March

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 York
Lat. 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
34 hours 240
knots. Lat 26.8
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

1859-03-16
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 – 

1859-03-31
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.

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