[Thomas Waters to his parents]
[from a transcript] 33
20 February 1850 Sissiboo [near Digby]
Nova Scotia
Dear Father and Mother
Whichever way I look I see nothing but frost or snow, the mountains, trees and fields are covered with snow, our masts, rigging and decks are also covered and to cap all it is a thick snowstorm now. But take the winter altogether it has been very moderate. We are loading for the West Indies, we will touch at Barbados and if the market is good sell there, if not carry our cargo somewhere else.
7th March. My Birthday, we are now at anchor in Sandy Cove, N.S. where we ran for a harbour in a gale to save us from a lee shore, plenty of snow. 20th March, Gulf Stream or Gulf of Mexico, a noted place for gales, but we have had none, moreover Hatteras and Bermuda have both let us pass without the customary salutation, notwithstanding the old saying, ‘If Bermuda let you pass, you will get me off Hatteras.’ You see we are very lucky.
Lat.l4″N. We are to use a sea phrase ‘Shortening the tails of the flying fish’ that is we are getting close in with the West India islands. A thousand miles from land you will see no small flying fish, but as you gather in with the land the flying fish get smaller and smaller down to the size of a shrimp. And then you are sure to be close to land. That is the reason of the sea phrase used when nearing the land. We are taking the benefit of the trade wind. When I commenced this letter it was cold enough and now Sunday 7th April it is hot enough, we are nearly under the sun, only 7° to the Southward of us. Fourteen days ago I was wearing a thick monkey jacket, big sea boots and flannel under clothes to suit, now I am barefooted, thin shirt and trousers, straw hat – variety is the spice of life. I am still in Dakin’s employ, very fair wages, and comfortable time. I expect they will sell this vessel if they can get a fair price for her.
8th April let anchor in Barbados Harbour but no market so we went to St Lucia from thence to Dominica from thence to Nevis and off the latter island 2 A.M. we struck on a reef not laid down in our chart, but fortunately we got off without serious damage at daybreak, we saw the wreck of some vessel on the same reef. From Nevis we went to St Kitts and there sold our cargo at a remunerative price. You see by the enclosed that I have been Master of another man’s vessel and if they gain by having a stranger to look after their property, how much more would they gain if they looked after it themselves. I have been the same as Master for two years without the name as the Captain was neither seaman or navigator. I am now with him again in the same capacity as he wants to sell the vessel and therefore is in her for that purpose. I do not know exactly where we will go from here but I believe to Boston with salt, and from thence to Digby. I do not know whether I told you that the head of the firm, D. Dakin, (Father to the rest) died last winter. I expect to be in Digby in two months or less time, the mail starts from here in a day or so or else I should not send this letter until we were ready to sail, so that I could tell for a certainty where we were bound. Hoping you all with Uncle, Aunt etc are quite well
I remain
Your affectionate son
Thomas Waters
The winters are cold
But we take no harm
For we have plenty of wood
To keep us warm
In pleasant Nova Scotia.
26th April. We are now bound to some port in England perhaps Liverpool, we are loading with sugar, rum etc instead of taking in salt as we first calculated, we will not be ready to sail for some time, twenty days or so, you need not look for arrival for two months or more, I am in a hurry as we are taking in cargo, and I have to keep count, but I dont want to lose this mail.
St Kitts