Sidney's Letters 01

I have not been well enough before to begin my journal, the sea has been so very rough and two days ago we had a sharp storm. The sea broke quite over the ship and washed the pig-styes away, etc. It is now quite a calm, about 10 o'clock, we have just finished breakfast, and you are, I suppose getting ready to go to chapel.

We have till within the last three days had a splendid run, got out of the Channel in two days, and in a week were in the latitude of Madeira. The captain says he has never had such a run before, but for four days had foul winds, so that we are only a little south of Madeira. I would give anything to have Jessie here. 

The climate is the most beautiful you can possibly imagine. We are all lying about on deck in the shade, the sun is so hot. I think it would be impossible for anyone that is weak, though, to stand sea-sickness. I had no sooner given my letter to the pilot than I was taken and for seven days could take nothing but two biscuits and had a little brandy. The thirst I endured was so dreadful that I would have given every penny for an orange or an apple or some sort of preserve. One night I drank four pints of water and would have taken four more if I could have got it; it is the most dreadful disease I ever had and when I looked at myself in the glass. I should not have known who I was, and have most certainly have been a stone lighter than when I started: but am enjoying it now and no mistake . There is just enough swell to make it hard writing, but I am lying down on deck which is not a good position for writing.

Mr Woodcock is a very pleasant companion, he tells me all about sugar and coffee planting: he has a large plantation out there. He has been very kind in getting me what I wanted when ill, but I will not write any more today or I shall use all my paper.

Monday 7th March 1864

Saw a schooner but did not speak to her. Amused ourselves by playing quoits.

Tuesday 8th

Read book and played quoits. Lat 30N Head winds still, quite recovered from all sickness now. 10pm writing this in my cabin. Very rough.

Wednesday 9th

We are now passing the Salvages, large rocks, islands in fact and are just able to see Teneriffe which is exactly 90 miles distant from us a long way to see anything. We can only see the peak. The captain pointed it out to me just now, it looks like a white cloud. Have just passed a turtle asleep, also a Nautilus in full sail.