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Roger Edgeworth
This diary is being kept during my voyage to Australia and back which I am undertaking for the benefit of my health and as a cure (light and inexpensive) for headaches.Roger Edgeworth
I left England on Thursday 18th April 1878.
Blog note:
Please see entry entitled "Travel Blog of a Victorian Gentleman" (which will be among the more recent entries) for an explanation of this blog.
Travel Blog Posts
The Travel Blog of a Victorian Gentleman (an explanation of this blog)
Published: May 15th 2010Europe » United Kingdom » England
August 31st 2011
This diary was the sole occupant of an old tin trunk found in the attic of my grandparent’s house in Rusper, West Sussex (UK) which was being cleared after their deaths. It is a detailed daily account of a Mr Roger Edgeworth’s 14 month journey to Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand during 1878 and 1879, returning home via America and Canada. The leather-bound diary contains the diarist’s handwritten entries (the list of travel expenses which appears at the end of the transcription will be reproduced from the diary), some passenger receipts and lists, newspaper clippings (some of which have also been reproduced into the appropriate day’s entry) and an American railroad route map for the Burlington Line. As much as I would have loved there to be, sadly there are no photos, postcards or sketches. About ... read more
Saturday 28th June 1879
Published: June 28th 2011Europe » United Kingdom » England » Merseyside » Liverpool
June 28th 2011
Pleasant day and warmer. Ship rolled considerably during the night. A good night’s rest is something to look forward to. Sighted Cape Clear at one o’clock. A wild rugged coast with plenty of lighthouses about. Passed several ships. Entered Queenstown harbour about 6. Dropped mails and several passengers, remained there no longer than we could help and after an hour’s delay steamed on again. Sent a telegram home to tell them to expect me on Sunday evening. End of my Log - o 0 o - Blog notes:- The list of itemised expenses at the end of the journal shows that the diarist spent just on £330 which, in today's money, would be around £20,000. To put that into context, the average annual wage for an agricultural labourer in 1881 was £41. The diarist's father was ... read more
June 27th 2011
A showery windy and somewhat cold day. A beam sea on causing the ship to roll considerably at times. Hard work walking about. One or two of the passengers had “croppers”. Read Reade’s “ A Woman Hater”. Got through a lot of novels since I came on board. Finished the “Conquest of Peru” – it is very interesting.... read more
June 26th 2011
Another cold raw day. What between the noise going on for some cause or other and the rolling of the ship from the wind having gone ahead, I did not get much sleep last night. Saw one or two ships in the horizon. All sorts of games going on onboard. There was a pretty heavy shower of rain while we were at dinner. Had some more games of shuffle board in the evening, same sides as yesterday. Lat 50.40 & Long 26.57. Days run 316 miles.... read more
June 25th 2011
Cold cloudy day. Some sea on. Passed a Brigantine under full sail. Borrowed a book, Prescott’s “Conquest of Peru” out of the library. Had a game of shuffle board after dinner. Gore and I against two other men. Cold evening. Wind getting round ahead. Lat 49.10 & Long 34.40. Days run 335 miles.... read more
June 24th 2011
Dull day. Fog cleared away about 9 o’clock. The Captain was able to take an observation. For the last two days we have been going by dead reckonings. Sea and wind getting up. A good many sails set. Ship going very steadily. Some poor music and singing in the evening. Cold day. Lat 46.48 & Long 42.13. Days run 327 miles.... read more
June 23rd 2011
Woke with a headache and had it more or less all day. Did not get up till after breakfast. Still foggy but not quite so thick. Sea very calm. Had some singing and music in the evening. Lat 43.45 & Long 48.37. Days run 321 miles.... read more
June 22nd 2011
Fog horn going all night and all thro’ the day at intervals. No observation could be taken. Had no service tho’ there were one or two clergy on board – one is an awful guy. Moody & Sankey hymns in the evening. Lat 42.34 & Long 55.43. Days run 318 miles.... read more
June 21st 2011
Sea calm, rained early in the morning. A low thick fog about from Newfoundland Banks. Had to sound fog horn. Fog went away about one or two. Lay down in the afternoon with headache. Went without dinner. Early to bed. Lat 41.44 & Long 62.45. Days run 301 miles.... read more
June 20th 2011
Fine but very cold day. Wind easterly. Passed a barque in full sail and overtook the “State of Pennsylvania”, one of the national line of steamers – it left New York 6 hours before us. Saw two or three other ships in the distance. Finished Lorna Doone, a very interesting tale but a little too long. Very cold evening. Turned in early. Lat 43.48 & Long 67.17. Run from Sandy Hook 216 miles... read more
Tot: 0.145s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 9; qc: 80; dbt: 0.0499s; 1; s:apollo w:www (50.28.60.10); sld: 1; ; mem: 6.4mb
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