American Revolution Notebook

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Monday, August 1, 1774

Squally weather, with calms.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 31

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Wednesday, August 3, 1774

Squally weather and a heavy rolling Sea. Begin to be Seasick.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 31

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Friday, August 5, 1774

Yesterday at M. begun to blow very hard from the N.W. Before 2 P.M. it hauled round Easterly to the S.W., when we were obliged to lay her to under her close reefed F. S. At 10 P.M. to furl the F.S. and scud under bare pole. At 12 P.M. broke the Tiller and gave up all for lost. Expecting the Vessel to sink before we could rig another. About 2 A.M. got a new Tiller, the weather begun to moderate, but our Vessel made a great deal of water. At 8 A.M. set the F.S. and Jibb still blowing very hard and a monstrous Sea. At 6. P.M. set the Mainsail more moderate, but a very great Sea. Very sick these two days.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 31

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Saturday, August 6, 1774

Fine pleasant weather. This is very agreeable after such rough Sea.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 31

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Sunday, August 7, 1774

Pleasant weather and light winds. Crossed several rippling currents, about 100 yards broad, setting to the S.W. What they are, our Captn. is neither Sailor nor Philosopher sufficient to determine. At 10 P.M. Hove to for fear of the Rocks of Bermudas.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 31

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Tuesday, August 9, 1774

Cloudy, hazy weather with squalls of rain. We are now in the Horse Latitudes. The Sailors are possessed with a notion that it is impossible to cross them without rain and squally weather. I am now (Thanks to the Almighty) as well as ever I was in my life, only weak, but I have a good stomach and hope I shall recover my strength shortly.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 31

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Wednesday, August 10, 1774

Squally with rain, contrary wind.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, pp. 31-2

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Saturday, August 13, 1774

Light breezes and clear hot weather. Calm this evening and heavy rain.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 31

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Sunday, August 14, 1774

Quite calm and smooth water, the people bathed in the Sea. They had not been on board half an hour before a Shark came alongside. We baited a hook, but he would not take it. Appeared to be about 10 foot long of a Brown colour. There was a Pilot Fish with it. This is a beautiful Fish, about a foot long, variegated with stripes of Black and White, quite round the body. Generally accompany the Sharks.