For background, read the post "Captain George Cannon: Logbook of the Iris." For an even bigger picture, read the prior 10 part series on the Voyage of the Ship Iris.
I transcribed the Ship Iris logbook from a photocopy obtained by Hunter Cannon who runs the George Q. Cannon Family website. Much later, I got actual photos of each page from Ken Crook, another descendant of Captain Cannon and fellow Captain Cannon researcher, who I believe had the photo copies taken by people at the BYU Library so that the Library would have them as part of their archives. Ken actually did a wonderful visual plotting of the navigation information in the journal to show the voyage of the Iris that I hope he will share with others, if he hasn't already. Ken also did some of the original research that showed up in my 10 part series of the Voyage of the Ship Iris. Steve Behrendt, a world renowned historian on the slave trade, also had a transcription done, and he had the benefit of familiarity with the terminology and years of studying in the field. We had discussions of publishing in an academic journal, which did not pan out, then discussion of doing a website, which did not pan out, then discussion of doing a self-published book, which did not pan out. As time has passed, those connections have faded and my interest has waned. So a big part of this push to get this on my blog is to try to preserve the research, and who knows, the interest may heat up again.
My transcription of the logbook follows.
Sathurday 9th June
[1798]:
First Part of this 24 Hours Light
Breezeis and Clear. At 8 P.M. Skerry Light House[1]
Bore S.S.E. Distd. one Lege [league][2]
& Holy Head S.S.W. Distd. about 4 Lgs. - At 10 A.M. 5 vessels in Sight
Standing to the N.E. At Meridian[3]
was Spoke By a frigate 3 Ships and 2 Cottors [cutters] in Company - Soposed [supposed] to Bee all Kings
vessells[.] Latter Part of this 24 Hours Pleasent and Clear[.] 3 Ships in
Company:---
Dist. 87 Course S.28W. Diff. Lat. 77 Dep. 44
Lat. in 52-2 Long. in 69 Diff
Long. 6-1
Sunday 10th Ju[ne
1798]:
Pleasent Breezeis and Clear undor
Stearingsails &c: -– Stett. and
took in Sail a… – Latter Part of this Day … and Heavey:--- Lattd. Per Observation
Dist. 154 Course S.26W. Diff. Lat. 138 Dep. 67
Lat. in. 49..44 Long.
in. 107 Diff. Long. 7..48
Monday [June] 11th. [1798]:
First Part of this 24 Hours Light
Breezeis and Heavey undor Stering sails &:-- At 2 A.M. Sprung up a Breeze from the
Northwd: People Employed in Sundryes Necessarys Carpindor [carpenter] Making
Shot Lockers –- Gunnor [gunner] and Crew Making wads Cooppor [cooper] Making
Deck Pails:--- Lattd. Per Observation
Dist. 106 Course S.33W. Diff. Lat. 89 Dep. 58
Lat. in 48..15 Long. in 14 Diff
Long. 89
Tuesday [June 12, 1798]:
Pleasent Breezeis and Clear
weather:-- At 11 P.M. In top Gall. Stearing sails: --- At 6 A.M. Sett Ditto. – Latter Part of this
24 Hours Steaddy Breezeis and Cloudy weather
Lattd. Per Obd. 46..36 No.
Dist. 143 Course S.44W Diff Lat. 103 Dep. 99
Lat. in. 46..36 Long.
in. 11..42 Diff. Long. 145
Wedinsday [June 13, 17]98:
Pleasent Breezeis and Cloudy
weather Maintop Maststearing sails. & M. T. Gallansail – At 3 P.M. Sett T.
G. Stearingsails &:-- At 8 A.M.
Sett Lowes Ditto. :- Lattd. Per
Observation 44..31 No.
