David Poor's Journal - March 1 - 31, 1842

Page 29

David N. Poor of Portland, Me.

March the First 1842

This Day begins with calling all hands in good season and hove up the anchor and shifted our birth again. And then washed down decks until dinner time and then got dinner. After dinner turnd to and bent sails and got ready for Matanzes to load for Cows* for orders and we did not get ready untill dark. And then got Super and then 3 hands went in the boat with the mate. And we turned to again after super and cleared up between decks and the Loer halle (lower hall or hold?) and got ready for sea. And so ends this days work.

*(Cowes is a harbor town on the north shore of the Isle of Wight, convenient for American ships wishing to clear English customs.)

Page 30

Wensday March the 2, 1842

This morning calld all hands at 4 oclock and hove up the anchor and run a cage and hauld out an Loosed sails. Another hand has come on board in Moses Pease. And now we made sail for Matanzas and went out of the harbour and got the anchor up and got brackfast. After that we keipt to work at won thing and untill night. We has the Chanel. Has ben very good to Day about getting along, so sat the watch and So Ends this Days Work.

Page 31

Thursday March the 3 1842

This morning at 3 bells they was agoin to turn all hands to and not Let the watch go below. They was goin to varnishing the bright waste* at Sea. They begun to grumble and So they was tolde to go below and I went over the side and varnished and got it done.

We made Matanzas point and taked (tacked) and stood off again and then taked again and stood in and could fetch in. Calld the watch up to clear the anchors and the chanes. Took a Pilot and went in and anchored and furled the Sails and got the Derick up and so Ends this dayes Work.

*Bright waist - a stripe painted around the outer hull.

Page 32

Friday March the 4 1842

This morning comences with calling all hands at 3 oclock to take out balist (ballast) and then their was a hell of a growl at wonce and the devil to pay and no pitch hot*. So after a Long dispute between the mate and my Self we went to work and took out one liter Load** and then took in a Liter Load of Sugar and worked untill dark and then nocked off and got Super. Sat watch but there was but Little watch Stood this night for I did not turn out nor none of the rest of them. And So Ends this days work. David Poor.

*Undesirable consequences on the way.

**Lighter - a barge for carrying cargo from shore to a moored ship.

page 33

Saturday March the 5, 1842

This day comences with calling all hands at 4 oclock in the morning. And turnd too to take out balist again and loaded wone Liter before brackfast and then got brackfast after. And turnd too again to tak in Sugar and Load the Liter up with balist again, and then another Load of Sugar and Load up with balist again, and wone more Load of Sugar and did not Load up again, but Left of work after Dark and got Super. And So Ends this Days Work amen. David Poor

Page 34

Sunday March the 6, 1842

Sundy comences with Plesant weather And fine breses From the north East. Turned out at Sun Rise and washed down the decks and got Brackfast.

I wrote two Letters Home for myself and one for John Griffin. David Doyll rote home and Asa rote to his mother.

And got dinner and went to Sleepe in the afternoon untill Super time and So Ends this Day Work. Sunday March the 6 1842. David Poor

Page 35

Monday March the 7, 1842

Monday this day comences with calling all hands at 5 oclock in the morning and turnd to and took in Sugar untill brackfast time. And after brackfast turnd to. They did give us time to Eat our brackfast before it was "Turn to there!" again, and went to work with our pipe in our mouth. And there was another groul with the mate and myself but he did not get to windward of me for I Could groul as fast as he Could. And so ends this Days Work.

Page 36

Thursday March the 8^th 1842

This day comences with calling all hands at 5 in the morning and went on to our daly Work that is Loading the ship.

Nothing ocured more than common to relate on this day. We took in 3 Liter Load of Sugar and did other Small jobs about the ship. Cleard up between decks and got ready to take in Sugar theare. And so Ends this days work. David Poor of the barque nautilus.

