JANE BOYD -

14th April, 1855, Saturday

It was a dark and rainy morning when we took farewell of our Friends and relations, a great many of whom came and oblidged us with their help, and their company, some of them not leaving us till we were fairly on the way. And we hope that they will believe us to be more than thankful for kindness shown to us by them, and that we shall not forget them when we arrive at our home in the Far West.

We left Brae Neil about One O'Clock on the morning of the 12th April, arrived in Aberdeen about Six, got our luggage passed on board, passed the Doctor on the 13th, and sailed on the 14th about noon, the time appointed, in the Ship Jane Boyd of Aberdeen, bound for Quebec, America.

2 O'Clock - We have been tacking about in the Bay for a short time, but have now all Sail Set and away to the north with a fine breeze. The Berbier came across our bows in the Bay and very near made a collision. We carried away one of Her Coulars. The ship is rolling along beautiful. My folks are all sick but Michie. A good many are very sick arid vomiting.

6 O'Clock - We are still sailing along at a good rate and will be at the Frith before morning. I have been walking the deck, reading the Herald, attending the sick for I see no one else able to do it, my folks are all in bed sleeping.

Monday, 16th April

A strong breeze set in yesterday morning (Sabbath) ahead of us so that we had to tack about before the Frith till through the day, when we again set sail for the Frith. I wrote a letter when we set sail but there was no Pilot came on board. When we came to the Frith there was no wind so that the ship was almost unmanageable, no wind but a great Swell. I stayed on deck a while and the water appeared like little round hills, and the ship swinging round, and standing first nearly on the one end, then on the other, and lying nearly first on the one side then on the other. Some of us tried to help the Sailors and were often knocked all in a lump, from side to side of the vessel, with some merriment amongst the onlookers. We were soon out of sight of all the other vessels, we saw none of them after dark on Saturday night. The wind struck up just as we came through the Frith, a head wind, and is still continuing, the ship is rolling very much (I have just been knocked over). There is no children up today, and few others. Little or no cooking today with the exception of an Englishman who, together with his wife manage to cook and eat all day. No one can stand or keep their feet, but: all go knocking from side to side, together with pans and their contents of all descriptions. I saw a man come sliding across on the top of a box full bang.

I am the only one in the ship who has not been sick, to be of any use to others. I don't think I will get sick now. I think my folks are all a little sick today, and no wonder! The ship is Crucking again, and the people can easily see the waves out at the main hatch today at every roll of the ship.

Tuesday, 17 April

Last night the wind rose very high, still a head wind. No one could rise scarcely. I was much on deck towards evening making brochan, two large potfuls, one for the women, another for the men. I got the Steward and Cook to help me. No one could help themselves scarcely. You can have no idea how the ship pitches and rolls. It is beautiful to see her lying with her deck on the water edge first on the one side then on the other. We had some squalls last night which made her crack and groan and roll and pitch from one side to the other, dishes and boxes knocking about in all directions, making a terrible noise. The people seem to be very thankful for my attention to them when they were sick. I have been as hurried as possible night and day I may say. I have very little time to write. The wind is quieter today, we are now sailing away in a northerly direction, and will soon be out a sight of land for we still see the hills of Scotland. My folks are still a little sick, a good many have been on deck today. If I had known that I would have so little time to take notice and write I would not have proposed keeping a journal at all. It will not be anything like what I intended it. I was this morning taking down names and marking of the men in pairs for taking up Coals, minding the fires, cleaning, etc. The Captain told me he would inforce obedience. We have got our provision today. I do not think we can use them all. We would have got them sooner if the weather had not been so rough. The First Mate gives them out.