according to the greater or longer time they had been in the water (& some of them had probably been for years there). By the direction of Providence, these barnacles procured food for themselves on the wood, while they in their turn became food for shoals of small fished, which swam and moved only as the wood went along. Hence to get hold of a large piece, was a good prize to us, as we could thus have several dishes of fresh fish, which tasted very well. Course S 42º W. Distance 132 miles. Lat.^e 36º 47’ N. Long. 62º 1’ W. Chron: 62º 10’30” W.

Saturday 30^th May – beautiful weather – wind strong but foul. Course S 6º W. Dist.^ce 64. Lat.^e 35º 39’ N. Long. 62º 8’ W. Chron. 62º 22’15” W.

Sunday 31^st – weather in the morning dull and cloudy with occasional slight showers, but during the remainder of the day fine. Wind strong & still contrary to us, so that, altho’ we shall be able to make our latitude, we shall encrease our Longitude. Course S 24º E. Dist.^ce 108. Lat. 34º 0’ N. Longitude 61º 14’. Chron. 61º 28’15” W.

Monday 1^st June – weather changeable but generally fine. Wind strong & fresh but still blowing us dead on end as yesterday. Course S 26º E. Distance 106. Lat. 32º 25’ N. Long. 60º 20’ W. Chron: 60º 45’15” W.

Tuesday 2^nd – in the morning weather cloudy & squally, with frequent & violent rains – & wind blowing half a gale but foul. In the evening the weather improved & the wind lulled nearly to a calm. Course S 26º E. Distance 92. Lat.^e 31º 3’ N. Long. 59º 33’ W. Chron. 59º 52’.

Arrive at Bermuda

Wednesday 3^rd June – beautiful weather but very warm. In the morning moderate & more favourable breezes, which however died away at 12 oClock, & we had nearly a calm all day & night. Course S 54º W. Distance 50. Lat.^e 30º 34’ N. Long. 60º 20’ W. Long [but ‘Chron’] 60º 41’30” W.

Thursday 4^th – delightful weather. Breeze sprung up a 8 this morning quite in our favour & continued all day. Evening rather squally with partial rain. Course N 63º W. Dist.^ce 31. Lat.^e 30º 49’ W. Long. 61º 15’ W. Chron: 61º 38’30” W. Bermuda Island 192 miles.

Friday 5^th – weather [fine] and pleasant but cloudy. Fresh and favourable breeze all day. At 7 P.M. saw the island of Bermuda, but faintly, and as it was very dangerous to risk an entrance by night, M.^r Geach shortened sail, and went upon another tack.

Saturday 6^th – came upon deck at 5 this morning at which time no land could be discovered. About ½ past 6 A.M. land was seen, but could not be very accurately defined. The wind being still in our favour, we gradually neared the Islands, received on board a Black Pilot, and then advanced with confidence. At a short distance, the range of islands visible looked like so many naked rocks, but a closer approach shewed them to be very generally covered with trees which, however, were dwarfish and but sparsely planted, so mush so as to appear rather bare. By a very narrow passage we entered the Harbour of S.^t George’s and cast anchor off a small island named Packet Island at ½ past 9 A.M. when the Capt.ⁿ went immediately ashore with the Mail. Of the town of S.^t George’s and various other particulars I shall [say] nothing here – but reserve them for another opportunity when I shall endeavour to throw any remarks which may occur to me into one general description.

Scenery in Bermuda

In the afternoon of this day I went ashore with our Master and Captain on a bit of a cruise. We soon left the town far behind us and by tolerably good roads, whose sides were rather formed by the sea shore or by rocky eminences covered with stunted trees and various plants & shrubs, & from which we had several pleasant views. At last we ascended the highest of the numerous little hills, which were everywhere to be seen, a-had from the summit of it a very delightful prospect. On the one side of us lay the unruffled calm of the North Atlantic ocean, stretching out into immeasurable distance, while on the other the whole Bermudas, which do, I believe, extend beyond 17 or 20 miles. Here the prospect was beautifully diversified. I dare say we beheld 20 different small islands, with and without names, which divide, what may, but for them be called one immense still water lake into several small bays. Groups of cedar trees crowned their tops, and lined their sides – and on some of them houses of the purest white helped to add still more to the interest of the scene by their contrast to the green inverditure of nature. When attentively surveying these objects I was strongly reminded of several of my native lakes and islands, and particularly of Lach Lomond, with this material difference, that there is a-wanting here those majestic closely planted trees with which the latter abounds – and I am sure that you will never accuse me of preferring the abortive productions of this barren tho’ beautiful spot, to the full maturity and luxuriance of nature’s leafy children to be found in the hardly more fertile hills of my own native Isle. It was only as I felt, to the inmost core of my heart, the strong resemblance which fond recollecting & reminiscence of former times tended to heighten that I enjoyed the prospect – so much and also because as yet I have no where abroad seen such peculiar and beautiful scenery. After a long & satisfactory walk we returned on board for the night.

