It was a lovely afternoon, and all about the ship were numbers of seabirds—gulls, albatross and shags. In the water were penguins (a type not found in the Antarctic), seals, turtles and sharks. This part of the ocean must simply teem with life to support all these large animals.
About 5 p.m. a big Castle liner passed us homeward bound, and Wuzzles changed course to enable us to give a shout to Cookie, who was aboard. The skipper, however, must have been watching through his glasses, and, seeing what a crowd of toughs we were (Wuzzles prominent on the bridge), sheered widely off and passed us too far away to distinguish individuals.
Commander Wild is very limp. He had a very bad attack of “flu.” He’s a hard case, and it takes a lot to upset him. A few of Green’s egg-flips and the salt air will soon set him on his feet again.
Sunday, July 16th.
Yesterday was a fine day, most of which I spent below hatches making, with Marr’s assistance, a final stowage and getting things ready for sea.
To-day has been perfectly lovely. Had the 4.0-8.0 a.m. watch, and Dell, Mick and I had just scrubbed down decks, and made a jolly good job of it too, when the stokers started cleaning pipes and simply covered the whole ship with soot and ashes. We blessed them fervently for this good beginning to a Sabbath Day, the rest of which we spent trying to get our cabins and living quarters clear of the mess they had made.
Commander Wild is much better, though he is not yet all right, as he seems to think. I allowed him up to sit in the sun for a little while.
The Windsor Castle passed and signalled us “A pleasant voyage.” We dipped ensigns. There is something rather nice about these sea courtesies.
Bosson, Green’s new mate, entrusted with a carving knife, succeeded in nearly severing one finger.
July 19th.