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Savannah, Ga Towards Liverpool Outward Bound subtracted from Distance measured. Very good + perfect instrument. Took meridian altitude of the sun. Could not deny myself writing a few words to H. today for it seems a real pleasure to be thinking of her + I know, tho we are far away from each other yet I love her better + better every day.
Today there has been a heavy irregular sea heaving up from the North which I think indicates a storm, for I have frequently seen the same off Cape Horn + in other places + almost invariably we had a gale immediately following. The Sabbath is almost gone but it has been rather a mixed up day with us. I wish this was a praying ship for then Sabbath would seem more like home. I am anticipating a rich treat in England in my sabbaths + my friends. May prosperous gales speed us safely At 7 PM set Fore + Main TGal sails Night some rain squalls + not blowing heavy 8 Days from Savannah
Monday Dec 5, 1859
Begins with light breezes from S.E. At Daylight shook reefs from Topsails & set all standing sail. Weather does not look settled Four sails in sight. One ship with close reefed Topsails. We are now about one half the distance from Savannah to Western Islands, or one third to England. If we could have strong N.W. breezes we might get in by Christmas tho I think now there is little hope of it. Two of our boys are sick & off duty. I pity any one who is sick on ship board for they can receive but little care It is so very different from home, for I have tried it. I hope my days of sickness & my day of death may be with my loved ones at home.
In night calms with some rainy weather. Really Gulf weather but much warmer than I thought to see at this season of the year. 9 Days from Savannah
Savannah Ga Towards Liverpool
Tuesday Dec 6. 1889 Begins with sultry weather with heavy banks of cloud in the Northern & eastern horizon. At 6 AM looks squally. Took in all light sails & put double reefs in Topsails At 7 heavy showers. A Water spout made on our lee quarter not more than a mile or two distant. The most distinct I ever saw. The column from the clouds to the water was as plain as the outlines of a ship on the horizon. And the commotion of the water when it was drawn from the surface of the ocean to the cloud was distinctly visible. It was a grand sight to me. but they are fearful in their power to contend with. sometimes sinking or demasting ships in a moment. So we see the wonders of the sea & its dangers, but God keeps us. May I not believe in answer to the prayers of those who love me at home. How pleasant & grateful the thought. "The sundered far by faith we meet, around one common mercy seat." & God keeps them & me safely and
lets us trust Him
In afternoon & night light breezes from the East. Turned our reefs & set all sail At 7 1/2 PM. Took the altitude of Polar star and found our Lat to be 37.49 N. Wind increases some at midnight. 10 Days form Savannah.
Wednesday Dec 7. 1859 Begins with fine breeze and steadily increasing. At 6 AM came up to our course E by N. 1/2 N. Through forenoon going along 9 knots with all sail. At 2 PM took in T.Gal Staysail & Miz T. Gal. sail. The wind blows strong but steady & I see no reason why we cannot carry sail, only the Capt is very careful Perhaps I should be if I were Capt. & had my wife with me. Hope I may have sometime At 7 PM, took in Fore & Main T Gal sails & put single reefs in Topsails. Strong gales from South. At 11 PM set Main T. Gal sail [Even?] with strong gales & sea increasing 11 Days from Savannah
Savannah Ga. Towards Liverpool Eng Thursday Dec4 8. 1859
Begins with heavy gales from South to S.S.W. & rough sea. At 7 AM took in Main T. Gal sail, & Main Top Staysail. At 8 double reefed Topsails & single reef in Main course. Ship going from 9 to 11 knots. All hands are always called to reef Topsails. At 11 AM took in Main sail & Inner Jibb. At 6 AM set mainsail: turned one reef from Topsails & set Main T. Gal sail. Heavy gales in night & going about 11 knots. 12 Days from Savannah
Friday Dec 9. Begins with heavy gales from S.S.W. Course East. At 8 AM took in M.T. Gal sail. Main Top staysail & close reefed Topsails. A rough heavy sea Lat 42.26 N. At 1 PM passed a large packet ship bound West with Fore & Main T. Gal Sails set. Very heavy carrying sail. & I should not want to be on
