Diary of Enoch Rudder
Sea Voyage to St Francisco Aboard the American Barque “The Harrison”
Following the interest in my Publication “History” handed down. Here is the first part of my Great, great, Grandfather’s original diary of his and his 2 sons’ voyage to California for the gold rushes.
October 24th. Wednesday 1849.
Commenced our Voyage to St. Francisco California N. A.
Summoned on board unexpectedly, consequently obliged to take a hasty leave of Fanny, Mr I. Lord & Family & prepare for going on Shipboard. After waiting in anxious suspense, (The Ship being underway), the Captain came onshore and determined not to return before Morning. We were therefore under the necessity of taking Beds for the Night at the Star Inn.
Complained of the overloading of the Ship, in vain to those friends whom I deemed competent judges, particularly Messrs. Chapman & Lord, who had a direct interest in our success Mrs. Lord said
“Perhaps they should insure”. Self-first, any friend after.
October 25th.
After breakfast at the Star Inn, we proceeded on board the “Harrison”. The ceremony of mustering the passengers by the Police having been gone through & our Pilot coming on board, we set sail.
Five persons were found on board who had successfully evaded the vigilance of the Police.
Our misery soon commenced, having got a stiff breeze, nearly all hands including the Captain & Passengers being seasick.
Our Vessel was lying too deep in the Water, & consequently, every wave that broke against her side washed over the deck.
Dogs, pigs, sheep, goats & Humans are all huddled together. The Horses, 7 in number were confined as a matter of necessity in Stalls on Deck.
October 26th.
The Stiff breeze continued, and vomiting was the order of the Day.
The Ship was unable to carry its full complement of Sail. The Deck was as wet as a Whale’s Back. Dogs, Pigs & Passengers were seeking shelter from deluges of Water, all endeavouring to obtain shelter in vain, except for a few lucky individuals who were fortunate enough to obtain a berth on the top of a Truss of Hay, where occasionally the half-sick passengers would find a place to repose where a Dog had previously relieved the calls of Nature& himself in a position not easily described. There was no room for walking, so each person, stood, sat, or reclined as best they could. The effluent from the Hatchway & Cabin Companion, is most disgustingly offensive to the Seasick, if not the Healthy.
October 27th.
The Breeze as before, the Mainsail, taken in & the Main Top Sail reefed. A heavy Sea running & the Seasickness increasing. Not a dry place to be found on Deck & most of the Berths admitted Water. Tin Dishes &c. were occasionally set flying from one Berth to another. The Children were crying & the Women were scolding & vomiting, it rained in the afternoon.
The Captain occasionally showed himself, and then would quickly disappear. Some odd & ridiculous scenes occurred below, amongst the Women. A perfect treat for some of those delicate Ladies who know nothing but the Drawing Room &c. Provision wretchedly course & badly cooked.
October 28th.
Sunday: This is no day of rest. Before Midday the Wind was stiff as before. In the Afternoon when it moderated more Sail was hoisted.
“What a scene below”; Imagine a company of Irish, Men, Women and Children, with a talkative Jew & 32 Souls crowded into a space less than 24 feet Square, including sleeping apartments, some talking in their Native tongue, some singing, some joking, some quarreling and Children crying, the Water rushing overhead, the shouting of the officers, the pumps going & the Sea breaking & dashing & roaring and then a faint idea may be formed of our Ship’s Comforts.
I found shelter in a corner near the Wheel, surrounded by Dogs, Pigs & a poor Goat whose common misery had driven to this more favored spot, it being the driest & sweetest place on Deck, although plentifully strewed with Goat dung & Cabbage leaves. Adjoining was a Bunk full of Potatoes & another of old Roots & Ships Honey.
October 29th.
A slight breeze in the Morning then becalmed in the Afternoon. Those Passengers recovered from Seasickness by amusing themselves by catching Sea fowl. I wrote a label stating, Date & Ships Name & tied it on one then set it free. Had a meeting of the Passengers & got all to agree to certain regulations, such as a division of Messes. Those of the Married people being first & the single last. Smoking was also prohibited between decks. Previous to this the utmost confusion prevailed. Seasickness subsided fast, & the calm was welcomed by all. The Ships Carpenter reported being sick with a fever.
