Manuscripts
Charles Steward journal of the East India Company ship Duchess of Athol
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Life on the Ocean Wave: Reminiscences of My Voyages Around the World [typescript]
Manuscripts
The volume is Charlotte A. Babcock's reminiscences of her five years at sea (1851-1856) with her husband Captain David S. Babcock aboard the ships Swordfish and Young America. She gives detailed descriptions of San Francisco, Hawaii, Canton (Guangzhou), China, Hong Kong, Bombay, Manila, and Singapore. She also discusses the people she met, parties she attended, and the activities of the sailors and passengers on board her husband's ships. Also included is a sketch of the ship Young America by Charlotte A. Babcock
mssHM 63954
John T. Hudson logbook, 1807-1808
Manuscripts
This logbook, kept by John T. Hudson, includes accounts of journeys from the Sandwich [Hawaiian] Islands to Canton and Canton to Boston. The log is in two main sections. The first section comprises 9 pages and is headed: "Remarks on board ship Mercury. Wm. H. Davis, from Sandwich Islands towards Canton." The first entry is dated 15th October, 1806 [actually 1807]. It concludes November 29, 1807. Davis was the father of William Heath Davis, Jr. an early Californian and important San Diego pioneer. Entries mention the Hawaiian royal family, cargo including bananas and taro, and ports along the way. He mentions taking leave of his ship Tamana. The second section comprises 42 pages and is headed, "Ship O'Cain from Canton to Boston." The first entry is February 14, 1808 and concludes on June 15, 1808. His notes include lists and prices of skins purchased, lists of items such as sewing silks, India cotton, china and glassware, lace, liquors, tobacco, paper & ink, powder & shot, knives, axes, etc. Several shorter sections occur towards the end of the volume, including one headed: "The purchase of sea otter skins at San Blas." Much of the volume is blank. The very last pages of entries include only a few lines: "Don Luis Munoz de Gusman. Captain General of Chile." "Don Manuel Rodriguez, Comd. of the Port of St. Diego." and a list of several names including: Capt. James Rowen, William H. Davis, Samuel C. Blodget, Clifford, and Boyd. Several loose pages of writing containing notes and navigational calculations are laid in volume.
mssHM 83408
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Eli P. Halsey logbook
Manuscripts
Halsey kept this log on two voyages from New York to Canton, China, in 1815 on board the Seneca, and 1817 on board the John and William. The logbook contains information such as courses, positions, locations, weather conditions, and other commentary including sailing maneuvers, on board activities, the end of the War of 1812, the history of Indonesia, Chinese people, Chinese customs, and cargo information. In one entry, Halsey recorded the delivery of 18 boxes of opium to China, 1815 July 11.
mssHM 84021
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Charles Plummer journal
Manuscripts
This journal is an account by Charles Plummer documenting his travels and gold mining experiences California, which took place in 1850-1851. The majority of the volume concerns the trip, which lasted from 1850, May 2 to 1851, October 1. While Plummer was digging outside Stockton, there were several instances of theft and murder in the town and the surrounding mining claims. He describes digging for gold as "very poor business." Bound leather volume. Journal entries begin in 1842; most of the early entries are financial notes, such as bills paid.
mssHM 2017
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Charles Hoyt Thorpe journal
Manuscripts
Charles Hoyt Thorpe's journal, autobiography, and genealogy, kept from 1913 until 1938 and intended to be a family record for his daughters. Includes detailed accounts of his family history, including ancestors on his father's side back to William Thorpe, a settler in New Haven, Connecticut in the 1630s, and on his mother's side to Massachusetts in the 1640s. Continues with a biographical account of his parents and an autobiographical account of his childhood and young adulthood, including his courtship of Mary Moore (with references to their attendance of the Tournament of Roses in 1907) and his experience of the San Francisco Earthquake. The majority of the volume consists of journal entries from throughout the Thorpes' married life, including a flood that destroyed their orchard in 1914, trips to Oregon and Michigan, and their move to Malibu. Also included are references to World War I (of which Thorpe writes "While I have not offered my services, I have purchased...each series of bonds as issued"), including the death of Thorpe's brother Harvey while in transport to Europe in November 1918, and the influenza outbreak of 1918-1919. Included in the volume is a watercolor of the house Thorpe was born in in Iowa, a photograph of his first schoolhouse in Whittier, and a photograph of his and Mary's "trysting place" in a woodland clearing. Also included is a pamphlet from Los Angeles High School's 1896 graduation ceremony.
mssHM 74524
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Logbook of whaling ship from New Bedford to the South Pacific
Manuscripts
Logbook kept by an unidentified person onboard the whaling ship Three Brothers of New Bedford, Massachusetts, captained by James M. Witherell (listed as James L. Witherell in logbook). The generally brief entries date from October 12, 1869 to August 18, 1873 and mention the ship's position, weather, prevailing winds, ships sighted, whales encountered, and some shipboard activity. A few entries mention anchoring and shoreleave but most do not give the location. Some entries appear to be in different hands, with one dated June 18, 1873 including a note regarding an officer's conduct signed by captain J.M. Witherell. Volume is bound and covered in cloth; the inside front cover has an advertising insert for C.R. Sherman & Co. Navigation Store, New Bedford.
mssHM 263