Manuscript logs kept by American merchant marine and privateer Lewis Smith during the War of 1812. These logs were written by Smith on board several American ships involved in the West Indies and transatlantic merchant trades, and as privateers during the War of 1812. The first voyage, aboard the "Alligator" began on March 22, 1811, and was from New York to Teneriffe and back. The second, aboard the "Magnet" was from New York to Lisbon, returning in January 1812. From October 7 through December 19, 1812 Smith was aboard the private armed schooner "General Armstrong" commanded by John Barnard. The second volume commences aboard the privateer "Governor Tompkins," armed with ten pounders, of which Smith was master, and lasts from February to June 1813. The "Governor Tompkins" saw much action, for example on March 23rd she chased a sail to discover a British warship. A few days later she captured a British collier bound for St. Croix. On April 4th she captured the British packet "Mary Ann" off Cape St. Vincent. In one exciting adventure Smith and his men got into a tussle with the "Man of War Brig" HMS Surinam on May 21st, off the coast of Surinam. It was a prolonged and hectic action during which "George Locker was killed all the men stationed at Long Tom deserted their quarters and could not be prevailed upon by Mr. Bedford [1st mate] to return."

• 1811-1813

• Smith, Lewis, 1784-1847?

• Burtus, Samuel A., 1776 or 1777-1817

• Southwick & Pelsue

2 volumes (approximately 150 unnumbered pages) ; 33 cm

text

Binding: First volume bound in printed wrappers; second volume bound in self wrappers, stitched

Laid in with first volume is a separate 3pp. manuscript "Articles of Agreement" between Captain Smith and his men for the cruise of the "Governor Tompkins."

The first volume comprises a partially printed blank volume intended for onboard ship use, with printed title: The Seaman's journal; being an easy and correct method of keeping the daily reckoning of a ship, during the course of her voyage. Printed by Southwick & Pelsue and sold by S.A. Burtus of New York. Fine woodcut title vignette of a three-masted ship flying the U.S. flag

• United States
• West Indies

• Alligator (Ship : 1803-1812)
• General Armstrong (Ship)
• Governor Tompkins (Ship)
• Magnet (Ship)

• Smith, Lewis, 1784-1847?

• History
• Logbooks
• Manuscripts
• Merchant mariners
• Merchant Ships
• Military operations, Naval--American
• Naval history
• Nineteenth century
• Privateering
• Prizes (Property captured at sea)
• Voyages and travels
• War of 1812 (United States : 1812-1815)

• mixed material
• text

• English

Mms: 991000074679706535

New York :, S.A. Burtus

New York :, Southwick & Pelsue, printers

Public domain (US)

Use: This work is available from the UC San Diego Library. This digital copy of the work is intended to support research, teaching, and private study.

Constraint(s) on Use: This work may be used without prior permission.

Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego, La Jolla, 92093-0175 (https://lib.ucsd.edu/sca)

2024-07-20