Journal of John Robinson

The extracts featured here are taken from the journal of John Robinson who set sail for America in 1871. For ease of understanding, some of the spelling, grammar, punctuation etc., has been modernised except where the meaning is perfectly clear despite the original error. It should be noted, however, that Robinson switches between past, present and future tense depending on the time of day at which he sat down to write.

Boston March 1st 1871 ... After bidding farewell to my loving mother and father, affectionate brothers and sisters and a number of friends and well-wishers, I drove up to Crossgar, took the train to Belfast, spent the day there and after taking leave of my many friends and acquaintances ... I embarked on the cross channel steamer for Liverpool. ... On Thursday, I made my way down to the river where the Parthia [?] was lying, which vessel was to carry me to my destination. We lifted anchor at 2pm and steamed slowly down the river the evening calm and beautiful, and the sun shining brightly.

Wednesday 1st September, ... as ever as I get up and dressed. I cast my eyes around in all directions but no land to be seen anywhere as we are now in the midst of the Irish sea, but I hope to see old Ireland once more before long. ... About 12 o'clock we sight the south coast of Ireland as anticipated, we sail along so close in some places that we can enjoy the pleasing scenery as we pass along. A few hours brings us in sight of Cork Harbour, said to be one of the finest in the world and undoubtedly it is a splendid place ...

We have admitted a great many passengers in here, some very amicable and good-looking young ladies. I suppose they have come from Cork, celebrated as the seat of Irish beauty - so Queen Victoria said on visiting that city. Here two small boats came alongside with funny looking men and women in them, bearing baskets of oranges and apples to sell to the passengers.

At a short distance from us is the famous Spike Island where so many prisoners are confined.

Thursday 16th. ... A great many are sick as the sea is quite rough. I am among the sick myself, but keep on deck as much as possible to prevent it. ... No amusements tonight as most of us are sick which takes away the taste for such things.

Friday 17th. Today is dark and cloudy and the sea is very rough, the vessel is heaving at a brisk rate and increases our seasickness a great deal. The water is lashing over the bows in great style, one of the sailors is thrown off his feet and is severely hurt, some of the passengers lose their perpendicuarity and go down but not injured. One's head reels fearfully and is unable to stand unless holding on to something.

Saturday 18th. It blew a very strong gale last night, and couldn't sleep much. This morning looks better, sun shines a little. There are a great many on deck as it is very sickening below, some have got a good drenching with the spray dashing awash deck. Towards evening a fresh gale springs up which puts the waves in great commotion so the vessel heaves tremendously. The gangway is thrown down and the window of the great saloon is broken in by a huge wave, washing part of the dinner off the table, so you can guess the passengers would be frightened, many of whom are beginning to apprehend some danger as it is still getting rougher. Some are singing, some praying and others less apprehensive of danger are getting up sport as best they can, Towards night it is so rough we can neither stand nor yet sit with any comfort but have to lie down in our berths and hold on for fear of being dashed against the sides of the vessel.

Sunday 19th. Up once more after a terrible night as we thought but the sailors only laughed at us saying "this is the way we go to America", but now the storm is all over and we are very thankful for having been spared to see the light of another Sabbath morning.

Monday 20th. About 9.30 Saturday night there was an Irish girl kicked up a great row. It seemed she was a little deranged in mind before she came on board but fear of being drowned during the storm on Saturday night made her much worse. ...

Tuesday 21st. ... towards evening we experience a wonderful change in the atmosphere, getting very cold as we approach the banks of Newfoundland. By this time most of the passengers are recovered from their 'mal de mere' and we are all enjoying ourselves to perfection and the young ladies are beginning to look rosy again.

Wednesday 22nd. ... I find we have on board one of the liberated Fenian prisoners. The government has paid his passage (Cabin) out to America provided he does not return for twenty years and if he does he comes under the old penalty which was twelve years imprisonment.

Thursday 23rd. The weather continues quite cold had been much snow last night as it is lying in heaps on deck this morning. ...

Friday 24th. This mornings performance commenced with a through good hand to hand fight between two of the sailors and each fought very well indeed if I am any judge and had several good knock downs on both sides. This too, helps to break the monotony and perhaps breaks something else too as the blood was running freely from one of the combatant's nose.

Saturday 25th. ... we are nearing land. Some even whispering of us reaching Boston tonight.

Sunday 26th. I got up pretty early this morning and stumbled on deck with a light heart as I heard we had arrived in sight of land and to my surprise it was even so, for I found our vessel lying at anchor outside Boston harbour, where we had arrived this morning at three o'clock, but were obliged to remain here till daylight ... No one but those who have been tossing about on the bad ocean for a number of days can realize what a source of comfort and joy comes over me at the first sight of land, it is a joy unspeakable. Our pilot came on board about ten o'clock but we did not proceed on our journey until twelve .... we proceeded once more on our journey ... gliding past innumerable little islands with here and there a wood built cottage at the doors of which might be seen a blythe Yankee lassie waving her white pocket hanky in the morning breeze to welcome us to Yankee land, and I assure you it was responded to with right good will and many a hearty cheer rang out from our decks and resounded along the shores. The sail up the harbour is delightful ... We pass Boston light, a very fine lighthouse erected on a dangerous rock and soon we pass Fort Warren ... as we pass this we get a sight of Boston stretching away right and left for many miles ... By and by we arrive in port where we are welcomed by an enormous crowd which have assembled to await our arrival, perhaps many are expecting friends ... before going on shore we have all to pass before a doctor and examining committee to ascertain that there is no disease on board, after this we embark and have our baggage examined and once more find ourselves on terra firma after a sail of eleven days and what was considered a good passage ...