Journal kept on a voyage from England to Van Diemen's Land, November 1825-May 1826

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Content Summary:

Judging from the regularity of the handwriting, the diary, which is addressed to 'Betsy', was re-written by Widowson at some time after the voyage. It begins with a title and short preface and concludes with a poem.

The diary begins with the departure of the Albion, commanded by Matthew Proctor, from Gravesend to the Downs and Portsmouth, Widowson's activities at Portsmouth including inspections of the dockyards, forts and HMS Victory, the departure from Portsmouth (1 Dec. 1825) and views of the south coast and Falmouth. The subsequent entries refer to the weather, the seas and winds, sea sickness, the food allowances, fights and thefts, church services, the sighting of Madeira and Tristan da Cunha, Christmas celebrations, the condition of the sheep, cattle and horses on board the ship, the deaths of animals, shooting and fishing and sighting of flying fish, porpoises, whales and sharks. There are references to other passengers, particularly James Toosey and Captain Bartholomew Thomas, who had initiated the expedition.

The Albion anchored at Cape Town on 23 February 1826 and remained there until 7 March. Widowson sets down in some detail his impressions of the town, as well as describing his daily activities, including meals, church services, encounters with Dutch farmers, a climb up Table Mountain, visits to farms and vineyards, a trip to Constantia, the purchase of horses, and the departure of Lord Somerset, the governor of Cape Colony, and Lady Somerset.

The final part of the diary mainly deals with the rough seas in the Indian Ocean, injuries incurred by passengers and crew, and the deaths of animals. It refers to the formation of a literary society on the ship and also gives details about St Paul's Island, although it was not sighted. Van Diemen's Land was sighted on 1 May 1826 and the last entries describe the views of landmarks as the ship approached the Derwent River and Hobart.

(114 pp.)

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M2116

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