| Voyage: 30 October 1889 - 15 January 1890 |
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S. S. Seine
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Introduction
This page concerns John Seymour's 1889 voyage, as Master of the cable-ship SS 'Seine', to lay a section of the "1889 Para - Pernmabuco - Rio de Janeiro - Maldonado - Montevideo" cable recorded on the cable time-line page.
This voyage involved 'Seine' first sailing from Gravesend, England to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (30 October - 06 November 1889). Then a series of soundings were undertaken, over 26 days, between Gran Canaria and Monte Video, Uruguay (07 November - 05 December 1889). 184 miles of cable was then layed between Monte Video and Chuy, on the Uruguay - Brazil border (09 - 11 Decemer 1889), and another 77 miles near Santa Catarina, Brazil (14 December 1889). After a further week in Rio de Janeiro the 'Seine' commenced the journey home to Gravesend on 22 December 1889, arriving on 15 January 1890.
The scanned hand-written entries, found throughout this page, are from a journal of the voyage kept by the Master's son, William Frederick Earl Seymour. At the time William was 19 years old and in the final year of his apprenticeship with Great Western Railway in Swindon.
During this voyage the 'Seine' was in Brazil during the November 1889 revolution and the crew of the ship were amongst the first Eurpoeans to see the new Brazilian flag ... which William noted as being "very ugly" (22 December 1889).
Contributions and suggestions are welcome.
Author and contact: Dougal WatsonThe ship and her crew
| Ship | Seine. ON 28736. Registered London: 148/1873. |
| Owner | Registered managing owner: William Shuter, 38 Old Broad Street, London, England. |
| A voyage | from "London to Monte Video and or any ports or places within the limits of 70° north latitude and 70 south latitude trading to and from for any period not exceeding twelve months and back to a final port of discharge in the United Kingdom" |
| Ship's crew and personnel | |
| Master | John Seymour (34.778), previously "Seine 1889". |
| Mate | C Harvey, previously Seine 1889. |
| 2 mate | E Bentley, previously Ludgate Hill, Liverpool, 1889. |
| 3 mate | C L Curtis, previously Coromandel, 1889. |
| 4 mate | C E Shacklock, previously [??]Cambrian Chieftain, Liverpool, 1889. |
| Navigator | Hampden Shore, previously Scotia 1889. |
| Surgeon | G [?]Langley [?]Tuthill. First ship. |
| Carpenter | [?]Fred [?]Gwyther, previously Seine 1889. |
| Bosun | J Baleman, previously Seine 1889. |
| Bosun mate | John Scarboro, previously Dunbar Castle 1889. |
| Other | 1 lamp trimmer; 1 painter; 24 ABs; 3 OSs; 3 boys; 1 first engineer; 5 2nd - 6th engineers; 1 boilerman; 2 storekeepers; 1 leading fireman; 11 other firemen including 2 watermen[?]; 13 trimmers; 1 chief steward; 1 each 2nd, engineer's, officers', saloon, & cablemen's stewards; 1 pantryman; 1 captain's servant; 1 chief cook; 1 2nd cook & butcher; 1 baker; and 1 scullion. |
| Notes | Total of at least 91 crew plus William F E Seymour. |
Agreement and Account of Crew (Foreign-going ship):
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| First two pages of the "Agreement and Account of Crew (Foreign-going ship)" for the 30 October 1889 - 15 January 1890 voyage of the cable-ship S S Seine, under Master John Seymour |
The voyage
The bulk of this section is a day-by-day description of the voyage, based on a journal kept by John Seymour's son, William, who accompanied this voyage. This table summarises the voyage into sections and notable events ... with links to the relevant entries.
