A lovely day for the washing, getting along slowly made 120 miles. Therm this morn. 64. The weather is now eighteen degrees colder than it was ten days ago, the days increasing all the time. We are now about two thousand and sixty miles from Cape Horn, which is considered about half way. Been making preparations for the weather getting into the stormy regions. Been a busy day on deck, all hands employed fixing the head of the foremast or lashing it I believe is the mariner’s frazology for it. I presume the mischief was done in the Equinoctial gale we encountered on the 29th. And 30th. Sept. and pitching into the head seas as we have done ever since. Our reckoning today amounts to 109 miles. Eight weeks tomorrow since we left N. York.
There is something in this air that plays the mischief with the clothing. I have to keep turning them over and wiping, brushing and sponging, otherwise they would not be fit to wear. Our gloves are all spotted, neither husband or I have a pair but what is all over red spots. Indeed I have had quite a busy day myself. My boots that were at the bottom of a trunk were all mouldy when I took them out. It is now 9.30 p.m. we are going 8 knots, the sea is so smooth I can scarce feel her move. I am very tired so good-night.
Was sick in bed most of yesterday so made no note of proceedings. Made 107 miles yesterday, today 103. Going along nicely this afternoon, fine beautiful day, smooth sea and a nice fresh breeze. Tried to do some work on the machine but neuralgia in my head prevented me.
124 miles. Made on a average since we came out a little more than one hundred miles a day. Hope to go a little quicker or we shall have a long passage. Saw several vessels this day, British, American and Dutch, steering same way as ourselves. Passed two vessels in the night. Had several showers last even and night. Had quite a hard day’s work at the machine so feel considerably tired. Everything so far goes on very smoothly on board.
Made 144 miles. Looked very much like a storm but has blown over. A Bark and Brig in sight but I dare not venture on deck to see them on account of my neuralgia. I can scarce conceive it is Nov – a quite good daylight now at 7 o’clock and daylight at half past four in the morn. This delightful weather adds much to our lengthy passage, the time don’t appear half so long. Capt. says who would ever have thought I’d go to California. He is quite reconciled to it and looks remarkably well notwithstanding.
In company with a North American brig bound for Pernambuco – had quite an interesting conversation with them. Made 149 miles.
Made 136 miles. Exchanged signals with a nice little Eng. Brig from Exeter Eng. Bound to the Falkland Islands with his wife on board. We have been out on deck taking an obsquintal view of each other.
The anniversary of my dear husband’s birthday. Have just been celebrating it in champagne. Almost too much with the thermometer at 80 in the shadiest part of the ship. Wind better today, but a nasty head sea which almost pitches me off my char. No machine work today. Made to noon 153 miles. Twenty three days out today. If we had been on our regular track presume we should be in Liverpool by now.
This day 154 miles with Sunday at sea. About eighty miles from land called Uruguay. Weather still cooler so that I am able to wear a thick dress now. Likely by next Sund. We shall have it cool enough for a fire. We have been looking out again for pamperos or any other kind of gales, but up to this time thank God we have escaped. My neuralgia is better today so I hope it may continue, for I lost nearly the whole of last week. I must make up some of it this.
2 p.m. Dined today of roast lamb and green peas mint sauce plum pudding, etc.
7.15 p.m. just come down off deck after watching the sun set, and such a lovely sunset, I was so carried away with its beauties I for a time could fancy myself in another world. There was a beautiful pale green sky with a rich gold border with golden wheat scattered over it and some tied up in bundles. How I did wish that some of our friends were there to enjoy the scene with me. The rays of the sun shining upon it was truly a magnificent sight.
