March 8-March 27, 1881

Tuesday, Mar. 8: N. E. trades today and yesterday. We have had a head sea and it is quite rough. Numerous flying fish around. Have been out 59 days today.

Sunday, Mar. 13: Have had very light trades since I last wrote. It is very warm and pleasant weather. Last evening saw the Southern Cross, a constellation of 5 stars in the shape of a cross.

Tuesday, Mar. 22: Have a fair wind today but is very light. We make about 90 miles every 24 hours. Two Ocean Steamers crossed our stern today bound opposite way. There is a small schooner down to leeward.

Friday, Mar. 25: Yesterday it was calm all day but towards night began to breeze up and at 12 p.m. we had a 7 knot breeze.

Saturday Mar.26: This morning made the islands of St. Kitts, Redondo (Redonda) and St. Eustatia (St. Eustatius). Items of interest about these islands.

1. "Nevis is a lofty volcano island in the shape of an egg. The peak with its crater rises from the center of the island to the height of about 3500 feet. The capital is Charles Town."

2. "St. Kitts like Nevis is of volcanic eruption having a peak called Mount Misery 4000 feet high. The capital is Basseterre (low land)."

3. "Redondo (Redonda) is a small, barren, rocky, uninhabited island.

4. "St. Eustatia (St. Eustatius) is a lofty volcanic island. The only town is Orange Town.

As it is very clear we can see land a good ways.

Sunday Mar. 27: It is very clear today with a five knot breeze. At 7 pm a 2 masted schoonerSchooner

A sailing vessel of two or more masts, all fore-and-aft rigged. The Thomas W. Lawson, built in 1902, had seven masts. In comparison to a square-rigged vessel of comparable tonnage, a schooner is better for coastwise sailing. passed under our bow. A barkentineBarkentine

A sailing vessel with three masts; square-rigged on the fore mast and fore-and-aft on the main and mizzen masts. in sight.