sailing craft all 'round, yawls and tops'! schooners and it was thought it might be one of these. But at noon, all doubt was dispelled when the stranger put about on the other tack (port) and lay beating in, his three tops with their peculiar triangular shape when close-hauled just being discernible over the horizon. Was it PARCHIM? Who else could it be; surely it must be the Finn! A towboat scurried out to meet him and took him in hand about five miles away, the fellow doubtless glad to hook on and cheat the head wind. As she drew nearer, the glasses were put on her and seeing that she wanted a to' gallant yard and royal yard on the mizzen it was now a certainty that it was the old "P" Liner. She towed past us at 5:00 P .M. and anchored farther up the bay tho' within good range of the glass. I did not think her hull was as trim as ours but his lofty rigging was a sight for a sailor's eyes. She crossed double to'gallant and royal yards and her tapering sticks had a giddy rake to them. But she looked rust-streaked all over her black hull and appeared tired after 140 days at sea! We gave them a wave as they passed and their crowd did likewise for many of the people know each other having been "booze" partners down in Port Adelaide. After supper the Mate lowered the work-boat and three of us pulled him over to the P ARCHIM. It was a bit wet and heavy pulling into a head wind and chop but the diversion was welcomed. We hailed the fellow and soon there was a crowd of earnest, peering faces over the rail. The officer knew our Mate and invited him aboard but he declined, saying that he wasn't allowed. This w'as "wool" for the people, I reckon, for what could be the objection, I cannot think. We gave them our painter and hung on exchanging gossip of our respective voyages. They had nice weather running easting down they said and had made 10 knots but one watch the whole passage. No wonder, for look at the moss on her side. They crossed the Line May 20th, which, strange to say, the same day that the GRACE HARWAR and we, ourselves, made it! What a happy coincidence. Unlike our crowd of young chaps and first-voyagers, these fellows were all old-timers and several beards were in evidence; one in particular, "Bulldog" Anty known to our crowd from Port Adelaide, having a red "brush" that covered his throat from ear to ear and left his chin clean! After more "Neptune" news we shoved off and had an easy pull back, running before the wind. This excursion was a stroke of tact on the Mate's part. Before this "Paddy" has asked permission to use the boat for a pull ashore but acting under order from "old silver hair," he had to deny him the request. This caused growling and unrest all 'round for bad enough that the food was scarce and little fresh as is expected in port but this enforced confinement made people feel like convicts must have felt lying off the land in the Australian convict-ships. He has good reasons for wishing us
land had taken 122 days; Ship GRACE HARWAR lying in this port, had anchored three days before us after 125 days passage, same as ours. Those that have arrived state that they all had good run to the Line but a freakish N.E. trade frustrated the prospects of making a smart trip. This was exactly the counterpart of our experience. Several, like the Danish barque VIKING and the German GUSTAV had well in the 130's while the Finn barkentine MOZART was out over 150 days and a fortnight hence was reported passing Ascension, in the S. Atlantic. Considering these things the old SKAREGROM has done well. After supper, the lads pace the deck like caged tigers gazing longingly at the enticing stretch of beach with its suggestions of variety and pleasure. A pretty country it appears to be. The rolling hills are everywhere with cultivation and criss-crossed with hedgerows of hawthorne. Roads end along the beach and thru' groves of trees that reveal stately villas of which there are many here. It appears to be a country reserved for the gentry's play, an ideal yachting place and because of its geographical position is made the port of call for ships going for orders. I cannot say much for the weather prevailing at present and am astounded to hear that it is considered ideal summer weather. Raw, chill winds, skies now sunny, now grey and squally. I cannot share the native's satisfaction in their "excellent summer." July 8, 1925, Wednesday-Rainy and overcast. Penetrating to the bone! All hands shifted the fores'! and fore upper tops'! to-day so as to give the sailmaker some work. The fores'! has done noble work for it has carried the old ship all the way 'round from Port Adelaide. "Chile" John and myself are put to work sending down the jib stays that were rigged up at sea. New wire has been bought ashore and two new stays are to be spliced aloft. There is man's sized job but excellent training. Rest of the gang over the side scraping and scrubbing the barnacles from the ship's side, a busy scene all about the ship. Thursday, July 9, 1925-Word comes off with the Old Man that he has an unconfirmed wire from London that we're to discharge there! Hooray! We're going to a real place at any rate. Previous to this mails from the owners told the Skipper that the ship was to load for Melbourne at Fredrikshald in Norway. Good prospects of getting to Aussie, again! July 10, 1925, Friday-The forenoon was blustery but it brightened up in the afternoon. "Chile" John and myself aloft splicing an eye in the inner jib stay, a tough proposition working in close quarters. Slowly but surely, we made a job of it. While aloft, we made out what appeared to be a large square-rigger just rounding the Lizard and word went round the ship, setting all agog. For a time there was doubt and argument for there were 20