One Man's Fate

                                                                     Tues March 15, 1836

                                                                     10 nm ssw of the Nantucket Shoal

We lost a shipmate, Edgar Reims of New Bedford, overboard today while reefing the fore tops'l in a freshening breeze.  There was no point in mounting a search as his head had made hard contact with the starboard rail before he entered the sea, which was very cold, and at the end of the first dog watch the sky was grey and the light was faltering.

His kit has already been distributed among his friends in the fo'c'sle.  It included a small tin whistle and a black onyx ring that he never wore when he might have to go aloft.

At the Sunday noon muster we will pray for the repose of his soul.