Sunday, 8 May, 1870

The late night train ride was rather soothing, especially after all of the packing, loading, and unloading.

While we were loading the wagon, Sir Cosmo called Mr. Graves away. I had thought it merely a distraction, since Mr. Graves tries to help with the heavy lifting at times, put I noticed he seemed somewhat surprised and distracted when he emerged from Sir Cosmo's office. I couldn't help but notice the sheaf of papers he was slipping into his pocket--no doubt instructions from Sir Cosmo.
As before, he reminded me that he is counting on me to look after the household while they are away. I promised that I would do me best.

We were met at the train station by Sir Anthony, who took Sir Cosmo aside on the platform to give him some documents and final instructions. Sir Anthony looked as if he has not slept in several days, presumably from the strain of the "worrisome things" he mentioned to Sir Cosmo earlier.

Among the papers Sir Cosmo received was some sort of commission from the queen herself. If need be, we will become a diplomatic entourage. This mission is beginning to make me think of those stories in Miss Chigwidgeon's booklets.

The Irish doctor who is accompanying us, Dr.Shinnaig, was not inclined to socialize. Perhaps he is just concerned for the well-being of his patient, the thoroughly mad Mr. Pym.

Mr. Pryce, the young actor whose brother (and late father before him) belongs to the Order of St. Jerome, spent the trip staring out of the window into the darkness. Mr. Ramsay, sitting beside him, passed the journey reading a book.

Mr. Cuthbert slept the entire way, of course. Mrs. Cuthbert seemed too worried to sleep. Lt. Wooster was not, though his brand flask may have had something to do with that. Miss Sinclair worked on some papers. Miss Chigwidgeon sat with Sir Cosmo watching him read until she fell asleep. Dr. Wilson read a newspaper. Edward was working feverishly on more of his engineering drawings.

When we arrived at Harwich, I was quite busy seeing to the transfer of the baggage and the equipment while Captain Moriarty was introducing everyone and giving the final briefing to all concerned. During the transfer I met Mr. Kirati, who is the ship commander's personal valet -- except I am given to understand that in the navy such servants are called "batmen." It was a mild surprise to see a fellow hindi wearing a British Naval dress uniform.

Captain Rodgers seems to be a competent officer, and his executive, Lieutenant Cooper, equally so. I'm not quite certain why Miss Chigwidgeon felt the need to whisper about how handsome the Captain is. Perhaps it was part of a joke about Lt. Wooster, who it appears is now the First Officer of the ship, by virtue of the fact that he has remained at his current rank for over fifteen years without ever earning a promotion.

And the English wonder why we compare them to mad dogs....

We got everyone aboard, with the household assigned to a series of cabins among the officers' quarters. Edward and I will be sharing a room that is intended to house an officer's batman. It seems a terrible waste of space. I believe Edward will more likely be sleeping with his underwater boat most evenings, while I will take my mediation in a corner of the corridor where I can see all of the doors of the cabins assigned to our party.

One of the sailors who assisted in carrying in the luggage, a particularly disreputable looking man who reminded me of a procurer I remember from the old neighborhood, took an undue interest in Miss Sinclair and Miss Chigwidgeon. The sailor, named Dawkins, claimed to be an old shipmate of Miss Chigwidgeon's father, who apparently went by the unlikely name "Rip Chigwidgeon." Dawkins seemed to be trying to ingratiate himself with this revelation.

Miss Chigwidgeon was obviously not pleased with the news. I must say that it was rather pleasant to see that expression directed at someone else. Before he could wither under her glare, Miss Sinclair propelled him out of the room with her own formidable countenance and shut the door forcefully.

Dawkins was smiling in a most unsavory manner, but his smile faded when he noticed me watching him, and he lost no time in making a hasty exit. He glanced back several times, so I made a point of watching him until he had disappeared below decks. I would have thought the scorn of the two ladies enough to reduce him to a quivering jelly. Perhaps he hasn't enough sense to recognize subtle danger when he sees it.