Cannot at first find out the direction of D.^r Thomas

Sunday 7^th June – you will remember my dear Mother, that in your last letter to me, you mentioned that D.^r Thomas of Linlithgow was attached to one of the convict ships in Bermuda, and it would [be] an easy matter to find him out. So thought I too when I was told of the small extent of the Islands, which I imagined would naturally presuppose that every body was generally known there – but in this I reckoned greatly beyond my hosts. For, after making inquiry at several persons who from their situation might well be supposed to have a general knowledge of those living here, I could gain no information of their being any such person. Of course I gave up all further hope of being able to call upon the gentleman till happening to be in the Post Office with the Captain, I saw a Bermuda Calendar in which I found the name of D.^r Thomas as the Surgeon of the Dromedary Hulk [6] & now stationed at the island of Ireland. Still, with this knowledge and information I was as little likely as ever to accomplish my first object of seeing him, since Ireland lay 12 or 13 miles off, which distance had to be gone over by water, and there were no regular passage boats on Sunday. Fortunately for me, the Captain, having attempted to go there yesterday in our Gig, but being obliged to put back in consequence of the freshness of the wind & the swell of the sea, determined to go today and pay his respects, as in duty bound and according to his written instructions, to the Governor – Sir H. Turner, and the Naval Commissioner M.^r Briggs. He might have gone in the Government passage boat & thus saved the boat’s crew much fagging, and indeed this is the common mode of proceeding – but he was not aware of this and the stupid Postmaster either was ignorant or neglectful to inform him.

Appearances on the way to Isl.^d of Ireland – Dangerous Rocks – Hulks at Ireland

As it was, the Captain having kindly granted M.^r Geach and myself a passage, we started in the 2^nd Gig at ½ past 5 in the morning, whilst the breeze was moderate, and the weather delightful. In our passage we passed along several of the islands, which presented a considerable diversity of prospect. Some parts of them were bare & naked, with hardly any traces of vegetation, while others were ornamented with numerous trees. Generally speaking the sea coast was of the former character and the more inland parts of the latter. For the last 9 miles we were outside of all the islands, and had the open sea on our Starboard side. We passed close to or over those dreadful coral rocks, which are at once the best bulwark of these islands, and the cause of its dangerous navigation, so that, without a pilot no vessel could escape being dashed in pieces. These rocks are distinctly visible, such is the clearness of the water, and extend an immense way out into the Sea. Not later ago than last winter, 3 men of war were lost, as they were coming to Bermuda.

About 8 oClock A.M. we reached Ireland, the island where most of the ships of war on this station winter – where the principal dock yard is, and where the large Hulks full of convicts are stationed. Here there is no pretensions to a town – as the whole consists of a few buildings for those engaged in the Public Employment. When we were there, there was only one Brig of war called the Columbine, [7] Captain Townsend, and 5 or 6 Hulks, [8] the convicts in which were compelled to labour in the Dock Yard, or wherever Government works were carried on. These Hulks were the first I have yet seen and I viewed them with curiosity. They consist of old line of battle ships, dismasted, and which are found unfit for any other purpose. They are roofed in like houses, and the port holes or windows are furnished with iron bars like a prison. I regretted much that it was out of my power to have a full inspection of the interior of them, owing to circumstances which I shall mention.

Disappointed at not being able to spend a day in Irel.^d – see D.^r Thomas

When we reached the shore, the Captain walked on to Commissioner Briggs, while M.^r Geach and myself strolled about. It had been our intention to have spent the day in Ireland, and, if possible, to have returned in the Evening by a passage boat, which we had been led to believe started regularly every night from Ireland to S.^t George’s Island. Upon inquiry, however, we were told that we would have no opportunity that evening, but might probably have one in the Morning. This was quite beyond our plan – as the Mail would be ready for us at ten oClock of that day. We had, therefore, no other alternative than to return with the Captain, in the Gig, and give up our projected plan.

In about half an hour our Commander returned from the Commissioner’s, and went on board the Columbine to Breakfast, while I took the advantage of this to go to the Dromedary Hulk, and see D.^r Thomas. There I found him & his lady (both very pleasant people) in a handsome furnished Cabin – breakfasted with them, and at ½ past 9 left them desiring me to say when I wrote home, that they were in good health.

