The SKAREGROM
SKAREGRQ)M LOG A journal kept
by Captain Archie Horka Conclusion
May 24, 1925, Sunday-Exceedingly hot weather and to this discomfort is added that caused by plenty of bracing to the fickle wind. Noon position is 50 degrees North-Long. 26 degrees West. Late this afternoon the gang lollin_g about gazing at the monotonous horizon espied a steamer hull down to leeward. In time she was made out to be heading N.E. and tho' she passed -about 5 miles astern of us, the glasses afforded a good look at her. Then at dark steamer's lights were seen to wind'ard! This fellow bore right down on us and shortly after 8 bells (8:00P.M.) he was close enough for our Mate to speak him with the Morse lamp. He proved to be an Admiral... .I forget the last name, it was a long one though, bound from Dakar to Pernambuco. After the customary exchange of names and courtesies she gathered way and stood S.S.W. on her course while we must wait for Nature to favor us . Tho' it's a wide ocean-these steamer fellows run in "tracks" and as soon as you cross these tracks there's always a chance of seeing one.
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May 25, 1925, Monday-A sail was sighted this noon, well astern and while a light breeze held the stranger crept up on us. This caused us to believe that it was the PARCHIM and the Skipper wore a long face all day for he thought he left the Finn behind long ago. In the afternoon, having a job aloft I took my glasses in the "Top-bag" and had a good look at the fellow. She. was the same one we passed ten days ago, the fellow who was said to be PARCHIM. In the later afternoon, the wind died and the canvas slatted lazily from the yards. The stranger began to fall behind again and next day we saw no more of him. May 26, 1925, Tuesday-Shifting sail today as it's calm and no wind to be lost. Our watch (port) shifted the mizzen topsails, upper and lower in the forenoon and the starboard watch sent down the fore to'gallantsails and fore upper tops'ls. The "trade" sails that we bent in place of the others are a well-woq1, patched up set that won't stand much breeze farthq north. The lads hook a shark after dinner. Shark aboard means wind!