Author: dave

Seven O Clock this morning being appointed as the time for Sailing, nearley all of Our Company were on board at that hour, and the wharf at the foot of Rosevelt Street was crowded with ancious Spectators and friends of those who were about to de­part for California.  the Scene was indeed an exciting one, The crowd was composed of men women and Children, Husbends, Wives, Farthers, Mothers, Sons and Daughters. Uncles, Aunts, Cousins from first to fourty second, besides numerous friends and acquaintances. for about an hour previous to Shoveing off from the Dock, Small Squares of the relatives, friends and acquaintances could be Seene, engaged in earnest conversation by themselves if not to others.   in fact these “confabs” were a Sort of compound of Love, Courtship, Matramony, difference of opinion on various Subjects Such as would arise from unsettled accounts, board Bills, Washing Bills, broken promises, and a too free use of Brandy Gin and Wine, as well as whiskey.

Our worthy President was not free from all these troubles, he being compelled to make a Jack of himself on the Start and mount the Shrouds, and hide himself in the Main Top to evade an Officer who made his appearance on the Wharf with a large unsettled Bill. the Oficial did not look up “as Men Should do in this world” and therfore lost his man, and of course his Money. I too had my Small circle of friends to See me off. Uncle Robert Douglass, “first mate” Uncle Philetus H. Halsey, Brother George W. Halsey and myself composed our party of Relatives bound to the Golden regions, Uncle L. W. Halsey Cousins C. H. Hand, and A. Halsey and others accompanied us to the Boat.

When we reached the Wharf the Ship was Swinging off by her Stearnline, and we were obliged to Scrable our way over the four Chains and Anchor to the Deck, and many followed. Gold diggers and their friends, determined not to part till the last moment.

At 8 A M the Staemer Samson took us in tow, and away we Started down the Bay mid cheer, “deafning” from Ship and Shore.  Slowly we moved off from the great, “and to many of us” beloved, City of New York.   but a few hours only was left us to enjoy the Society of our dear friends who had accompanied us down the Bay, to Horse Shoe Bay on the Jersey Shore where, Our Anchor was let go and the Samson rang her Bell to give notice that She was about to return.   and now comes the parting Scene, and oh what an affecting Scene. Husbands parting with their wives. Parents with their Children, and friends with friends.  A Scene Sufficient to melt the Stoutest heart and moisten the Eye, that never Shed a tear.

They parted hardly dareing to hope of ever Meeting again on the earth. The Steamer now Shoved off and loud cheering commen­ced and continued so long as they could be heard to and from the Ship. the cheering was aparently enjoyed very Much by Some while it deepened the Sorrow of others, and caused a Still greater flow of Tears. of Our own feelings on this occasion we choose to remain Silent. to deny that we extended our hand, for a last Shake, and gave utterance to that last Good bye, with a palpatating Heart and a quivering Lip, would be to deny our very Nature.

The Samson and our friends were Soon out of Sight and as our Captain was obliged to return to the City on imortant business, we could not proceed to Sea till the following day.

We now began to turn our attention to Dinner, for many of us had left withoµt partakeing of much Breakfast, having lost all relish for food, in the excitement of the Ocasion about to Sep­arate us from our friends.

According to arrangments, we were to have but two meals per day therfore the Call we were now waiting for, was to our Din­ner and Supper . the Call Soon came by one of the Stewarts, ringing a large Bell a general rush was made for between decks, where we Seated ourselves to the Table and at our first meal on Ship board, consisting in part of Salt Beef, Salt Pork, Po­tatoes and Turnips &.

The Table was arranged in the centre of the Room between Decks running the whole length of the Ship and Supported by the round column that run to the uper Deck. Slats being nailed on the Top to prevent the dishes from Sliding off, douring rough weat­her or rolling of the Ship.  one hundred and fifty men took their Meals by this Table twice Set, quite a large family Shurely.

We have on board Seven Ladies “thank fortune” to throw around our dreary position a few rays of Sunshine.

Their names I am not able to give but I have found out that one of them is a young unmarried Lady her Father and Mother being with her.

With the Ladies a few of us enjoyed ourselves very much douring the evening Singing Sacred Music. thus the first day of our Voyage to California.

The morning is beautiful, quite warm and perfietly calm. Captain Eldridge came on board early this morning, and gave quite an interesting account of his adventures last night it appears that he had reached the City, accomplished his busi­ness, and was ready to return by 5 P.M . So he engaged a Row Boat, and set out for the Ship expecting to reach her somtime in the evening. The Sun had Set and the evening Shades were Slowly enveloping Surrounding objects as they Slowly approached Statten Island’s Shores, when a Squall Suddenly overtook them and the wind blew with Such violence that they were obliged to land, and it was not till 12 Oclock at night that they dare again venture upon the Bay and then it was so dark that the position of the Ship could only be guessed at.  with that “Yankee Compass” to guide them they pulled and rowed and pulled again, till all became very much fatigued, when one of the party Siting in the Bow of the Boat peering through the thick darkness espied a long low black object, which he Soon Satis­fied himself was a Ship, and of course it could be no other than the Salem, (So they thought). To board her was the work of but a moment, when to their Surprise they found they had got on the wrong Ship and therfore were obliged to betake themselves to their Oars again, though nearly tired out already.  from their on account the next two hours were Spent prospecting the Bay for Several miles around, but at last run ashore.  Several miles South of the Ship.  They were now very cold and resolved instead of trying any longer to find the Ship that they would Set out in Search of a House.  this they Soon accomplished, but on arousing the inmates, they were refused admittance by an old Man who ran his head out of a window, and declaired he would Shoot them if they did not leave imediately.  they intreated the Old Man to let them in that they might Shelter themselves from the cold, and I expect a little drop of Something inwardly to warm their Stomachs.

