Sea Sick

Day 307

Captains Log, September 10, 1716

A sickness has fallen upon the crew. I am also showing signs of the illness. It first came upon us three weeks ago. Shortly after our stop in the Norwegian port of Oslo. We loaded several assorted boxes. Some of them resembling caskets. They were plain wood and unadorned. We also restocked the ships stores with those fresh fruits as were available and fresh water.

The illness begins with a slight fever and a lack of vitality. At first, the crew who were afflicted, tried to work through it, but quickly tired. The ships physician recommended bed rest but this seemed to make the sickness work faster. The crew, being an uneducated and superstitious lot, began to whisper of a curse.

A young seaman had been caught in the apple barrel when the ship stores were low and food was being rationed. His punishment was ten lashes. But the boatswain's lash was over zealous and the young lad died and was buried at sea as is customary. The crew believed the fresh stores were cursed and causing the sickness. Deeming some of the food we took on at Oslo to be spoiled, we heaved them overboard. But the sickness continued.

When four of the crew had come down with the affliction, the Doctor noticed two small wounds at the throat opposite the jugular. He recalled having read of such a symptom and began to search his medical journals for any hint. A day later, three more had the disease and two were dead with another soon to follow them to Davy Jones.

The Doctor entered my cabin and looked ashen, as though the sickness were upon him also. He filled a glass with rum and drank it down with one swallow. Then he poured another and halfway through he paused to consider something before finishing his second round. What he told me was too incredible to be recorded here.

The Doctor left my cabin in the evening and was never seen again. It is my belief he was drunk on the rum and fell overboard. It was a cloudy night and the watch reported nothing out of the ordinary. A full inquiry may be done when next we reach our home port, but as of now the Doctor shall be reported missing at sea. Another guest of Davy Jones.

Until tomorrow,

Ken