SHIP'S LOG FOR THE PADDLE SLOOP H.M.S. VESUVIUS, 1841-44

under the command of Commodore Erasmus Ommanney, folio, written in two hands, 1841-1844, the log concerns itself mainly with ordinary tasks (washing clothes, caulking, coaling, painting masts, washing decks, etc.) with a disproportionate amount of punishments (30 lashes for disobedience, 30 lashes for insolence, 36 lashes for being drunk on duty, 42 and 48 lashes for disobedience, 30 lashes for being below when the hands were on deck, 36 lashes for leaving the ship without leave, etc.) contemporary half roan (rubbed) -- 13 x 8in. (33 x 20.5cm.)

The Vesuvius was based in Malta and undertook voyages to Beirut (several visits), Jaffa, Acre, Crete, Barcelona (several visits), Tunis, Tripoli, Alexandria, Constantinople and other Mediterranean ports. Erasmus Ommanney (1814-1904), one of four Ommanneys to serve in the Royal Navy in the 19th century. Entered the service in 1826, serving with the allied forces at the battle of Navarino in 1827 and after a varied career was promoted rear admiral in 1864, retiring from the Royal Navy as admiral. He was knighted in 1887.