Golden Fleece Gazette No 2 July 22nd 1865

No 2 July 22^nd 1865

To our subscribers: We regret to learn that some dissatisfaction has been expressed at the limited numbers of coppies of our journal issued last week, and we feel bound in justice to ourselves to offer a few words of explanation to those of our readers who were disappointed. Owing to an unfortunate oversight on the part of our manager, there was no paper provided with the rest of our apparatus and all that we have been able to collect on board will only just last us the voyage our publishing at the rate of 100 coppies a week and these we will endeavour to distribute among our subscribers so as to give satisfaction to all.

Has every one on board seariously reflected upon the fact that we have left the shores of Old England far behind us, and that the distance between us and home is rapidly increasing? Home, it is a small word, but what an immensity of meaning is embodied in it; what a firm hold it possesses over the heart of an Englishman; their is no link so strong; no tie so binding; no appeal so persuasive in gaining good will and esteem and cementing real friendship all over the world; what a powerful effect is has in influencing his career through life and his eventfull destiny. There is no other nation who feel in the same way upon this point as ourselves; indeed they have not even so much as a word in their language, (unless it be the Vader Land” of the Germans) to convey the full meaning of what contributes an Englishman’s home; and wether his lot has been cast amid the busy hum and crowded thoroughfare of a large tour, or the quiet solitude and peaceful seclusion of a country Village, wether his home has been hemmed in by smoke - begrimed chimneys of surrounded by fresh grassy meddows and richly wooded hills, whether his early youth has been passed in a castle or a college, the word home is a talisman which acts upon him as a sacred charm. These reflections were selected by our meeting and speaking with the homeward bound ship Emma Goodwin of Liverpool; the responsive cheers which burst forth on all sides as the Band of the Regiment struck up the National Anthem, followed by Home Sweet Home, plainly indicated how the recolections of all had wandered back to that happy little spot, and many an anxious eye strained to catch a last glimpse of her as she disappeared on the orizon; the bearer of our thoughts, hopes, and expectations to our nearest and dearest, our latest association with England. Whilst home recolections are still fresh in the memory of all on board, we think it may not be out of place to impress upon every one what an inestable boon, what an invaluable treasure is a Britons love of home, and to intreat him to guard it jealously and cherish it fondly during his sofourin in sunney India; a loadstove to keep him in a strait course a beacon to guide and direct him till he returns to the shores of his native land; always bearing in mind, that be it ever so humble “ there is no place like home”

Tossed on the wave with many an inward qualm

Of conscience? Not so: and my feeling of warm

With thought of her best loved? Not so again:

Tis not my heart, my stomack gives me pain.

Being on watch I open strive to keep

My eyes, I cannot succeed, I sit, I sleep

A blessed sleep, thou solace of all

The ills that hunt human lot do fall,

Accept my greatfull tribute, let me love thee,

All other love (at present far above me)

To sleep, to dream, hath sung the immortal song

And right he is, moreover it upon

A hearty dinner the result is dread,

Your favourite hobby site upon your head.

Bet horses, women, Wine on the nine muses,

If once your system to digest refuses,

Either your horse falls or you in the chase

Your love falls, would she only cut your face

Your wine is corked, Inelpomore repines

To find you with vague sense declines.

And to talk shop, my tragic muse she stoops,

Your minds reversed by weel about of troops,

I dined at four and now twas half past nine;

“Luid agas Musa?””Which is Muse of mine”

“What are you driving at? You’re not so vaine

As to conceive that with aught but disdain,

The reader can such paltry details treet

As when I slept or at what time did eat

Suffice it sleep I did and dreamt a dream.

The Dream will be given on page 27

The following lines were composed upon hearing an ill natural storey reported about an absentee:

Believe not each maligning tongue,

As spiteful fernales do

But still lets hope a storeys wrongs

Which ought not to be true

An Acrostic

Gone are the happyest scenes of our childhood,

On the vast ocean we now safely roam

Leaving the shores where dwells all that we hold good,

Dear and kind parents, and England our home.

