James White was a 21 year old farmer from Quincy, MA. In 1849 he sailed from Boston around Cape Horn to San Francisco and the gold diggings of California. In all he spent 6 months at sea and a year in California. I've transcribed his journal and am publishing it here as well as on Amazon/Kindle and Apple/iBooks.
Another deep week. This time James White shows his strong mood swings that will plague him, the captain and the mate go at it, and the Company threatens to tear itself apart.
Friday, 15th of June
In Lat. 14º 14' Long. 122º 20'. Variable winds and showers. Heavy showers from the N. At night strong breezes from the northward. Had the appearances of the Trades.
The Directors held another meeting last night and appointed Joseph Goodrich and five others under the superintendence of Mr. Higgins to build the steam flatboat after arriving in port. Appointed L.H. Towers and Mr. Nye to do the ironwork. Proctor and Parker the first and second engineers. They also appointed a capt. and two assistants to the boats four in number, the longboat, two surf boats, and one scow. These are to proceed soon after the two exploring expeditions up the river it is now contemplated.
Saturday 16th of June
In Lat 17º 10' Long. 126º 23'. Commenced cloudy with strong breezes from the NNE. These at last must be the Trades.
All hands wear a joyful face. Guessing is common when we shall get there. I guess the 27th. The sick are recovering. The days grow long and are easily worn away in busy occupation.
Today thought of home & friends. Five months have elapsed since we embarked on the mighty ocean, and no one can say but what there has been a great change in the Company as well as in individuals. Although there has been considerable grumbling (which is natural), there has been no fighting and there seems to be an attachment towards each other that never can be broken up. Talk of breaking up the Company, no I say. It is impossible as long as such a feeling exists. No one can say, but he has learnt something. Yes, a great deal. I can say that, if I do not succeed in getting a fortune, I shall not go back ignorant of the ways of man, but double payed for my trouble.
We are fast arriving to that country where the fate of thousands will be sealed, either for the better or worse. There will be many thousands collected there from all quarters of the globe without the necessities of life, and many will find their last resting place on the banks of the golden rivers & plains of California.
If the stories of the gold is true, (and there is no reason to doubt it) in ten years from now no city will compare in magnitude and splendor in the states with San Francisco. The enterprising of all countries are turning in, and among the many companies, and perhaps the first, will be ours, comprised as we are of men of good learning and judgement, healthy, and ready for any emergency. We will set a good example, build steam boats to navigate the rivers, build wharfs & houses, and to do all this will want unity and strength, a will to do throughout the Company. The laws must be abided by and carried into strict force. When these are violated in any way and not attended to, down goes the Company. Let no one be so avaricious as to think of making a fortune in a year. We shall hardly get into full operation at the end of the first year. Let us then be united, firm & resolute and frown on all attempts at rivalries or dissolutions.Chapter 11
Sunday 17th
In Lat 19º 35' Long. 128º 56'. Commenced with clouded sky and a strong breeze from the N. We may safely say that we have got the Trades, they varying from the N to the E.
Had religious services today. Text for the sermon by Mr. Benton XVI Chapter of the apostle of John eight verse. An excellent sermon.
Monday June 18th
In Lat. 21º 49' Long. 131º 27'. Cloudy and strong Trades from the N.E. Great excitement on the appointments of messes and capt'ns by the Directors. Was not in the mess I wished to be. A great deal of growling about messmates. My mess consists of as good men in the ship with but one exception Mr. Lombard, Capt. Wished I was in mess three in Company with friend Mears, they having cooking apparatus and other conveniences, but I must make the best of it. Campbell & Weeks and Bradbury are three intelligent men. ? C l being reporter, we doubtless will have more news than any other mess.
There still seems to be a feeling of disunion with some of the members of the Company. Those that are most in favor of dissolving are the oldest. Some of them have gone so far as to say that they should leave the Company at San Francisco.
At any rate, rumor today that the Capt was at the head of a party of seventy five (in favor of dissolving) the ablest men in the Company. He denies it. I have altered my opinion of him. Think him deceitful. A great deal of discontent prevails in the Company about his not having on the new sails, having on in the steady and light winds we have had since leaving Valparaiso old sails. It is thought by some that he intends to buy the ship if he can after she arrives. Think so myself by his crying her down. I don't like the appearances of things at all.
Tuesday, June 19th
In Lat. 23º35, Long. 133º 30'. Cloudy with strong NE. Trade Winds. Cool atmosphere. Very for the Tropics.
Went on the quarter deck this morning. As usual found the Capt in a growl with the Mate of the ship which ended in the Mate's giving up the office. Commenced with the Capt reprimanding the Mate about carrying sail. This was the fourth time the Mate had been talked to publicly about carrying sail. The Mate told him if he did not like him as an officer, to turn him out. He was ready to go when the Capt, who was very angry, told him to which he did, moving out of the cabin down between decks. The Capt gets angry very quick and in my opinion will be sorry for his acting. Mr. Pike, the 3d Mate, was selected to take his berth. Mr. Dyer the 4th Mate was asked to by the Capt but refused or declined. He is a very smart and efficient man. The Mate is young but a good navigator and is admitted by Capt Smith, but has not dignity enough and does not attend to his duties. Capt S. dam-d him up and down and told him that he would rather have the boy. Most of the Company and the sailors are in favor of the Mate, Mr. Wells.
The sailors life is a dog's life. It is nothing but go here and go there. Do this & do that, d-m you, d-m you, d-m you from morning till night. If this is the life of good sailors, what must be a poor ones?
Wednesday, June 20th
In Lat. 25º 10' Long. 135º 21'. Cloudy. Cloudy with strong breezes from the NNE. Very chilly. Greatcoat comfortable.
Gloomy all day with the headache and the old fashioned blues. Tired of the sea life. The Barometer died last Saturday night for want of something to eat. The editors gave up the concern having got rich on California speculation and retired to the shades. The last news in it was telegraphic dispatch from San Francisco expressly for the Barometer and Gold Hunters Log saying that they had surveyed the seas by telescope and that fleet after fleet was turning for the same destination that we were, and that a ship about our size was a little ways astern of us straining every inch of canvas and coming up with us fast, save the Edward Everett trudging along slowly with old sails. Looked as though she came from a port where there was no canvas. She was daily looked for.
Thursday, June 21
In Lat 26º 20' Long. 136º 38'. Cloudy and chilly. Wind N. and N. by E.
Rather discouraging. All hands cross and making calculations that we should not get there till after the 4th of July or never. Nothing is said about the trouble between the Capt & Mate. Today got hold of one of my old companions, the Boston Post. Looked it over with great delight. Put me in mind of former days of the hours and days spent in reading. Wished I could see one of present weeks. Thought that old Jack would not suit the party that put him in office. Thought that he would go in for the South strong. Thought that the free gold party would gain great strength in four years and at the next election would be the next strongest if not the strongest party.
Week 23 next Sunday