Herbert Mackarsie journal

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the Ships Company and inspecting the Sick, went to General Quarters. Sent for to an American Ship, in consequence of a man having fallen from her maintopsail yard: he afterwards overhauled the Ships Books, Warrant Officer's accounts and had a look at my Sick Book, with which he appeared satisfied, perhaps from not knowing the Latin names. After having lunch below with the Commdr and Suite, he ordered the hands to be turned up, and addressed the Ship's Company saying he was very highly pleased with their efficiency in seamanship and gunnery: afterwards complimented Christians for the discipline under which the ship, and after speaking to each Officer he left for the shore, it of course being the last inspection on board here. In the evening Commdr and some of the officers went on shore. Turned in very early.

April 8th. A fine mild morning with an occasional shower of rian. A few cases of Diarrhoea occurring, but none of a serious type. In the afternoon had an invitation from the Admiral to dinner but having suffered for some time from a Chronic affection of the ancles. I was obliged to send an apology and was glad to get to bed.

April 9th Kept my bed all day after seeing the Sick in the morning, suffering severely from the pain in my legs.

Friday, April 10th Good Friday, Buenos Ayres

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Great preparations for a Clergyman coming off in the afternoon to preach: old Higgs & Ross on shore Christian in the country. I remained in my cabin during the day. At 10 they went to Divisions, Dr Martin doing duty for me. No boats allowed on shore. A grand procession on shore among the Catholics, and the Brazilian Ships all dressed, with crossed yards. In the evening we had a quiet game at whist in the Engineers Mess and after a pipe and glass of rum and water, I turned in but in severe pain from my legs.

April 10th A find mild morning: at 9 a Brazilian Steamer arrived from Rosario. Sent a boat for the Commdr and for orders from the Admiral.

Employed white washing, coal tarring & making every thing as uncomfortable on board as possible. Our Steward and Cook (for want of proper management doing just as they liked, old Higgs being quite incompetent for a Caterer, having told a falsehood to the Admiral, when asked about My accounts saying we only owed £16 instead of £160. But liking as far as possible a quiet life I keep my cabin where I hear all that goes on without entering into any of the arguments which are often very annoying.

April 11th Great fun shooting at Judas Iscariet who was hung up to the Yard arm of a Brazy Corvette, salutes being fired by the Garrison and the Foreign Men of War. A grand procession on shore by the Roman Catholics, with a quantity of Rockets and Fireworks. Rum & water & turned in

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Sunday April 12th 1857 Buenos Ayres. Heard of an Insurrection at Rosario, and we were ordered to prepare for going up the River immediately we had a sufficient supply of Coals. At 9.30 Commdr came off when we went to Divisions, inspected ship and performed Divine Service. Old Ross on shore without leave, and wanted by the Commander. At eleven the Commdr went on shore in search of Paymaster, who was soon found and sent off but in a very drunken state. In the afternoon a party of ladies and gentlemen came on board to see old Ross, who they found asleep in the skylight: they did not remain long on board, after which Ross got very drunk and troublesome, going into my cabin and turning every thing upsidedown and I was obliged to put him out by force - Afterwards I went on deck to smoke and on going into the gun room found the old fool cruizing about with my Pocked hat on, which I removed & hammered it about his face & head, and then laid hold of him by the throat, and knocked his head against the Bulkhead till I made his nose bleed, after which he was more quiet, but went on drinking so long, that he mistook his own cabin and turned in to Dr Martins, who fortunately was on shore: in his mania, he came into my cabin just as I was going to turn in; and on opening my door, without knocking, I shoved my candle in his face, which rather astonished his nervous system & then turned in.

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April 13th. Ross of course very shaky, requesting I should not say anything about what happened on the previous evening. Arrived a Sardinian Steamer from Rio. 9.30 sent galley for Commdr, who came off shortly afterwards, stopping Ross' leave for a month and giving him a severe reprimand. One of our Marines got leave to go on shore to get married. In the evening there was whist in the gun room and after Ross had got well primed again, there was a most horrid noise made by singing and hammering on the table, with any quantities of Pewters of beer, so that sleeping was quite out of the question till long after midnight.

