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Series 02: Petrel Papers: a weekly magazine issued on board the ship 'Parramatta' outward bound from London to Sydney, 1882-1883, Editor John Maffey, L.R.C.P., 18821882

Transcript: 

from the top of the pole seemed to have a very good idea of what he was about from the first, we understand he has taken it twice previously. Leonard was second in this.
Three legged race 
In this Messrs Houghton & Goddard were first. Messrs Simmons & Legg second the former being 11 seconds the latter 12. Mr Spencer & Mr Seville tied the first but stood out that the others might take the prize.
Dipping for Coppers caused a great deal of fun & not a little discomfort to those engaged in it we should think. Tommy Dodd came out first having recovered 12 browns from the bottom of the tub & Legg scored with 11.
Wheel-barrow race In this Mr D’Arcy Goddard came to grief falling & severely bruising his right eye – this was the only accident of the day. Leonard & Smith were 1st Vincent & Simmonds second.
Cock-fighting Peterson 1st Simmonds 2nd 
The Tug of War took place in the Poop between the Port and Starboard watched respectively under the Command of the Chief Mate & Mr Smith, Captain Goddard acting as starter. In this the Port watch completely ran away with their opponents.
The bucket of water race in this the competition ran in heats each carrying the bucket filled to a certain height with water, the task being to spill as little as possible and get in first. The one who is loosing usually managing when he finds this is the case to deluge the other who is before him with the contents of his bucket- poor Vincent came in for a large share of this. Bennis on first, Vincent second.
Race over the Mast Head this was confined to the boys only – Vincent and Andrews started at the foot of the Main mast & Dodd and the Warspite boy at the foot of the fore-mast – the course was up the mast & down again – then up the other mast & down again – Vincent and Andrews won this very [indecipherable] coming in first & second respectively going up by the rattlings and sliding down the last back-stays.