Summary of Voyage: 30 October 1889 - 15 January 1890
| Dates | Voyage segments and events | ||
| 30 October 1889 - | Outbound: Greenwich, England to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. | ||
| 06 November 1889 | |||
| Greenwich - Gravesend, then down the Thames, and into the Channel. | |||
| "Left Gravesend at 4.0 am proceeded down the Thames, round Dover & down Channel. Sighted St Catherine's Light [50° 34'.50 N 01° 17'.80 W] at 9.0 pm." | |||
| "Signalled to Liz [Probably Lizard Lighthouse, at 49° 57'.58 N 05° 12'.07 W]." | |||
| "Weather fine. Sighted Gran Canaria abt noon. Saw Peak of Teneriffe at 3.0. Came into Las Palmas & anchored at 5.0 pm. [Canary Islands, 210km off NW African coast near Morocco and Western Sahara]" | |||
| 07 November 1889 - | Outbound: Las Palmas - Soundings - Monte Video, Uruguay. |
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| 05 December 1889 | |||
| "Went on shore and saw the town, ..." "Left [Las Palmas]at noon for 1st position of sounding." | ..."|||
| "Several moth [? large as] chickens about" | |||
| "Flying & cuttle fish about." | |||
"First soundings taken 2500 fathoms." Table of soundings obtained between Las Palmas and Monte Video: 11 - 16 November 1889. |
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| "Caught a fine butterfly in evening, 4" across wings." | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. "Am beginning to use my sextant more easily & to understand methods of finding Long, & working Lat from an observation. " | |||
| Soundings. Table of soundings obtained between Las Palmas and Monte Video (cont): 16 - 23 November 1889. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. "This sounding business is getting very monotonous as ship is only doing 7 - 8 knots." "Sighted Ascension Island this morning at 5.0." | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. Table of soundings obtained between Las Palmas and Monte Video (cont): 24 - 30 November 1889 | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. "Have now been sounding for a fortnight." | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. Table of soundings obtained between Las Palmas and Monte Video (cont): 30 November - 05 December 1889. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. | |||
| Soundings. Arrived off Monte Video at 11.30 pm. | |||
| 06 December 1889 - | Monte Video - cable laying - Chuy River, Uruguay. | ||
| 10 December 1889 | |||
| "Anchored last night off Monte Video 11.30pm." "The port is full of shipping ..." | |||
| Tourist day in Monte Video. | |||
| "My seventh Sunday away from Swindon." | |||
| "Left Monte Video at 5.0 am, & steamed to Flores Island [Isla de flores, Uruguay] where we started laying the cable, buoying the end." "Expect to reach the Chuy [Chui] river at noon tomorrow." | |||
"Arrived at Chuy [Chui] River at 11.30 am, buoyed the cable about 16 miles from the shore. SS 'Viking', lying near the cable house, came out & joined us." |
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| 11 December 1889 - | Chuy River - completing cable - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. | ||
| 16 December 1889 | |||
"Went in to a mile from shore, picked up shore end & spliced on to cable in tank, proceeded to Monte Video end buoy & spliced, thus completing the cable. Paid out 70 miles to SS Viking'. Captain Adamson, 2nd Officer, & Electrician came on board to lunch, & left at 3.30 pm. Weighed anchor & left for Santa Catharina at 4.30 pm." |
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| "We have had all the signs of a 'pampero' today." "Yesterday at Chuy we saw the pillar which marks the line of boundary between Brazil and Uruguay." | |||
| "This has been one of the pleasantest days of the voyage." "... turned out to be the range of the Sierra de Geral, & shortly after Saint Catharina." | |||
| "Left Saint Catherina [Santa Catarina] at 4.30 am & went S to the extremity of the island where we commenced paying out cable proceeding N." "Saw the Southern Cross for the first time." | |||
| "Arrived at Rio de Janeiro at 10.0 am." "There are several men-o-war lying here, of various nationalities." | |||
| 16 December 1889 - | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. | ||
| 22 December 1889 | |||
| A day of tourism in Rio de Janeiro. | |||
| Another day of tourism in Rio de Janeiro. "Got up at 5.30, to tram to Gavia [Gávea], which is between 5 & 6 miles from the city." "... tasted 'Charqui'", "Rio de Janeiro is a very pretty & picturesque town, especially in the suburbs." | |||
