Lascars
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 rather a break in the record. The ship rocked & dived very much, & I slept very little, tho’ very snug, & during the early morning, heard the crew putting hatch covers on to keep the water out of the cabins. These hatches are used as ventilators & are never closed, excepting in bad weather, the covers being of course, on the lower deck hatches to preserve the cargo and baggage. [1:35] I was surprised to be told by the 4th Officer, & who acts as baggage master, that there is over 250 tons of baggage on board. Several passengers were commenting on the uncomfortable night but as morning broke the wind calmed with sunrise, & it is fine tho’ cold on deck, & wraps are much in evidence
I intend recording ship life, but prefer to be a few days longer on board so that I may give a fair account. I daily observe the usage & hope, when I come to committing it, to give some interesting details. This forenoon, I got what I hope to turn out 2 capital snaps shots: Lascars fixing awnings on the quarter deck. I now & again take a walk to the end of the ship. The 2nd class passengers occupy this part & their line is drawn here[1].
We have been within good focus of the Algerian coast all morning. It is rugged, [1:36] & the many hills we see gives one the impression that the climate of Algiers must be very beautiful. Just a while since, one of the many photographers who have apparatus showed me a developed view he took of Gib. yesterday, & I only hope mine may reproduce so good a picture. A very sharp shower of rain fell this morning about 11 & as soon as it ceased, Lascars with rubber swabs had the decks cleared in a few minutes, & the surface comparatively dry. The promenade decks, port & starboard, are 228 feet in length & make a fine exercise ground, deck chairs being moved to the lee side or where most comfort is to be obtained. This the ship’s men do for the passengers. In fact, the chief end seems “passengers’ comfort”. The distance run today has been 319 miles, this up to noon & from leaving Gib. at 1 p.m. Tuesday. [1:37] There was a sweepstake got up on the run, which was well patronized. The first prize 50/- 2nd 10/-, 8 & 5/-. 320 had been the speculation.
Lady Harbourd, who sings & plays very charmingly, entertained the music room frequenters last evening. So also many other ladies. I told you we have a very sweet band. They play at 11 every morning & until 12.
[1] William was travelling in 1st Class
From the entries so far it did seem that William was traveling in some level of luxury; confirmed today that he went first class. It would be interesting to know what the cost of such a trip would have been 120 years ago and an idea of the equivalent in today’s money.
Good question! William tells us at the end of the journal that his 1st Class Atlantic fare from NYC to London was worth $82. If we assume that leg were 10% of his whole sea journey then the whole thing could have cost around $800, or $23,000 in 2017 cash according to the bureau of labor statistics. That’s the best answer I have, but will ask the Archivist from Thomas Cook (who is eagerly following the journal)!