#mar 1843

[thecunnydiaries]

30th Thursday

Weather fine: nice breeze: quarterly: Studdg Sails low & aloft: averaging 5 Knots. Cleaning Ship.

In the afternoon Hove to while the Erebus was Sounding. Took a reef down in the Topsails at night. At noon Cape Good Hope distn about 360 Miles.

[thecunnydiaries]

11th Saturday

Fine: good drying wind the fore part of the day. Passed many Icebergs: Steering NE but wind Variable & Squally. In the Evening severe squalls. In the afternoon Shortened Sail to treble reefed Topsails. Seen new moon for the first time apparently about 4 days old.

[thecunnydiaries]

8. Wednesday

At 2 AM. a calm. 3.30 a light breeze Sprung up favourable, but as Soon as all Sail was made Chopped round nearly as bad as ever and almost as fresh: continuous snow. Laying nearly S.E. At 7 PM Tacked and lay within 3 points off our Course: blowing fresh: Heavy sea on and piercing cold although not Freezing. No walking on the upper deck: The Ship Heeling over 25E. Passed many Bergs.

[thecunnydiaries]

31st Friday

Fine. Very warm but blowing fresh with Squals. Wind headed us: barely Laying our course Rap full. Current Setting Strongly to the Northward. At Noon Cape Good Hope distn 217 Miles.

Heavy squalls in the evening with rain: Gave the upper Deck a good Holystoneng: Ship beginning to look clean.

[thecunnydiaries]

29th Wednesday

Fine. Nice light breeze right aft: Studg Sails both sides low & aloft. Scrubbed our other Set of dirty hammocks. In the afternoon the Erebus hove to & Sounded with Long line. Captn went onboard the Erebus. Weather beautifull & mild.

Campbell's notes:

Ross, Voyage, II. p. 379. ‘On the following day thermometers were sent to a depth of 1200 fathoms, where the temperature was 39°.5; at 1050 fathoms, it was 30°.8; at 450 fathoms, 41°.1; at 300 fathoms, 44°; and at the surface 53°.’

In order to measure the temperature of sea water at depth thermometers have to be protected, otherwise the mercury is forced up the scale by the pressure and erroneous readings occur. Ross’s thermometers were unprotected and hence his readings were in error.

[thecunnydiaries]

28th Tuesday

A most beautifull day (at least to us). At 11 AM breeze chopped round favourable but light. Aired Bedding: Scrubbed Hammock and washed clothes. In the afternoon Set Port Topmt & TGt Studg sails: going about 3½ Knots: Smo[o]th water.

[thecunnydiaries]

27th Monday

Very fine. Wind light and not laying our course within three points. Had general Clean at the Ship. White washed lower deck. In the Afternoon Captain went onboard the "Erebus": returned at 4 PM: all well onboard. Weather appearing quite warm to us. A Tropical SKy at Sunset: come up a little in the night.

[thecunnydiaries]

26th Sunday

Fine. Good breeze: commenced running at 4.10 AM: Averaging 6 Knots all day: breeze Moderated in the evening. Run all night under easy sail. No Icebergs Seen.

At Noon in 45°.38'S. Cape Good Hope dist 738 Miles.