Dist. 174 Course S.44W. Diff. Lat. 125 Dep. 121
Lat. in 44..31 Long.
in 174 Diff Long. 14..36
Thursday June 14 [1798]:
Fresh Breezeis and Cloudy W. At
11 P.M. in Main topmast. Stearing sails the Ship is in company Some Distd.
astaren:-- No Observation:---
Dist. 182 Course S.34W. Diff Lat. 151 Dep. 102
Lat. in. 42..00 Long.
in. 139 Diff. Long. 16..55
Friday [June] 15th [1]798:
Pleasent Breezeis and Cloudy
Weather:-- Undor Stearingsails &c. At 11 P.M. Saw a Brigg to the: N.Wd.
Bound to the Northward:-- Lattd.
Obsd. 39..43 No.
Dist. 143 Course S.16W. Diff. Lat. 137 Dep. 39
Lat. in. 39..43 Long.
in 17..53 Diff Long. 58
Sathurday June 16 [1798]:
Gentle Breezeis and Cloudy
weather undor S Gallan sails and Stay sails. At ½ Past 5 P.M. – Hove too for
the Martha Ships Head to the Westard
-- Lattd. Obsd. 37..14 North
Dist. 155 Course S.18W. Diff Lat. 149 Dep. 48
Lat. in. 37..14 Long.
in. 19..08 Diff. Long. 75
Sunday [June] 17th.
[1798]:
First Part Steaddy Breezeis and
Clear weather:-- Undor Stay sails royals &:-- At 5 A.M Hove too Head to the
N.W. for the Martha to Come up: --
Lattd. Obsd. 35..19 No.
Dist. 120 Course S.18W. Diff. Lat. 115 Dep. 37
Lat. in 35..19 Long.
in 19..54 Diff Long. 46
Monday Ju[ne] 18 [1798]:
Light Breezeis and Clear undor T.
Gallanstearing sa[ils] – At 11 P.M. In Small Sails Squally with rain. Wind
Drawing round to the N.Erd:-- At 4 A.M. Sett S… Mast &: Lower Stearing
sails and top Gallan: Ditto. Latter Part
of this 24 Hours Pleasent Breezeis and Clear weather. Latt Obs 33..20 No.
Dist. 136 Course S.29W. Diff Lat. 119 Dep. 66
Lat. in. 33..20 Long.
in. 21..14 Diff. Long. 80
Tuesday [June] 19th 1798:
Pleasent Breezeis and Heavey
weather:-- Undor top Gallanstearing sails &c:-- Middle Part Squally with
rain:-- Latter Part Steaddy Breezeis and Heavey weather: The Ship Martah. Hull
Down astaren [astern] Lattd. Obsd.
30..42 No.
Dist. 186 Course S.32W. Diff. Lat. 158 Dep. 99
Lat. in 30..42 Long.
in 23..11 Diff Long. 117
Wedinsday June 20th [1798]:
Steady Breezeis and Heavey undor
T. G. Stearing sails &c:-- Middle Part Squally with rain:-- At Midnight in
Stearing sails fore & aft – Latter Part of this Day Dark and Heavey
weath[er] with Squalls: -- Lattd.
Obsd 27..52 No.
Dist. 178 Course S.17W. Diff. Lat. 170 Dep. 52
Lat. in 27..52 Long.
in. 24..11 Diff. Long. 60
Thurdsday June 21st.
[1798]:
Moderate Breezeis and Squally: --
At 1 A.M. In Mizzen and Staysails at ½ past Sett Ditto. – At Midnight Showers
of rain and Squally: -- Latter Part of this Day Dark Cloudy weather with
frequent Showers of rain:-- Lattd.
Obs 25..22 North
Dist. 166 Course S25W. Diff. Lat. 150 Dep. 70
Lat. in 25..22 Long.
in 25..29 Diff. Long. 78
Friday June 22d [1798]:
First Part of this 24 Hours
Gentle Breezeis and Heavy weather:-- At 5 A.M. Squally with rain:-- At ½ past
Sett Ditto. -- People Employed Making Matts[4]
Spunyarn Mending Sails &c -- Carpindor and Mate Dressing Stenchens Coopor
Making tubbs for the Slaves: -- Latter Part of this D[ay] fresh Breeze and
Heavey weather Obsd. in 22..46 No.
