AN AMERICAN SHIP'S LOG FOR THE MARTHA, 1834

sailing from Canton to Boston, January-May 1834, probably written by Captain Philip Dumaresq who was active aboard during this period, 111pp commencing 'Wednesday Jan^y 15 1834 At 8am weighing anchor at Whampoa - make all sail down the [Pearl] River to a moderate Brize from the Eastward ... from which I take my departure' hoping to reach Boston by 1 May and therefore beating or equalling the previous record for the journey and containing the usual course headings, mileage and barometer readings; March 11 (54 days out) '6am Francis Haslit up in the main rigging and gave him two dozen with a piece of 6 thread rattling for insolence to the Chief Officer. 8am or after breakfast Francis Haslit refused to work, put him in irons & shall keep him chained and on bread and water until he comes to'. The following day 'At 8am Francis Haslit said he was tired of bread and water & would willingly go to work, took him out of irons'. March 15th (58 days out) 'at 5pm Samuel Miller fell from the fore top and broke his arm above the elbow & bruised himself. Bled him, set arm & took him into the cabin'. Daily bulletins to Miller's injury until March 23 (66 days out) when the bandages were removed. On March 27 (70 days out) a ship was sighted. 'Loaded all guns, get the boarding pikes in readiness ... prepared to battle ... should it turn out to be a pirate or any one that should be desired to give us trouble'. The ship reached Boston on May 7 (111 days out) losing five days of her best largely owing to gales, especially off Cape St Francis on the African coast. Contemporary half calf (slightly worn), several leaves torn away at the end; red buckram chemise and Morocco-backed buckram slip-case