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Some time after this we again visited Kamesberg[145] and, after a little time spent in Cape Town, we left the Cape in the “Canute”[146] to return to Walwich Bay. The weather was very rough when we were going on board and we had to go in a cargo boat. I remember a gentleman, a stranger to me, kindly sending one of the officers to the jetty to have a large cloak or coat brought to wrap around me, as he said I would get wet. We got on board alright and left the Bay[147] at once. The next day was fine weather and we proceeded in what they call a spanking rate, and as it was a fair wind the third day we sighted land. We were running down the coast, the Captain and Latham calculating that if we continued at that rate how soon we would get to Walwich Bay. It would be the quickest passage yet made. They soon went down to supper, I not being well remained on my cushions and karosses on deck. When they returned on deck it was just getting dusk, like a blue gray line or cloud. Latham wanted me to go down to the cabin as he said I would catch cold if I remain in the night air. We went down, the Captain coming also. We sat at the table, Latham with a book and the Captain and I chatting. In less than an hours time a quick alarmed voice called from the top of the stairs. “Captain Stewart! Captain Stewart!” He rushed up and there was a great noise of ropes and tramping of feet on deck. Latham said the wind must have changed, he would go up and see as the noise continued and he did not return, I thought I would go up and see, and just as I got to the foot of the stairs, a man came down, I asked him what he wanted? He said “a chopper” I gasped, on reaching the top of the stairs, I looked out of the companion and saw the Captain at the wheel and Latham standing near him and on one side of the vessel what seemed big black rock or Island, on the other side a large white sheet of foam. Just then the man came up with the chopper. Latham saw him and asked him what he had there ? He said “a chopper, sir.” “What are you going to do with it?” “Chop down the mast, sir.” “Put that chopper down and leave the mast alone,” I heard Latham say. The wind was blowing coldly and I felt cold, so I went down to fetch my cloak and coming up again, I crept round to the locker attached to the companion, the little square lid of which was off, and thus I had a secure seat holding on to the top of the companion. I heard the Captain say to Latham who was helping him. She has never served me like this before, she won’t answer to the helm at all. –Presently the Captain said, “Mrs. Latham you had better go down,” “Am I in the way,” I asked, “No, but you will get very wet,” “I would rather stay if I may”. “Let her stay if she likes,” Latham said, so I remained. It seemed they could not hold the wheel so they had to get a rope and tie it, and the Captain gave orders for both anchors to be dropped. He said to Latham he wanted to try and keep from the breakers as much as he could, and when the wind abated, he hoped there would be a chance of getting off. He asked if it would not be better for Latham to have a boat and two men and take me – try – keep out of the breakers. Latham asked me if I would like to go in the boat ? …….

………………………………………………………………….. (unfinished).




NOTE:

Regretably Jane Latham did not complete her ‘diary’ although she lived for another 19 years after starting her journal, the original of which is held in the ‘Bassingthwaighte Family Collection’ and was donated by Mrs. Leon Hurter.

On the last page Jane Latham refers to “big black rocks or island” as the ship was running onto the rocks. Possibly this frightening event so effected her that she made a break and could no longer finish her tale . . . . . .
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