CIRCA 1856 HANDWRITTEN DIARY VOYAGE AT SEA BY UNITED STATES CONSUL TO MAURITIUS
Item History & Price
Up for auction is an intriguing handwritten diary circa 1856-1857. The diaries author is George. H. Fairfield, Esq., United States Consul to Mauritius. Fairfield left Boston on Jan, 1857 onboard the Bark “ Bounding Billow” with his wife, daughter Emma, and a servant. The diary contains 47 numbered sheets on heavy paper there are no cover boards. The sheets are bound in string. Fairfield begins writing Jan 26th, 1856 with a final entry May 14, 1857. He documents his journey to... Cape Town South Africa , and than his consular post in Port Louis on the island of Mauritius. He writes about his experiences in good detail with poetic insightful observations of life aboard ship.
Fairfield has a spectacular background and story that is worth mentioning. For instance he lived a good portion of his life in South Africa. He was married in Trinity Church Cape Town by the Rev R.G. Lamb, to Eliza Dickinson, second daughter of the Capt.Thomas HARRIS H.E.I.C.S. I found many references to his diplomatic service from the United States House Documents. Two are worth mentioning in detail. A very interesting occurrence happened to Fairfield during the civil war. He along with his family were taken prisoner by the Confederate steamer U.S.S. Alabama in 1862. They were subsequently released unharmed. In 1857 he was accused of violating 5th section of the consular act by engaging in commercial business. Many other articles of interest reference Fairfield.
In regard to the diary its worthy of research and full fascinating entries. For example his young daughter is ill while at sea the ship is stuck in the “doldrums” for some time waiting for wind. He writes in detail about the crew and the environment. While in South Africa he transfers to a French ship that will take him to Mauritius. Many mishaps occur while at sea. His ship misses the Cape, and is off course he also discovers there is a cholera outbreak on Mauritius. In addition the ship is caught in a storm and he mentions a young boy( part of the crew of the French ship) being beaten severely there is much more.
I transcribed entries below many are excerpts from much longer entries, and of course just a fraction of the content.As always any questions feel free to ask.
On Saturday January 26th , 1856
The Bark Bounding Billow left Boston for Cape Town C.G. H. Having for Capt. G.S. Small - Mate F. Howes 2nd Mate Nickerson passengers G.L. Holmes & wife of Cape Town G.H. Fairfield U.S. Consul for Mauritius wife and child & servant. 6 men and a steward : in all 16 persons. The Bark is a new vessel 357 tons register clipper. Left the end of commercial wharf at 3’o clock P.M. with a fresh breeze from the Westward passed Cape Cod and on the following morning no land in sight spoke the bank of Wiscsasset bound in.
Preceded with plenty of wind and a very rough sea. The Bark being very sharp was completely swept at time by the sea the weather cold and cabin wet comfort was a quality not to be found - but for timely our good westerly wind continues and the bark herself proves to be a staunch and fast vessel. On Thursday the 31st Jan the weather proves the roughest but soon moderated and this say Sunday Feb 3rd we have fine weather and the same Westerly wind with smooth sea.
Feb 3, 1856
We appear to have a good crew - Capt G. Is from Chatham a men of 35 years of age and partaking of some of the peculiarities of that class of men who have never possessed the advantages of early education or refined taste his standard of generosity and of the obliged ways of gentlemanly - is low very low indeed - his heart seems to have frozen up or to have been encased in box the experience of the selfishness of life that the genial rays of what many have been a noble nature can not pierce though the crust of acquired selfish narrow-mindedness. But I anticipate a pleasant time Capt. Holmes ( of former acquaintance in Cape Town) a Christian man and gentlemanly in demeanor with his wife will fill up the void and with congenial association and profitable conversation pass away the weary hours.
Feb 5, 1856
N.E.wind this is the pleasant period of sea life. Dry docks warm weather and smooth sea the sick ones are all well and doing for themselves- the cabin well ventilated and a feeling of content arising from being comfortably settled and all baggage satisfactory arranged - the poultry holds out wonderfully and the inner man is satisfied regularly -No sail in sight to break the loneliness wonderfully does the skill of man manifest itself in pressuring his straightest path along the pathless deep.
Feb 6, 1856
Fine weather with light baffling winds from the Southward and Westward. At noon spoke the British Bark Majestic & Yarmouth N.S. from Newport for sarawak who we desired to report us. We glide along finely with the light air- leaving hardly a ripple to mark our path. The sky about looks like a change of wind and the swell heaves from the Eastward. It seems good today to see another ship and to hear an English voice hail us across the water - the meeting of two little worlds for an instant and in a few minutes separated again we are once more alone.