E’en when duty issues her stern command

No power present nor daunt our brave hearts,

Does fly before us by sea and by land,

Life let us risk as we each play our parts.

Evergreens then will twine round our banners,

Each soldier knows what it is to offend,

Collect honours then in a true British manner,

England’s duty performed, with friends let life end.

The Lancers

I am a Lancer bold and gay,

as any Lancer of the day,

For to every noted place I go,

And end always keep it up you know

With the fair sex of Ipswich town

I’ve had my fair share of renown

For I was the Lion of the day

The reason why I will not say.

I’ve a fast friend who keeps a yacht

Another who a drag has got,

To whitehart feeds at Harwich, We

are often going on a Spree.

I’m an hansome dog as you must know,

and always welcome where I go.

And at the Opera oft I’m seen,

Beside, O such a Crinoline.

I’m off to India you must know

but a few more words before I go

I hope your pleasure will never sease

As I sail away in the Golden Fleece.

Our ship has sailed, I join again

The sixteenth Lancers Royal train

And come to India you will see,

No jovial fellows on the spree.

Dinah Kitty Anna Marid, The shape of your feet and ancles is a point upon which we decline to give an opinion. For shame, Gentlemen never take notice of such things.

Aspiring Adjutant. When right is in front, the pivot is right, of course a recruit would be as shamed not to know this.

Mrs Judith O Callagan. Pimples on the face may be removed with a spoke shave and freckles may be molified by a diligent use of sand paper.

Acoustant subscriber. The toothpick is intended for use and not for an ornament, this little weapon should be used in a stealthy and furtive manner and not with ostentatious displays.

Varieties

Thoroughly french. In all the large French Prisons they have a most ingenious device for keeping the Prisoner quiet at night and preventing the everlasting “claque” of that most loquacious nation. The plan t’is as follows, when they go to bed for the night an iron ring is fastened round the ancle of each Prisoner and they are made to lie down in an row, a long iron rod is then passed through the whole of these rings and connected with a crank at the end of the dormitory, by which they can at the slightest disturbance wind up the Prisoners and suspend them from the cealing by their heels. We need hardly say that there are seldom any disturbances.

Advertisement

The regimental Library will be open for changing books between the hours of 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 3 and 4 p.m.______

Left in the bath room on Monday last the 17^th instant two towels marked R.W.K. No. 659. Gentlemen using the bath rooms are requested to search their cloth bags for the missing articles, and if they found send them to the Chief steward.

Announcements

The Golden Fleece outstrips many a large provincial town:- we have our weekly papers, and our band, we have a music salloon, and the inimitable Sable brothers, we hear in addition that there is a limited liability company starting to erect a theatre, in fact contracts are out to supply the scenery. We heartily congratulate this company on their public spirit, and trust their enterprise will meet with every success._____

Jim Ducks, Falconer to the Golden Fleece, begs to announce to the public in General and Ladies in particular, that with permission he intends exhibiting very soon, his rare and valuable collection of poultry, Cochin, Dorking, Spanister and game. Also some splendid specimens of aquatic birds. He has spared no expense or trouble in securing a comfortable place for his friends and patrons . Price of admission - a quid of tabaco.

N.B to the lovers of the fancy. After the exhibition he will walk around and show his unrivalled collection of prizes consisting of Cups and trophys won by his Game Cock “Yankee Doodle”. He is also ready to back him for any amount to crow louder and oftener than any at 2 a.m. than any other bird on this ship.

July 22nd 1865

July 22^nd - Fine breeze and steady, Mr Bovil shot a porpoise this afternoon. Lat on the equator, Long, 17.6 W. Bar 30, Ther 75 distance 196 miles.

July 21st 1865

July 21^st - Ship steaming a good deal to the westward, breeze fresh towards evening and very cool, Lat 2.17N, Long 14.46W, Bar 30.1 Ther 75. Distance 182 miles.

July 20th 1865

July 20^th - The ship on the port tack, stopped steaming; A large number of black fish were seen early this morning, Sable brothers gave an entertainment. Lat 3.36 N, Long 11.41W, Bar 30.1, Ther 77. Dist 171 miles.

