March

Friday 1. March!
We are this day a Fortnight from Port Jackson: – Latd. 52°. South – fine weather, Wind fair – but blowing a smart gale at North West.

Sunday 3. March!
The Gale still continues blowing fresh – but fair. One of my poor Native companions (– the largest of the two received from Mr. Meehan) died this day in consequence of having had his leg broken in his Kage. [sic]

Monday 4. March!
The Gale has greatly increased, the Sea is very high, and the Ship labours very much –but the Wind is quite fair – and we are going at the rate of 8 and 9 miles an Hour.

One of my large Kangaroos (– a Buck) Died this day in consequence of a severe hurt he received in his Birth [sic] – which lamed him so as to render all attempts to cure him ineffectual.

Wednesday 13. March!
The Gale has left us and we have had contrary Winds for the last 3 or 4 days, but in Wind became again fair for us today – and we now steer our proper Course.

My youngest Kangaroo (– a Buck and which was born at Sydney –) was found dead this morning in his Birth [sic] – which I am very sorry for, as he was a beautiful Animal. – I had him opened, but he did not appear to have any internal hurt or disease. —

N.B. I omitted to mention under its proper date, that during the severe hard Gale we had on the Night of the 9th. Instant, we lost six very fine fat sheep, owing to the violent motion and labouring of the Ship, and probably also in some measure owing to their being rather too much crowded in the Pen between Decks. — This we must consider a serious loss in the early part of our voyage.

Friday 15. March!
This day-month we left Port Jackson, and have now happily and speedily got through about two thirds of the Voyage from thence to Cape – which we hope to double in a fortnight. — We have fine weather – the wind is fair – and we going generally 7 and 8 Miles an Hour. —

Sunday 17. March!
The youngest of my Native Companions (– which was given me by Mr. David Johnston), was found dead this morning in his Kage [sic].

Thursday 28. March!!!
This being the happy anniversary of the Birth-Day of our dear beloved Son Lachlan, who this day completed his Eighth Year, it was kept and celebrated with every possible demonstration of Joy that our present confined situation on board Ship could admit of. — We had the Captain and all the Officers of the Ship to dine with ourselves, and we also treated the whole of the Ships Company to a plentiful Dinner of Fresh-meat – and a hearty Drink of Grog! — In the Evening we had Fire-works, and the Dining Cabins were tastefully fitted up under the direction of Mrs. M. and the Captain with the Colours of the Ship.

It is with infinite pleasure that I am here enabled to record that on this joyful happy Festifal, [sic] my dearest Elizabeth, Lachlan, and myself were in excellent Health and Spirits – and completely happy. — This also proved a most auspicious day as it produced a sight we have been for many days most anxious to enjoy, but which we almost despaired of seeing this day. — We were, however, most agreeably surprised, on retiring from Dinner and going upon Deck to see the Fire-works preparing there, to hear the cry of "Land in Sight" – echoed out from many voices. — This was at a quarter past 6,O'Clock in the Evening – just as the Sun had Set. — The Land however was clearly Descernible [sic] – being about Eight Miles distant from us, and bearing North West of us. — This Land proved to be that which we were so earnestly anxious to see – namely, the island of "Diego Ramirez" a little to the Southward of Cape Horn. — This Island was high, and appeared like several detached little Islands. — The Wind being rather on the Shore, we stood off from the Land for some Hours during the Night. — It was blowing a pretty smart Gale when we first saw Diego Ramirez. —

Our Latd. at Noon this day was 56°. 30' South – and Longd. 68.° 48' West. —

N.B. In our Progress towards Cape Horn, we never went farther to the Southward than 57°. 8' —

Friday 29. March!
At Day-light this morning we had the pleasure of seeing Cape Horn distinctly bearing North West of us, and distant about 15 miles! in appearance resembling the "Lion's Rump" at the Cape of Good Hope – the Land being moderately high. Our Latd. today at Noon was 55°.– 49' South, and Longd. 66°. 14' West. —

Thus we have happily and safely doubled Cape Horn within the space of Six Weeks – being only this day that space of time from Port Jackson! – very few Vessels having ever made a quicker Passage from that Port round Cape Horn, and it is highly gratifying to think that we have done so without meeting with any accident or disagreeable occurrence of any sort. —

The Weather was very moderate in the morning when we saw Cape Horn, but the latter part of the Day became Squally, with heavy Showers of Snow and Hail during the Day and succeeding Night. —

We now Steer a Northern Course being now to the Northward of Cape Horn. —

This afternoon a large Whale about 50 feet long, was seen very near the Ship. — The Weather is now very Cold – the Mercury in the Thermometer being down to 34 Degrees. —

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 25-37 ff. [CY Reel 302 Frames #28-40].