April

Monday 1. April!
At Noon this day we were in Latd. 52.o 39' South, and Longd. 54.o 34' West; being now about Ninety Miles to the Eastward of the Center of the group of Falkland Islands — With the view of making a quicker Passage to the Line – as having a greater distance by going more Easterly – it was Capt. Raine's first intention to steer a course close to the South American shore, and pass through the Strait dividing it from the Falkland Islands; – but the Winds not admitting of his prosecuting that intention, he has now altogether abandoned it. —

Wednesday 3. April !
One of my largest Emus was this day found dead in his Pen, and on being Dissected his inside was found a good deal diseased. —

Tuesday 9. Ap1. !
We have had contrary and variable winds for the last 4 Days. — This afternoon it came round suddenly to South East – consequently quite fair for us – and we hope it to be the commencement of the regular South East Trade Wind. —

— Memo! — Saty. 20th. April 1822 !!!
This afternoon our dear Lachlan had a very dreadful fall from off one of the Bird Cages – and got jammed under the Long Boat, by which his Forehead was cut and severely bruised. — L.M.

Thursday 25. Ap1. !
Our South East Wind failed us in 2 or 3 days – and for several days past we have variable winds or Calms.

Our Latd. today at Noon was 23.o 43' South, and Longd. 34.o 58' West. – We had now a fair wind – but very light.

At 4 P.M. we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn – and have now every reason to hope of falling in Hourly with the regular South East Trade Wind – peculiar to this Latitude. —

Sunday 28. April !
The Winds have been contrary and variable ever since we crossed the Tropic – and still continue so – there being no signs of the Trade Wind favoring [sic] us. —

At 10 a.m. this Day, we saw a square rigged Vessel to the Westward of us – Steering the same Course with ourselves – being distant about Six Leagues.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal of a Voyage to England, 1822.
[12 February 1822 - 13 July 1822]
Original held in Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A775 37-41 ff. [CY Reel 302 Frames #40-45].