We started again about 4 o’clock in the morning and resumed our course. After six o’clock, the pilot vessels- brigs which cruise about the Sandheads were visible, and signals having been made that we required a pilot- at about 7 o’clock a boat was seen approaching us. The pilot or rather pilots came on board immediately after; two gentlemanly looking men, one apparently about 50 years of age the other a young man, I believe a learner. These belong to a wealthy company, the pilots being trained in the service and well paid, ranking with the officers of the vessel, that is, sitting in the saloon with them and the passengers. After taking in the pilots we proceeded on our course: the water now changing colour, and by 9 oclock had become light brown and muddy...
... As we passed along Saugur Island to our right we came in view of the mainland, a long low coast covered with jungle on our left; about 2 o’clock we were approaching Kedjeree light- house to which telegraphic signals are made of the arrival of steamers or other vessels to be immediately transmitted thence by telegraph to Calcutta. In about quarter of an hour after we raised our signal, I was informed, the guns of Fort William would be announcing our arrival to the metropolis of India.
Shortly after this we stopped to receive letters and papers from Kedjeree by a boat manned by natives which came to us for that purpose and by which letters were sent on shore. The Captain also I observed sent a couple of messages to be transmitted by electric telegraph to Calcutta. We then proceeded on our voyage, coming nearer the land but at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, finding that there was not enough of water the pilot caused the vessel to be stopped. The anchor was accordingly dropped and there we had to remain till daylight and the tide tomorrow should enable us to resume our progress. The water was now very muddy but there was nothing to be seen but a long line of flat coast covered with jungle and trees....
The full journal will soon be published by Annet House Museum, Linlithgow. Waldie's journey to India forms a key feature of the museum's Waldie exhibition.
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