Journal Kept Aboard the U.S. Frigate Brandywine, Jacob Jones, Esq. Commander, May 2nd 1828 - October 8th 1829. de Manuscript

Quarto, unpaginated. 300 pages followed by a dozen pages of log entries by other writers during other voyages. The final page of the Brandywine journal is an “An abstract taken from the Log between Sept 1826 and Oct. 1829.”

Although the writer is unidentified, this is a typical midshipman’s journal with daily entries including courses steered, winds, weather observations, shifting of sails, the daily noon latitude by observation and dead reckoning, longitude by chronometer and dead reckoning, barometric pressure, temperature of both the air and water, and ship-board events such as mustering of the crew, courts-martial, deaths and burials - one murder and half a dozen "routine" deaths! - and ships sighted. Port entries include details on provisioning, ship repairs, names on the sick list, and visits by dignitaries and officers from other ships. The journal begins early May, 1828, as the ship departs Panama. The writer's tone is understated, but he records dramatic moments aboard ship. They were no more than two weeks at sea when a murder took place - "At 10 P.M. Christopher Garrison (Sea) while sleeping on the birth deck was wounded (as is supposed) by a 32 lb shot on his head of which he died on the afternoon of the 19th. Henry Lancy (Sea) was confined on the morning of the 18th on suspision of having committed the crime & on the afternoon of the 19th Wm. Strong (Sea) was confined on suspision of being accessory to the deed." Then, on 29 August, "At Meridian Henry Lancy was executed by hanging at the fore yard for the murder of Christopher Garrison." This is an excellent and detailed account of naval life at sea and in port. The Brandywine visited Panama, Payta (Peru), Callao, Valparaiso, and, during the return trip to the United States, Rio de Janeiro. Bound in full calf. Text shows some foxing and damp-stains. In a handsome contemporary leather carrying case.