Before turning in, Sir Cosmo went down to the engine room to see his machines and to formerly meet the engineers. There we met Mr. Nottle, the chief engineer, who seemed very pleased to have Sir Cosmo along for the "shake down," I believe he called it. Edward was very excited to see the engines. Miss Chigwidgeon seemed equally impressed.

The ship pulled away from dock while everyone was still settling in. At this end of the ship the vibration of the engine is a quite soothing hum.

Monday, 9 May, 1870

The day crew began to rouse at 5:00 am. Mr. Caine informed me that the enlisted men receive their breakfast at 7:00, and batmen are expected to rouse their officers at 7:30 for the 8:00 officers breakfast.

Most of our household was up an about by 7:00. Miss Sinclair was not happy to learn that Edward had slept inside his boat, up on the main deck.

As we escorted the ladies to breakfast, we met another of the Griffin's compliment of officers. Lt. Locksley met each of the women at the door, full of charm and self-importance. Upon seeing him I immediately thought of a golden peacock. Later, when the officers were formally introduced to our household, his full name was given as "Lieutenant Lord Richard Locksley," and he is in charge of the "small arms men." If I remember Mr. Graves' lesson correctly, the "Lord Richard" title indicates that he it a younger son of an Earl or Duke or one of the other higher peerages.

Inside we found Captain Rodgers and Lt. Cooper. Cooper saw to introductions. Lt. Pellew, a tall, barrel-chested man, is in charge of Navigation and Cartography. Lt. Feathergill, a slim, auburn-haired man, had been in charge of Gunnery, though he will now share those duties with Lt. Wooster. Lt. Nottle, the Chief Engineer, we had met the evening before. He had apparently been up all evening overseeing the engines, and didn't speak much. Lt. Spode is a moon-faced, burly man with a face like a thundercloud. He was introduced as "Lieutenant Lord Cornelius Spode," indicating another younger son of a noble. Lt. Spode is the Second Navigator.

While the party breakfasted, I stood nearby with the batmen, ready to be of service if needed. It was quickly apparent that Mr. Brinkley, a snarling, and squinting man of middle age, was Lt. Spode's batman, and that he dislikes Mr. Caine at least as much as his master dislikes Lt. Wooster. Mr. Wren is a much more pleasant gentleman, and reminded me, in fact, of Mr. Caine in many ways. It should have come as no surprise that he was Lt. Locksley's man. Mr. Hargood seems a likeable enough person, though he didn't speak much. He is Lt. Pellew's man.

It was amazing how many of the crew had served with Wooster in the past. It seems that Captain Rodgers was some sort of apprentice sailor, a mere boy, on the first ship with Wooster served upon. The head cook was once a gunnery officer who served with Wooster some dozen years ago. He suffered serious injuries in battle some time since (missing two fingers from his right hand, the hearing in his right ear, and suffers from a slight limp). Lt. Spode and Mr. Brinkley served with him on the Quell until very recently. And Lt. Locksley served with him a few years ago in Egypt.

While the ladies were selecting their food, the head cook, Yeardsley, heard Miss Sinclair make some comments about her digestion. He came out to inquire into her dietary needs, and soon came back to the table with a bowl of sliced apples and plain bread. Miss Sinclair was pleased.

Dr. Shinnaig, on the other hand, had to flee the room several times as he was suffering from seasickness. I believe he may have managed to each a whole piece of toast before the day was done.

After breakfast I took the ladies through their daily lesson. They are making excellent progress. The sailors took an unseemly interest in the affair, and had to be shooed away by Lt. Cooper. Once the lesson was done, the lieutenant offered to give a few members of the household a tour of the ship. Miss Sinclair took him up on the offer. Lt. Locksley immediately made the same off to Miss Chigwidgeon. Miss Sinclair and Sir Cosmo both appeared uncomfortable with the idea, until Miss Chigwidgeon asked me to accompany them.

I was wrong in my earlier assessment of Lt. Locksley. Peacocks are immeasurably more intelligent and modest than he. In all fairness, he did show us many interesting parts of the ship, though he often couldn't remember the name or purpose of the objects. We saw Lt. Wooster and some of the gunners in the forward turret, where Wooster was learning the mechanism and drilling with the gun crew. We were taken to the chartroom, the steering house, the armoury and the engine room.

