Rough log and journal, 1880-1881, 1891

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Summary

Abstract:
Rough log and journal (SAFR 14303, HDC 095) contains two volumes that record voyages of the U.S.S. LACKAWANNA and U.S.S. CHARLESTON between 1880-1891. The log from the U.S.S. LACKAWANNA was kept by a man named Bostwick during a voyage from Mare Island to Chile and return. On its way home it stopped in Tahiti and Samoa. The rough log contains descriptions of the ports, weather, course, and winds. The sea journal of the U.S.S. CHARLESTON was kept by R. E. Carney during a voyage from San Francisco to Honolulu to deliver the body of King Kalakaua, who died at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. At the beginning of the journal are Latin exercises and later contains descriptions of the King's funeral.This collection has been processed to the collection level and is open for use without restriction.
Extent:
2 items
Language:
In English.
Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC0095 (SAFR 14303), Rough log and journal, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Background

Scope and content:

Rough log and journal (SAFR 14303, HDC 095) contains two volumes that record voyages of the U.S.S. LACKAWANNA and U.S.S. CHARLESTON between 1880-1891. The log from the U.S.S. LACKAWANNA was kept by a man named Bostwick during a voyage from Mare Island to Chile and return. On its way home it stopped in Tahiti and Samoa. The rough log contains descriptions of the ports, weather, course, and winds. The sea journal of the U.S.S. CHARLESTON was kept by R. E. Carney during a voyage from San Francisco to Honolulu to deliver the body of King Kalakaua, who died at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. At the beginning of the journal are Latin exercises and later contains descriptions of the King's funeral.This collection has been processed to the collection level and is open for use without restriction.

In folder 1, the journal contains a near daily record, presumably kept by a man named Bostwick, of the U.S.S. LACKAWANNA's voyage from Mare Island to Chile and return by way of Tahiti and Honolulu. The 134 pages of entries are very interesting descriptions of the ports, coastlines, and islands of the trip. Descriptions include the types and sizes of harbors, depths, notable land formations, and vegetation. Many accounts of the towns mention buildings, citizens. crops, and livestock. The log keeper also consistently records weather, course, winds, whether sail or steam was employed , and gives details of many other ships.

The entries while in Peru and Chile are descriptions of vessels and guns, bombardings, maneuverings of Peruvian and Chilean war ships, and refugees, as well as recollections of stories told to them by other ships' crews of incidents of the war. Pages 61 to 80 is taken up by "The Operations of the Chilian Army against Lima. from a published account issued at Lima, January 31, 1881." After leaving the coast of South America, the LACKAWANNA stopped in Tahiti where they took onboard the Queen of Tahiti. In Samoa the King of Samoa went aboard as a part of a peace commission to sign a treaty.

There are also 14 hand drawn charts and a blank French postcard with an image of a three-masted vessel separated from the volume into an envelope.

In folder 2, R.E. Carney kept this sea journal during the voyage of the CHARLESTON from San Francisco to Honolulu and return, January 1891. The reason for the trip was to deliver the body of King Kalakaua, who died at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco at 2:33 pm on January 20, 1891. Carney gives descriptions of the funeral, and daily naval activities including drills, watches, target practice, etc. He mentions incidents such as a cadet who fell overboard in a state of intoxication, and who, after recovering was later placed under sentry's guard.

The journal was used prior to the Honolulu trip beginning in 1886 for Latin exercises, as well as for biological descriptions of fish and plants and addresses. There is also a description of funeral for Mayor Harrison of Chicago who was assassinated on October 28, 1893.

Biographical / historical:

This finding aid does not have an agency history, biography, or historical note.

Acquisition information:

SAFR-00001

This collection was transferred from Golden Gate National Recreation Area to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

Processing information:

Note on Description: The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide.

Please cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.

Arrangement:

Arranged in two folders.

Physical location:
San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Physical description:
.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard .

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Postcards
Nautical charts
Logbooks

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Terms of access:

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC0095 (SAFR 14303), Rough log and journal, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Location of this collection:
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123, US
Contact:
415-561-7030
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