Holograph journal of the author’s naval service from 1845 to 1861, with some verses dated 1867. The volume begins with a summary of his service on the HMS Seaflower, sailing between Jersey and northern France, as well as on the steam ship Sidon. He then describes his service on the HMS Orestes, with which he sails to Mozambique, Zanzibar, and Mauritius. He mentions the weather and routine ship duties, as well as shoots gazelles and hippopotami and chases various vessels, including a number of slave ships. On November 19, 1851, they begin to chase a brig, but gives up when it hoists American colors; in January 1852, they chase and take the Maryanne, a brig from Havana equipped for the slave trade, whose crew the writer describes as all seeming to be "hardened slavers." The manuscript also contains his subsequent appointments on the HMS Excellent and HMS Terrible, and further naval service in Cornwallis, Brunswick, and Cambridge; as well as extensive records of his activities on land, in which he describes primarily routine social events, such as visits to his aunt Sarah and other friends; subscribing to the library; dancing; and flute lessons.
Subject (Geographic):
Africa --Description and travel and Great Britain --Social life and customs --19th century
Subject (Name):
Baines, Matthew Talbot, 1799-1860, Bosquet, Pierre, 1810-1870, Great Britain. Royal Navy --Diaries, Great Britain. Royal Navy --Sea life, Jones-Parry, John Parry, 1829-1920, Samwell, William, b. 1832, and Windham, Charles Ash, Sir, 1810-1870
Subject (Topic):
Elegiac poetry, English, Pen drawing, Poetry, English --19th century, Sailors --Great Britain --Diaries, Sentimentalism in literature, Slave trade --Africa, East, and Women authors
