Accompanying the main journal is a manuscript essay on larger folio sheets written sometime after the completion of the expedition. Also in Carnes' hand, this essay is titled A Voyage through the Coral Sea, and presents a close description of the routes from the Coral Sea to China. Making reference to "the coasts of the Japanese Empire ... of the shores of the sea of Okhotsk of the Aleutian Islands, of Behring's Straits, Gaspar Straits leading from the Java to the China Sea, and many islands, reefs, & other points incidentally visited." Pages 42-60 comprise a detailed account of stops at New Ireland and the Solomon Islands. Pages 61-65 contain similar observations about natives and conditions along the Caroline archipelago. This essay recapitulates some of the material in the first journal, but with a different emphasis indicating it may have been intented for publication

Manuscript journal kept by the Acting Master of the U.S.S. Porpoise under Captain Alonzo B. Davis during the first year of the North Pacific Exploring Expedition led by Commander Cadwalader Ringgold. This manuscript was evidently composed between June 1853, when the Porpoise departed Hampton Roads, and June 1854, after her arrival at Hong Kong, and immediately following the rescue of 500 Chinese coolies from the wreck of the Hygeia off Pratas Atoll in the South China Sea. Carnes is an acerbic witness to naval life. He provides lively portraits of his colleagues in the wardroom, and criticizes his captain, the crew, as well as the commander of the expedition. He refers to Ringgold as "Cad," and documents some of the unreasonable behavior that may have led to Ringgold's replacement as head of the expedition. Carnes also includes detailed descriptions of the various ports and locations visited, including the Canton River and Macao, and well as contact with natives on the islands near New Guinea. Other notable incidents recorded herein: flogging is forbidden (p. 5). Told to surrender all journals, drawings, and notes at end of voyage. Carnes' refusal to do so described on page 22. Long description of Funchal where Carnes recuperates from an illness (p. 48). Mock illustrated shipboard newspaper plus playbill for puppet show (p. 56). A small but detailed manuscript map of Cape Town on page 56. Description of religious ceremony of Malay workers involving self mutilation (p. 87-90). Natives and islands off New Guinea (p. 108-109). Naval action against Chinese (p. 156). Chasing pirates (p. 160). Carnes resigns (p. 169-174). By the end of the journal Carnes decides naval life is not for him. He applies for a transfer to the steamer John Hancock, which is granted. This was a fortuitous move for Carnes as the Porpoise disappeared with all hands in September 1854

• 1853 June-1854 June

• Carnes, Edwin O. (Edwin Osgood), 1831-1860

2 items (175 pages; [1], 23-69 leaves) : illustrations, map ; 32 x 20 cm or smaller

text

Journal: folded letter sheets blindstampted "Laid / Patent Paris," old stitching mostly undone. Voyage through the Coral Sea: stitched folio sheets, paper blindstamped "Owen & Hurlbut / So. Lee, Mass."

Title devised by cataloger

• Cape Town (South Africa)
• Caroline Islands
• China
• Coral Sea
• Funchal (Madeira Islands)
• Hong Kong (China)
• Macau (China)
• New Ireland Island (Papua New Guinea)
• Pacific Ocean
• Solomon Islands
• United States

• Porpoise (Brig : 1836-1854)
• United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition (1853- 1856)

• Ringgold, Cadwalader, 1802-1867

• Manuscripts
• Maps
• Nineteenth century
• Sailors' writings, English
• Travel
• Voyages and travels

• text

• English

Public domain (US)

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2021-02-26