Friday, 19th September.—At 11.15 a.m. on the meridian of Cape Horn. Distant 69 miles. Saw three ships beating to windward. Exchanged signals with the Patriot King.
Wednesday, 24th September.—Lat. 47° 21′ S., long. 47° 05′ W. Distance 227 miles. Squally with rain, but all sail carried bravely—even little “bull-dog” up on the main skysail mast. Ship going 14 knots and sometimes 15 in the squalls.
Thursday, 25th September.—Lat. 44° 40′ S., long. 41° 43′ W. Distance 278 miles. All sail set including topmast, topgallant and royal studding sails, in all 29 sails. Afternoon, the moonsail was sent up and set as the 30th.
Thursday, 9th October.—Crossed the line in 28° 20′ W.
(Lightning’s average 238 miles daily.)
Tuesday, 14th October.—Lat. 8° 12′ N., long. 28° 00′ W. Distance 52 miles. At daylight two vessels in sight on the other tack, one a large ship with three skysails set, the other a brig. At 7 a.m. tacked ship to N.E. Signalised the ship, which proved to be an American, the Tornado; the brig was thought to be a Spaniard. About 11, the clouds and mist enveloped our neighbours, who presently emerged with a fair southerly wind, although only distant about 5 miles, while we retained our northerly wind. For a time all was uncertainty and doubt which wind would gain the day, but when the vessels came close up to us, bringing with them heavy rain and puffs of wind, we trimmed yards and soon were rushing through the water at the rate of 10 knots: anon all was calm and the sails flapped. Again we saw our American companion staggering under a heavy squall, which split his fore topgallant sail and main topmast staysail, and caused his masts to buckle like fishing rods: we had plenty more rain but did not catch the strength of the squall. There was great shortening sail and making sail, for the Yankee was going by us, distant about 2 miles on our starboard side; meanwhile the little brig, with a more steady and strong breeze of his own, came close up on our port quarter. Then again all was lulled. The interval presented an opportunity of further signalling, and the following questions and answers were made.
Lightning—“Where are you from and bound to?”
Tornado—“Callao and Cape Hatteras.”
Lightning—“We are from Melbourne.”