Page 37

Friday March the 9^th 1842

This day comences with calling all hands at 5 in the morning and turned to at our work again and took in Sugar. This day we took in 3 hundred boxes of Sugar and worked about the vessel. We work very hard from day to day and but a little rest. Here is no peas, for it is work or die. David Doyll is Lamer and he has to worke as the rest of us to. And So Ends this Days Work. David Poor

Page 38

Thursday March the 10^th 1842

This day comences with Light winds from the north east and fine weather. Comenced this days work with washing down decks. And then turn to at the Sugar again an got in wone Liter Load before brackfast. After brackfast went to work at the Same again and so on untill dinner time and then got dinner. After dinner turnd to again to clear out betwen decks for to stow Sugar there. And took in 150 boxes and stowd them away and cleard up decks and got Super and Sat the watch and so Ends this days work amen.

Now we are about half Loaded.

Page 39

Friday March the 11^th 1842

This day comences with fresh gales from the north east an fine clear weather. Calld all hands to wash down decks and had just got to work when a Load of Sugar Came a Long Side. And we Left the washing decks off and took in the Sugar and had not got that in before another Load came along Side. We got one discharged and got brackfast and then turned to again and discharged the other one. And then stowed the chains away all ready for sea. After dinner their came 3 more Liters off and we did not get them in untill 7 oclock at night. So we got Super and Sat the watch and So Ends this days Work amen. DP

Page 40

Saturday March the 12 1842

This day comences with fresh winds from the north east and fine weather. Calld all hand at 5 oclock in the morning and washed down decks and turnd to. And bent the sails over and set up the mizen riging (mizzen rigging) and mizen topmast riging and bent the studansail*. Wone Liter Load of Sugar Came off and we took it in and got diner, And turn to again and went about ships duty, that is work about decks. No more sugar Came this day although we expected two more Load and we was hapily disapointed for it is Saturday and we were almost worn out after a hard weeks work. We left off work at dark for we Sildom did before. Got Super and hoisted up the boat. Sat the watch and So Ends this days Work Amen.

*Studding sail - added to the outside edge of a square sail in fair weather

Page 41

Sunday March the 13 1842

This day comences with calling all hands to wash of decks. And the Captain and too men went to market and did not get back untill brackfast time and then got brackfast. I bought one 100 oringes for 50 cent to take to sea with me.

After dinner John and Asa and myself went ashore and came on board again at 5 oclock in the after noon and got Super. And hoisted the boat up and finished the days work with a Washingtonian meeting (temperance meeting of the 1840s) wich Lasted till 8 oclock. Then Sat the watch and retired to rest. And so Ends this Days Work. David Poor

Page 42

Monday March the 13 1842 (sic)

Monday morning this 24 hours comences with fresh gales from the north east and fine plesant weather. Calld all hands and turnd too to wash decks. And wone Liter Load of Sugar came off. Took in the sugar and then went to work at Something else untill another Load came and then took that in and got dinner and no more Came off that Day. So we finished the day with seting up riging and puling at one thing and another untill dark. So Ends this days work. Amen. David Poor of Portland Me.

Page 47

Saturday March the 18 1842

This day comences with Light Winds from the north east and fine weather. Calld all hands to wash down decks and then turnd too to get every thing ready for sea, putting on all the chafeing geer* and parsling** all over her and went on shore twise to day with the captain. Worked very hard all day untill night. And then got Super and hoisted up the boat and Set the watch. And So Ends this days work. And now it is Saturday night thank god.

(Stenciled or stamped on page) D. POOR J. DALY

*Chafing gear - covering on a line to prevent wear.

**Parceling - wrapping a rope in tarred canvas strips, or covering a seam with canvas sealed with pitch.

Page 48

Sunday March the 19 1842

This day Comences with a Land brease in the morning for an our or too and then the Sea Brease Struck in again and blew a fresh brese. This morning we washed decks and Wet her round out Side. And the Captain and too hands went on board of the brig Cardnes (Cardres?). Came back and got brackfast. So after brackfast we went to work washing and mending and took our bed cloaths on deck to take the air and to shake the bed bugs off of them. At about 2 oclock to day the Sloop of war Boston came in. And so ends this Days work. Amen.