July 19th 1865

July 19^th - The weather has settled and the sea gone down; the wind remaining in the S; flying fish in quantities are seen; the band played this afternoon, Lat 5.14 N, Long 13.56 W, Bar 30, Ther 81 Distance 193 miles

July 18th 1865

July 18th Squally but dry; the winds strong from the S. with a head sea; still steaming; the Sable Minstrels performed on the Quarter Deck; Lat 7.12N, Long 16.30 W. Bar 30 Ther 82 - Distance 170 miles.

July 17th 1865

July 17th - Squally weather and wet, the supposed commencement of the S.E. trade winds; still steaming; Lat 8.44N Long 18.53 W Bar 30 ins Ther 82 deg. Distance run 190 miles.

July 16th 1865

July 16th - Spoke the Barque Medea from Liverpool to Brass River, 25 days out, a strange thing for the Golden Fleece to meet on the high seas a vessel bearing the name of the sorceress who assisted Jason to take the Golden Fleece. Lat 4 deg, 46 mins N. Long 19 deg, 42 mins W. Bar 30 ins, Ther 83 degs. 181 miles.

July 15th 1865

July 15th - Passed a brig in the morning steering ourselves, weather very hot; about 6p.m. spoke to the Emma Goodwin from Sierra Leone to Falmouth, 20 days out ; sent letters by her; great excitement in consequence. Lat. 4 deg 46 min .N, Long 19 deg 52 W, Bar 30 ins, Thermometer 83 deg. Distance 197 miles.

July 14th 1865

July 14th - We are now losing trades, under steam. Lat. 18 deg. 2 min N. Long 20 deg 5 min W. Distance run 197 miles.

July 13th 1865

July 13th - Today the water changed from deep blue to green, fine trade wind. Lat. 21 deg 48 mins N, Long. 20 deg 4 min W. Average bar, 29.99 ins, ther 74 deg distance run 197 miles.

July 12th 1865

July 12th - Carrying on with every stitch of canvas , winds steady. Average barometer 30.16 inches, average thermometer 47 degs, distance run 214 miles. Latitude 24 degs 54 mins N. Longitude 19 degs 54 mins W.

July 11th 1865

July 11th - Strong breeze and squally sighted a barque on the starboard quarter sun obscured. Average barometer 30.18 inches, average thermometer 73 degs.

July 10th 1865

July 10th - Roused this morning at 5 a.m to have a look at Madeira bearing East, about thirty miles off; a fresh breeze at times squalling, with rain. Average barometer 30.26 inches, average thermometer 83 degs, distance run 168 miles. Latitude 28 degs 24 mins N. Longitude 19 degs 10 mins W.

Gazette

A Sad Mishap

On the night of the 9th instant, at the gostly hour of midnight, and when all mature was wrapt in sleep, a loud crash like a clap of thunder was heard all over our good Ship. On making enquiries it turned out that an accident had happened to one of the official dignitaries of the 16th Lancer, whose hammock rope had given way, and deposited its luckless tenant on the floor amid shouts of meriment from his comerades at his disaster. We are happy to state our worthy friend sustained no more serious injury than a few bruises, he however, passed the rest of the night on the deck; preferring to brave the elements rather than trust his neck to the frailty of a hammock cord.

Important News

Our readers will be glad to hear that since we left the shores of Old England we have been sailing at the average rate of one hundred and sixty three miles a day at this rate we ought to reach “T’other side of Jordan in less than no time.

Sudden Death

It is with deepest regret that we have to anounce the death of Private John Reynolds of Captain Wilkinsons Troop, which occured on Friday the 7th instant at about 4P.M. He was on his way to the Cookhouse and suddenly dropped down dead on the Deck.

The Surgeon held a Post-mortem examination and pronounced death to have resulted Heart Complaint. The deceased leaves a Widow and 3 children to regret his premature demise. He was but 28 years of age.