| "There is some talk of serious disturbance here owing to the revolution. A regt of artillery has declared itself loyal. Several arrests of officers have been made, and three or four have been shot." | |||
| "The 'Norseman' came alongside to receive cable. The ship [Seine] has moved from the wharf on Mucangue [Now Ilha da Conceição], & is now lying about 8 miles from the town, & about two miles from Enchadas Island [Now Ilha das Enxadas]." | |||
| "... went into the Emperor's Church to service." | |||
| 22 December 1889 - | Homeward: Rio de Janeiro - St Vincent. | -||
| 03 January 1890 | |||
| "Weighed anchor at 4.0 pm and left the harbour. We are now homeward bound." "I have seen the new Brazilian Republic flag .... It is very ugly." | |||
| "Passed Fernando Noronha at 10.50 am." | |||
| "Arrived at St Vincent at 8.0 am. Started coaling at 11.30 am." "This is the third ship in four years from Rio Janeiro that has been granted 'pratique'." | |||
| 04 January 1890 - | Homeward: St Vincent - Greenwich, England. | ||
| 15 January 1890 | |||
| "Coaling all day up to 7.30 pm." | |||
| "This is the eleventh Sunday away from Swindon." "At 8.0 pm we weighed anchor & proceeded towards England. We shall probably stop nowhere else on the way, but run direct to Gravesend." "Saw the Pole Star tonight, again for the first time." | |||
| "Passed the island of Palma, one of the Canary Group, this morning ..." | |||
| "Passed Madeira this morning ..." | |||
| "All being well, this is the last Sunday on board, making the twelvth away." "We are half across the Bay of Biscay, Cape Finisterre was abeam at 2.17 am." | |||
| "All day coming up the channel." "The ship is now at anchor about a mile below the Nore Lightship." | |||
| No journal entry. Return to home- port at Gravesend. | |||
Details of Voyage: 30 October 1889 - 15 January 1890.
Wednesday, 30 October 1889 - Monday, 04 November 1889
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Wed, Oct 30. Left Greenwich & anchored at Gravesend.
Thurs, Oct 31. Left Gravesend at 4.0 am proceeded down the Thames, round Dover & down Channel. Sighted St Catherine's Light [50° 34'.50 N 01° 17'.80 W] at 9.0 pm. Strong gale commenced at night.
Fri, Nov 1. Gale continued, heavy sea. Shipped several seas. Lost boat overboard. Signalled to Liz [Probably Lizard Lighthouse, at 49° 57'.58 N 05° 12'.07 W].
Sat, Nov 2. Gale less. Sea still very heavy, vessel rolled heavily these two days. Weather got much finer Sat. afternoon.
Sunday, Nov 3. Weather fine, sea smoother. Passed four men 'o war in evening abt 7.0.
Mon, 4. Weather fine, occasional showers, sea with slight swell.
Tuesday, 05 November 1889 - Friday, 08 November 1889
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Tues, 5. Rather wet all day, saw nothing.
Wed, 6. Weather fine. Sighted Gran Canaria abt noon. Saw Peak of Teneriffe at 3.0. Came into Las Palmas & anchored at 5.0 pm.
Thurs, 7. Went on shore and saw the town, nice fruit market, fair roads & houses; people dirty but fairly civil. Under Spain. Drive from port to town 3 1/2 miles. over level road. Houses all white with red or green shutters & doors. Should think it a nice place generally. Left at noon for 1st position of sounding. Weather fine, sea fairly smooth.
Friday, 8. Weather splendid, hot. Sea nearly smooth. Several moth [? large as] chickens about.
Saturday, 09 November 1889 - Tuesday, 12 November 1889
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Sat 9. Weather fine, sea very green tinge. Flying & cuttle fish about. Water slightly phosphorescent in evening.
Sunday 10. Weather fine, very hot. 82° in shade, sea smooth.
Mon 11. Weather very hot, 87° in shade. First soundings taken 2500 fathoms [at 12° 24' N 18° 40' W, approx 220km W of coastal border between Ginea-Bissau and Senegal]. Started shark fishing, saw three fair sized ones, but did not get a bite. Several shoals of flying fish & bonitas.
Tues 12. Weather hot. Deepest sounding 2037. Had several shots at sharks without doing any damage. Caught a fine butterfly in evening, 4" across wings. Sheet lightning very fine at night, sea smooth. Lat 9° 0' 0" (approx) N, Long 17° 53' 0" (approx) W. [Atlantic Ocean close to African coast: 520km W of northern end of Sierra Leone coast, and 630km S of Dakar, Senegal]
First sounding of the day at 10° 8' N, 18° 11' W.
