JOHN LEIGHTON’S DIARY

Opunake Times, 17 October 1947, Page 3

JOHN LEIGHTON’S DIARY

VOYAGE FROM ENGLAND SAILING SHIP ERA November 2nd.: Wind still contrary. I forgot to note the birth of two pups last week, the mother a fine sheep dog —the young ones doing well. This morning w r e hoisted the Union Jack to pay our respects to the Austrian which was hoisted on a fine large frigate, but she was a great distance from us, apparently homeward hound. Course S.E.* by S, Tire great number or ships that have been in our company so long are fast diminishing, Ther. 72 degrees.

November 3rd.: Still the same course. Here we are within 70 miles of Cape Blanco and that it is the intention to sight the Cape Yerdo Islands. The barque Lord Hastings from London to the East Indies and Madras —spoke with signals. Went on the starboard tack at night—shifted again to port in the morning. Only 3 vessels in sight _ today. We_are wishing to get in the trade winds. Such a dampness this evening in the air, that completely saturates everything as had as any English log. If I could put everything as it occurs, or as I think, I could soon fill a book, but what with the children and the cooking which nearly all falls on me as John Mason’s wife has been in the hospital a week now, I’m afraid it will be a poor thing of a journal.

November 4th.: A fine day, very hot wind what little we had, still adverse, died away towards evening. Land Oh! was the cry while we were getting tea. Could not see when we went on deck. The days which had scarcely diminished since we left the Downs, have sensibly so since we have been running on this latter course. E.S.E. lay to at night. Thermometer 74 degrees. November sth: Land in sight or rather an immense coral reef off the coast of Africa and a small island as well. No wind, let go two small hedges first thing in 9 fathoms at 8 bells noon. We had a cap full of wind sprang up and up went the hedges, the smallest hand over hand, the passengers assisting, the larger one hove with the capstan. Hoist'ed sails with thankful hearts, and by evening was out of sight of this ugly lee shore. If we are to credit some of the wise men of the ship and particularly the ship’s cook, we have had a narrow escape of disaster of some kind or other. He says he was wrecked on the same reef, and the natives are described as an unfriendly and savage race. I understand the coast here is called Fisherman’s Point. We hove away with a light wind and we lost sight of it as the shades of evening came on. The crew kept up the old charter, by dressing up a Guy Fawkes and parading him about the ship, a real live one, carried shoulder high, with a lantern carried in front, laying about him right and left, with a stocking leg stuffed full of old rags. A few songs livened up the evening’s amusement. We had preserved potatoes served today. Ther. 71. November 6th.: Light favourable winds. The crew carried the old horse about this eA r ening. One of the crew was dressed up in a sheep’s skin, with a horses head made of paper and drawn on a gun carriage, af which the ship is in possession of two. .As some of us escaped Guy Fawke’s thrashing last night, they promised us a taste tonight, so we stopped below and cheated them of their kind intentions, as they were not allowed to go below. The meaning of this ceremony is this—the seamen have completed their first month’s engagement and have made up their month’s advance. They get a little grog out of tlie cabin passengers; the Captain being an old teetotaller, they met with no encouragement in that quarter. It is said we enter the' Tropic of Cancer today " and pick up the Trade Winds, also set on stunsails and jibs. Ther. 70. November 7th.: Light fair winds, a beautiful fine Sunday, service as usual. Little Mary very poorly, one of her old chest complaints. Prayers as usual at 4 bells p.m. Making from 5 to 7 knots. Ther. 72, November Bth.: No wind. Ther. 73. November 9th.: Light winds, course nearly west. Ther. 74. November 10th.; Light winds, weather very hot. Making very little progress—wish we could vet un steam. A little wind at night and sharp look-out kept. Ther. 75. (To be continued.^