October 30th.
A gentle wind sprung up during the Night & this morning a Barque, supposed to be from Sydney was sighted.
The Decks were well-washed & scrubbed. Last night’s regulations worked well this morning and all were pleased. The number of Animals on board soon fouled our clean decks. The Day was dull & cold. The Ship made a good way & the decks were kept dry. Rain could be seen at a distance.
October 31st.
A dull miserable Day, with the Sea washing over the Deck, moistening the dung & filth, & making it slippery & dangerous to walk on.
Half-cooked Pork & Potatoes were served for Breakfast. Our Old French Cook, a perfect Savage in his way, refused in any way to improve it. Pea Soup & Pork at Dinner, at tea the same viands piled up in what is called a “Kia” with Potatoes.
A beverage called Coffee was served out, but in reality more resembled the swillings of a Coffee Pot. We drank water, sweetened with sugar.
November 1st.
Rain & foul Wind. My feeble powers of description do not enable me to do justice to the scene now & it is mercifully mild to what it might be if it pleased God to visit us in Anger.
It is Babel below, wet & wretched above. In the Forecastle, it is still more wretched.
The Cabin is confined & miserable. Notwithstanding all the Sailors Joke, play tricks, and laugh. The Officers look serious & long for a change.
God grant it may be more favourable, for I contemplate a Gale with dread.
The Captain’s Wife Ill & I was invited to see her & visit the Cabin with pleasure. Played 3 games of draughts with Mr. C.
November 2nd.
In request as Ships Doctor. Fine Weather with light Air & smooth Sea. All busy cleaning and adjusting our quarters. Mrs. S. better.
The Horses shaped up much better, their slings readjusted & additions made as suggested by E.W.R. All in good spirits. The Ship is tolerably dry. A boar killed on the 31st, served out as fresh Pork, in all shapes. Pea Soup for Dinner, with Peas half cooked.
Julius at Dinner wanting to rest his feet placed them upon an eminence, which proved to be hidden, full of cooked beef & Pork.
November 3rd.
The Wind is gentle but foul. Tacking on & off the Coast of New Zealand is about 160 miles from it.
Sent for to see Mrs. Sherman who was taken more unwell. Also to 2 Children & the Ships Carpenter. Gave such relief to all as circumstances would permit.
Discontented about the Meals owing to the inattention & partiality of the Steward. In the Evening paid a visit to the Cabin. Played two Games of Chess with Mr. E. who considered himself first-rate,
The Ship is drier & more comfort obtained.
My unexpected Position, owing to there being no Medical Man on Board, I feel to be very responsible.
November 4th.
Wind still adverse. Attempted to read to my Companions, it was almost all in vain, owing to the storm of tongues below & the singing of Children above. Two of our Female Passengers had an altercation. In the afternoon one of our Stewards & a fellow Voyager came to blows about some flour secreted for private use, so valuable an article & soft Tack being deemed worthy of more than words.
Mrs. S. & the two sick children are better. Augustus is unwell with a Cold.
November 5th.
The wind freshened with Rain about 12 Noon; it fell nearly calm, indicating a change.
The crying of Children, the Scolding & beating by, the Mothers, the tramp of the Sailors immediately overhead, the shouting of the Officers, corresponding but characteristic noise of the Men & the Pumps going within 8 Feet, added to the Rain & Wind caused such a deafening & discordant Noise as to act considerably & very unpleasantly on the nerves, causing a painful sensation in the head.
November 6th.
A very fine & warm Day. Ship tolerably dry on Deck but the heat of the Sun caused very offensive exhalations to arise from the
Damp Hay & such other articles that had been fouled by the dogs.
Sighted the Barque “Jane” of Sydney. The Master on a Whaling Voyage, she bore down upon us, remaining for some time & affording a pleasing passage in the voyage. The sick on board better. Spent the Evening in the Cabin, played at Chess with Mr. C. A Sun Fish was seen during the Day.
November 7th
Light & favourable Winds at about 4 AM. Nearly calm all Day with heavy Dew. Dull unpleasant Weather. Boat lowered after a Sun Fish harpooned & brought in, cut up instantly & cooked. An Albatross was taken, then let go again.
