James Watters, Mate. Log of Alsager, from Gunape Islands to Melbourne to South Pacific Islands, May 1872-March 1873

Component identifier:

Subseries LOG/M/63

Content Summary:

Details of: Course; wind; crew on look out; remarks - weather, crew's duties, sails set; seaman lost overboard after fall from cross-jack yard; anchorage in Hobson's Bay; visits from Peruvian consul; R.G. Rae takes command; list of crew; sailing to Island of Malden; eclipse of sun (30 November 1872); ship damaged on berthing at Malden Island, unloaded stores for the Island, took on guano from Malden Island Company; leaving Malden Island for Hamburg (5 February 1873); on 18 February find ship making water - eight inches per hour; pumping every hour but still making water; 26 February 'it is now coming to a close with us. We will not be able to keep her long at this rate as this is something terrible '; crew getting exhausted at pump; 28 February 'no log the 24 hours because we cannot attend to it. My arms is now swollen up very much and very sore with pumping'; crew want to cease pumping - Steward refuses to pump; Captain hopes to reach Tonga Tahue; 3 March 1873 Captain orders boats to be got ready, 2nd Mate left the ship without permission; other crew members in mutinous condition and holes made in ship's side; 3 March crew take to boats; J.W. makes land on island of Tonga Tabu on 5 March 1873.

(190p.)

Processing information:

M3043

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