Thursday Apr 12th
In Lat. 57º23' Long. 76º31'. Commenced calm and rainy. At 9 o'clock a breeze from the S. At 10 set all drawing sails, but double reef topsail. Ran N.W. by W. All countenances changed to pleasant. This was the pleasantest day we have since leaving Cape Blanco. The clouds looked light and as though we were going to have a good run. For four weeks we have had only thirty six hours fair wind. Fair wind all night.
Friday Apr 13th
In Lat. 55º 10; Long. 78º 14'. Commenced squally with favorable winds from SW. Nearly calm from 10 o'clock to 2. Saw an English bark yesterday. Today out of sight. Beat her fair. Had her foretop mast handed and mizzen topgallant sail.
The Capt. called on the Company to stand watch in bad weather which they readily do. Having such sudden changes, it was dangerous to carry much sail. All hands have their ? except one of the stewards who has fits. Some of the men are troubled with chilblains. Some of the men have their feet and hands swollen. All are anxious to get out of this old, nasty, disagreeable weather. Wind the afternoon from the W. Steered WSW all night.
Saturday Apr 14th
In Lat. 54º 38' Long. 79º 59'. Commenced with strong winds from the W. Steering N by W. Very heavy long and high seas. The same all day.
Sunday Apr 15th
In Lat. 53º 19' Long. 77º 15'. Commenced with strong breeze from the W. Blew hard all day . Steering NWW. Making N course. At 3 o'clock tacked ship. Ran S by E. Wind hauled soon to SW. Tacked again. Ran NW. In an hour wind headed her off to the NNW. Making lee shore fast. Capt. ordered to tack ship again. Wind blowing very hard. Blew hard all night. At two o'clock PM all hands were called to furl fore and mizzen topsails. Carrying sail so that drove lee cat head and rail under water for half an hour. The sea breaking over harder than ever. Steering then S and S by E.
Monday Apr 16th
In Lat. 53º 23' Long. 77º 39'. Commenced very bad wind W with very heavy squalls.
At 4 in the morning I was woke out of a half sleep by the 2nd Mate calling all hands (being a fellow to make sport) to come on deck to make sail to crowd off lee shore. Dr.---B was on larboard side calling up Minister Bradbury and others, crying like a baby, and telling them that we was soon to go to destruction. Being some what started, I jumped up and it being eight bells I thought it was: "Breakers ahead. Call all hands." I hurried on deck but thinks I: "the Capt. is not on deck. I guess there is no trouble. Got on deck found them making sail.
Set all sails that we could carry. Wind soon hauled in to S. Wore ship. Steered W by N. This was pleasant. Being a very heavy sea, could not carry much sail. Blew fresh from the S all day and night. Many were frightened by the cry in the morning. I thought of home and how friends mourn and wonder where the ill fated Edward was. Everything rushed upon my mind at once.
Tuesday Apr 17th
In Lat. 51º 22' Long. 78º 50'. Commenced with fair wind from the SW. Made a N course. At 10 o'clock hauled to the NW. Made NE course. Tacked ship. Made W by S course. At night strong breezes.
Saw a great many sea birds of various kinds. Signs of a blow. Took in all sail but main topsail, foresail, close reefed, and the usual storm sails. At 10 o'clock in the eve, blew very hard. Very high sea. At 12 midnight the wind abated and commenced raining. The ship rolled so that no one could sleep. A Very disagreeable night.
On examining the latitude found when the fright of the lee shore was made that we were eighty miles from it. Rather curious doings. The Capt. all the time talking about lee shore. Think him upon the whole rather a timid man and rather old fashioned.
Wednesday Apr 18th
In Lat. 51º 10 Long. 80º 04'. Commenced stormy. Wind west. Moderate breeze. At 10 A.M. wind hauled SW. Set as much sail as we possibly carry with such heavy sea. At 1 P.M. cleared off.
Saw a sail ahead and another on starboard beam. Before night left the one on the beam out of sight astern. Caught up with the other as fast, which proved to be a ship of our like. Had all sail set but she was no match for us. The next morning, out of sight. Came up with her so fast that thought she was bound home. All were anxious to see who she was. Some thought it was the Capitol or some other ship from Boston. All sorts of speculation of the kind made. All were anxious to pass her. Crowded on all the canvas.