Murdo Morrison Diary

First Sunday at sea. Prayers read to us from the Church of England Prayer Book by the Captain, and a sermon by the doctor. Wind light today. Spoke to the barque Islander of London for Barbadoes, fifteen days from the Downs and thirty days from London. Cannot obtain the longtitude or latitude so cannot know how near we may be to Madeira. The passengers all healthy and in good spirits yet. Saw a great many fish today, whales and porpoises.

The wind freshened today and our speed greater in consequence. Had some sport today with some dolphins playing in large numbers round the ship. Our black cook harpooned two of them, but the harppon being too small, he lost his hold of the fish. Great sensation caused on board by them, and considering the dull and unvarying routine of life at sea, anything, however trivial, is a source of great importance and amusement to us. Saw no vessels today. 

I met with a sad accident today, having nearly dislocated my left shoulder by falling on the deck while walking to the Cabin. Feel a great pain in it. Spoke to our Surgeon, and having examined the extent of the injury sustained, has given his opinion that no bones are broken. But the arm sustained a great bruise; much swollen, and unable to stir it. Much amusement given to the passengers this evening by the fiddling and singing talents of a Mr Barlow, an actor (a clown) from Glasgow who is going to Sydney to put his talents in requisition among the gold diggers. Could not enjoy any of the fun going on, and suffering the most excrutiating pains.

Today I have my arm in a sling. The sun very hot and warm; expect to be at Madeira in two days. Spoke the barque Neptune from Glasgow for Madras, fourteen days out before us. Complained very much of contrary winds and bad weather. A pig killed on board today. A deputation of the sailors went to the Captain today, requesting him to mitigate or shorten their working hours; did not hear the result, but guess it to be favourable to them. A great deal of card playing and tobacco gambling (that is, playing for tobacco) going on in the Second Cabin. Never join in any of it; am neither inclined nor qualified to play cards. Do not by any means regret my ignorance of it, and plainly see the pernicious effects of it.

Still suffering great pain in my shoulder and scarcely able to stir the arm. Had some oil etc. from the doctor to rub it with. Had some pastime today with sailors’ songs – “Bonnie Highland Laddie”, etc. Running along with the wind N.E. and expect to be in the Trades in a day or two. Stewart McAlister has quite recovered from sea sickness and am greatly indebted to him for books, etc. Reading constantly, and sleeping sometimes two and three hours a day. Longing very much to get a sight of land, and as I have nothing but dancing and singing occasionally and reading to relieve the tedium of the voyage, the days appear as weeks. One consolation remains for me and that is that in a few weeks I may expect a sight of terra firma, and in a few months the golden regions.

In latitude 34 degrees N. today at 12 o’clock and 1½ degrees North of Madeira. The wind as usual N.E. and very hot weather. Cannot sleep as usual from the extreme heat of my berth, and always feel an oppressive closeness and drowsy from the state of inactivity and idleness I am placed in. Had some sport today with a brawny broad Scotchman who had proceeded to offer blows to one of the Second Cabin passengers for a tin which he almost swore was his own, and held in opposition to every one of us who unanimously identified it. The dispute finally settled by the fellow’s tin being found in his own berth, and a sharp reprimand given him. Saw no vessels today nor land, and look anxiously for the latter.

The following small piece of satire was composed on the ‘Kidstone’ by one of the Second Cabin passengers:­

Oh, I ever will regret the day

When the devil led me astray

My five and twenty pounds to pay

For a berth in the ‘H.C. Kidstone’.

Lord, take me from this filthy den,

From saucy mate and green seamen,

And save me from the like again

And from the ‘H.C. Kidstone’.

There’s little hope and no relief,

I’m fairly sick with care and grief,

And poisoned with the damned salt beef

That’s served us by the ‘Kidstone’.

Some say it’s leather, others worse;

I’ll swear it’s some old glandered horse

And give it now my heart curse

And with it the ‘H.C. Kidstone’.

Job’s patience could not take it coolly,

He’d swear and damn himself out fully

And send to Hell their soup and boullie

Before the ‘H.C. Kidstone’.

No more I need not say of grub,

Swine’s better fed out of a tub,

And then they have no plates to rub

When dining on the ‘Kidstone’.

We’re always carrying coffee cans,

Or sweeping floors or cleaning pans,

Or washing praties with our hands

On board the ‘H.C. Kidstone’.

The cook hot water can’t afford;

That fellow’s neck’s made for the cord.

He’s got as proud as mate or lord

That orders on the ‘Kidstone’.

The windows in the rain doth let;

My berth at morning is as wet

As any boiled potato net

In the galley of the ‘Kidstone’.

Our knives and tins and pans all go

By gents who fine moustaches grow

And style themselves Grab, Nab and Co.* – 

The pilferers of the ‘Kidstone’.

We often see the knife and fork

Stuck in a piece of fat salt pork,

Then hear the screw draw on the cork

On board the ‘H.C. Kidstone’.

Oh, Intermediate, curse the hour

This vessel got you in its power;

Well may you now look grim and sour,

You’re bitten by the ‘Kidstone’.

When first our feet tread on the shores,

We’ll bid farewell to pork and bones,

And we’ll give three hearty groans

All for the ‘H.C. Kidstone’.

* ‘Grab, Nab and Co., a number of the Second Cabin passengers who are cultivating moustaches.

Let others sing their songs of praise,

And publish lies, themselves to raise,

Abroad the evils forth I’ll blaize

That’s suffered in the ‘Kidstone’.

So shut your lying gab, Barlow,+

With the Intermediate you’re no go;

So say Starvation, Death and Co.,

The victims of the ‘Kidstone’.

+ Barlow:- A song was made by him praising the H.C. Kidstone and the Officers.

= Starvation, Death and Co. :- The nickname of another party of the passengers.

Saw a number of strange-looking fish today, called Portuguese men of war. Complaints made by the steerage passengers this evening about the pressure of heat in their apartments; wishing more air holes and better ventilation.

Sunday. No wind and hot weather. Rows in the Intermediate about brandy. A few of them pilfered from one of the passengers, and some other tricks which were played. A case of smallpox on board, in the steerage, and great fear entertained of it spreading. Another case of whooping cough or measles. Many vessels in sight today but scarcely moving. Many complaints made by us for better beef, the quality we get being shocking and hardly eatable. The Sabbath kept in a manner that does credit to the passengers, prayer meetings, etc. being performed regularly; does remind us of home and the Sabbath although on the deep and far from places of divine service. Passed Madeira today; did not get into the Trades yet.