Beschreibung:

Title: Manuscript journal narrating a voyage aboard the Star of Empire, plus a manuscript cargo log book kept by First Mate James A. Lord in 1855 Author: Lord, James A. Place: Publisher: Date: 1855-1856 Description: Includes: 40 pp. autograph journal on blue paper. Written in ink on loose 4 pp. signatures. Each 25.5x20.5 cm. (10x8"). * Ship Star of Empire Cargo Book by James A Lord, New York, March 15th '55. Approximately 40 pages filled out within a morocco bound lined journal. Many pages left blank. 16.5x10 cm. (6½x4"). * Cabinet card with photograph of James A. Lord 16.5x10.7 cm. (6½x4¼"). Photographer's imprint at bottom. Interesting account of a voyage aboard the ship Star of Empire, written by the First Mate, James A. Lord The journal begins where he was fired by the Captain (Captain French) before departure, but circumstances forced the Captain to re-hire him. Plus, many interesting stories within of life on the ship, and exchanges with other ships. An interesting exchange with an American ship from Boston, upon leaving Rangoon: "…they had a mutiny on board and the fore castle was full of holes where the Mate had shot at the crews…what a shocking sight…Men complaining of the wounds…and what do you think was the cause of all this…I suppose if the truth was told that it was Rum that caused the mutiny in that Ship…" Plus a long passage about an exchange with the ships Fatima and Meddomac in which a conflict ensued between the captains, a servant girl, the carpenter and Lord, even resulting in a battle. Lord also relates the dynamic between himself and a few others on the ship, particularly the Captain and two people who he says are the Captain's spies, trying to catch him asleep during his watch. Lord takes many opportunities to denounce the Captain's actions and activities. He also portrays the Captain's wife in a very negative manner. There is much description about this conflict and tension between Lord and the Captain, describing various ways the Captain and his wife tried to torment Lord. And finally, a lengthy and descriptive passage about the wreck of the ship, due to foul weather, and according to Lord, poor management and directives by the Captain. There is also reference to the cargo log book, "Capt was running me and interfering with everything I undertook to do and was not in his confidence, never speaking or passing a civil word between us, he never speaking to me only to demand My Log Book, which he never used to do before, but now it was every day and to find fault with it..." The cargo log book is included in the lot and tallies rosin, tobacco, and rice. Lot Amendments Condition: Blue leaves with scattered spots of soiling or yellowing, some with tiny tears at edges, one signature with (now yellowed) tape repairs to fore edge tears; cargo book rubbed, with some signatures starting to detach, with yellowing and finger soiling to early and late leaves; very good. Item number: 225862