April 14th Beautiful weather. Harrier shifted her position. Sent boat for Commdr, who of course did not come off. Employed getting Provisions from the shore. Old Ross very drunk again and by 9 PM was incapable of getting to bed, and after a good deal of trouble, he was put into his cabin boots and all on.

April 15th In the morning felt unwell and had to ask Dr Martin to see my few sick. Sent Cutter for liberty men, many of whom came off very drunk, and there was some little milling but of course they could not hurt each other seriously. It was past eleven before I was able to get up, and even then I could hardly hold my head up. We were at dinner at 2 PM when a young man fell over board, and never came up again, two men jumped overboard after him, but he was never seen: we crept for the body for some time, but could not get it.

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By nine PM old R. was in his usual state annoying every one with his noise, however he had not forgot, the evening of last Sunday and did not come into my cabin.

April 16th A beautiful morning, most of the Officers on shore. Dr Martin attended to my Sick, as I was unable to get up. Sent boat for Commdr who as usual did not come off. A few liberty men came off, most of them drunk. No appearance of old Higgs. Turned in early.

April 17th Sent a boat at 8 for the Commdr, being General Quarter day. Every thing in the gun room very dirty and uncomfortable, with nothing to eat. At 10 the Commdr came off with a party of friends to breakfast, but we had no Quarters, as several men were ashore the galley's crew waiting on the Admiral and four in my Sick List. Lost a first rate opportunity of gaining £40 for some vaccine Lymph of which I had plenty, but as small pox was very prevalent on shore, I made a present of some to a Medico, who came off. Heard of the Indians having come down as far as Rosario; and having rizen against Orkezas, with every probability of their soon coming down to Buenos Ayres. Made a signal to Harrier to go to General Quarters, exercise small arm men, and man and arm boats. Higgs came off, but in a very shaky state. In the afternoon Mr Deal came on board, bringing for old Ross, a very handsome revolver won in a raffle, for which he at once called for any quantity of beer, evidently with the intention of again getting drunk, to the annoyance of every one. It was

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a great pleasure to have completed coaling, and perhaps a better one in prospect, to commence painting. Christian rather in a bad temper, supposing I had not my instruments out, in which he was however disappointed, for in coming to my cabin and seeing all ready on the table, he asked for my sick list, which was also in readiness, and on coming into the gun room afterwards, he was uncommonly pleasant asking me to go ashore with him, which of course I declined. In the evening, Ross again was drunk & came in to my cabin in his moony state wanting me to go ashore: with some difficulty I refrained from knocking him down: after getting as much rum, beer & gin as he possibly could procure, he eventually managed to get into his den, and fell asleep just as he was

April 18th The weather as fine as usual. Employed cleaning ship throughout - Sent a boat for Commdr and a description for three men who had broke their leave for more than a week. Several of the Officers went ashore in the afternoon boat, so that every thing was quiet in the Gun Room: at gun fired turned in again feeling unwell and passed a dreadful night.

Sunday April 19th 1857. At Buenos Ayres. Could not leave my bed, Dr M kindly did the amiable for me. Commdr came on board and went to Divisions. In the afternoon, the body of a drowned man came up, and a boat was sent away and the corpse brought on board and put on a grating under the Union Jack, and the Carpenters set to work immediately

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to build a coffin. In the evening Diarrhoea came on and I was running up and down stairs all night.

April 20th Did not sleep an hour all night, and if possible felt worse. A note came off from the Commdr saying that an Officer with a party of 10 men were to be on shore with the corpse, where a hearse would be in waiting to convey it to the English Burial ground, a distance of three miles from the City. They were back again by one. In the afternoon the weather had a threatning appearance and after sunset there was every look of a coming [PWestis?] which very soon came on with lightning and thunder. Heard of our relief being at Rio, which made us more anxious about the arrival of the mail. Were told that Yellow Fever was still so bad in Monte Video most of the Medical men had died, the rest all hooked it for the country, business was quite suspended, most of the Clerks having run.

April 21st. It rained fast all night and in the morning it was as bad as ever. No appearance of the wished for Mail, still she may come in during the day. No communication with the shore on account of the weather. In the afternoon exercises at small arms and gun drill. Being very cold turned in early after a game at whist.