Page 49

Monday March the 20 1842

This day comences with calling all hands at 5 oclock to get underway and hove up the anchor and made Sail. And then Captain and 3 men went on Shore and the pilot took the vessel out of the harbour. And the Captain came on board and now we have Sailed for Cows (Cowes, England). So we was to work all day Stowing away the anchors and geting things snug for Sea. Worked untill sunset and then got Super and Set the watch. So it was 8 ours in the Lee Scuppers* this night. So ends this days work. Amen.

* Scuppers - holes allowing water to drain off the deck).

Page 50

Tuesday March the 22^nd 1842

This morning we are sailing with a fine brease and the Ship is under all Sail a gowing at the rate of 5 miles an our when the day broke. And the morning Looks beautifull and the Sun rose in all her Splendor and every thing Looks fine and plesant and promising for the day. We washed down the decks in our AM watch and at 7 bellse got brackfast and our Larboard watch went below.

At 12 PM Came on deck and went to work about a few small jobs wich amounted to nothing. We have taked several times to wich I can give to regular acount for. Saw 4 Sails in Sight all day and Came up with them very fast. The wind is very Light to the Later part of this 24 ours and fine weather Continues. And so Ends this days work.

Page 51

Wensday March the 23^rd 1842

This day Comences with Light winds from the north east and fine weather. At 7 bells taked ship and stood to the north west. Saw 3 sails of vesel, 2 ships and 1 brig. Finished the topgallant studansail and sent another won down out of the main top to repair.

At 10 PM Taked again to the Eastward. Wind very Light

At 12 PM Calm, and got dinner. Turnd too again. Now the mate is at a Loss to find work for us. I think we shal have watch and watch* of Some Kind or other. All hands Employed in Ships duty and So Ends this Days Work.

*Watch and watch - a system that divides the crew in half, where one watch works while the other stays below. The opposite of "calling all hands", and much preferred by the sailors.

Page 52

Thursday March the 24^th 1842

On our Passage from Matanzes towards Cows (Cowes) in England. This day comences with Light (blank) from the South and a Calm Smooth Sea. The Sun rose in all her Splendor and the morning Looks beautifull and Promising for the rest part of the day.

At 10 PM we are now all most becalmd between Cape Florida* and Abico**. Saw 5 Sails in Sight. This morning a Large Shark Was a Long Side but left us again.

At 10 AM Sat the fore topmast Studansail an one main top galant Studansail.

At 12 AM sat the Lower Studansail. Ship agoin 4 nots steering north. Plesant weather remains to the Latter. All hands employed in Ships Duty and so Ends this Days work. David Poor

*Cape Florida - near Key Biscayne, FL.

**Abico - could be Abaco, of the Bahamas.

Page 53

Friday March the 25 1842

This day begins or rather comences with Plesant Weather and Light Winds from the south and smooth sea this morning. Saw 10 Sail of Ships in Sight all bound to the North. I heard the Captain say at 12 PM that we was to the north of the Florida Reefs and I was releived from the wheel and got dinner. This afternoon spook (spoke) the brig Prusia from Turkey Paw (?) bound to New York 7 days out. Had one woman Passenger onboard wich took my eye more than any thing Els. Requested of her to report the Nautilus. People employed in Ships Duty and So Ends this Days Work.

Page 54

Saturday March the 26 1842

These 24 hours comences With fresh breeses from the SSW. Saw Severel Sail astern of us and too ahead.

At 10 PM Wind SW. Took in the Starboard Studansails and brased up.

At 12 PM fresh gales from the SW. Steering N gowin 8 knots.

At 2 AM took in Lower Studansail and topgallant Studansails.

At 4 AM steerd north by E.

At 9 AM Sat topgalant Studansails.

At 11 AM sat the Lower Studansail. NNE Wind Still mordrate (moderate). I was too work reparing a top gallant Studansail.

At 4 PM Steerd NE. All hands employed in Ships duty. Fine weather continues to the Last. And so ends this days work.

Page 55

Sunday March the 27 1842

This 24 hours Comences with Plesant Weather and Light Winds and calm Sea.

