Diary of H. M. Van Deusen Thursday, 29 January 1953 Inked in income tax blank. Dorothy called at 11 A.M. Left for N.Y.C. 11:30. Called for color pictures (for Australian friends). To Museum about 12:30 P.M. Len Brass had unpacked latest R Roberts collection--includes many study skins ! as well as flat kangaroo skins. A large native cat from the "Big Tableland" near Cooktown, Cape York is interesting. T. D. Carter and G.H.H.Tate drove down to Pier 60, foot of W. 20 St. with Dorothy, Katherine and myself. Geoff and I have cabin on starboard side, main deck, aft. Small but comfortable. People present: Katherine; Dorothy and Bill Kissam; Len and Marie Brass; Rus Peterson; Henry and Marilyn Fortner; Mrs. (mother of Henry's wife); H's wife's sister; Miriam Tate A very pleasant going-away party. Candy from Key; book from Len; trip book from Marie; candy from Don Carter. Ship supposed to sail at 5 P.M., then 8 P.M. Finally at 8:35. Colgate clock 8:53. Sky cleared and we saw moon coming out of total eclipse. The thrill of sailing never dulls. N.Y.C. and especially the statue of liberty very lovely as we dropped down the harbor. Geoff in a very mellow mood ! 12 passengers: 2 ladies; 1 English girl; 1 Scotch; 2 Australians-- Men: 1 Canadian, 1 American; 1 ?, 1?, Geoff and myself. (Friday 30 Jan 1953) Lat 27°26'N, Long 75°15'W. Dist 196 mi. Steaming time 12 hr. 40 min. Av. Sp 15.47 K. Wind N.W. 3. Sea smooth. Passed Winter Quarters lightship at about 10 A.M. Our course 215°(SW) 6 mi. off light, 25 miles off shore. Many gannets in area. 30 to 40 H. gulls following ship. At 11:15 A.M. 2 small whales on a N E course--parallel to ship (to starboard), blowing 3-4 times/minute for several (5) minutes; slow shallow roll (nothing like the arched roll of porpoises); color a brownish-black with almost a lavender tinge (not a blue tone). Roll almost completed before dorsal fin appeared. Not large. Longer than broad in ratio of about 2:1, angle of rake 35°- 40°. Shape of blow spray not well defined (no wind) but blow started before blow hole clear of water. Low and rounded. Size difficult to judge, but certainly in neighborhood of 40'. No gannets at 11:30; however, g. off and on for rest of day. Docked at Newport News, Va. at 6 P.M. Cut path of the Cape Charles--Cape Henry Ferry. Bonapartes Gulls, Kittiwakes, gannets, 10-12 large flocks of red-breasted Mergensers flying NW over Roads; Gr Black, B. gulls. Passed very narrow opening in harbor protective net. Aircraft carrier "Coral Sea" at dock. Liverpool Rover, Toulon, Rysinga Maru passed us in Roads. Beautiful sunset of dull flame orange segmented by low dark clouds. Went uptown. Sent off postcards to K, mother, Dot, and Dory. Walked as far as N.N. Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. Watched basketball game in recreation hall. The "United States" built at N.N. Ship loading special paper for shells. Much leaf tobacco in wooden drums on wharf. Supposed to sail at 1 AM but didn't.