Announcement

Our readers will scarcely credit the following startling and extraordinary fact since our departure from England was have had no less than three births on board ship. The prolific mother of the family is lady ferret the property of Corporal Cook, Mother and Children are doing well.

July 9th 1865

July9th Sunday - Put up the editors box as a commencement of our journal prayers at 10:thirty a.m. Breeze favourable and freshening; stopped engines about 5p.m. and set studding sails. Average barometer 30.22 inches, average thermometer 72 degs, distance run 166 miles. Latitude 34 degs 21 mins N. Longitude 17 degs 77 mins W.

July 8th 1865

July 8th - Winds still favourable though light, sun is now very powerful; at 8 a.m. the remain of Private Reynolds were committed to the deep, Lt Col. White reading the funeral service. At 7:50 p.m. passed and spoke the Barque “Look Out” from Liverpool to Prenumbuco, 18 days out, passed about 8p.m. a sail standing to the westward; commenced steaming about 3 p.m. Average barometer 30.22 inches, average thermometer 73 degs, distance run 68 miles. Latitude 36 degs 36 mins N. Longitude 15 degs 46 mins W.

July 7th 1865

July 7th - Wind favourable; Set studding sails. At 5:30p.m. Private J Reynolds H Troop, dropped down dead; he leaves a wife and three children; cause of death, rupture of a large blood vessel in chest. Average barometer 30 inches, average thermometer 72 degs, distance run 117 miles. Latitude 37 degs 45 mins N. Longitude 15 degs 18 mins W.

July 6th 1865

July 6th - Light wind and fair; stopped steaming and settled canvas Average barometer 30 inches, average thermometer 70 degs, distance run 189 miles. Latitude 39 degs 31 mins N. Longitude 14 degs 22 mins W.

July 5th 1865

July 5th - Light head wind with drizzling rain in the early part under steam; Average thermometer 68 degs, distance run 132 miles. Latitude 41 degs 32 mins N. Longitude 13 degs 22 mins W.

July 4th 1865

July 4th - Strong breeze with continued rain; the ship pitching in a very uncomfortable manner; about 3 p.m. stopped the engine having a fair wind and set all sail; about 5p,m. the wind shifted; took in sail; and commenced steaming; passed a brig; Course south westerly Average barometer 29 inches, average thermometer 67 degs, distance run 92 miles. Latitude 44 degs 34 mins N. Longitude 10 degs 15 mins W.

July 3rd 1865

July 3rd - Regiment suffering from sea sickness; the dinners had few candidates for its consumption, passed several vessels outward bound; breeze increasing all day; split a jib; a nasty head wind; rain during the night. Sergeant Major Burrells child was taken ill of scarletina course south westerly. Average barometer 29 inches, average thermometer 66 degs, distance run 201 miles. Latitude 45 degs 32 mins N. Longitude 10 degs 15 mins W.

July 2nd 1865

July 2nd: Porpoises seen today passed several vessels; wind light and variable but against us; under steam; hauling more to the south and set more fore and aft canvas. Average barometer 30 inches, average thermometer 96 degs, distance run 190 miles. Latitude 48 degs 3 mins N. Longitude 6 degs 57 mins W.

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A True copy of the Golden Fleece Gazette, printed on board July 15th 1865 (there are no dates on these Gazette entries so I will post them "now and again" !)

Daughters of imitation art
On you with confidence I call
To trace with singleness of heart
Your talents’ fond memorial.

Sons of the grafuc tribe to you
A vain appeal it cannot make
Cast in your offering with the few
and kindly act for kindness sake.

Ye critics who will no gold miss
Ye connoisseurs who need agree
The sweet revenge I ask is this
that if improve on all ye see.

