Friday 13th. Again had all sail set, the wind drawing ahead this morning, we had to brace sharp up, and the sky had the look of a coming storm, during the day the wind increased the light sails were taken in and at 4 PM, we were again under double reefed Topsails, we were in hopes the fair wind we had would have taken us into the S.E. Trades, but alas! disappointment was again our lot, and by 12 o’clock at night we were in another fierce Gale. but we only got the tail end of it, if we had got the weight of that one, it would have crippled us altogether. we were soon under Close reefed Topsails again and grinding away at the organ to the tune of Pump Ship, every hour, but it is not like Circusses etc, which state on their bills, For one day only. but it is until we get home and we may thank our stars, if she gets no worse.
Wow. There’s been so much going on in the last few days, there’s been no room and no need for me to chip in too. What an amazing first-hand description of being in the eye of the storm. So many times they all thought the end had come, and somehow survived. The Captain proved himself a real seaman, getting them all through it. Now they are limping home with a leaky boat and a bodged together pump. I think life at sea has lost its glamour for Richard.
