![[WHALING] – MANUSCRIPT LOG of Captain Peter G. Smith, aboard the Young Hector, New Bedford and at sea [Atlantic, Pacific, South China Sea], 6 October 1853 – 29 May 1857, 88 whale stamps, 39 whale tail drawings along with 3 anchors and 2 coffins, 508 written pages, folio (340 x 210mm). Contemporary half calf.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2016/CKS/2016_CKS_12139_0201_000(whaling_manuscript_log_of_captain_peter_g_smith_aboard_the_young_hecto102736).jpg?w=1)
Details
[WHALING] – MANUSCRIPT LOG of Captain Peter G. Smith, aboard the Young Hector, New Bedford and at sea [Atlantic, Pacific, South China Sea], 6 October 1853 – 29 May 1857, 88 whale stamps, 39 whale tail drawings along with 3 anchors and 2 coffins, 508 written pages, folio (340 x 210mm). Contemporary half calf.
AN IMPORTANT LOG RECORDING LIFE ON THE SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS. After rounding Cape Horn, the Young Hector plied the waters of the South Pacific, cruising from Samoa on to the Solomon Islands before sailing by Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia, the Moluccas, Indonesia, through the South China Sea and up to Japan. Most striking are the anecdotes recorded by Smith, her captain, from these – then little-known – isles. Off the coast of the Solomon Islands, the Young Hector is approached by members of the native tribes, who come in canoes in the hopes of trading with the whalers. The majority of the voyage is spent hunting around Papua New Guinea, where a presumably-unfortunate end comes to two crewman who decide to jump ship when anchored at Gower Harbour – they are not mentioned again in the log, whilst the two fellows who absconded with them decide to return to the safety of the ship. One of them, crewman Donahue, eventually succeeded in his flight, when the ship anchored at Guam in 1855. Unusually, there is a particularly full log of named crewmen included, with their positions on board recorded. The Young Hector was built near New Bedford in 1853 at the expense of $50,000 and weighing 411 tonnes; Smith records her first voyage here. She would later be the subject of a painting by William Bradford (1823-92), born and raised across the harbour from New Bedford, and noted for his commissions for local mariners. Starbuck 504, 550.
AN IMPORTANT LOG RECORDING LIFE ON THE SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS. After rounding Cape Horn, the Young Hector plied the waters of the South Pacific, cruising from Samoa on to the Solomon Islands before sailing by Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia, the Moluccas, Indonesia, through the South China Sea and up to Japan. Most striking are the anecdotes recorded by Smith, her captain, from these – then little-known – isles. Off the coast of the Solomon Islands, the Young Hector is approached by members of the native tribes, who come in canoes in the hopes of trading with the whalers. The majority of the voyage is spent hunting around Papua New Guinea, where a presumably-unfortunate end comes to two crewman who decide to jump ship when anchored at Gower Harbour – they are not mentioned again in the log, whilst the two fellows who absconded with them decide to return to the safety of the ship. One of them, crewman Donahue, eventually succeeded in his flight, when the ship anchored at Guam in 1855. Unusually, there is a particularly full log of named crewmen included, with their positions on board recorded. The Young Hector was built near New Bedford in 1853 at the expense of $50,000 and weighing 411 tonnes; Smith records her first voyage here. She would later be the subject of a painting by William Bradford (1823-92), born and raised across the harbour from New Bedford, and noted for his commissions for local mariners. Starbuck 504, 550.
Special notice
No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.