Passengers amuse themselves in various ways, some at Cards, some at Backgammon, some at Drafts & Chess & others at Reading.
Mrs B. expects the death of her Infant. Much discontent about the Provisions amongst the Passengers.
November 8th.
A calm fine Day with a light breeze of about 3 knots in strength.
Scarlatina (Scarlet Fever) decidedly manifested on Board. I held a long consultation on the subject in the evening with the Captain & Mr. C. Recommended rigid regard to cleanliness, fumigation & ventilation. Had a long game of Chess with Mr. C., and he proposed to give my sons lessons on the Art of Bookkeeping, by double entry.
New Zealand
November 9th.
The wind freshened, but very dull damp & uncomfortable Day. Had another consultation about Mr. & Mrs. Child with Mr. C.
Administered Dover Powder &c. Windsail made & introduced.
A Whale was seen at a distance. None of us are in good health. Procured Vinegar & had it sprinkled about & heated with a red hot iron so as to cause plentiful exhalations.
Never were people in a position more helpless, or rather to my mind, never was the helplessness & dependence of Man upon the Mercy & goodness of the Supreme Being more developed & yet how thoughtless all we. It is willing our God is a God of Mercy.
“The Lord reigneth, let the Earth Rejoice”.
Overhauled the Captain’s Medicine Chest. Saw, many, Black Fish.
Mr. & Mrs. Child was dangerously Ill. Called in the night to see the Ship’s Carpenter.
November 10th.
Fine breeze, but very hazy weather. About 50 miles off the North Coast of New Zealand in view. It is a remarkably bold Coast. Hill upon Hill, with high Cones at intervals. Schooner insight. Mr. & Mrs. Child appeared better. The Vessel proved to be the “Columbine” from Sydney. We caught her, then soon after left her far astern. She reported having seen the “Sarah Ann” & to have experienced Northerly Winds. Two Porpoises were harpooned & severed they were soon divested of their fat & portions of the flesh cooked in various ways. I partook of some & found it an excellent change of diet. Broke out water from the Ships hold, it was dreadfully dirty.
November 11th.
Sunday: “How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts,” says the Psalmist: How distressing to a reflective mind is a Sabbath spent as it is observed upon this Ship. No Order, no Regularity & no regard for its sacred institutions. I reminded my fellow Passengers of their Duty, but in vain each went on in his & her own way, regardless of the sacred nature of the day with a very small exception. The day wet & squally & obliged to keep to our Berths. Visited the sick. The Carpenter who was very sick all night was better so also Mrs. S. — The poor little suffering Child us no better & I fear not likely to recover. Altogether it is a most miserable day there being no possibility of obtaining moments of quiet. All was noise, confusion, or misery presenting a powerful illustration of the want of a Presiding Mastermind to control the whole. It is liberty run wild.
November 12th.
Beautiful Morning & Day, the Vessel made rapid & pleasant progress. Passengers & Animals all seemed to participate in one common enjoyment, the sick appeared improving. The Carpenter & other invalids are better. A Whale was seen of the kind known as the Sulphur back. A Porpoise struck & secured in the evening when it set in squally. Reefed the Fore Mizzen & Top Sails. All others were taken in owing to the increased violence of the Wind & Squalls. Spent the evening in the cabin & played Chess with Mr. C. whom I defeated after a well-contested game.
November 13th.
What with the rolling of the Ship, the rushing of the water overhead as the sea broke over. The noise of the Men, the rattle of tinware as it was driven hither & thither & the toothache, I would obtain no rest. At Daybreak, just as sleep came to relieve weary nature, a noisy Seaman came below & from his vociferations giving no longer any chance of rest. I hastened on deck from the little hold below here however everything was dreadfully wet.
The little suffering Child died at about 11 o’clock AM. In the afternoon the wind moderated & about 6 o’clock the Child was committed to the deep. Mr Cread was part of the R. Catholic service & all hands attended. The Ship rolled heavily during the night but made excellent way.
November 14th.
The wind is still favourable & progressing rapidly. The Horses were severely tired & suffered much from the Ship’s motion being much chafed.
