USS Constellation on the Dismal Coast: Willie Leonard's Journal, 1859-1861

January 1860

January 1860 January 1st at St. Paul de Loando Sunday and New Year’s day. At half past nine o’clock the divisions were called to quarters for inspection, after which we had a general muster round the capstan . In the evening all hands were called aft to splice the main brace, as is the custom on board of a man of war on holidays. January 2nd All hands to work taking in wood and provisions in the evening. All hands swung clean hammocks. January 3d All hands scrubbed hammocks. We finished taking in provisions this day. January 4th Dancing Commenced setting up the rigging and staying the masts. At four p.m. we had her all a taunt ho. In the evening we got the fiddler up in the port gangway and danced until nine o’clock. “All a-taunt oh”meant all the masts and spars were properly rigged and squared. January 5th Target Shooting At ten o’clock this morning the drum beat to general quarters. The gun deck divisions were exercised at target shooting, the object being 1700 yards off. Some very fine shots were made by the 1st division, at 1 p.m. the drum beat the retreat. In the afternoon there was nothing done. January 1860 75 January 6th All hands scrubbed and washed clothes. This being the usual General Quarter day, we had the regular exercise. We are having some first rate weather every day; we are wearing white frocks and hat and blue trousers. January 7th Holystoned the decks for tomorrow. A Spanish brig came in here today. It is a beautiful day. Lieutenant McDonough was transferred from the Constellation to take command of the Sumpter.1 January 8th at St Paul de Loando Being Sunday, we had division inspection, after which we had divine service on the gun deck. All hands dressed in white frocks and hats and blue trousers. January 9th the Store house is finished All the divisions went ashore today for target practice with small arms. They returned on board in time to get their dinners in the afternoon. All hands exercised sail. The Store House which has been building here for the last six months is finished. It is a fine building and reflects great credit on the workmen who were engaged upon it. The U.S. Store Ship Supply is getting ready for sea. January 10th A Portuguese trading brig arrived here today. She brings us news of the Portsmouth . She is cruising off the mouth of the Congo River, and the U.S. Sloop of War Marion is at Cape Coast Castle. January 11th a Boat expedition We had a great boat expedition today. The launch, 1st and 2nd cutters were manned with their fighting crews, and we went through all the maneuvers of taking another vessel. We returned at five p.m. well pleased with the day’s proceedings. January 12th The U.S. Sloop of war Portsmouth arrived here today. January 13th An English coal ship arrived here today from Newcastle, England. She made a very long passage of it, she being 112 days coming out here. It is very pleasant weather here now. 76 January 1860 Inman reported that the Mystic arrived at Loanda today, bringing the officers and crew of the Orion from St. Helena. Temporarily aboard the flagship, they would be sent to the United States; also on the Constellation as passengers were the gunner and fourteen crew from HMS Pluto, who brought the prize Orion to St. Helena.2 January 14th Holystoned the gun deck and also the spar deck, after which the bags were piped up to air clothing. W.A. Leonard Charlestown January 15th 1860 at St Paul de Loando All hands called to quarters for the usual inspection at half past nine o’clock in the forenoon. In the afternoon some of the men went on board the Portsmouth to visit, and some of her men came on board of us. January 16th Today five hands from each part of the ship were sent on board the store ship to help their men to bend her sails. She is going home very soon. Besides taking the invalids home she takes our boatswain, and a sergeant of Marines who is a townsman of mine. January 17th Today some more of the Portsmouth’s men came on board of us to be examined by our doctor...