Soundings: 11 - 16 November 1889
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Wednesday, 13 November 1889 - Thursday, 14 November 1889
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Wed 13. Weather still hot, sea smooth, heavy rain in evening about dinner time, constant flashes of sheet lightning. Doctor shot a shark in morning about 12ft long, killed outright, saw several others. Looks like a nasty night. Deepest sounding 2700 fath. Have only seen one ship since we left Las Palmas. Lat 6° 0' 0".
First sounding of the day at 7° 15' N, 17° 22' W.
Thurs 14. Rained hard until 4.0 pm, occasioned by SW Monsoon. At present it is a fine warm night, pleasant breeze. Lost 1700 fath of sounding wire, & sinker last night, supposed to have been taken by a shark. Lowered Murray's Bottle with 2390 f 3 1/2" Manilla to obtain water, but unsuccessfully. Deepest sounding 2748f. Lat 4° 0' 0". No sharks seen.
First sounding of the day at 4° 22' N, 16° 49' W.
Friday, 15 November 1889
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Friday 15. Have got the SE Trade winds, slight swell on sea. Weather fine & very hot again. At noon obtained the deepest sounding as yet. 2967 f (3 1/4 miles). Expect to cross the Line [equator] about midnight. This is rather a nice life, but very lazy. It is too hot to do much more than work out the ship's position at noon. Am beginning to use my sextant more easily & to understand methods of finding Long, & working Lat from an observation. One shark about the ship at 4.0 pm. No other thing visible. Sea of a clear blue colour, very lovely.
Lat 1° 47' 28" N. Long 16° 13' 28" W. All these give the ship's position at noon approximately.
First sounding of the day at 2° 10' N, 16° 19' W.
Saturday, 16 November 1889 - Sunday, 17 November 1889
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Sat 16. Fine day, heavy swell on sea, ship rolling a great deal. Let down Murray's bottle at noon, & obtained water from bottom at 1760 f (2 m) & 850 f. Deepest sounding at 6.0 pm 2420 f. Several sharks & pilot fish about. Saw a school of blackfish (species of whale) claose to ship about 25 in number. Tomorrow is my fourth Sundy away from S'don. We have seen nothing for more than a week, it would be bad to break down here. Noon Lat 1° 8' 56" S Long 15° 45' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 0° 43' S, 15° 47' W.
Sunday 17. Squally weather, sea very confused. Immense shoals of fl [flying] fish. Only sounded once, 2305 fath. Crew mustered for inspection & fire & boat places this morning. Night very dark. Lat 3° 7' 23" S Long 15° 0' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 3° 08' S, 15° 20' W.
Soundings: 16 - 23 November 1889
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Monday, 18 November 1889 - Wednesday, 20 November 1889
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Mon 18. strong head wind, sea running high. Nothing seen, dark night. Deepest sounding 2016 f. Lat 5° 46' 56" S, Long 14° 45' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 5° 08' S, 15° 02' W.
Tues 19. Weather much cooler, sea still very high, ship rolling & pitching heavily. Sighted Ascension Island this morning at 5.0. Signalled to the station, & left again at 7.0. Shall see no more land now until we reach Monte Video. This sounding business is getting very monotonous, as the ship is only doing 7 - 8 knots. Nothing in sight. Lat 8° 29' 36" S, long 14° 59' 45" W. Deepest sounding 2075 f.
First sounding of the day at 8° 45' S, 15° 12' W.
Wed 20. High wind & sea, nothing in sight. Deepest sounding 2544 f. Lat 10° 52' 11" S, Long 17° 6' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 10° 19' S, 16° 40' W.
Thursday, 21 November 1889 - Sunday, 24 November 1889
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Thurs 21. Weather improved, sea much smoother, nothing in sight. Deepest sounding 2679 f. Lat 13° 14' 40" S, Long 19° 5' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 12° 45' S, 18° 39' W.
Friday 22. Sea quite smooth, weather very fine & hot. Lovely sunset, glow of deep red & orange colour, extending for about 80° on the starboard bow. Nothing in sight, sea of a very deep blue. Deepest sounding 2780 fathoms. Lat 15° 25' 30" S, Long 21° 50' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 15° 03' S, 20° 58' W.
