THURSDAY - OCT. 28, 1948 SAILED FROM BRISBANE AT 4:30 P.M. ON THE TIDE. DON VERNON, CECILY SANDERCOCK, MARY ENGLAND DOWN TO SEE ME OFF WROTE CARDS + LETTERS IN A.M. DON LUNCHEDED WITH ME. TO BARKER'S FOR BOOKS IN P.M. MR. BARKER GAVE ME C.B.'S BOOK ON "CAVES, WATERFALLS". WENT TO M.R.C. TO SAY GOODBYE TO MR. ENGLAND. FRIDAY - OCT. 29, 1948 LAT. 27°-33'S LONG. 157°-24'E STEAMING TIME 13 HR 47 MIN AV. SPEED 15.58 KT COURSE 098° DIST. FROM BRISBANE 215 MI. DIST. 215.MI. MOD, N.E. SWELL WIND 5 MPH OUR FIRST FULL DAY AT SEA. UP AT 6 A.M. 3 VULTURE-LIKE BIRDS BEFORE NOON. FEW FLYING FISH 1ST MATE INTERESTED IN BIRDS. SHOWED HIM ALEXANDER. FOOD PHAIN BUT GOOD READ: FLYING FOX + DRIFTING SAND - RATHWEE BLINKY BILL - WALL TALES OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC - MICHENER