Day 263. Flying fish and salt horse: a seafaring tale
19th April 1860:
Thursday 19th. Lending the Deodar a hand to haul closer in. Arrived the Cherebim of Boston, the Joseph Gilcherest of Thomaston, the Cheviot of Glasgow and a number of other ships which I do not know the names. Went ashore for the Captain. Aboard the Granite City looking out for the Lord Hardinge.
There were plenty of Scottish ships involved in the guano trade as can be seen here, from Dundee, Glasgow and Aberdeen. An important guano shipping firm was also based close to home, Balfour Williamson, founded by Alexander Balfour from Leven, Fife, and Stephen Williamson, from Cellardyke. Their main offices were in Valparaiso in Chile. Of this firm, more later.