Saturday 23. Weather very fine, sea smooth. Clear starlight night. Nothing in sight. Deepest sounding 3120. Lat 17° 47' 0" S, Long 23° 37' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 17° 26' S, 23° 10' W.
Sunday 24. Weather hot. 90° in shade, sea smooth. New moon tonight, saw the whole body of it hnging in mid air. Saw a bird this afternoon, nothing else in sight. Crew mustered as usual at 10.30 am. Have now been sounding for a fortnight. Deepest today 2960 f. Lat 19° 33' 0" S, Long 25° 30' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 19° 12' S, 25° 39' W.
Soundings: 24 - 30 November 1889
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Sunday, 24 November 1889 (continued) - Tuesday, 26 November 1889
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Monday 25. Weather fine, slight swell on sea. Saw three barques, one close enough to see the name. A German 'Dione'. Lowered Murray's Bottle in 2840 f but it came up empty. Lost 2750 f of wire & the Bailey rod in the morning. Very lovely evening, clear sky & splendid sunset. Deepest sounding 2875 f. Lat 21° 23' 40" S, Long 28° 0' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 20° 41' S, 27° 17' W.
Tuesday 26. Weather fine & clear, sea very smooth with long slow swell from SSW. Saw a barquentine abt 10 miles off, nothing else in sight. Lat 23° 0' 0" S, Long 30° 0' 0" W. Deepest sounding 2875 f.
First sounding of the day at 22° 40' S, 29° 46' W.
Wednesday, 27 November 1889 - Saturday, 30 November 1889
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Wed 27. Fine weather, sea slightly confused, but less swell. Saw a large barque in the forenoon about 4 miles off. Water is getting shallower. Deepest sounding 2759 f. Lat 24° 57' 39" S, Long 32° 41' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 24° 37' S, 32° 15' W.
Thurs 28. Pouring with rain & high wind all day. Saw one ship about 7 miles off. Deepest sounding 2680 f. Lat 26° 51' 0" S, Long 34(35)° 40(18)' 0(0)" W.
First sounding of the day at 26° 30' S, 34° 51' W.
Friday 29. Wet & misty in morning, but cleared in afternoon & evening. Heavy swell on sea. Saw one ship. Deepest sounding 2540 f. Lat 28° 26' 29" S, Long 38° 0' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 28° 17' S, 37° 29' W.
Sat 30. Fine hot day, sea very smooth. Nothing in sight. Lowered Murray's bottle & obtained water from bottom. Deepest sounding 2361 f. Lat 30° 17' 42" S Long 40° 23' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 29° 30' S, 39° 17' W.
Soundings: 30 November - 05 December 1889
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Sunday, 01 December 1889 - Tuesday, 03 December 1889
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Sunday, Dec 1. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
First sounding of the day at 31° 22' S, 42° 22' W.
Mon 2. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
First sounding of the day at 33° 09' S, 45° 11' W.
Tues 3. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
First sounding of the day at 35° 14' S, 48° 46' W.
Wednesday, 04 December 1889 - Thursday, 05 December 1889
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Wed 4. Fine hot weather, heavy swell on sea. Several albatrosses & other birds about the ship all day. Saw four ships, one a whaler. Passed through several patches of fish spawn in morning. Fine clear night, splendid sunset. Seepest sounding 1900 f. Lat 35° 54' 24" S, Long 51° 5' 0" W.
First sounding of the day at 36° 03' S, 51° 06' W.
Thurs 5. Weather fine, sea very smooth. Finished sounding this morning. We are now about 16 miles from Monte Video. Passed Flores Island [Isla de flores, Uruguay] light at 10.0pm. Several ships and steamers in sight all day. Water very shallow. Soundings today 719, 80, & 74 f. Pilot came on board at 6.30 pm. Expect to anchor at 11.30. Lat 35° 48' 34" S. Long 54° 30' 0" W. We sighted lande near Lobos Island at 3.15 pm. It is a fine clear night.
First sounding of the day at 36° 21' S, 54° 00' W.