Visit Bermuda or Somer’s Island

On our return to the Columbine, we received the Captain on board, and pulled away for Bermuda, or Somer’s Island, next to Ireland, where the Governor is resident, and to whom Lieut.^t Sullivan proposed to pay his devoirs. As we passed along the island, we discovered its sides to be full of excavations of a greater or less depth, formed by the continued wash.^g and Arituration of the Sea, which communicated to it rather a peculiar appearance.

Not far from the Western extremity rose Sir. H. Turner’s Residence situated about one mile from Hamilton, which is by far the most populous and largest town in the island. Here we landed and remained till the Captain had spoken with the Governor, when we again started on our return. – but as the men were tired with pulling us so far, it was agreed, nem: cont:that the Captain, Master and myself should walk on a little, in order to lighten the boat, and save the Crew much fatigue.

Well we soon prosecuted our walking match under a broiling Sun, which did not fail to brown our hands and dry up the skin of our faces. The Captain, in particular suffered so much, that in a day or two his whole facial skin peeled off, and he got a new one in its stead. At the time of our peregrinations, however, we were not so alive to these slight inconveniences as afterwards, and on we went chatting very comfortably, and wishing to spy out the nakedness or richness of the land. By far the greatest proportion of country which we saw only shewed us its nakedness, and the more cultivated and sheltered spots, were like oases in the desert, rather few and far between. This remark is indeed accurate only in so far as regards that part traversed by us, which extended nearly to one third, but we saw more favoured spots at a considerable distance from us. In the course of our walks objects animate as well as inanimate enjoyed our attention.

Decent Appearance of Blacks – ignorant of miles

How pleasing a subject of contemplation was it, to see numerous blacks, dressed in the Sunday ‘braws,’ so clean and so neat – and exhibiting as much vanity and love of finery in their external adornment as the vainest of their European Brethren. In addition to their being completely and handsomely rigged out, and most of them sported gold earrings, fingers rings, and elegant brooches, of the same precious material, and made after the old fashion, viz. of a most preposterous size. These Blacks appeared very quiet and devout, and always paid the usual tokens of respect, as all well bred people ought to do.

One peculiarity we remarked respecting them was, that when we had occasion to enquire what our distance from a certain point was, in miles, they either declared their ignorance at once, or, not wishing to seem ignorant of any thing, they have told us what was immeasurably wide of the truth. This you will no doubt think very strange, as I did at first, but the circumstance admits of a very easy and natural explanation. As far as I could ever observe, there are no miles-stones to point out the Distances from one place to another and consequently, the idea or notion of a mile, of which perhaps they often hear, is not very distinctly or rather not at all defined in their minds – and hence the wide deviation of their guesses from the truth. If you wish to obtain information as to how far you may be from such a place or point, you will obtain information an intelligible answer and a correct notion of it at once, by enquiring how long time will be occupied in going over the ground. In this way it was that when putting a question about miles, and receiving for answer that we had only half a mile to go, we were more correctly told by another that our destination was half an hour’s walk.

Left in the lurch by Boats crew & obliged to walk farther than we intended

We had full time and opportunity to find out the true mode of ascertaining our distance from a given point. After walking for 3 miles, we waited for the coming up of the boat, when to our utter astonishment we beheld them making sail and seemingly forgetful of our being on shore. We shouted aloud – waved our hats, and displayed our handkerchiefs in order to draw their attention to us. But vain were all our efforts and we were reluctantly compelled to trudge on for 5 or 6 miles more with very unpleasant feelings, until we reached the Point of land, where our Boat lay. Of course and naturally the Captain felt angry – but they all declared that they had not observed us – and the matter ended with our entering the boat and being conveyed to S.^t George’s where we arrived at 4 oClock P.M. At 6 oClock we went on board for the night.

Receive Mail on board, but cannot sail in consequence of the wind

Monday 8^th June – at 10 oClock A.M. the Captain went on shore for the Mail, accompanied by M.^r Geach and myself. We were in expectation that an order for our further detention would have been sent by the Governor, as, from a conversation with him, M.^r Sullivan had been let to believe would be the case. But all were mistaken, and nothing prevented our departure after the closing of the Mail, but the state of the wind which blew right into the harbour – and the entrance being narrow, and moreover, full of dangerous rocks, it was considered to be an act of madness to endeavour [to] attempt to warp out. That we would likely in the attempt strike against a rock, and be considerably damaged was no idle or conjectural fear – for this misfortune had actually happened to several vessels – and in particular the Redpole [9] Packet, whose disastrous fate cannot now be doubted, undertook the hazardous plan, and in consequence received so much injury, as to be obliged to go into the Dock yard for the 3 weeks to repair.

