1859-03-01 **
TUESDAY
Engaged our pr berths in the
Illinois $125 to San francisco
Went to Laura Keans Theater
(Our American Cousin) a farce
1859-03-02
WEDNESDAY
Wrote to Ellis –
Walked about town with Connell
Dined at Taylors saloon with
Capts Nicholson & Halpin
Went to Nibloes circus
1859-03-03
THURSDAY
sent a box of collars to Ellis
Up early, wrote to
Mrs Ellis – McMahon Dowdale [Terean]
Patrick – McDermott – sent papers to
Ellis – Coulson Dowdale & Terence
& sent them on the Prince Albert
by a Boatman (Green) called at [illegible]
office about Brews Box.
[overwritten text]
Recd a
letter from
Mrs Ellis
1859-03-04
FRIDAY
Went to the Bank – Then to
Custom House about Brews Box –
a deal of trouble about it
Commenced letter to Mamsey
1859-03-05
SATURDAY
All day up to 3 O.C. at Custom H
about Brews Box – got it brought
to Hotel. Exchanged pistol for a Colt
& gore 18$- –
1859-03-06
SUNDAY
Trinity Church H. Communion
Dined at 1- OC P.M. went to Trinity
Church at 3½ – capital sermon
Packing – & writing to Mamsey
1859-03-07
MONDAY
Busy morning
getting luggage &c on board,
humbugged by Yankey car driver.
Sent big box by long sea. Posted
letter to Mrs Ellis. Started at
2 O.C. P.M. for Aspinwall per
Illinois steamer
1859-03-08
TUESDAY
Very ill – sea a little rough – heavy
rain, nearly [deletion] all the
passengers sea sick
sighted two schooners bound
for New YorkLat. 34.18 Lon 74.18 Dis fr N York 394 miles
1859-03-09
WEDNESDAY
Ill – Beautiful day – a whale
seen – small schooner –
crossed the Gulf stream –
singing on deck – a man in
irons – (delerium tremens)
Lat. 34.18 Lon. 74.18 Dis. fr. N York 394 miles
1859-03-10
THURSDAY
Ill – Beautiful day, & getting warm
passengers all on deck. 9- OC PM
wind fresh from S West –
Commenced my letter to Mamsey
Lat. 30.10 Lon. 74.12 Dis 248 miles
1859-03-11
FRIDAY
Up at 6 O.C. Beautiful day
sea like glass – Quantities of
flying fish – Expect to see
land tomorrow – Run in last knots. Lat 26.8
34 hours 240
Long. 73.46 – Distance 240
1859-03-12
SATURDAY
Up early – very warm – passed
the Island of [left blank] uninhabited
Two schooners sighted –
Run up to 12 OC noon 243 knots
Lat 22.6 – Lon 73.26 – Dis- 243 miles
1859-03-13
SUNDAY
Very hot. Service by the
Revd Mr Bishop. Sighted
St Domingo – Cuba, Navassa& C & C – Lat- 14.2 Lon Run 262
Lat. 18.4 Lon- 75.12 – Dis – 260 miles
1859-03-14
MONDAY
Oppressively hot – Height of
St Domingo still in sight –
Luggage weighed & checked
Lat 14.2- Long- 77.43 Run 284 miles
1859-03-15 *
TUESDAY
Scorching hot – arrived at
Aspinwall at 4 P.M. Population 3000
[Sat] 10 – Started in Baggage train at 5- OC
arrived at Panama at 7½ – distance 46
miles, most delightful drive, Chagres
river in sight nearly the whole day, Tropical
trees of all sorts, & beautiful creepers –
went to the British Consul (Bidwell)
to try fr letters [received] by post master – went
on Board [illegible words] at 12- [illegible] – 2 A.M.
[overwritten text]
Lat 9.3 Lon 19.43
Distance run 274
[34] miles from
Aspinwall at 12 noon
Posted a letter
to Mamsey
1859-03-16
WEDNESDAY
Tried to get on shore for letters
but could not – looked after luggage
Crew of [illegible] & officer Mr Fox saved by
officers of American ship of [illegible
words]. Weighed anchor at 4½ PM
splendid harbour dotted by hundreds of
Islands – [Illegible] watering place 12 miles
from Panama. General Walker
on Board.
