7 July 1859

7th. Rather dull this morning with occasional squalls and a head wind called South East Trades just commencing. After breakfast a brigg came in sight apparently homeward bound (but not near us) and soon disappeared with a fair wind. A large number of birds appeared ahead which disappeared by alighting on the water. This morning in putting the ship round our rudder chain broke but it was soon replaced again. We had indications of this change of weather last night by the appearance of sheet lightening at a distance and a storm but not very heavy. Thunder like other things that compose god's vast treasury of wonders is full of grandeur both awful and sublime. This morning we see our ship with only about half the canvas hitherto carried.

Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56.

6 July 1859

July 6. Head wind. Rough sea. Saw the “Southern Cross” for the first time. Lost the rudder chains.

Campbell, Alexander. Letters and papers, 1859 - 1870. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 50.

6th. A fine morning, the breeze rather light but in the right quite near course I am told. The ships sighted yesterday have disappeared at our stern as all others have done since we first set out. Some fine fish appeared under the ships bows called the Bonita but none caught. We have passed under the sun where there was no shadow and now it is just appearing in an opposite direction to what it has been and as we approach the Equator day and night are about equal here.

Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56.