ORIGINAL 1871 MANUSCRIPT SHIPS LOG BOOK USS NAVY SHIP Logbook of USS Narragansett to San Fransico & Hawaii Start Price USD 9.00 Current Price USD 565.00 Time Left - Bid Count 21 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, August 23, 2008 End Time Tuesday, September 02, 2008 Location Brewster, Massachusetts See more about 'ORIGINAL 1871 MANUSCRIPT SHIPS LOG BOOK USS NAVY SHIP' Description Fascinating, very rare and Historically Important, original, 1871 Manuscript Logbook / Journal from the Cruise of the United States Navy Ship the "USS Narragansett" from New York to Valparaiso, Chile to San Francisco and outward to the South Pacific and eventually to Canton, China on a voyage undertaken at the request of various business interests in San Francisco who wished to see the United States Government enter into agreements with the Rulers of various Pacific Islands in order to develop secure and permanent ports that could be used to refuel and re-provision commercial ships sailing from California and Australia. This fantastic, original manuscript Ship's Log / Journal was written by Ensign George A. Calhoun who had graduated from the US Naval Academy on June 7th, 1870 and was serving aboard the "USS Narragansett" as his first assignment. This Log / Journal covers the portion of the Cruise from Valparaiso, Chile to San Francisco, 2 months in the Navy Yard at San Francisco and from San Francisco to within sight of the Volcano at Maui, Hawaii. This wonderful Journal is bound in 1/2 leather and cloth boards. It measures approx. 9" x 11 1/4" and contains approx. 300 pages. Nearly every page is completely filled with manuscript journal type entries or positional tables. This Log Book covers the period from June 24th, 1871 to December 22, 1871 taking the Ship from Valparaiso, Chile to within sight of Maui, Hawaii.     On March 19th, 1871 the United States Steamer Sloop of War Narragansett set sail from New York on a record setting Cruise that took her first to Valparaiso, Chile then to San Francisco (arriving on September 21) and from there on to the South Pacific Islands and Australia. She passed 418 days at sea, and sailed close to 60,000 miles, being always under canvas except when entering or leaving harbors. During this time she beat every United States Warship which attempted to contend with her in sail drill. Her Commander, Richard W. Meade, was considered one of the “tautest hands” and the steam corvette “Narragansett” one of the smartest ships in the United States Navy. During a commission which lasted from March 1871 to January 1873 the "Narragansett" made a record for sea duty which stood for many years. The Journal covers the period from June 24th, 1871 to December 22, 1871 taking the Ship from a point at sea five days out of Valparaiso, Chile to within sight of Maui, Hawaii. The first blank leaf of the Journal has a manuscript title that reads "Journal / George A. Calhoun / Midshipman, U.S.N. / US Steamer Narragansett (4th Rate) / June 24, 1871”. The Daily entries begin with reports for 5 days at Sea (before arriving at Valparaiso) in which we can begin to recognize what will become Calhoun’s “formula” for daily entries. He begins by reporting the weather followed by the various tasks and drills performed by the crew during the course of the day. He reports the raising and lowering of sails, drills, calls, musters, repairs, etc. This is followed by prose reports of individual events of the day, visitors, orders, courts martial, discipline, etc. We do know that Commander Meade was a stickler for precision and speed in all areas of the management of his ship. His crew consistently beat every other Navy crew in competitions known as “sail drills” and “royals” - not only did they win but they trounced even the best competition of the period. Many of the daily entries include training drills ordered by Commander Meade in his effort to hone the crew's skills. The Ship spends only 3 days at Valparaiso during which time it is visited by various Chilean and Foreign Navy Officers and Foreign Consuls. Throughout the Log the writings of Ensign Calhoun, in his daily Log entries, paint for us a detailed and highly informative picture of life aboard a US Navy Vessel n the years shortly after the Civil War. Besides the normal Ship's Log fare this particular Steamer seems to have a very active on board life with constant drills and frequent disciplinary action. Calhoun also describes in great detail the South American and West Coast ports where the Narragansett stops. We have not read this entire Log as it is a massive work but what we have read and skimmed tell us that it is simply chock full of information and anecdotes. Especially interesting are the daily entries made during the Ship's two months in the Navy Yard at San Francisco. During this time Calhoun not only reports of the work being done to the Ship and the preparations being made for the extended voyage at sea but he also reports on the many comings and goings of the many visitors to the Narragansett, the reporting for duty of new members of the crew, the comings and going of the crew members on liberty, etc.     We have read very few of the Daily entries written by Ensign Calhoun and are quite sure that the next owner will find a wealth of information on "USS Narragansett" and all US Navy Ships as they existed in the early 1870’s as well as reports of many other “happenings” during this historic Cruise. Besides the Daily Entries, there is a single, beautiful, full page drawing made by Midshipman Calhoun of San Lorenzo and the Fronton Islands in Peru.     The Log is written entirely in the hand of Ensign George A Calhoun with the only additions being periodic notations made by Commander Meade stating that he has inspected the entries and that the entries are correct and approved (Meade signs each of these notations in his own hand). We believe that the entire Cruise was spread over 4 Log Books all written by Calhoun (we obtained 2 of the 4 Logbooks almost 1 year ago and sold the other we owned some months ago on eBay).     This fascinating and historically important, 19th century manuscript Navy Ship’s Log / Journal is bound in 1/2 leather and green cloth covers which are tight, intact and attractive with some wear - especially at the spine. The interior pages are in excellent condition - complete and tight and very clean throughout. The manuscript hand writing is generally crisp, very neat and easily readable. The Log is VERY well preserved and highly detailed. This wonderful, original 1871, Hand Written, Ship’s Log / Journal of the Historic Voyage of the USS Narragansett is sold here, as always, without reserve and with the confidence that it will attract the serious attention that it deserves!!! Please note: This is an original, hand written Logbook / Journal - it is not a reprint, reproduction, printed book or later manuscript but the original Log that was kept by Ensign George A. Calhoun on the Voyage of the USS Narragansett in the years 1871!! Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at bidders request. Massachusetts residents must add 5% sales tax. Insurance is required on all items selling for $100 or more and optional on items selling for under $100 (but highly recommended) and not available on International Shipping. 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