24 July. The ship seems to be cursed. Already we are missing a sailor. Now we are entering the Bay of Biscay and the weather ahead will be bad. Last night another man was lost, disappeared. Like the first man who vanished, he finished his watch and was not seen again. The men are all very frightened. They sent a message, asking to have two men on watch as they don't want to be alone. The mate is angry. I worry that there will be some trouble, and either he or the men will hurt someone.

28 July. Four days in hell, trying to get through a violent storm, with very strong winds. No sleep for anyone. The men are all worn out. I hardly know how to set a watch, since everyone is too tired to do it. The second mate offered to steer and watch, and let the men get a few hours sleep. The waves are getting less. The seas are still terrifying, but we don't feel them as much because the ship is steadier.

29 July. Another disaster. Just one man was on watch tonight, because the crew were too tired to double. But the morning watch came and found no one except the steersman. They were upset and shouted, so everyone came on deck. We looked everywhere but no one was found. I am now without a second mate, and the crew is very scared. The first mate and I agreed to carry weapons and wait for whatever is causing this to show itself.