Malta harbour, Friday night, Jan. 21/98. As I said when closing my letter last night that the ship was beginning to pitch, we all prospected a breezy night, & so it was. The storm increased & it was a dirty night throughout. I retired early & had a fair good sleep, but was early awake with […]
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 […]
Wednesday noon 19 Jan’y. Nothing much worth recording since finishing diary writing yesterday. I refrained from taking dinner last night, preferring something lighter, & after dinner the steward kindly fetched me some very nice bread & butter, & 2 apples, which I enjoyed. After midnight, a very stiff E. breeze sprang up, & we had […]
Tuesday 4:45 p.m. Jan 18/98. After posting letters last night – these were yours, & one of thanks to Alderman Duckworth M.P. for his kindly generosity in sending me a complimentary copy of his Trip Round the World in ‘93 – dinner over, we lingered till nearly midnight on deck. It was so very delightful, no […]
Monday morning, ship’s time 10, home 10:40. After dinner last night, quietness prevailed & promenading occupied the closing of the day, & most retired early to bed. I enjoyed my rest very much, slept well & comfortable, & arose at 7 fresh, had a cold salt water bath with overhead spray after, [1:21] & at […]
Leaving off writing yesterday afternoon, I went below & had tea, [1:16] & enjoyed its refreshing influence. The night was fine & very clear. The darkness gathered & most of the people go down stairs & rest before dinner, which is at 7 o’clock, & a full muster sat at tables. During dinner, 7 to […]
[1:8] P&O SS Victoria,[1] English Channel 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan’y 15/98. This is the first opportunity given me of commencing my diary since leaving Tilbury[2] yesterday afternoon. Maybe I should detract from interest were I not to revert to the parting at W. Hartlepool.[3] Willie[4] & I had a very pleasant & cheery set off.[5] The good wishes […]
As it turns out, a lot that is still relevant today. So I thought it would be a good idea to review the major events that year to help set the scene for William’s epic journey. He commented directly on some of these events in the journal, and they would undoubtedly have been the subject […]
Beginning January 15th, 2018, exactly 120 years after the original journey, I will be blogging the journals online each day that there is an entry so that interested readers around the world can share in this historical resource. You can follow William’s journey day-by-day, and share in his amazement at the world he found.