but the Old Man evidently took them to be filebusters, and would not listen to the Straglers. So they were obliged to return to their Boat and wait on the Beach, till daylight, when they discovered their Ship, and were not long finding their way to her. I think all of the party had got pretty well “sobered” by their nights toil and fatigue .

11 A M. The Steam Tugg Santee appears in the distance Steering up the Bay toward us.

A light Breeze Springing up from the South East, the Association resolved to employ the Steamer to tow us out to Sea.

Our Captain therfore hailed her when near enough, and we were Soon lashed together. Our Anchor hoisted from the mud of New York Bay bottom, and in the course of an hour we were floating upon the broad bosom of the Atlantic .

2-1/2 Oclock P M,  quite a Serious acident has just occured to one of the Crew,  while engaged with others of the Crew hoisting the Main Topsail, a large Chain, called the “tie” parted and fell upon his head, while Standing in the maintop. the blow was So Severe that, he was Senseless for the remainder of the day but wholey recovered the following day or two. At 3 Oclock P M .having reached a distance considerabley out­ side of the “lightship” and all our Sails being unfurled to the breeze, the Pilots Bill and the Steamers Bill was paid and the latter Ordered to cast off her lines which She did with three hearty Cheers, which were as heartiley returned by those on Shipboard.

Many letters were Sent to the City by the Steamer, Wrote to Cousin Emely Halsey

As evening draws near the Land grows dim in the distance, the land of our Farthers the Land of the free, and the Home of the brave, will Soon be hid from our tearful Eyes behind the dark blue waters of the Great Atlantic Ocean, and as the Sun went down to add gloom to the already dreary prospect, and night with her dark drapery closed inn around us and Shut from our vision all Surrounding Objects, Our hearts became very Sad and lonely and we found ourselves asking our own hearts, the question  When Shall we again See our much loved “home” and all those dear ones whose names are associated with that Sweet word “Home”   the onley answer was an internal conviction that it Might be “Never”.

Many tears were Shead this evening, and all were glad to retire earley, to their Several “Bunks” and Strive to forget all they had left behind in the arms of Morpheus.

Weather- Very unpleasant this Morning the Sky being cloudy and Such clouds as Send down a cold drizeling rain. Wind- Quite Strong from the South East. S E.

When I came on deck this morning I found myself for the first time in my life out of Sight of Land, and nothing to rest the Eye upon but the mighty waters around us, the wet Clouds, above us, an occasional Sea Gull flying to and fro, and our own floating Island.  douring the latter part of the day, it was quite manifest that many of our Ships Company were troubled with a peculiar “nausea” in the region of their Stomachs, which was anything, but agreeable, and told quite pla.nely what the night or morning at fartherest would “bring forth”.

 

 

 

 

Weather–Remains disagreeable

Wind–South East S.E.

As was predicted last evening, Pork, Beef, Potatoes, and Bread are cast into the Sea, whoes terbulent waters have made Such commodities unwilling to remain any longer confined to the narrow limits of a mans “Bread Basket”.

I am so very Sick myself that I think I must Suspend writing till I get well, for this Sea Sickness is, oh! so hororable . oh how fervent and numerous have been our wishes that we were home again and yet I confess I can hardly refrain from laughing at the Sight before me.  fifteen or twenty poor creatures st.anding with their heads extended over the Sides of the Ship, holding on to the latter with one hand, and using the other to keep their heads from bursting as they repeatedly Strive to be “generous by way of feeding the Fishes of the Sea” all Sorts of petiful noises greet the Ear, from a low “moan, up to a loud groan”, besides all the Cursing, and other disagreeable Sounds.

FRIDAY MARCH 16th 1849

Lat—Long –unable to obtain today

Wind    South East S E

We are now in the Gulf Stream, and to Satesfy a curiosity which I have, as to the temperature of the water in theseLatitudes, I cast a water Bucket and brought some of the “Brine” on Deck and found it quite warm. It is generally expected by all, who pass through this dread plase, that rough weather, high Seas, Squalls & would attend them through, but we have had a fine run fair wind and Smooth Sea.

I am very fortuneate, having wholey recovered from that hororable Sea Sickness. I expected to be compelled to endure that unpleasant feeling for Several days but am disappointed, agreeably So.

The evening was very pleasantly Spent with the “Ladies” Singing on the Promenade Deck, while our noble Ship was plowing her way through the Sea Gallantly, tossing the water right and left, and Spreading waves of foam, that Sparkle in the bright Moon­ light, like Sheets of fire.

