Thursday afternoon, ship time 3:50, home time 25 past 3.
We had yesterday to set our watches forward (sailing East). From London to the most W. point we had to put the time back, but now it will be forward all the way. Very good night, ship steady. Rose at 6:30, had a cold salt bath & feel fresh. Soon on deck & found we were hugging the African coast, & has [1:38] continued so till crossing the entrance to Tunis Bay, where we lost the land, but now we are safely close, it is growing hazy so obscuring the view. A little rain today. Very quiet on board today, reading, games &c. &c., anything to kill the time. We are looking forward to visiting Malta tomorrow morning, & the letter box is fixed already in the companion, & an intimation[1] that it will be cleared at midnight & despatched from Malta, so I will take advantage. 28 hours’ sail from Malta will land us at Brindisi, where letters from home many of us hope to receive, & it is expected a numerous company of passengers will come by the express from London to join us there, principally for Egypt. Cairo & the Nile are the principal resorts, & we hear much [1:39] of both on board. Now it is 4 p.m. & afternoon tea is announced, so off I go. – I enjoyed my cup of tea.
Everything & everywhere on board this steamer is conspicuously clean. A number of Lascars are constantly employed with bucket & cloths, some have sponges. No dirt is permitted to gather, or even finger marks. They seem to move about seeking for spots & remove them at once. The brass work is cleaned every day, & the stewards clean below every morning (all carpets are rolled up in the public cabins at 11 p.m.) alley ways & floors scrubbed thoroughly, & all paint worked washed, this daily, & the Captain, Doctor & C. Officer have a general inspection every day at 11, & every cabin is examined. All moves so machine-like, no confusion, the system & organization must be as nearly perfect as it’s possible to be.
[1:40]The ship’s position & run up till noon today, Thursday, was as follows:
Lat. N. Long. E.
39.15 8.42 Run 367 miles
Leaving 319 to run as far as Malta. This information is posted every day shortly after 12 noon, & has interest for nearly all. A chart also hangs framed in the saloon companion, & this is frequently consulted. The wind is freshening tonight 6:30 but the sea so far is not affected. It is questionable whether you get this any sooner by posting from Malta. Anyway, I shall send it, & again from Brindisi, & you can note the fact. 8:15, we’ve just finished dinner & I am about to post this off. The ship is pitching a little now, else when we sat down at 7, motion wasn’t perceptible.
Good night! Good night!!
Posted on board the P&O SS Victoria at sea, Thursday night Jan. 20th/98.
All well. W.
[1:41]
[1] Public announcement