April 3-16, 1867

Journal Entry 34: April 1867

Highlights from the Journal of Edwin Mitchell, Vol. II:

Apr. 3: "The weather was better last night than it has been for some time; carried reefedReef

The amount of sail taken in by securing one set of reef-points. It is the means of shortening sail to the amount appropriate to an increase in the strength of the wind. As a verb, it means to shorten sail in a vessel by reducing the area exposed to the wind.
top sails all night. This morning set a reefed main topgallantTopgallant t'gallant

The square rigged sail immediately above the topsail. The topgallant is set from the top of the topgallant mast. A staysail set on a stay running forward and downward from the topgallant mast is called a topgallant staysail.
sail at eight bells; took it in again....This afternoon...fine weather but a head wind and not much signs of a fair one; if he had run farther to the westward when we had the tradesTrade winds trades

Steady, regular winds that blow in a belt between approximately 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south of the equator. They are caused by the action of the sun on and near the equator in heating the atmosphere and causing it to rise. The heavier air to north and south comes in to fill the vacuum thus caused. In the southern hemisphere the trade winds blow from the south-east and in the northern hemisphere from the north-east. They are called trade winds because of the assistance they gave to merchant ships around the world in the days before steam.
we would have been (there) before this. He is a humbug for easterly winds. I expect the Grand BanksGrand Banks

A large shallow area, rich in fish, located in the North Atlantic off Newfoundland. Publicized by John Cabot's voyage in 1497, this was once perhaps the world's greatest fishing grounds with cod so thick they could be snagged in baskets according to Cabot. The Canadian portion of the Grand Banks have been closed to cod fishing as well as the cod fishery along the northern Newfoundland and Labrador coast due to complete collapse of the Northern Cod stock.
will fetch us up. He knows as much about winds and weather as a hog does about handling a musket."

Apr. 12: "Last night at one o'clock we made Fire IslandFire Island

One of Long Island, New York's south shore barrier islands.
light. This forenoon at two bells we made the Highlands; a tug came along side, but the Capt. would not pay what he asked so he did not hitch on. The wind has been high all day, so we could not get up to the bar."

Apr. 13: "This morning at four o'clock a tug came down to us, at ten we got our anchor, came to an anchor again off the BatteryBattery

The southern tip of Manhattan Island, N. Y., facing New York harbor.
at four o'clock. We have got the sails unbentUnbent

Unbend To untie or loosen a sail or rope.
and gear stoped (sic) up; we are going to dock Monday evening."

Apr. 14: "Turned to this morning at three bells and washed down decks, the remainder of the day I have been adoing little jobs for myself. Tonight we got the drowsers up ready for early work in the morning."

Apr. 16: "This mornig we hauled into the dock and the crew left as soon as the ship was made fast. Us boys cleared up the decks. This afternoon we went over to N.Y. and saw some of the men that went out with us."

Apr. 17: "Turned to this morning ans swept down decks, then Bill and I went up street and got my clothes. It has rained all day. Tonight at eight o'clock we take the cars for Boston. So ends my great voyage in the ship Ivanhoe. Farewell you old tub (?). Farewell to Horace and Betsy, double skipper."