![[SHIP LOG] Log book of the Ship Factor for 1806-1807](/sites/default/files/styles/auction_slider/public/images/lots/2014-04-09/991481.jpg?itok=FXeZE9It)
Lot Details
Lot 19
[SHIP LOG] Log book of the Ship Factor for 1806-1807. Original oversize lettered hessian, the upper cover with the notation...
. Original oversize lettered hessian, the upper cover with the notation "Ship Factor's Log Book. AD 1806", the contents with the original stab-stitching to the hessian spine. 11 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches (30 x 25 cm); approximately 100 ff. of fine laid paper, the recto of the first leaf notated "Ship Factor bound toward Beverly towards Rotterdam. Elisha Whitney Commander. Sailed June 24th AD 1806 ... May God grant a safe and speedy passage." This log covers 47 ff., including the log title. A second voyage is included, starting at leaf 48 "Ship Factor Commanded by Elisha Whitney from Boston bound for Amsterdam & Petersburgh." This extends for 33 ff. The balance of the book is blank. Slight toning, generally in a remarkably good state of preservation.
These are the log books for two voyages of this vessel, covering the round trip. The first voyage from Quincy to Rotterdam continued on to Alicante, and then returned to New York. The second voyage also returned to New York. Written in a fine, legible hand, these two logs record not only the progress of the vessel, latitude and longitude, and the weather, but include encounters with other vessels, the configuration of sails used, two drawings of islands, notes of food issued, etc. In the Registers of the District of Salem and Beverly, Massachusetts, 1789-1900 the Factor is noted as a brig of 253 tons, owned by Thomas Stephens and Abraham Kilham of Beverly. The vessel was built at Haverhill in 1806, and registered on June 21, so these were its maiden voyages. Episodes noted include being boarded by armed men from a Spanish privateer on September 28th, 1806 while working through the Straits of Gibraltar. In this instance, all ended well, when an English brig to windward bore down to aid them. There is also an account of striking a shoal on January 7, 1807, a serious mishap. American ship logs from this period are uncommon, and with its fine hand-lettered binding, this is an excellent and appealing example, worthy of research.
C
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