W. left his child playing at Cards this afternoon. Mr. C. lent me his American Protestant Episcopal Prayer Book at the end he pointed out to be a collection of Hymning, one of which his Wife sung as she departed from this World of Spirits on returning from the Book I presented with a few times on the occasion. The Day was fine, the Thermometer 64 degrees Fahrenheit in the Shade.
I felt the want of rest & quiet greatly. While in the cabin in the evening, the Captain showed me a fine collection of Doubloons of all the American Republics, also some Dollars &c.
November 15th.
Dull day & contrary Wind. Through the kindness of Mr. C., I am enabled to study the American Commercial & Shipmasters Regulations. Mrs S. was very ill in the afternoon & reported being delirious. Julius commenced with Mr C. Bookkeeping &c.
As usual, when we have any Wind, we have the discomfort of a wet Ship. Left Harvey’s group of Islands on the Weather Bow.
November 16th.
Wind North-East, dull day No new incidents Mrs S. better. The usual discomfort, the propriety of keeping aloof from all petty disputes of Passengers daily manifests itself. Though no absolute Illness prevails yet none are in good health. Headaches Toothache Sore Throat & Rheumatism prevail.
November 17th.
Wind North-East, Heavy Rain with Thunder & lightning, nothing can be much more wretched than our condition in wet weather. The Children are necessarily confined below with an accession of Adult Passengers which makes the Berths hot & close. There is little space in which to move & this is crowded & at Mealtimes so occupied as to exclude nearly all light from my cabin so that I cannot see the quality of the food of which I partake which from its coarseness & sameness produces disgust & a disinclination to eat although really Hungry. From the inconvenience of Shaving, I have permitted my beard to grow. A fellow Irish Passenger kindly preferred to act the Barber least I will be taken for one of the sects known as Beardies (?)
November 18th.
Sunday the wind changed during the Morning the weather was very fine and calm but against the progressive movement.
This Sacred Day is unobserved as usual except it is privately.
Mrs. S. is too ill to come on deck she appears to be wasting away gradually but certainly & has herself no hope of recovery. A heavy swell prevailing with the calm gave the ship a violent & constant rolling motion very distressing to the Horses, especially to two very fine heavy Animals who suffer very greatly.
November 19th.
Calm still continued with increased swell & correspondingly increased the rocking motion. The hatches opened & Water molasses &c. taken out. Some of the Hay between decks were found so hot as to be very unpleasant to stand upon with naked feet. The confusion & bustle on deck beggars all my powers of description. Casks, Trusses of Hay, Bags of Bran, Passengers, some washing, others airing Beds & damp cloth, Pigs, Sheep & Dogs, driven hither & thither. The rigging is covered with clothes & every space placed with Sails put out to dry. Below people cleaning, Stewards scraping floors, Children left to manage as best they could, Crying, Playing &c., left no spot where it was possible to write, read or think. In the evening when things had resumed their wanted places, the crew took to singing, music & dancing.
November 20th.
Very fine day but too little wind to maintain at all times good steer way. The Boat was lowered after some articles dropped overboard. Passengers busy cleaning Guns, repairing clothes &c.
Mrs. S. who rallied a good deal yesterday, is not so well today. Mr. C. sent for me in the Evening being very unwell, The Sailors renewed their sport in the Evening, Their Music consisted of a Flute, Tambourine, Two Tin Plates & two steel caulking Irons.
Dancing, Singing & Slant the Slipper was kept up with Great Spirit & goodwill. All seemed to enjoy the quiet & mild return of the weather.
November 21st.
Very light Wind during the Night which continued all day. Mr Overy is unwell Mrs S. is still better, Albacores (LONG FINNED TUNA) were seen but none was taken. In other respects, the Day passed much as yesterday.
November 22nd.
One Month from Sydney, the wind Easterly with slight showers, the Day mild & pleasant, the wind subsequently altered so as to run us to the South, nothing worthy of remark occurred.
November 23rd.