Dist. 171 Course S.24W. Diff. Lat. 156 Dep. 69
Lat. in 22..46 Long.
in. 76 Diff. Long. 26..45
Satturday June 23d [1798]:
Pleasent: Breezeis and Heavey
weather all this 24 Hours: -- All Small Sails Sett to the Best Advantage:--
People Employed as Before: -- Lattd. Obsd. 19..48 No.
Dist. 180 Course S.8W. Diff. Lat. 178 Dep. 25
Lat. in 19..48 Long.
in 27..12 Diff. Long. 27
Sunday June 24th.
[1798]:
Pleasent Breezeis and Heavey
weather all Sails Sett to the Best Advantage:-- At 11 P.M. In top Gallanstaysails
and royals At 6 Sett. Ditto.—Latter Part of this Day fresh Breezeis and Heavy
weather:-- Lattd. Obsd. 16..58 North
Dist. 173 Course S.11W. Diff. Lat. 170 Dep. 33
Lat. in 16..58 Long.
in. 27..47 Diff. Long. 35
Monday June 25 [1798]:
First Part Light Breezeis and
heavey weather undor T. Gallan Stearing Sails and royals:-- Middle and Latter
part Ditto. weather:-- People Employed in Sundry Necessarys:-- Lattd. Obsd. 14..20 No.
Dist. 169 Course S.29E. Diff. Lat. 148 Dep. 82
Lat. in 14..20 Long.
in 26..22 Diff. Long. 85
Tuesday [June] 26th [1798]:
First Part of this Day:--
Pleasent Breezeis and Heavey weather:-- All Small Sails Sett to the Best
Advantage
Dist. 150 Course S.21E. Diff. Lat. 140 Dep. 54
Lat. in 12..00 Long.
in. 25..27 Diff. Long. 55
Wedensday [June] 27 [17]98:
First Part fresh Breezeis and
Clear Weather:-- At 6 P.M. in top Mast Stearingsail:-- Middle and Latter part
Light Breezes and Cloudy Lattd. Obsd.
10..28 No.
Dist. 102 Course S.26E. Diff. Lat. 92 Dep. 45
Lat. in 10..28 Long.
in 25..18 Diff. Long. 45
Thurdsday June 28th [17]98:
First Part Light Breezeis and
Clear weather:-- At Meridian Sett Stearingsails and royal. At 6 in Ditto.---
Dist. 93 Course S.17E. Diff. Lat. 90 Dep. 24
Lat. in 8..58 Long. in. 24..49 Diff. Long. 24
Friday June 29 [17]98:
Light Breezeis and Cloudy
weather:---All Necessary Sails Sett At
11 A.M. Squally:-- Lattd. Obsd. 8..8
North
Dist. 58 Course S.30E. Diff. Lat. 50 Dep. 29
Lat. in 8..8 Long. in 24..49 Diff. Long. 29
Sathurday June 30th.
[17]98:
Light Ears [airs] and Squally W.
all Necessary Sails Sett:-- At ½ Past 6 A.M. Hd. [hoved] S[hip] to the
NErd:----- Light Breezeis and Ditto.
gloomey weather:-- This Day No Obsd.
Dist. 45 Course S.51E. Diff. Lat. 28 Dep. 35
Lat. in 7..40 Long. in. 24..14 Diff. Long. 35
Sunday July 1st.
1798: [different
handwriting]
Light Airs and Dark sultry
weather… At 4 P.M. Inclinable to Calm
At ½ Past 2 A.M. sprung up a Breeze from the southward Lattitude by Observation 7-48 North
Dist. 30 Course N.75E. Diff. Lat. 8 Dep. 29
Lat. in 7..48 Long. in 23..45 Diff. Long. 29
Monday July 2d. 1798: [same different handwriting]
First Part of this Day Heavey
Weather with showers of rain At Midnight
the fore top mast stay gave way in the Beeis, at 5 A.M. got it Knott[ed] and
set up Middle and latter part Dark
unsettled weather -- People employed doing sundry Necessaries Latd. Obd. 7.. 36 North
Dist. 65 Course S.79E. Diff Lat. 12 Dep. 64
Lat. in. 7..36 Long. in. 22..41 Diff. Long. 64
Tuesday July 3d. 1798: [same different handwriting]
First part of this Day Light Airs
and sultry Weather all Necessarry sails set
At 4 P.M. In T. G. Sails squally with rain, at 3 A.M. hove a cast of the
Lead 90 Fathoms out no bottam At 9 AM unbent the top sails and bent the old
ones… Latter Part of this Day Gentle Breezes and Clear Weather 93 Miles Distance Lattd. Observed 7..03 North
Dist. 83 Course S.67E. Diff. Lat. 33 Dep. 76
Lat. in 7..03 Long. in 20..28 Diff Long. 76
Wednesday July 4th.