In commencing a public journal like the Golden Fleece Gazette it is necessary to announce our policy seal creed to put before our readers the programme by which we hope to gain their confidences and ensure our success, we beg distinctly to state that we shall not pledge ourselves to either partys conservative or liberal; neither will we support any other cabinet, part or Harboard, we hold ourselves radically free to think and act for the good of our subscribers, be they patrician, plebeian, in catering from every sound, fore and aft, from the depths of the orlop, cockpits main and saloon decks, even to the main truck. We certainly have not so extensive a field as the other great leading journals of the day to glean matters from, we have not the knotty feuds in the court of St Benedict heard before. Tis not well to comment upon, nor Reuters Justice nor Police inteligence. Our Political horizon is summed up in the mornings and evenings. Hows her head, those few words do not probably at present engage so much attention as they will do when sailing through the Bays of Bengal. Besides the want of subject matter we have had many difficulties to contend against with our printing machinery having had no place to set it up, consequently our working director was under the necessity of discharging his large staff of composition and w now find great difficulty in supplying their places.

We hope having engaged the fertile brains of most, and shurely the good wishes of all, with Gods blessing and a little management to rise superier to every obsticle and yet electrify the world with the wit and talent of the Golden Fleece.

The programme we propose to submit, is to set before our readers, a resume of the weeks transactions under the head of our log. The space for foreign intelude will be devoted to passing ships. There will be a column for original communication and in writing then we would strongly urge upon our contributers to look always on the sunny side!!.. Ample space will be provided for births and marriages. In our answer to correspondents, we beg distinctly to state that we will not adjudicate between man and wife as to who is to wear the breeches nor shall we give any reasons why Crinalines have been discarded on board, we leave all such frivolities to the Family Herald and Saturday Review.

On another page we have recorded the particulars of the Death of Priest John Reynolds of the 16th Lancers. A sudden death is at all times unspeakable awful and startaling and the prescence of death on board ship is more peculiarly so from the close proximity to each other in which sea life places us. Moreover the fearfull rapidity with which the funeral succeeds a Death on Board ship cannot fail to awaken in us some serious reflections upon the uncertainty of human life. Within 24 hours and sometimes a far shorter time, before we have thoroughly realized the fact that a brother’s spirit has been removed from among us, his mortal remains are consigned to the deep. During the last week we have had all these most striking features in the workings of the King, of terrors exemplified to us in the Death of Private Reynolds of our Regiment. Poor fellow, at noon he was among us, appearantly in the full enjoyment of health and strength and in a few short hours he was a corpse stricken down in the prime of life, in the zenith of his manhood by that most subtle and insidious of all diseases, Heart Complaint. In his case there was no gradual sickness, nor weary tossing about on fevered pillows, without any warning of his near approach the dreadful enemy attacked him and in a few moments it was beyond human aide. At eight o clock on the following morning his comarades on the Quarter deck, to hear our solemn and impressive funeral read over him. There was scarce a breath of wind to raise a ripple, not a sound to disturbe the stillness of that calm July morning. until a dull heavy splash told us that the waters of the broad atlantic cloased over the remains of a kind husband, an affectionate father, and a good Soldier. And so our ship goes on in her course numbering one life on board less that when we sailed one more soul to its last reackoning, one more unit added to make up the long sum of eternity.

(Note from Noo: This journal is really hard to read as the handwriting is very old-fashioned, as is the language. If you notice any obvious mistakes please let me know. I have tried to replicate the spelling as it is written to reproduce the Gazette in truth.)

July 1st 1865

July 1st - Heavy squalls during the night with wind more favourable; sighted the Isle of Wight, with St Catherine’s light, about 3a.m. and set more fore and aft canvass. Stood in towards Sterint Point about 4 miles out of our course to catch a fishing boat to enable our Pilot to get ashore; as fine a specimen of a sort as ever walked a Quarter deck; with his square figure, white hair and weather beaten face, stamped with the marks of many a dark howling December night in the English channel, true type of such grand old Sea Dogs, as Blake, Don Troup, Benbour and Ramsey. Put him on board a fishing smack about half past 11 a.m. and gave him three party cheers as he disappeared over the side, The last actor in that touching drama “Leaving England”.

