Manuscripts
Alec J. Wilson journal of the H.M.S. Renown
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Journal of a Balloon Ascent by J. C. Sharpe, 1st Book, Chiswick
Manuscripts
Sharpe's excited and somewhat selfconsciously literary account of the ascension begins with his early morning trip to London, a tour of the Commercial Gas Works of Stepney, a description of the growing crowds and party atmosphere, and Green's preparations for flight. He then describes the ascension itself, with his diminishing view of people, buildings, streets, the city, the Thames, the countryside, the ocean, and Europe. He records his feelings and sensations during the voyage, toasting the Queen's health in sherry, reaching an altitude of 16,000 feet, and beginning their descent. at which point this incomplete account breaks off in mid-sentence.
mssHM 76264
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Mollie J. Jones journal
Manuscripts
The journal opens on Jan. 1861, when Mollie, a vivacious and well read young woman who thoroughly enjoyed her life as a local society belle, set out to "endeavor to keep a record of passing events, and jot down thoughts as they occur." She vividly describes her friends and beaux, in particular an exciting month she spent in New Orleans in February and March of 1861, going on "shopping excursions," and attending dances, theaters, (she was smitten with a Varieties Theater production of Jeannie Deans, starring Charlotte Thompson (1843-1898) and Fanny Brown (1837- after 1870) and opera performances with Adeline Patti (1843-1919), parties, parades, and other diversions, including a visit to the studio of Alenson G. Powers (ca. 1817 - ca. 1867), the renown New Orleans portraitist. The diary follows Mollie's tortuous romance with Richard J. Hancock, 3rd Lieutenant of Co. D of the 9th Louisiana Infantry, her feelings about the war and growing anxiety in the wake of the taking of New Orleans, and devastating family news. The diary breaks off in October 1863, on the last night Mollie Jones spent in Sunny Dell. An entry, in another hand, records her death, along with deaths of friends and family members.
mssHM 62472
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Captain's log for the H.M.S. Blonde's voyage to the Sandwich Islands
Manuscripts
The volume is Byron's handwritten daily account of the H.M.S. Blonde's voyage from England to Hawaii and from Hawaii back to Valparaíso, Chile (June 10, 1824 to November 19, 1825). Byron records longitude and latitude, distance traveled, weather conditions, bearings, and barometer/thermometer readings. Along with those details, Byron records the daily activities and repairs on the ship, the punishments of sailors for various grievances, trading of supplies with other ships, and ports visited including Rio de Janeiro, Cape Horn, and Valparáiso. Byron also notes activities after the ship's arrival in Hawaii including the bodies of the Hawaiian royals taken ashore, his visits from King Kamehameha III and Queen Kaahumanu, the completion of the first monument for Captain James Cook, and the discovery of Malden Island.
mssHM 64596
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Charles Steward journal of the East India Company ship Duchess of Athol
Manuscripts
A ship's logbook written by Second Officer Charles Steward, recording the first voyage of the ship Duchess of Athol from England to Canton (Guangzhou), China. Entries run from 26 November 1821 to 24 May 1823. Contents include a crew list, passenger lists, weather reports, navigational records, and details of activities at port in India and China. With heraldic bookplate of Charles Steward. The volume is accompanied by three newspaper clippings, glued on paper, about the murder of Charles Steward, 1844 and 1845. The volume is partially blank.
mssHM 84093
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Mary J. Colson diary of a whaling voyage in South American waters
Manuscripts
Diary of Mary J. Colson, a ship captain's wife, chronicling a whaling voyage in the South Atlantic Ocean off the coasts of Argentina and Uruguay from October 1877 to December 1880. Colson provides details on the weather, food, and other ships encountered, noting numerous social visits with other ship captains and sometimes their wives. She describes frequent whaling activities, noting whales sighted, chased, and killed, and the boiling of whales aboard ship with the amount of oil extracted often mentioned. Colson's entry of January 13, 1878, details the killing of a right whale that happened near the ship. She refers to several accidents, mishaps, and deaths during the voyage, and to an outbreak of scurvy. There are a few trips onshore--to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands and to Montevideo, Uruguay--but none are described in detail. Also mentioned are reports and letters from home received from other ships, and notable events such as birthdays and holidays. The journal ends on December 18, 1880. At the end of the volume is a two-page account of whales killed and amounts of oil extracted, dating from December 9, 1877 to January 26, 1881, a note about a steamship dated April 18, 1881, and notes and calculations. The journal is written in pencil and is in a bound volume with numerous blank pages; the back inside cover has four small ink prints depicting sperm whales. Also present are two cabinet card portraits: one presumably of Mary J. Colson dated October 1, 1879 and one presumably of Herbert D. and Mary J. Colson, undated. Both photographs were taken at Chute & Brooks studio, Montevideo, Uruguay. In addition, there is a souvenir album of illustrated scenes of Montevideo titled "Album de Montevideo publicado por la Libreria Alemana Buenos Aires" (9 x 13 cm) with captions in English, Spanish, French, and German. An annotated transcript of the diary is available (mssHM 26611 (FAC)), which was created by Joan Druett, author of Petticoat Whalers: Whaling Wives at Sea, 1820-1920 (2001), in 1991.
mssHM 26611