22nd Don't forget to forward Dr Martins letters. At 5am Thermometer as low as 41°. Blowing fresh from the SE with a clear blue sky. Sent a boat to Commdr in Chief for orders. On return a letter came on board immediate, ordering Dr Martin to repair on board the Italia for a passage to Monte Video

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to relive [relieve?] the Sick, in want of Medical assistance, the Flag Ship being left with only the surgeon on board- At noon blowing very hard, when the cutter was called away and the Dr left much to my regret. At sunset a signal was made from the Harrier but we could not make it out, and as it was blowing so hard the cutter was obliged to remain on board the Harrier for the night. I went very early to bed.

April 23rd Still no mail. The gale had broke tho it was yet blowing hard, but the weather fine but very cold, therm 36° at 7 am, showing the frequent changes that occur and which accounts as a great measure for the sickness. The weather very cold and miserable. Went very soon to bed but not to sleep on account of the noise old Ross was making in one of his drunken fits.

April 24th At 6 the smoke of a steamer was seen and by 7, she was made out to be the Prince from Rio. Sent a book for despatches. At 9.30 Commdr came on board 10 went to General Quarters. 10.30 Commdr went on shore to Admiral. Nothing new during the day.

April 25th 7 am Thermom 36°. Sent boat for orders to Admiral: if a signal from Harrier that Wasp was coming in: by ten we could make her out at one we got the Mail and received letters from Sissy and Mother with two papers. The Wasp put 15 days in Quarantine on account of the Fever at Monte Video. A few miles below this city it has made its appearance and there have been two fatal cases, no doubt it will creep up to the town, fortunately it does not seem to affect the shipping. In the evening wrote letters to

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Mother

Mother and Anty, and after a glass of hot toddy went to bed, the warmest and best place.

Sunday April 26th 1857 At Buenos Ayres. At 9.30 the Commdr came on board with a very hot cold and mustered by Open List, going ashore soon afterwards to the Rakes which are to conclude today. In the evening both Ross and Higgs got drunk and began to sing till they were stopped by the Commanding Officer. After gun fire went to bed.

April 27th Woke about 3 when it was very cold but I had not pluck enough to get up & look at the Thermometer: the Sentries light in the steerage had gone out, the Officer of the watch must have been asleep for everything was as quiet as the grave, so I very soon hopped in to bed again. Sent the boats on shore at the usual times for orders: two on the list. In the afternoon all the Officers, leaving only Higgs, two Engineers and myself: after gun fire we had some hot whiskey & water and I was soon under the blankets.

April 28th Every thing very quiet all day. At a little after sunset the Commander came off in the 2nd gig with some drunken men and after seeing the worst one put in irons went ashore again.

April 29th Still very cold and uncomfortable: after quarters exercised at gun drill; sent boat for Commdr who did not come off but a sent a messg to Ross ordering him to explain in writing his reason for breaking his leave. An old druken merchant Captain a friend of old drunken Ross, came on board to dinner and after Quarters several of the Officers went on board with him

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April 30th Sent the usual boats ashore and at 10.30 Commdr came on board, and at once sent for Ross demanding an answer to his Memo: after he had finished it, he presented it to the Commdr who again sent for him on the Quarter deck and told the Commanding Officer to stop his leave for 2 months. In the forenoon the Flag Lieut and Secretarys Clerk came on board. In the afternoon it was quite calm and comfortably warm. Old Ross sober for once altho' he had three bottles of ale his rum, sundry glasses of brandy?

Friday May 1st 1857 At Buenos Ayres. Most beautiful weather. Filled up the monthly return of Pick for Admiral. Sailed a Brazilian Man of War. Sent a boat for the Commander, who did not however come off before six bells, but left very soon after went ashore. In the afternoon, it came on to blow, with every appearance of a SWester: sent a boat for orders but they had to put back again; A little before sunset a strong breeze was blowing and very cold, several ships driving. A Brazilian boat came alongside, fortunately the Officer and crew got on board just before she swamped, shortly afterwards the Harriers boat got alonside, and was secure astern.

May 2nd the wind moderated a little and the strangers were able to leave, which I was very glad of, as the Spaniard got very drunk, and after being put to bed, vomited all over the bed in which he slept. Went to bed early.

Sunday May 3rd - Very unwell, not able to turn out sent boats for Commdr and orders. 10.30 went to Divisions, but I kept my bed, and did not get