Manuscripts
Diary of a voyage to California and accompanying maps
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Diary recording a voyage from Hong Kong to San Francisco, carrying Chinese passengers to California
Manuscripts
The unknown author begins the diary on October 22nd, 1850. The ship departs from the port of Hong Kong for San Francisco, California at 3 pm. Most of the entries are brief and primarily concern weather conditions, longitude and latitude of the ship, and daily duties. Two days after departure, the writer records fine weather. However, "The ship has leaked very much in the deck several packages much damaged with salt water...the contents had to be taken out to dry and pack in other trunks" (Monday, Oct. 24th). While on board, the author also records notes about the route of their voyage including various islands passed. Although the author rarely mentions other crew members, he does frequently write about Captain Lange and his need for sleep. "The Captain sleep all night on 10 to 12 hours and reads all day. The first officer takes it easy. The 2nd officer wants more experience" (Monday, Nov. 18th). There does appear to be some bitterness between the author and the captain, "...this outrageous management had the ship been kept free all night there would have been no necessity to reduce sail and would have made a distance of 200 miles north" (Tuesday, Dec. 3rd). The Chinese passengers are mentioned in one entry on Friday, the 18th of November. Initially, Captain Lange refused to allow the Chinese passengers to do any work. However, Captain Lange finally agreed to allow the Chinese passengers to cook, if the author promises to pay for the wood and use of the galley. He writes about the lack of sleep due to the rudder and sailors stealing oranges. The writer also logs details about sailing and maintenance of the ship. Concerning the repair of one sail, "...it was unbent and sent on deck the mate undertook to repair it with some old canvas but said he did not know where to begin as it was a worn out sail. The Captain then examined it, told the mate to repair it by covering it all over or rather stretching it so no Topgtsail of any value this passage" (Dec. 9th). The last entry was written for the 24th-29th of December. The author records the usual, "Light southerly winds and thick foggy weather on a wind to the east. No observation. 29th wind N.E. and clear weather."
mssHM 80959
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Diary of a trip to California
Manuscripts
The diary chronicles Margaret's travels from June 10 to August 27, 1911, primarily in Northern California. The first week of the journal details her trip alone by train from Niagara Falls to California, with descriptions of Niagara Falls and sites in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona including Cripple Creek, Albuquerque, and the Grand Canyon; some entries include observations of local Native Americans. The rest of the journal consists of descriptions of travels by train and car in California. Locations visited in Southern California include Los Angeles, Pasadena, Venice Beach, Pomona, and Santa Barbara. After June 23, Margaret was based in the Bay Area town of San Rafael with multiple excursions to San Francisco and around Northern California. Her entries describe people met and interacted with, travel methods, homes and architecture, local landmarks and history, flora and landscape, missions and churches, and weather. There are frequent mentions of Aunt May and Uncle Will, who met her in Pasadena and possibly lived in San Rafael; Aunt May, and occasionally Uncle Will, usually accompanied her on her excursions to San Francisco and around California. Entries regarding San Francisco mention Ethel Barrymore plays, the Cliff House restaurant, Golden Gate Park and its zoo and Japanese Tea Garden, Chinatown, and the effects of the 1906 earthquake. She briefly describes attending a women's suffrage event (an Equality Tea) on August 4 and rally on August 25 and mentions a suffrage amendment on the ballot that year in California. Sites traveled to in Northern California include St. Helena and the Chabot estate vineyards; the Guerneville area and the Russian River; Santa Rosa, including a visit to Luther Burbank and his gardens; a fruit farm in Los Gatos; and Eureka and other areas in Humboldt County. The journal also includes a draft or copy of a letter from Margaret to her mother written in San Rafael and dated August 27. The final nine pages of the diary are additional notes on travels in Humboldt County, many of which are crossed out. There are also several pages of loose notes, two envelopes, and a receipt. The journal is unbound and is handwritten in ink on loose paper.
mssHM 84033
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Accompaniment to Gibbes' New map of the gold region of California
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