| 'Constance' was at anchor in Calleo Roads on
the 12th of January but within a few days it became clear that some
sickness had erupted on board. By the 18th they were anchored off the
island of San Lorenzo, five miles out from Calleo, and immediately sent a
party on shore to rig a tent for the sick. The following morning 20
patients were sent on shore to the sick tent. On the 20th, 6 patients; on
the 21st, 3 patients and on the 22nd, 5 patients. Next day one man
returned from the sick tent. This pattern continued, some going sick some
returning to the ship until the problem was overcome and the tent unrigged
on the 5th of February. It was perhaps a form of flu, certainly not a
major problem since there were no deaths logged, but the isolation was a
sensible precaution. |
| During the sickness - only about 70 or so
men were affected - the remainder of the crew were heavily involved with
gunnery practice. When a supply ship the 'Naiad' was available a
Lieutenant and 100 men were sent to trans-ship coals to 'Constance' during
four or five days. On the 8th of February, 5 seamen were discharged to
assist an English ship from Belfast, the 'Alfrege', back to England.
During the passage to San Blas, begun on the 10th of February, three men
were punished for drunkenness on the 12th: one with 48 lashes for
drunkenness and mutinous language; one with 24 lashes for the drink and one
with 6 lashes for being drunk. The next day another crewman took 24 lashes
for drunkenness on duty. On the 14th at 7pm, Henry Blake (AB), jumped
overboard in a fit of Delirium Tremens caused by getting drunk on board
the 'Naiad' while coaling. Both lifebuoys were released, they shortened
sail, launched the cutter and hove to. Muskets were fired at intervals and
the ship position lit up with blue lights. The boats returned without man
or lifebuoys. |
| February the 18th saw 16lbs of rotten meat
thrown overboard; the carpenter and blacksmith were making two new
lifebuoys and on the 27th they tested and retrieved them. On the 28th
Henry North fell overboard but the log made no note of his recovery.
By
the 6th of March they were at San Blas where Mr Lawrence got his
certificate. 'Constance' then sailed for Mazatlan on the 9th. A serious
lapse of attention occurred on the 10th of March: three men were placed in
solitary confinement for not seeing a ship from the masthead before it was
seen on deck. At Mazatlan on the 13th 'Constance' saluted the Mexican flag
with 21 guns. On the 15th 'Calypso' sailed and 'Constance' set sail for
San Blas again on the 16th. |
|
BACK
HOME NEXT |