Friday May 27th, 1898, afternoon.
I[t] came on a strong head breeze last evening & this I note has retarded our progress & reduced the run. Our position at noon today being Lat. S. 1.07 ½, Long. E. 126.26, run 264.
We had crossed the line this morning about 4 o’clock. The morning did not open up very bright, tho’ the sea was calm & the ship steady, but at 12:15 a very heavy rain fell, drenching our thick awnings through in a few minutes. We passed through the storm in about 15 or 20 minutes & soon ran into another, not so heavy. It cooled the atmosphere fine. We are now passing the island of Mangola, both the Celebes & this island on our right, or starboard, side.
When I said the crew were Chinese, I meant the sailors, ABs, the quartermasters are all [4:17] Spaniards from the Philippines. These steer & are a petty officer. Cup of tea & slice of swiss roll just handed me. It is just 25 past 3.
I got some of my clothes out this morning & the boy spread them on deck in the sun, & they’ve sweetened nicely. They had to be taken in for the rain. I had a look at my boots also, & they are green. These I had out on the verandah in front of my room at Hong Kong Hotel, & in the sun too, but the moist atmosphere of the tropics soon affects them again, & it’s necessary to keep overhauling things generally & often. I’ve been enjoying a salad you are very fond of, tomato & sliced onion, well got up. It is fine in this hot climate. We have lettuce & beet root also, & sometimes they make a potato salad, but I don’t care for it. Here I am again streaming with perspiration & has [sic] been since I came down to the saloon to write. I always fear getting cold or a chill when I go on deck to cool, but happily I keep free. I find much improvement generally & I sincerely trust my previous good health will soon be perfectly established again. I’m often surprised how well I keep, & especially that I keep free from pain. I shall be well repaid if this tour establishes renewed health. Truly, since I felt a change, it has been quite new life to me. I’m oft wondering how you all are & frequently in vision sees you all daily.
Sunday next is Whitsunday.[1] I hope it may be fine weather for the Monday holiday & that you will enjoy yourselves. I wonder too whether Albion has got away from Calcutta. I should be delighted were we to meet in America, tho’ I should prefer they are going homewards. It is very bright & fine now. I close for today
[4:18]
[1] The seventh Sunday after Easter commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.