Miss Sinclair was in the chartroom when we were taken through. She and Lt. Pellew were engaged in a lively conversation about the geography of our destination.

Sir Cosmo and Dr. Wilson passed much of the day on the deck either helping Edward with his project, or going over Dr. Wilson's engineering drawings.

After lunch Miss Chigwidgeon joined them, helping Edward.

The sailors had bayonet, rifle, and cutlass drills in the afternoon. I must admit that Lt. Locksley appears to be a master at such things, though he seemed a bit disappointed that he was never able to catch Miss Chigwidgeon's attention as he led the men through the drills.

Throughout the day I overheard some talk of some problem. Something was missing from the captain's quarters, I was given to understand, though what was never said.

Supper was even saltier and greasier than breakfast or lunch. I understand that we are at sea, and salt meat will be part of every meal, but have they never heard of rice?

After sundown Miss Chigwidgeon slipped out of her cabin and stolled toward the stairs to the upper deck. I followed, though at a discrete distance, so as not to disturb her. She seemed intent on a simple walk around the deck, to enjoy the night air, perhaps.

As she neared the wheelhouse I discerned a man sulking in the shadows. He appeared to be staring intently at the door which led to both the chartroom and the officer's mess. Concerned that something nefarious might be afoot, I caught up to Miss Chigwidgeon and pulled her back into the shadows.

I had but to point at the man and she saw him. We watched for some minutes. Finally, the man slipped away, taking care to remain in the shadows until he was aft of the wheel house. Then he hurried toward one of the hatches.

By the moonlight I could see that it was Yeardsley. Even if the light had not been bright enough to recognize his maimed hand, his limp and the way he cocks his good ear forward would have been unmistakable.

Miss Chigwidgeon wanted to follow him. I pointed out that the ladder he had descended led to the crew sleeping quarters. She agreed that was no place for her to be. Puzzled by Yeardsley's odd behavior, Miss Chigwidgeon decided we must go inform Sir Cosmo immediately.

Upon reaching Sir Cosmo's cabin, we discovered Lt. Wooster and Mr. Caine already there before us. It seems that someone has placed an expensive clock, which was stolen from Captain Rodgers' quarters, inside the wardrobe in Wooster's cabin.

It seems someone is trying to get the lieutenant court-martialled. Sir Cosmo was able to calm Wooster down and convinced him to take the information right to the captain, while Sir Cosmo and examined Wooster's room for clues.

Looking like a condemned man walking to the gallows, Lt. Wooster left, accompanied by Caine.

Miss Chigwidgeon related what we had seen. Sir Cosmo was equally puzzled by the cook's behavior. He suggested we keep an eye on the cook for the remainder of the journey.

We gathered Miss Sinclair and Owen, and thoroughly searched the room. After sniffing around, Owen said that six people had recently been in the room: Mapman, Organizer #4, Organizer #2, Kitchen Person, A Boy Named Jimmy, and Laundry Man.

The cabin had been the quarters of Lt. Pellew prior to our arrival. We tentatively identified Mapman as Lt. Pellew, the cartographer, and one of the Organizer's as his batman, whose scents could be in the room quite innocently. Similarly with a cabin boy or someone from the ship's laundry. Miss Sinclair was certain she had detected an unusual oil or grease scent on the wood of the clock itself, which she thought might lead us to the culprit.

Miss Chigwidgeon and Miss Sinclair returned to their room. Sir Cosmo waited until Lt. Wooster returned. The captain believed the lieutenant, and felt that the clock had obviously been placed that as some kind of plot to discredit Wooster or to distract the officers from something more important. The captain suggested we all act as if we knew nothing. In the morning he and Sir Cosmo would discuss the possible ways of laying a trap for the culprit.

Sir Cosmo returned to his room, and I took up my post in the corridor. One of the cabin boys was asleep under the stairs. I had thought that he should have a hammock in the crew quarters, but perhaps he preferred this location.

