Massachusetts 1844 Whaling Ship Log for the Brig Emeline, Voyage to Trinidad

Log book in original marbled paper soft wraps, with a fabric spine. 8.5" x 13". Single pocket stitched binding. Small tear along spine bottom, with slight rubbing to the paper wraps. Log dates commence "Sunday July 7th, 1844". With the title along the top edge "Brig Emeline of crew Bedford from Eastport towards the Island of Trinidad". 26 leaves, unpaginated. About half the book is filled in, the balance is empty, with the final recorded date of "August 12th"

A fantastic ship log with daily entries of the weather, winds, seas and ship location. Details include the Courses, Distance, Latitude, Ocean Depth, and handwritten notes. The first entry was the cast off "Commencing with fresh breezes from the North. At 6 AM, weighted Anchor and proceeded to sea. At 12 …Machias Light House 8 miles dist. Other part fresh breezes from the West. All sail set to the breeze. " The Machias light house is located on Machias Seal Island located approximately 12 miles from the nearest points in the US. Two wooden towers and a keepers dwelling were built on the Island in 1832. As Machias Seal Island was located in the center of a shipping channel and was frequently shrouded in fog in the summer season, the keeper was supplied a four pound signal gun and a supply of powder in 1841 to serve as a fog signal, though the installation of a large alarm bell was recommended. A pattern of firing the gun every two hours during low visibility was later established. In 1843, a supply of provisions was stored on the island and an 800-gallon tank was erected to store rainwater for the use of “shipwrecked Seamen and Emigrants.”

On July 13th, 1844 another entry of interest notes "Comes in with heavy gales from the W.S.W. and very rough sea, vessel laboring badly and lacking one…. Latter past more moderate but rough sea & squally appearances, I allow one knott Eastly current."

The final recorded entry is dated August 12th around the vicinity of Port Spain, the capitol city of the Republic of Trinidad noted just a few days prior. So although we can rest assured the voyage reached the destination, there is no record of the return voyage. In an unrelated journal, "The American Seaman's Friends Society", a monthly publication, research showed that in Sept 1844, the "Brig Emeline of New Bedford, Sardy, from Curacao for this port, cargo salt, the vessel was totally lost in the new inlet of Little Egg Harbor during the gale of 27th Sept.", showing the vessel also engaged in trade. Thereby concluding that the ship did indeed complete the return voyage.

An attractive example of a Whaling ships log.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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