George William Abbot to his father George Abbot, 23 July 1846

[From George William Abbot in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to his father George Abbot. He talks briefly about their trip and arrival in Rio, and how he is pleased with the ship and crew, except for a couple of sailors from Salem.

Rio July 23rd 1846

Dear Father,

As a vessel is to sail tomorrow I thought I would just drop a line, time not permitting me to write a letter.

We arrived this afternoon after a short passage (of 49 day) compared with other vessels & considering the unusual bad weather that has prevailed. After leaving Boston we had a strong fair wind down to 10º north where it commenced squally from the S., blowing a gale at times. I do not think we had the reefs out of the topsails a day at a time untill within 3 days before our arrival.

I am very much pleased with the Bark & all, & have not been found falt with as yet. The passengers were very agreeable, especially the 16 year old daughter. (I presume Georgiana1 will feel suspicious.) The crew are very good excepting the Salem part. Dwyer,2 who shipped as able seaman, does not know any thing to speak of, is lazy, sulky, slow & growling all the time, & as for Prince, he is a regular imposition & does more harm than good, & I believe is half witted. He is in my watch & I do his work, such as furl sails, stand wheel & redo studding sail gear. As long as he has been on board he can't find the spanker outhauler yet. He has had 16 or 18 [__?__], having 5 & 6 in succession. I do not wish you to mention any thing abt Prince or Dyer as come from me.

I shall write again by the next vessel. Pleas give my love to all.

P. S. You must excuse my writing as I am not quite clear of a [__?__] on my right forefinger that has been a bother to me the whole passage. I must now say good bye.

Your affe. son George W. Abbot

  1. Georgiana Abbot (1823-1848), George William's sister, George's daughter
  2. Possibly John Franklin Dwyer (1827-1861). Capt. John Franklin Dwyer was murdered by the mate Patrick Cotter on board the American bark Czarina on route from Cronstadt, Russia, to Boston.