I was surprised some minutes later when Miss Sinclair came down the stairs from the deck. She was being escorted by Mr. Brinkley. And she was leading Edward by the hand. Apparently she had gone to the wheelhouse to take some paper to Lt. Spode, who is the officer on duty during the night shift. On the trip back, escorted by Mr. Brinkley, she noticed Edward will working on his boat. So she had taken him in hand to put him into his proper bed.

Brinkley noticed the cabin boy, and hauled him out of his resting place by his ear, roundly chastising him for being where he shouldn't be. For a moment I thought Miss Sinclair was going to box Brinkley's ears.

The boy apologized and went on his way. Shortly thereafter, the surly Brinkley did as well.

Edward went into our cabin, but I could hear him scribbling and erasing all night long.

Tuesday, 10 May, 1870

Today was both more disturbing and more entertaining than yesterday. At breakfast Lt. Spode spoke rather enthusiastically to Miss Sinclair about some paper her cousin has composed concerning moths. Lt. Wooster was glaring at everyone with a suspicious gleam in his eye.

After breakfast I gave the ladies their usual lesson. We once more had an audience. Afterwards, Miss Sinclair and Owen went searching the ship, trying to locate the people Owen had smelled in the cabin, and the grease which Miss Sinclair had detected on the clock. Sir Cosmo, Dr. Wilson, and Edward worked on the underwater boat. Miss Chigwidgeon drifted between helping them, and trying to sneak peeks into the kitchen to see if Yeardsley were "up to something."

Just before lunch, Lt. Spode (who normally sleeps through the midday meal), was seen coming out of the wheelhouse with Lt. Cooper quite earnestly. I overheard something about something being stolen. Later in the day I learned the Miss Sinclair had overheard part of the conversation as well. Someone had broken into Spode's cabin and stolen a silver brush, mirror, and toothbrush. He was quite disturbed.

After lunch, the ladies returned to their cabins. I took up my post at the end of the corridor. Sir Cosmo came down the stairs and entered his cabin shortly thereafter. Miss Chigwidgeon came out of her cabin, quite upset, and asked me where Sir Cosmo was. I directed her to his cabin.

Apparently the silver toiletries which were stolen from Lt. Spode's quarters last night were waiting for Miss Chigwidgeon on her bed, tied with a ragged ribbon. Neither of them thought this is the work of the same person who stole the clock, and I agree. I suspect Miss Chigwidgeon has a secret admirer among the crew.

While they were discussing the best course of action, Miss Sinclair came to the cabin with the results of her search. She believe the grease smell she detected on the clock is the same grease used on the gear works of the gun turrets. Owen could not identify the Laundry Man, because all of them smell so strongly of the soaps they use. Miss Sinclair did learn that, although the cabin boys usually carry laundry bags from the officer's quarters, any of the sailors might be seen carrying a bag of soiled clothing toward the laundry. She believes that the clock could have, therefore, been hidden inside such a bag (the clothes muffling the ticking) when it was transported from the captain's cabin to Wooster's quarters.

While we were there Sir Cosmo shared with us his conversation with the captain. Captain Rodgers fears that there may be, among the crew, someone who is in the pay of the French government or some other rival of Britain. Neither of them believes that such an agent could have been instructed by these employers regarding our current mission, since the information came to light so recently.

Rather, Sir Cosmo said, since the Griffin is potentially significantly superior to the warships of any other nation, the person may have a more general mission to disrupt the ship's first voyage. The pilfered clock, then, would be a distraction, while the agent proceeds with his more nefarious plan.

We will have to be more vigilant.

Just before supper, Dr. Wilson quietly informed the party that Lt. Locksley had confided that some jewelry, which he keeps in his cabin in case he should need to give a gift to a beautiful woman, has been stolen.

During supper, Lt. Locksley took a seat next to Miss Chigwidgeon apparently attempting to woo her. I'm not sure what she said to him, but he was soon staring at Dr. Wilson with a quite suspicious gleam in his eye.

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