“What fairy, like music, That floats o’er the Sea.

 

Weather- Blustering, afternoon more pleasant

Wind– A stiff gale from the S.E.

The Strong wind to day has made quite a rough Sea, causing the Ship to roll quite badly, not So bad however but what the directors can breakout (So called) in the lower Hold for pro- visions.  the Cook is mixing dough, for Johney Cake, Some are makeing Beds, while others are washing, mending etc in fact the whole routine of Housewifery, may now be Seen in active operation. “‘What a blessing a good wife would be now”.

 

 

Weather–  Gale from the N.W. Double reefed

Wind—- Topsails, unpleasant Weather

This is Sunday, the first on Shipboard, and how will it be Spent Shall we So Soon forget the command, Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy, God forbid.

A few and “I am Sorry to Say a very few” may be Seen reading the Bible, that Book of Books. Oh that we loved it more. So that when we read our minds might be filled or well Stored with its Sacred truthes.

I am Sorry to have it to record, that there is very little to distinguish this day from any others of the week, how different from a Sabbath Spent among Christian friends. Still, deprived as we are of that great blessing it is a consoling thought, that God, who rules the Nations of the Earth, and controls the waters of the mighty Deep, he who hears the Cries of his Child­ren from the Earthey portion of his footstool; their god is the God of the Sojourner upon the great Ocean, and is ever ready to hear the prayers of those who put their trust in him, his guarding, and protecting power is manifest on the Sea as well as on the Land. what a blessing to have God, the Maker of every thing that was made, near us even upon the green Waters.

Evening- The Gale continues before which we are Scuding with great velosity, and there being a heavy Sea on the Ship rolls terrably. I think “from appearances nown that many of us will Spend a Sleepless night douring the one that is approaching This day has done much, by way of revealing the true charactors of our Ships company. “Severaly” to describe Such a verity would fill a volume, and would require a better Scribe, than he who now writes these pages, away from the restraints of Home, and Home influences, Such as are begotten by the presance of good virtueal Wives, Moral Parents, Brothers and Sisters. I Say away from all these, a large proportion of Our Company act as though they were let loose, and wish to Show to all around their true or real dispositions.

Weather- Still Boisterous

Wind– Very Strong, but fair

We are all in good Spirits to day, owing to the fact that we have a Strong fair wind, which is Shoving us along at the rate of ten knots per hour, last night proved “as predicted” a very uneasy one for Ship and “Cargo”. Crockery gingled and tin pans kept up a constant rattleing, cuting up all Sorts of pranks, first one Side of the Ship and then the other. Several turned in to get a little Sleep, but those who were So unfor­ tunate as to get into a doze, were Sure to get “Turned out again, very uncerimoniously and were compelled to pick them­ selves up from the Deck, on which they had found themselves in a very Spralling position.

I forgot to State in my notes of last Saturday, that a Special meeting was called on that day for the purpose of reelecting Some officers and Electing Some new ones, and appointing a police force, to assist the Captain in maintaining order on Shipboard. four of the latter were apointed and put on duty immediately but Strange to Say the man who first proposed the establishment of this policy was the first one to break the rules of the Ship and disterb the peace.  after its organi- zation he being one of the principals in a fight that occured today in the Cabin. Iheard of no arrests by the police and conclude that they were not on Duty about that time.

Weather – Very pleasant Wind –   Continues fair

A beautiful Rainbow appeared this Morning, its Several collers very bright and resting (apparently) its two extremities on the Ocean.  it was a grand Sight but denotes an approaching Storm, the Crew say—–

A Rainbow at night is a Sailors delight,

A Rainbow in the Morning is a Sailors Warning.

We have experienced considerable inconvenience lately ariseing from a want of room to Seat at table all of the Company. those who hapened to reach the Table first after the ringing of the Bell acting on the principal of “first come first Served”, would leave very little for those who came to the Second table.  the amount left would indeed be Small, from the fact that all the “Hogs” would get at first Table.

To Obveate this trouble, we divided Ourselves off into ten Messes, five takeing the first Table, and the remaining five the Second. Each mess having its “provender” Served Seperately. even after Such an arrangement had been carried into effect, Some of those “Hogs” belonging to No 9 would Steal No 8s Cake, Puding etc  And it became nesesary to place the Ships police at the Galley Door to prevent “Theft”, and See that each Mess gets its proportion.

 

Weather- Cloudy and unpleasant

Wind-    Directly ahead blowing a Gale

Oweing to a violent head wind, the Officers have been obliged to heave the Ship to in which position we now lie under close Reefed Main Topsail, fore Topsail, and fore Topmast StaySail. The Sea is very rough, causing quite a “heaving” time among many of the Association, who were just recovering from their first Sea Sickness, but now Suffering Second attact.

At 10 A M the wellcome cry Sail’O, ran through the Ship. Were away (the Captain inquired) two points off the weather Bow was the reply 10 miles distant. She proved to be a Brig bound South. I long for an Opportunity to Send a Letter home and hope we Shall be able to Speak a Vessel bound that way Soon.       this makes the third or forth Craft that we have Seen Since we Sailed, the others I neglected to mention in their proper places.