Friday, 06 December 1889
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Friday 6. Anchored last night off Monte Video at 11.30. This morning went closer in, & anchored about 5 miles from the town. The port is full of shipping, among others the PSNCo's 'John Elder' [Pacific Steam Navigation Company], which left with the home mails at 7.0 pm. The town looks very large from the ship, with some fine buildings. The electricians & several others went on shore this morning. Father & I received our first home letters here. Weather today rather dull, sea confused. Water very shallow & sandy bottom. There is a large four-masted sailing ship here with her main & mizen top-gallan mast carried away close by caps, she was caught by a pampero.
Saturday, 07 December 1889
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Saturday 7. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
Sunday, 08 December 1889 - Monday, 09 December 1889
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Sunday 8. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
Monday 9. Left Monte Video at 5.0 am, & steamed to Flores Island [Isla de flores, Uruguay] where we started laying the cable, buoying the end. Passed Maldonado Lt about noon, & are now off San José Ignacio Lt. Expect to reach the Chuy river at noon tomorrow. Speed about 6 1/2 knots. Strong SE wind and heavy swell, ship rolling considerably. Water very shallow for first 20 miles, now between 11 & 15 fathoms. Fine, hot day.
Tuesday, 10 December 1889 - Wednesday, 11 December 1889
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Tuesday 10. Arrived at Chuy River at 11.30 am, buoyed the cable about 16 miles from the shore. SS 'Viking', lying near the cable house, came out & joined us. We are lying at anchor. Hot days, fresh breeze. Heavy swell.
Wed 11. Went in to a mile from shore, picked up shore end & spliced on to cable in tank, proceeded to Monte Video end buoy & spliced, thus completing the cable. Paid out 70 miles to SS Viking'. Captain Adamson, 2nd Officer, & Electrician came on board to lunch, & left at 3.30 pm. Weighed anchor & left for Santa Catharina at 4.30 pm. Weather very hot in forenoon, in afternoon cloudy, changing to fog & rain in evening. Head wind, ship pitching a little heaving stopped rolling.
Thursday, 12 December 1889
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Thursday 12. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
Friday, 13 December 1889
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Friday 13. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
... "Lat 28° 39' 52" S long 48° 16' 0" W."
Friday, 13 December 1889 (continued) - Sunday, 15 December 1889
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Saturday 14. Left Saint Catherina [Santa Catarina] at 4.30 am & went S to the extremity of the island where we commenced paying out cable proceeding N. Very hot, sea confused, land in sight until 7.0 pm. At noon we were off Campexe[?] Island. Saw the Southern Cross for the first time.
Sunday 15. Saw two barques in the distance. Weather hot, sea smooth.
Monday, 16 December 1889
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Monday 16. Arrived at Rio de Janeiro at 10.0 am. The scenery at the mouth of the harbour is very grand, some splendid mountains & hills. The town is one the W side of a large bay, on the other side of which is Nitheroy [Niterói]. This bay is surrounded by hills, the entrance is one mile wide, between two forts.There are several men-o-war lying here, of various nationalities. It is very hot, 92° in the shade. The SS 'Norseman', a telegraph steamer which is stationed here, came in shortly after us. The lightning has been incessant during the evening, & is very grand. There appears to be a great number of musquitos about tonight. Received letters from home. The electric light engine has just broken down.
Tuesday, 17 December 1889
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Tuesday 17. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
Wednesday, 18 December 1889
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Wednesday 18. Not completely transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
"Got up at 5.30, to tram to Gavia [Gávea], which is between 5 & 6 miles from the city." "... tasted 'Charqui'", "Rio de Janeiro is a very pretty & picturesque town, especially in the suburbs."
Thursday, 19 December 1889
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Thursday 19. Turned out at 5.0 am & had a splendid swim in the dock close to us. De Lisle left at 4.30 with Captain Lacy of the 'Norseman'. I stayed on board all day. It has been very hot. Heavy rain in latter part of afternoon, much lightning during the evening. There is some talk of serious disturbance here owing to the revolution. A regt of artillery has declared itself loyal. Several arrests of officers have been made, and three or four have been shot. The ship leaves the wharf early tomorrow to pay cable into the 'Norseman'. There has been a haze over the city all day. A large steamer probably with home mails has arrived, but we have recived none yet.