Shaped our course more to the South, we had magnificient view of the Devonshire and Cornwall coast, with their bold and rocky red sandstone headlands and fertile fields; such a contrast to the chalky cliffs of Kent, Sussex and Hampshire coasts. Winds strong and variable with rising barometer. About half past 5 p.m. as the English coast was just distinguishable; many a hopeful eye looked their last upon that happy sea girl, home; many a heart beat responsive to a bright and brilliant future. Steered a north westerly course average barometer 29.2 average thermometer 61 degs. Still in English channel

Introduction from Thomas Parnham

Expectancy became certainty when about the 17th June, an official notification that the 16th Lancers were to hold themselves in readiness to embark for Madras per S.S. Golden Fleece about the 27th inst. Preparing and packing of kits, writing farewells, and parting with friends, was the order of the day. Parting, in that small words are embraced many heart rending scenes, it would require the pen of Macaulay to describe the agonized feelings of a mother as she clings to the neck of her one son, and perhaps only support; or a father’s love, bursting through the iron bars of a strong will, striving to keep up appearances as he wrings the hand of his soldier son, or a lover’s last embrace, (Ye Gods have pity).

Doubtless the regiment saw and felt the full force of parting from England’s home and beauty. We remained in discomfort and uncertainty til four p. m. on the 27th when a telegram arrived to say that we were to start from Colchester at 9 a.m. next morning. With soldierly precision, the train with its precious burden moved out of the station at the appointed time, the band of the 17th Lancers, playing the farewell Auld Lang Syne. We reached Tilbury at about 2p.m. and were immediately conveyed on board the Golden Fleece, laying on the Gravesend side of the river. June 29th official delays caused us to lose the afternoon tide. June 30th at 4a.m. in tow of a tug, we slipped our moorings and proceeded down the river, Passed the Nare and Great Eastern laying at Anchor; having on board the Atlantic Cable. May their mission of science succeed. We soon cast off the tug and steamed steadily through the intricacies of the mouth of the Thames. We passed Ramsgate, Margate, and sighted the white cliffs of Dover. About noon we rounded the South Foreland and were fairly in the English Channel. Fleets of Merchant men boats and steam vessels passed us on their way to that leviathan entroport of the world, London. Steaming at the rate of 7 knots we got a good view of the Kentish coast with Folkstone sacred to the memory of many a honeymoon and Thorncliffe with its English Ensign flying, and hut encampment; the latest idea of our administration heads; the fit receptacle of bugs and other vermin. We steamed passed Hastings, Beachy Head, Eastbourne and Brighton. We are unfortunate with Head winds and low barometer. Showers of rain with smut and smoke driven aft from the funnel.

Introduction from me!

When Uncle Jon passed away and his "bits and bobs" were gone through - a notebook was found. It was old and worn and the handwriting was difficult to decipher. The notebook was covered in brown wrapping paper, and on the inside it said:

Log kept on the Voyage to India
by the 16th Lancers
1865

Our dear AuntieM passed the notebook to my dad..... and so a trail began. We soon found that the writer had been one Thomas Parnham my grandmother's grandfather! and somehow by some strange quirk of fate it had remained safe and intact (if a little worn and grubby)

I am a huge believer in the history of the written word. This notebook started me on my quest to compile our family tree, and to find out a little about Thomas Parnham. This quest started some ten years ago, and really came to a bit of a dead end, apart from finding his pay records for the 16th Lancers in the Public records office in Kew, which was very exciting. But now with the improvement in internet facilities the search is once again pulling at my heart.

The family mostly have a photocopy of the notebook, but if theirs is anything like mine it is dog-eared and hard to read by now (it wasn't easy to read to begin with!). I did start typing it up in Word, but have now decided that I will try to put it on a blog to make it even more accesible. My aim is to publish one or two entries a week through the winter.

When I write my other blog, I often wonder if, in years to come it will be happened upon by a relative who never really knew me, but can find out who I am and where I came from, and that the blog will give an insight into how life in the "noughties" is for us, and for me in particular. So, it is with this log. it is mostly a transcript of a journal that was published on board the SS Golden Fleece, but was re-written by my great-great grandfather as there was not enough paper on board to publish enough copies.

I hope you enjoy it!