20th-28th October.—Doldrums. The Lightning only averaged 55 miles a day for nine days.
Wednesday, 29th October.—Lat. 28° 31′ N., long. 35° 39′ W. Distance 108 miles. At 4 a.m. a light breeze sprang up from the norrard. 6.30 a.m., spoke a large American ship, the Clarendon, from Malta to New Orleans. 8 a.m., going 7 knots, almost a “dead on end” wind, but any wind at all is a change. Passed a brig to leeward and are overhauling three ships, which are ahead standing on the same tack. About 3 p.m., passed the Cid, of Hambro, a very pretty little clipper barque.
Thursday, 30th October.—7 a.m., tacked ship to N.N.W. A large ship in sight went about at the same time, ahead of us. During forenoon Captain Enright expressed himself confident that she was the James Baines. Great excitement and numerous conjectures, bets, etc. One thing certain that she sailed almost as fast as ourselves, and her rigging and sails were similar to those of the Baines. By sunset we had both weathered and gained on our companion.
(The ship was the James Baines and I have already described the encounter between the two Black Ballers.)
Wednesday, 5th November.—Lat. 36° 30′ N., long. 35° 11′ W. Distance 165 miles. (Distance made since 9th October 2219 miles or 76⅔ miles daily.) During the night the wind suddenly shifted, catching the ship all aback; in the first puff the fore topmast stunsail boom was carried away. Passed a three-masted schooner steering to the westward, she showed an English Ensign, but from her rig appeared more like an American. She had no foresail or mainsail, but large main and mizen staysails, and a host of other staysails, square-rigged forward; was about 300 tons.
Friday, 7th November.—The islands of Pico, Fayal, etc., in sight.
Tuesday, 18th November.—Lat. 51° 04′ N., long. 6° 43′ W. Distance 202 miles.
Wednesday. 19th November.—1.30 a.m., Smalls Rocks light bore E.N.E.
Thursday. 20th November.—At 4.30 p.m., Mr. W. Harris, pilot, came on board and took charge off Cape Lynas.