A fine breeze, but adverse in direction, First tack South by East, Second Tack N.E. by East in the afternoon, Cold but fine weather, Rheumatic afflictions prevail. Discovered a mode of using Ships Biscuits which proved of great importance to us, it is as follows:
Break the Biscuit into very small pieces, soak these in water for some hours & when perfectly soft, drain off the Water & break it up as fine as possible, add some Pork Fat, minced very fine then sweeten to please the taste & bake, this makes a very good Pudding.
November 24th.
The breeze freshened bringing up a heavy Sea, in the Evening reefed the Fore & Main Top Sails, the heavy rolling of the Ship caused a small Grinding Stone to break adrift & in so doing to crush one of the Female Passengers hands which I dressed, other things as usual.
November 25th.
Sunday was, fine day but not publicly observed by officers, Ships Company, or passengers, although more decorum marked the day than on any previous occasion. Mr C. & Mr S. gave various methods of cooking maize & many of which I have no doubt are excellent & different from those practiced by any of the Colonists in N.S.W.
November 26th.
Wind still from the Southeast & blowing very strongly, causing a heavy sea. Our Course during the last three days has been N. by E. & N.E. by E. There can now be no doubt that we have been in the Trade Winds the last four Days. A very wretched Day attended with all the miseries we have experienced on former occasions.
November 27th.
Wind as yesterday with heavy sea constantly breaking over the deck, the Ship’s bows dash the spray to a great height, deluging the forecastle. With Water dishes below & Pigs, Sheep & Passengers above all tumbling & sliding about. The poor Goat came tumbling headfirst onto the table below; upon a former occasion, we had a Sheep & a Dog. The Ship’s motion is very giddying.
Latitude 164 East & Latitude 25 North. Tahiti is about 1000 Miles distant.
November 28th.
Still, in the Trades, the day fine & sea falling. In this & all rough weather, the Pumps are kept going once every 2 hours. It occupies from 5 to 15 Minutes to work them so that about 4 Hours in every 24 are taken up in pumping the Ship.
Mr. C. alluded to the Chessboard today but has not felt himself well enough to engage in a game, and spent about 2 Hours in the Cabin.
November 29th.
Trade Winds, the Sea very heavy, but the air mild & pleasant. Spent some time on the steering deck watching the mighty Billows rise & fall & the labouring Ship rise & plunge alternately over them & as they passed over the inclined plane presented by the side of the advancing Mountain of Water her rolling & dashing the spray from the Bows. To those who have never beheld the same sight, it must be very imposing for the first time to behold the Mighty Mass rolling onward & then the vast receding.
November 30th.
Trade Winds, a beautiful & mild Day, the sea smooth, all mirth & enjoyment, all living beings on board enjoying repose or partaking of pleasure after their late knocking about; The Officers & female passengers up to all kinds of practical jokes of a mild & laughable nature.
Julius & Augustus had a little altercation with the 4th Mate, Mr. C. very unwell, and Mrs. S. appears much better. Captain S. gave Julius & Augustus some Maize of which they contrived to manufacture some Meal.
Water was measured out on a reduced Scale.
December 1st.
Wind variable and the day warm, in the evening the wind shifted to the West with heavy rain & lightning.
At the request of the First Mate, we made an arrangement to have our Water served out to us, the quantity to be allowed being 3 Quarts to each by American measure. I stated that it ought to be English & that the American allowance was different & more in quantity than the English. Mr. S. informed me the American Gallon was 1/5th less than the English.
Having now passed to the East of the Meridian of Greenwich a Day has to be calculated in Advance or One Day estimated at 48 hours duration.
December 1st.
Wind N.W., a most splendid day with a fine & gentle breeze shaping our course towards the Island of Raratonga, the weather very warm, the only observable difference onboard ship this day being in the cleanliness of the Dress & Person & some few reading religious works.
About 4 o’clock I sighted the Island of Raratonga, being the first to see it. Sat up with Mr C. & had an interesting conversation about the state of the Religious World.
At Raratonga this day is observed as the Sabbath as it is in Sydney.
©
David Rudder
2023.
This is the end of the first part of my Great-great grandfather’s day-to-day Diary of his voyage to San Francisco with his two sons and the Gold Fields. I Transcribed word-for-word from his original hand-written Diary.
Part two and subsequent parts I will publish in the coming weeks. Thank you for your interest.
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