Name/Title
Ship's Log by Captain Alexander JonesEntry/Object ID
2015.01.0023Scope and Content
Ship's log book kept by Captain Alexander Jones (b. 1809). Manuscript letterbook and ship's log kept by Jones aboard several merchant ships under his command, covering voyages principally between Baltimore and Savannah, but also with voyages to New York, Philadelphia, Florida, New Orleans, various ports in the Caribbean, South America and Europe. Includes an account of shipwrecks in the Florida Keys and Norway and details the transfer of slaves from Baltimore to New Orleans in the 1840s.
The journal begins with approximately 50 pages of navigational exercises and tables for determining position at sea, before beginning with the log of the Brig Falcon in February 1838. The log records position and weather on several voyages, between Philadelphia or Baltimore and Savannah. In January 1839, bearing a cargo of corn, oats and flour, the Falcon sets sail from Savannah for the Gulf coast of Florida. The journal entry for January 20, 1839 briefly records disaster: 'at 1am run on Florida Reef.' The loss of the Brig is described in more detail in the rear of the log, which Captain Jones used as a letterbook, transcribing over 100 letters written by him between 1839 and 1858. In a letter written from Key West on January 22, he describes running around, the irreparable damage to the ship and his attempts to recover the cargo.
By March 1839, Captain Jones has returned to Baltimore and has taken command of the Brig Eleanor, resuming his merchant service, principally between that city and Savannah, but also including voyages to Havana and other points in the Caribbean and Europe (including another shipwreck off the coast of Norway). Log entries in this period (Spring 1839 to December 1843) give the dates of sailing and arrival to various ports, and importantly detail the cargo aboard, which includes cotton and rice going north, various merchandise and goods traveling south, and tobacco and cotton heading to Europe.
Beginning in December 1843, through July 1844, Captain Jones assumes command of the Brig Victoria, and in two voyages between Baltimore and New Orleans, transports 120 slaves. A burgeoning slave market had arisen in the 1840s between Baltimore and New Orleans, as the demand for slaves in the Deep South had markedly increased with cotton production, with less of a demand in the Chesapeake region. Further voyages carrying slaves between Baltimore and New Orleans aboard the Brig Mary in December 1848 and March 1850 are detailed. The log concludes with numerous voyages, aboard several different ships to a variety of ports in the Caribbean, South America and Europe through December 1858.Collection
Archive CollectionLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Log, Ship'sNomenclature Primary Object Term
LogNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsArchive Details
Date(s) of Creation
1838 - 1858Primary Language
EnglishArchive Items Details
Date(s) of Creation
1838 - 1858Dimensions
Height
11-1/2 inWidth
8 inDepth
1 inCondition
Reason for Exam
InventoryOverall Condition
GoodReason for Exam
At AcquisitionOverall Condition
Good