Feb 12, 1857
What the destiny of our one beloved Republic is to be is a matter of anxious thought- Our National sins are much as to leave no room for repose at a summary punishment.
Feb 15, 1857
Light hits from the Northward almost a dead calm the smooth surface of the water is hardly broken by a ripple glassy smooth - The heavy banks of clouds settle down around the horizon assuming a variety of fanciful shapes while high up is the sky. The sun looks pale as polished silver.
The air is hot and seems borne down by the sultry scorching heat- Such scenes are wild and majestic in the extreme and are to be found nowhere but here near the Equator. The Bark scarcely moves through the water and the fish.- Bonita & the Porpoise seem to laugh in scorn at our helplessness as the shoot about us playfully sporting in their native element this is what they call the Doldrums.
Feb 2, 1857
Strong trade winds with heavy sea. Wind fluctuating heading from S. By E. To S.S.W.- The Bark pitching severely she is so sharp that she makes clean work never stopping till her bow is under - Amidst all our troubles little Emma has had for several days a very badly inflamed eye swollen enormously and causing great pain. It is agonizing to hear & see her in her sufferings.
March 1, 1857
It affords no satisfaction to record a calm the endurance of its horrors is enough without recording the events- Since the last entry we have had calm weather - no wind a sun almost vertical pouring down heat the glassy surface of the ocean reflecting back the heat and glare rendering our suffering extreme.
March 14, 1857
We are now experiencing the results of obstinacy and ignorance in the conduct of our Captain. Although repeatedly told of the local wind and current of the Cape and advised to keep well to the Southward so as not to fall to leeward of his port yet he persisted in his adherence to his own views and harkened not to the voice of experience.
March 19, 1857
After beating about for five days we have at length arrived in Table Bay- 53 days out- yesterday P.M. we got a light wind from the Westward and stood down the coast - at 11’clock P.M. tacked off Robbin Island and in the morning found ourselves becalmed under the land. I find my friends well and receive a hearty welcome from all- Indeed find myself at home again visited this eve Dan, Dixie & family find a nice babe a fortnight old. No vessel up for Mauritius must bide my time.
April 1st, 1857
After a heartfelt farewell full of regret and pain, We this day at noon sail from Table Bay in the French ship Arequipa Capt. Rognett for Mauritius we start out of the bay and at night fall come to an anchor off Green Point.
April 2, 1 857
Captain does not speak English neither does either of his officers, and as I do not speak French we do not converse much. We carry the American flag at the main and altogether I get all the honor due me and some to spare.
Fairfield has a spectacular background and story that is worth mentioning. For instance he lived a good portion of his life in South Africa. He was married in Trinity Church Cape Town by the Rev R.G. Lamb, to Eliza Dickinson, second daughter of the Capt.Thomas HARRIS H.E.I.C.S. I found many references to his diplomatic service from the United States House Documents. Two are worth mentioning in detail. A very interesting occurrence happened to Fairfield during the civil war. He along with his family were taken prisoner by the Confederate steamer U.S.S. Alabama in 1862. They were subsequently released unharmed. In 1857 he was accused of violating 5th section of the consular act by engaging in commercial business. Many other articles of interest reference Fairfield.
In regard to the diary its worthy of research and full fascinating entries. For example his young daughter is ill while at sea the ship is stuck in the “doldrums” for some time waiting for wind. He writes in detail about the crew and the environment. While in South Africa he transfers to a French ship that will take him to Mauritius. Many mishaps occur while at sea. His ship misses the Cape, and is off course he also discovers there is a cholera outbreak on Mauritius. In addition the ship is caught in a storm and he mentions a young boy( part of the crew of the French ship) being beaten severely there is much more.
I transcribed entries below many are excerpts from much longer entries, and of course just a fraction of the content.As always any questions feel free to ask.
On Saturday January 26th , 1856
The Bark Bounding Billow left Boston for Cape Town C.G. H. Having for Capt. G.S. Small - Mate F. Howes 2nd Mate Nickerson passengers G.L. Holmes & wife of Cape Town G.H. Fairfield U.S. Consul for Mauritius wife and child & servant. 6 men and a steward : in all 16 persons. The Bark is a new vessel 357 tons register clipper. Left the end of commercial wharf at 3’o clock P.M. with a fresh breeze from the Westward passed Cape Cod and on the following morning no land in sight spoke the bank of Wiscsasset bound in.