At 8 PM took in the Studansails and Brased Sharp up wind NNW Light brease. All this day is spent in Working for our Selvs. Dinner coms on an What do you think it is. It is a piece of Salt beef and a duff. About enough for one or 2 men. The beefe is as Salt as Wals of Turks Island.*

A fresh breas at 2 AM. The main royal is furled.

Well now Super comes on the Same Salt beef and bread and nothing else except Some hot Water Seared to death with Coffee.

At 6 AM Light brease again. And so ends this days work. David Poor

*Turks & Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. A salty locale, evidently.

Page 56

Monday March the 28 1842

These 24 hours begins With Light Winds from the SE and fine Weather.

At 10 PM Steerd NE close haul to the Wind.

At 12 PM calm . Hauld up the mainsail and Squared the yards.

At 4 AM Still calm.

At 6 AM Light brease NW. Sat topmast an topgallant Studansails and main royal.

At 7 AM Went to Work on the Larbord fore tack to lay on the Servis* afresh.

½ past 7 got brackfast and our watch went below.

At 12 PM Came on deck and turnd to again. I went to work over hauling the main bunting blocks. Broachd a new barrel of beef. Wind light and varable (variable). People in ships duty. And so ends this days work.

*Service - wrapping to prevent chafing.

Page 57

Tuesday March the 29 1842

These 24 hours Comences with light winds and varibl (variable) and fine Weather continues for these Last 10 dayes.

At 8 AM taked to the north. Fresh gales from the ENE but fine weather.

At 9 AM took in the main royal.

At 1 PM taked again to the south. Wind NE by E light and baflind*. Got up the Larbaurd main topmast backstais** and Starboard fore topmast backstais. I was over hauling blocks.

At 4 PM Wind NE.

At 6 PM Cleard up decks and got Super. And so ends this days work. David Poor

*Baffling wind - one that shifts repeatedly from one direction to another.

**Backstays - standing rigging running from the mast to the transom.

Page 58

Wensday March the 30 1842

These 24 hours Comences With Light Winds from the NE and fine Clear Weather.

At 6 AM Calm.

At 8 AM hauld up the coarses* and braild** up the Spencer and Spanker.*** Hauld down the gaft topsail and gibs (jibs).

At 10 AM Calm.

At 12 AM light breas from SW and baffling. Squard the yards. Had no Sterage Way on the Ship.

At 2 PM sat the fore tpm Std (topmast studdingsails) and the top gallant Studansails. At 5 PM sat the Lower Studansail. Ship goin 4 knots.

At 6 PM sent down the main royal yard to repair the sail and sat the Larboard topgallant Studansail.

At 9 PM sent the main royal yard aloft and set the Sail. Now she is goin 7 knots. Wind SW.

At 12 PM fresh gales from the WSW.

At 1 AM furled the jibs and braild up the Spanker and gaft topsail. The starbed (starboard) watch went below.

At 4 AM hauld aft the St (starboard) Clew of the mainsail and sat the Spanker. And so ends this days work. Amen.

*Courses - lowest square sail on each mast.

**Brail - to furl a sail by drawing it toward the mast.

***Spencer and Spanker - small sails aft.

Page 59

Thursday March the 31 1842

These 24 hours Comences with heavy gales and rany Weather. Wind SW by W.

At six PM braild up the spanker and gaft topsail. Hauld up the mainsail. Blowing heavy.

At 3 AM Hauld in the topgallant Studansail and Lower Studansail.

At 5 PM caried a way the fore topmast Studansail helyards (halyards) and took it in.

At 6 PM took in the main royal.

At 7 PM took in the fore topgallant sail and main topgallant sail.

At 8 PM Wind NW and Squaly. Clewd down main topsail and reeft it and reeft the fore topsail. And caried away the fore topmast staysail helyard and fore topsails reef takle (tackle). Sat the jib and Spencer.

At 11 PM sat the mainsail.

At 1 AM rove a new Wheel rope.

At 4 AM blowin very heavy. So ends the day.

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