Friday, 20 December 1889
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Friday 20. Went on shore with Mr Shacklock (4th Officer) to Mr Lima's, & with him we went up Corcovado. There is a railway running to within 200 yards of the summit, with a central cog wheel & rack. The peak is 2272ft. The way up is through dense wood and granite rock cuttings. There is a magnificent view from the summit, both over the sea & harbour. We got down at 6.30 & spent the night at Mr Lima's house. Weather very hot, heavy rain and thunderstorm in evening. The 'Norseman' came alongside to receive cable. The ship has moved from the wharf on Mucangue [Now Ilha da Conceição], & is now lying about 8 miles from the town, & about two miles from Enchadas Island [Now Ilha das Enxadas].
Saturday, 21 December 1889
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Sat 21. Came into town, & breakfasted with Mr Lima. Afterwards went into the Emperor's Church to service. It is a very handsome building, but more like a theatre than a church. About 2.45 we came off to the ship in a open sailing boat, I had my first lesson in steering, & steered her right out to the ship. It has rained very heavily since 5.30pm & there is much lightning. Weather much cooler. The city looks very fine from the water this evening, it is most brilliantly lighted up with gas, & the glare in the sky is very great, it is said to be visible at a great distance.
Sunday, 22 December 1889 - Monday, 23 December 1889
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Sunday 22. Weighed anchor at 4.0 pm and left the harbour. We are now homeward bound. The weather has been fine & cool all day, but there is lightning and rain this evening. I have seen the new Brazilian Republic flag, it has the crown and globe replaced by a blue ball, with the Southern Cross on it, & a band running across bearing the words "Ordes Progoresso". It is very ugly.
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| Brazilian Flags. Left - 'Second Empire' Flag (18 September 1822 – 15 November 1889). Right - Modern 'Auriverde' flag, designed by Raimundo Teixeira Mendes. 21-star version from 19 November 1889, replaced by 27-star version on 11 May 1992. The flag comprises "A blue disc depicting a starry sky spanned by a curved band inscribed with the national motto, within a yellow rhombus, on a green field". The stars on the flag depict the celestial sky (viewed from outside) over Rio de Janeiro on the night of 19 November 1889. During the intervening four days a flag that resembled the US flag, but with Brazilian colours, was used. Wikipedia | |
Monday 23. This has been a very uneventful day. There is a strong headwind. The sea has once more become a beautiful deep blue in colour. There has been nothing whatever in sight all day.
Tuesday, 24 December 1889 - Sunday, 29 December 1889
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Tuesday 24. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
Wed 25. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
Thurs 26. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
Frid 27. Not transcribed, refer to original journal entry above.
Sat 28. Passed Fernando Noronha at 10.50 am. Got a sketch. Fine day & cool. In all sails.
Sun 29. Crossed the line at 10.45 am. Passed two large steamers. Much cooler. Wind shifty. Sea very confused.
Monday, 30 December 1889 - Thursday, 02 January 1890
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Mon 30. Strong NE breeze. Sea running high. Ship pitching heavily. Nothing in sight all day. Several heavy rain squalls.
Tues 31. Sea very high. Strong breeze. Very cloudy all day, cleared up about 8.0 pm, & & is now bright with moon & stars. Wind is freshening. Passed a steamer bound South this afternoon.
1890
Jan 1. Wind moderaing. Sea lower. Ship much steadier. It has been a fairly fine day & nice clear evening. Nothing in sigt all day.
Jan 2 Thurs. Steady NE breeze. Ship fairly steady. Fine warm day. Passed a Lamport & Holt steamer about 3 pm. Also saw a ship abou 10.0 am.
Friday, 03 January 1890
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Friday 3. Arrived at St Vincent at 8.0 am. Started coaling at 11.30 am. This is the third ship in four years from Rio Janeiro that has been granted "pratique". Went on shore to the Telegraph Station which is a very comfortable place. There is a staff of 22 people. Went for a walk round to the Cable House. The town is small with about 200 houses; it is very clean & quiet; paved with lava. The island is very bare, nothing whatever grows on it; it is a very healthy place oing to the NE winds. Good shooting & fishing may be obtained. Several Italian steamers are lying in the harbour, & two or three English. Fine day but strong breeze.
