Manuscripts
John T. Hudson logbook, 1807-1808
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Journal and logbook of John T. Hudson
Manuscripts
The logbook and journal covers two trading voyages from the Sandwich [Hawaiian] Islands to the Coast of upper and Lower California from November 13, 1805 through July 13, 1807. Excellent early journal of clandestine trading operations along the California coast, describing all transaction carried on the shore by Capt. Hudson with such details as the names of the padres, missions, ranchers, etc., with whom he traded, as well as otter skins purchased, prices paid, exchange of goods, etc.
mssHM 30491-30492
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Logbook of whaling ship Hillman of New Bedford :
Manuscripts
Typescript copy of a logbook kept by an unidentified person onboard the whaling ship Hillman of New Bedford, Massachusetts, captained by Christopher Cook. The generally brief entries from July 11, 1851 to March 17, 1854 mention the ship's position, weather, prevailing winds, ships sighted, whales encountered and results, and some shipboard activity. The Hillman travels across the Atlantic Ocean to the Azores then south to Cape Horn and to the Pacific Ocean. Destinations in the Pacific Ocean include the Galapagos Islands, Byron's Bay (presumably Byron Bay, Australia), the Sandwich Islands, the Sea of Okhotsk and the islands of Onekotan and Paramushir, and Talcahuano and Valparaiso on the coast of Chile. Entries occasionally mention supplies procured at ports and locals interacted with, but there are no detailed descriptions of shore visits. The typescript is bound; an additional unbound typescript copy is available.
mssHM 16764
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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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John Dolland letter to John Canton
Manuscripts
Letter written by John Dolland and addressed to "Sir." The letter, which regards the resistance of air, is mounted on cardstock, along with an engraved image of Dolland. On the cardstock is the text "To John Canton" written in pencil at a later date by an unidentified person.
mssHM 83070

Logbook of a whaling voyage in the South Atlantic and the Southwest Indian Ocean, 1833-1835
Manuscripts
The logbook author and ship are unidentified. Brief entries date from September 23, 1833 to February 6, 1835 and mention the ship's position, weather, prevailing winds, other ships sighted, and whales encountered with outcomes (these entries are usually marked with inked images of whales). There is little mention of land sighted or visits ashore, though the entry for February 19, 1834 notes Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope and the several pages following record the voyage from Table Bay to the Indian Ocean.
mssHM 26610
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Charles L'ainé's logbook
Manuscripts
Concerns operations in the West Indies as well as Yorktown, Va. Contains watercolor drawings of a ship, an armillary sphere, and points of the compass. The journal has sometimes been identified by a title page on the first page of the text, "Receuil Contanans les Campagnes..." Covers the period from January 1781 to August, 18, 1782. Text in French.
mssHM 551