1798: [same different
handwriting]
Gentle Breezes and Clear Weather
under royals &c at 7 Past M. Hd. [hoved] Ship to the Eastward. Middle and Latter part of this Day Ditto.
Weather. Soposed to Bee a Current Sche… to the: Northward:-- 89 Miles Distance Latitude Obsd. 6..53 North
Dist. 107 Course S.84E. Diff Lat. 10 Dep. 106
Lat. in. 6..53 Long. in. 17..26 Diff. Long. 106
Thurdsday July 5th.
1798: [same different
handwriting]
This 24 Hours moderate Breezes
& Cloudy Weather with light showers of rain
People Employed Men[ding] sails making Points[5]
and Gaskets &c. Carpinter and Cooper doing sundry Necessaries. This Day No Observation 110 Miles Distance
Dist. 105 Course S.61E. Diff. Lat. 50 Dep. 92
Lat. in 6..3 Long. in 15..54 Diff Long. 92
Friday July 6th.
1798: [same different
handwriting]
First part of this Day fresh
breezes and Dark Heavey Weather… At 6 A.M. saw a Ship in the SW Quarter
standing to the Eastward…At Midnight hove a cast of the Lead 90 Fathoms out no
Bottom. Latter part strong Breezes and Cloudy weather. People Employed making
Cage Nettings for the Main Deck. Carpinter & Cooper making sundry
Necessaries. Lattitude Observed 5.5 North
122 Miles Distance
Dist. 116 Course S60E. Diff
Lat. 58 Dep. 100
Lat. in. 5..5 Long. in. 14..14 Diff. Long 100
[1]
The Skerries lighthouse is located on a series of wind-swept and treeless
islands by that name, two miles off Carmel Head on the north-west corner of
Anglesey, North Wales, and eight miles north of Holyhead harbor, in an area of
shallow rock outcrops and vicious currents. The area was notoriously
treacherous and claimed many ships as victims. The origin of the name is Norse-
a skerry being a rocky islet. The Welsh name, Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid, means
‘the Island of Bald-headed grey seals’. The lighthouse was first lit on
November 4, 1717 and is still in operation.
(http://www.cadw.wales. gov.uk/upload/ resourcepool/Skerries6067.htm).
[2] A unit
of distance equal to three miles or 4.8 kilometers (dictionary.com).
[3] Noon or
midday (dictionary.com).
[4] To
prevent chafing, a thick mat was woven from strands of old rope, spun yarn, or
foxes, containing a greater or lesser number of rope yarns in proportion to the
intended mat to be made. Entries from the logbook on the Ranger, another slave
ship, from December 5, 1789 and December 7, 1789, state, respectively, : “Making
mats for the lower yards sinet” and “making mats for the rigging and yards.”
Wilkins, Frances, Manx Salve Traders: A Social history of the Isle of Man’s
involvement in the Atlantic Slave Trade (Wyre Forest Press, Worcestershire:
1999), pp. 94-95.
[5]
“Pointing” was unlaying and tapering the end of a rope and weaving some of its
yarns about the diminished part, preventing it from being “fagged out” and
making it handy for “reeving in a block”, etc. Similar entries from the slaving
ship Ranger: “making gaskets and points” (December 14, 1789, “Making points for
the new topsail” (December 17, 1789). Manx Slave Traders, pp. 94-95.
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