Preceded with plenty of wind and a very rough sea. The Bark being very sharp was completely swept at time by the sea the weather cold and cabin wet comfort was a quality not to be found - but for timely our good westerly wind continues and the bark herself proves to be a staunch and fast vessel. On Thursday the 31st Jan the weather proves the roughest but soon moderated and this say Sunday Feb 3rd we have fine weather and the same Westerly wind with smooth sea.
Feb 3, 1856
We appear to have a good crew - Capt G. Is from Chatham a men of 35 years of age and partaking of some of the peculiarities of that class of men who have never possessed the advantages of early education or refined taste his standard of generosity and of the obliged ways of gentlemanly - is low very low indeed - his heart seems to have frozen up or to have been encased in box the experience of the selfishness of life that the genial rays of what many have been a noble nature can not pierce though the crust of acquired selfish narrow-mindedness. But I anticipate a pleasant time Capt. Holmes ( of former acquaintance in Cape Town) a Christian man and gentlemanly in demeanor with his wife will fill up the void and with congenial association and profitable conversation pass away the weary hours.
Feb 5, 1856
N.E.wind this is the pleasant period of sea life. Dry docks warm weather and smooth sea the sick ones are all well and doing for themselves- the cabin well ventilated and a feeling of content arising from being comfortably settled and all baggage satisfactory arranged - the poultry holds out wonderfully and the inner man is satisfied regularly -No sail in sight to break the loneliness wonderfully does the skill of man manifest itself in pressuring his straightest path along the pathless deep.
Feb 6, 1856
Fine weather with light baffling winds from the Southward and Westward. At noon spoke the British Bark Majestic & Yarmouth N.S. from Newport for sarawak who we desired to report us. We glide along finely with the light air- leaving hardly a ripple to mark our path. The sky about looks like a change of wind and the swell heaves from the Eastward. It seems good today to see another ship and to hear an English voice hail us across the water - the meeting of two little worlds for an instant and in a few minutes separated again we are once more alone.
Feb 12, 1857
What the destiny of our one beloved Republic is to be is a matter of anxious thought- Our National sins are much as to leave no room for repose at a summary punishment.
Feb 15, 1857
Light hits from the Northward almost a dead calm the smooth surface of the water is hardly broken by a ripple glassy smooth - The heavy banks of clouds settle down around the horizon assuming a variety of fanciful shapes while high up is the sky. The sun looks pale as polished silver.
The air is hot and seems borne down by the sultry scorching heat- Such scenes are wild and majestic in the extreme and are to be found nowhere but here near the Equator. The Bark scarcely moves through the water and the fish.- Bonita & the Porpoise seem to laugh in scorn at our helplessness as the shoot about us playfully sporting in their native element this is what they call the Doldrums.
Feb 2, 1857
Strong trade winds with heavy sea. Wind fluctuating heading from S. By E. To S.S.W.- The Bark pitching severely she is so sharp that she makes clean work never stopping till her bow is under - Amidst all our troubles little Emma has had for several days a very badly inflamed eye swollen enormously and causing great pain. It is agonizing to hear & see her in her sufferings.
March 1, 1857
It affords no satisfaction to record a calm the endurance of its horrors is enough without recording the events- Since the last entry we have had calm weather - no wind a sun almost vertical pouring down heat the glassy surface of the ocean reflecting back the heat and glare rendering our suffering extreme.
March 14, 1857
We are now experiencing the results of obstinacy and ignorance in the conduct of our Captain. Although repeatedly told of the local wind and current of the Cape and advised to keep well to the Southward so as not to fall to leeward of his port yet he persisted in his adherence to his own views and harkened not to the voice of experience.
March 19, 1857
After beating about for five days we have at length arrived in Table Bay- 53 days out- yesterday P.M. we got a light wind from the Westward and stood down the coast - at 11’clock P.M. tacked off Robbin Island and in the morning found ourselves becalmed under the land. I find my friends well and receive a hearty welcome from all- Indeed find myself at home again visited this eve Dan, Dixie & family find a nice babe a fortnight old. No vessel up for Mauritius must bide my time.
April 1st, 1857
After a heartfelt farewell full of regret and pain, We this day at noon sail from Table Bay in the French ship Arequipa Capt. Rognett for Mauritius we start out of the bay and at night fall come to an anchor off Green Point.
April 2, 1 857
Captain does not speak English neither does either of his officers, and as I do not speak French we do not converse much. We carry the American flag at the main and altogether I get all the honor due me and some to spare.