Meet an old acquaintance D.^r Clarke at S.^t George’s Bermuda

Whilst the Captain was engaged in listening to the opinions of all the experienced persons respecting the practicality of warping out, I went to call upon a D.^r John Clarke, who had attended the New Town Dispensary along with me two years ago. I was not, when I first came, aware of his being here, and can hardly account for it, why I should have imagined that the name of John Clarke M.D. which I observed in the Bermuda Calendar, belonged to him – but so it was, that the moment my eye caught the name I had a presentiment that this was the a same gentleman, whom I had known, and upon farther enquiry I was confirmed in my supposition. Accordingly, under the guidance of Black Boy, I went to his lodgings (for by privilege, he was excused from living in barracks) and at the first glance recognised him. He professed himself very happy to see me – we chatted together about old stories, and I left him, with a promise to make use of him as our Cicerone in visiting a celebrated Cave, provided we did not sail today. I found him established here as Hospital Assist.^t Surgeon, and apparently well contented with his situation, altho’ I believe, that, but for his books, he would be dull enough, as here there is little or no society & no sociality.

Attacked with Cholera Morbus

During the whole of the day, the weather had been exceedingly hot, the heat and the walking about all day had rendered me very thirsty, and in order to allay the uneasy feeling produced I drank wine and water – rum and water – spruce Beer &.^cand took little or no solid food. Towards evening I began to feel very sick, that I vomited several times with temporary relief. Still I thought that this nausea and vomiting arose merely from the Stomach being affected, and would cease as soon as the contents of it were completely discharged. I soon, however, began to be convinced, that there was something more serious when the vomiting again and again returned at shorter and shorter intervals – and by 10 oClock P.M. I had all the symptoms of a violent attack of Cholera Morbus. Throughout the whole night the bilious evacuations were – incessant, and none, I am sure, ever longed more for the morning light than I did. By 8 oClock, A.M. I felt excessively weak, and hardly expected to have struggled thro’ the disease, but (thanks be to God) I succeeded, almost contrary to expectation, in stopping the vomiting and purging, and thereby, I believe, saved my life.

Tuesday 9^th June – confined myself all day, and felt wonderfully recovered by night. The wind was still from the same quarter, and totally precluded all chance of our moving. Weather fine but very warm.

Attack of Diarrhea – Amusement of Shooting

Wednesday 10^th June – this day being fine and a proposal being made to go to the woods and shoot, I very imprudently considering my recent illness, went, thinking with myself that as the distance was only a few yards, no harm could ensue. While under the excitement of shooting, I was not sensible of any bad consequences, and rather thought that I would be all the better for the exercise. At night I was seized with a most ferocious attack of Diarrhea, which reduced me very considerably, and lasted in all its violence till Saturday 13^th, at which time we were still in Harbour, owing to the state of the wind.

Had it not been for this double attack of illness, I would not have regretted our protracted stay at Bermuda, as we had an inexhaustible source of amusement in visiting the shore on both sides, to which we were quite close, and where we always met with something to attract out attention. We had also abundant sport in shooting – but all we could aim at were birds – for, I am told, there is little or [no] game to be found in the islands. We shot birds all of a beautifully blue colour, or of a bright red, such as I had never before seen, with many other of a less gay plumage.

Haunted House

If proprietors were as strict here as in England we would not have had an opportunity of enjoying ourselves in this way – but thro’ the kindness of a M.^r Haig, possessor of the island opposite to us, we had free and unlimited liberty of shooting. This gentleman showed us many other attentions, and we were frequent visitors at his house, which was of a handsome structure, and on which by the bye, hangs a tale.

Many years ago, when M.^r Geach was at Bermuda, the house was reported to be haunted, and after dark, none, but persons of little faith, would venture near it. Some daring spirits in the Packet, who feared nor man nor Devil, resolved to encounter the utmost vengeance of the ghost, and to see what might be in the house. One night away they went – easily procured admittance, as all the windows were broken – rummaged the different rooms – & carried off without obstruction a very large quantity of books, which, as no one claimed them, they very profitably disposed of, without being troubled with unnecessary scruples. I was in hopes that the house was still haunted, and that the Ghost would be inclined to make us a similar present. But, as you now know, M.^r Haig, a gentleman, of real flesh and blood, lived there, and thus our hopes were blown.

Read on … Account of Bermuda