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