Saturday, 04 January 1890 - Sunday, 05 January 1890
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Sat 4. Coaling all day up to 7.30 pm. Mr Wood of the S yacht 'Speranza' (RTYC) came on board in morning. The yacht left for Barbados at 6.0 pm. Fine day, less wind. At 8.0 pm we weighed anchor & proceeded towards England. We shall probably stop nowhere else on the way, but run direct to Gravesend.
Sunday 5. This is the eleventh Sunday away from Swindon. There is a heavy swell, & the ship is tumbling about and taking a good deal of water over forward. It has been a very fine & warm day, strong head wind. Saw the Pole Star tonight, again for the first time. We are doing a steady 10 knots per hour.
Monday, 06 January 1890 - Wednesday, 08 January 1890
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Monday 6. Fine clear day. Slight touch of cold in the air. Heavy swell, ship rolling & itching heavily. Nothing in sight all day. It is a bright moonlight night.
Tuesday 7. Wind hauled slightly to the southward. Set gore [?]trysail & staysail in forenoon, took them in at 4.0 pm. Sea much quieter. Ship steadier. Passed a Lamport & Holt steamer at 4.30 pm. Nothing else in sight all day. Glorious moonlight, the Eastern sky is filled with a rich golden haze. Satrs very bright in the west.
Wednesday 8. The ship has been rolling very heavily during the past 24 hours.There is a severe NW swell, otherwise the sea is smooth. Passed the island of Palma, one of the Canary Group, this morning between 5.30 am & 11.0 am. It was distant about 25 miles. At noon today we were roughly 1700 miles from Gravesend. It has been a clear bright day, & is now a calm night. 10 weeks out today.
Wednesday, 08 January 1890 (continued) - Friday, 10 January 1890
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Thursday 9. Passed Madeira this morning between 6.0 am & noon. The nearest point was Bugio 7 1/2 miles distant. Light rain showers fell during the evening; it is rather cloudy & dull. Wind right head. Barometer steady at 30.53". No ships in sight all day. The swell has gone down & the ship is very much steadier.
Friday 10. Wet and misty nearly all day. Passed a steamer about 6.30 am & a barque & ship during the day. Miserable weather. The ship is rolling heavily, sometimes to an angle of 20° from the vertical. The swell is heavy, from the NW & appears likely to last. The wind is still ahead. Sea slightly phosphorescent, & except the swell, it is fairly smooth.
Friday, 10 January 1890 (continued) - Sunday, 12 January 1890
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Saturday 11. Very cold day; wind shifted more Northerly. Heavy swell. Passed two steamers at some distance bound South. Ship still rolling. Speed nearly 12 knots. Fine clear night. Cloudy & misty weather.
Sunday 12. Foggy raw weather, whistle going all day. At present (10.30 pm) it appears to be clearingup; stars out. Passed several steamers today quite close. We are half across the Bay of Biscay, Cape Finisterre was abeam at 2.17 am. The sea is like glass on the surface, with a long heavy swell running, the ship is rolling very much, sometimes to 25° from vertical. Speed 11 1/2 knots. Engines running at 52 rev. Several schools of porpoises about; the sea is still phosphorescent. Surface temp 54°, Air temp 55°. All being well, this is the last Sunday on board, making the twelvth away.
Sunday, 12 January 1890 (continued) - Monday, 13 January 1890
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Monday 13. Fairly clear day: misty at times during the afternoon. Sighted the Eddystone Light at 5.30 pm. Start Light at 6.15. abeam at 8.0 pm. Several vessels about. Very heavy swell up to 4.30 pm causing ship to roll heavily; much quieter at present. Fine evening, slightly hazy.
Tuesday, 14 January 1890 - Wednesday, 15 January 1890
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Tuesday 14. All day coming up the channel. Beachy Head abeam at 9.40 passed Dungeness at noon, & Dover at 2.0 pm. Signalled to all three stations. Foggy in early morning, cleared off during the day, but misty at intervals. The Channel was full of shipping. The ship is now at anchor about a mile below the Nore Lightship. It is blowing a fresh Westerly breeze. No sea running, we lost the well yesterday at midnight. Speed last night & this morning 14 1/2 knots.
Wednesday 15. No journal entry ... arrives back at Gravesend.
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