"We left Funchal roads at 7pm on the 2^nd July under easy steam, it being dead calm. Barrosa was in company she having arrived an hour before we started. We are now on our roads to Bahia and jog along very comfortably except we feel the want of fresh water very much (which a liberal government has restricted to one gallon and a quarter per diem for each individual � that includes cooking water and all). ¹ We are now in the trade winds which blow strong and we bowl along at the rate of 11 knots an hour the flying fish darting from under the bows in all directions. Passed a large school of porpoises (who were all vomiting a most extraordinary muddy looking mixture). The Admiral made a signal to try a race of sailing and we came off fourth best, Barrosa being first."

July 13^th
"Arrived in latitude 11 55 N and the doldrums weather commenced, nothing but rain and calms. Liffey, Bristol and Barrosa got up steam and took the other ships in tow the Endymion falling to our lot. "

July 15^th
"A sad accident occurred. Whilst shifting top gallant sails a boy, Sam Lara, fell from aloft and was killed on the spot. Resurgam"

Page from the diary (Click on image to see a larger version) 2

July 16^th
"Committed to the deep the remains of the late Sam Lara"

July 25^th
"Sunday at 12 pm crossed the equator in Lat 0 0 Long 19 50. The old practise of shaving was not adhered to, our Captain being too morose to permit it. We have now got the SE trades and are bowling along at the rate of 7 miles an hour. We have now been 3 weeks and 3 days from Madeira and I am very tired of it, in fact I have had about enough of it and won�t be sorry when I am writing FINIS.

1     Much criticism was levied at the meagre supplies of fresh water allocated onboard. Whilst in Australia a number of seamen wrote letters to the press complaining about the constant drills and lack of fresh water

2     Whenever a fatality occurred McCausland highlighted the event by means of a skull and crossbones

© Copyright Charles Fountain May 2002

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