23 June 1859

23rd. A very fine morning and a nice light breeze wafting us pleasantly along. During last night we were expected to pass what is called the western islands but I suppose at a great distance but news of this sort is scanty. One of our cooks got drunk and narrowly escaped being put into irons. This case is attributable to some passengers getting extra cooking done and paying them with drink. The captain spoke strongly on this subject saying that if passengers were detected in such conduct they were liable to be put in irons to the end of the voyage. Another case of drunkenness of a second class passenger occurred a night or two ago of a beastly dirty order. He messed his breeches and in finishing up the scene rubbed it over his poor wife's face. A fine picture is it not.

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