1859-03-17
TUESDAY
Beautiful sea & cool – High
land in sight passed some
small islands – The Senora
from San Francisco passed at 11- OC.distance fr Panama
St Patricks day kept – Got Ellis
into Calvin Lat 7.11 – Lon 81.4 Dis 230 miles
1859-03-18
FRIDAY
Not a breath of air, scorching
hot, sea like a pond – numbers of
sharks & one whale seen – slight
wind, 268 miles run
Singing on Deck –
1859-03-19
SATURDAY
Roasting hot, sharks & whales
seems Good obstreperous –
Ker offers to provide the
ice. Lat 11.12 N Long 10.33
Distance 301- miles
1859-03-20
SUNDAY
Service by the Revd Mr Bishop
Land in sight nearly all day
Singing on deck in the evening.
Lat. not taken – dist, 286 miles
1859-03-21
MONDAY
Very hot – Land in
sight – whales – sharks & porposes
seen. Acapulco reached at 9 O.C. P.M.
went on shore & walked through
the town [illegible] &c – horridly dirty
woman smoking. Returned to
the ship at 11- O.C. in a canoe, cattle
swam to the ship – very exciting scene
[overwritten text]
Posted a letter
on Board to
Mamsey
[left margin text]
Started at 2 O.C. AM
70 [illegible] gin
[right margin text]
Lat- 16.6 Lon 98.26 –
Distance 263 miles
1859-03-22
TUESDAY
Sighted [left blank] beautifully
clad – Singing on deck – Gaggin
[illegible] – Expected to call at
[left blank] but did not weather
thick. Evening cool –
Lat- 17.26 – Lon- 101.44 – Dist 205-
1859-03-23
WEDNESDAY
Fine cool morning – awning
off deck for the first time
Fight in the 2nd Cabin
one of the pugalists in irons
Lat 19.41 – Long 105.46 –
Distance 270 miles
1859-03-24
TUESDAY
Crossed the Gulf of California
Bad head ache, very calm
off St Lucas at 2- O.C. P.M.
Lat – 22.34 Long 109.28
Distance 271 miles
1859-03-25
FRIDAY
Great quantities of porposes
seen – & a few seals –
Very heavy dew in the evening
Lat 25.29 – Lon 113.21 – W
Distance 274 miles
1859-03-26
SATURDAY
Off the Island of Coros 6- O.C. A.M.
730 miles from San
Francisco
Lat – 28.53 – N. Long- 116.27.
Distance 260 miles
1859-03-27
SUNDAY
Stormy & head wind all day
Passengers sick no service
No [reading] taken –
1859-03-28
MONDAY
Sea very rough
off the Islands of [Iadamse &
Sandagual] 260 miles from
San francisco Lat 34.13 Lon 120.50
Distance 180 miles, Forty eight watches
stolen in 2nd Cabin – great commotion
100 Dollars reward offered
1859-03-29
TUESDAY
Close to land at daylight
entered the Golden gate at 3½ O.C. beautiful
harbour & sunny. Arrived at San Francisco
at 4½ O.C. Went to the American Express
Hotel. Proprietor — Sergeant. Went in
the evening to the American Theater
Mrs Wood (in Marble Heart –
1859-03-30 *
WEDNESDAY
Went to Custom house about Brews
box – Walked with Worthingtire to see
horses & stables – Worthingtire sailed fr
Sacramento at 4- O.C. Walked with Ker
to Telegraph hill & then through the
town. Went with Connell to the Colliseum
to see Anderson – Richard III –
1859-03-31
THURSDAY
Walked through the Markets
greatly pleased with everything – at
Custom house from 10- to 4- O.C. P.M.
about Brews box – Paid 7- Dols expenses
& lodged 60- Dols as security with Mr
Price before I could get it. Brother
Johnathon could not sail as expected
in consequence of rough weather
American theater – The Golden age
Posted letter to Mrs E. & 2 papers for the Capt
Back to Peter O’Reilly’s 1859 Diary
Peter O’Reilly’s 1859 diary has been transcribed by volunteers and staff of the Vancouver Island Local History Society and is for informational purposes only. Researchers interested in this diary are advised to consult the original document housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, found in MS-2894, the O’Reilly family fonds.