GH Robinson sets sail

And so it commences. GH Robinson’s first day at sea. Below is my transcription and my commentary on his entry from June 25, 1853.

Journal of A Voyage to St. Pierre, 1853

Saturday June 25th 53

At Sea. 7 P.M.
To-day commences my experiences
of the Sea. Having taken passage in the
French Barque Sidi Elly, Capt. Joseph Boudon,
for St. Pierre Miq. We left the wharf at Boston
to-day at about 10 o’clk A.M. with a fair breeze
from the westward. There was but little wind until
we had left the harbor, when the breeze freshened &
we began to move along finely at a rate of about
6 or 8 Knots per hour. The Sidi Elly is a fine
little Barque of about 130 Tons. She bears on her
bow the figure of the Arabian Chief for whom
she was named. The Captain & mate are fine
fellows. Can understand them very well. Think I
shall have a very pleasant passage. We have only
two meals per day. Breakfast at 11 A.M. & Dinner
at 6 P.M. Plenty of Claret Wine and Cognac on
board. Have not yet felt any sickness. Hope
I shall be troubled but little in that way
for the voyage is not very long & I wish to
enjoy it as much as possible.

My commentary: