Saturday July 7th.
1798: [same different
handwriting]
First part of this Day fresh
Breezes and Cloudy weather. Middle and latter part of this day Gentle breezes
and Cloudy weather. People Employed doing sundry Necessary jobs Carpinter
Making a Crew House, Cooper making Crews[1] Lattd. Obserd. 4.50 North 120 Miles Distance
Dist. 120 Course S.83E Diff. Lat. 15.. Dep. 119
Lat. in 4..50 Long. in 12..15 Diff Long. 119
Sunday July 8th.
1798: [same different handwriting]
First part of this day steady
Breezes and Clear Weather… At Midnight hove a Cast of the Lead 80 fath[oms] out
no bottom At 9 A.M. took in top Gallant
sails, strong Breezes and Cloudy Weat[her]
Lattid. Obserd. 4.50 North 131
Miles Dist.
Dist. 131 Course S.84.E. Diff Lat. 13 Dep. 130
Lat. in. 4..37 Long. in. 10..5 Diff. Long. 130
Monday July 9th.
1798: [same different
handwriting]
First part of this 24 Hours fresh
Breezes & Cloudy… At 1 P.M. sett Fore and main Top Gallant sails,..At 8
P.M. In Top Galt. sails,…At 10. ditto. Hove a Cast of the Lead 90 Faths. out no
bottam, Sounded every two Hours at 5 A.M. made sail. Latter part of this day
steady Breezes and Clear Weather, all Necessary sails set… At ½ Past 11 A.M.
saw the Land Bearing E.N.E. Distance about 6 Leagues Lattd. Obserd. 4.26 North 135 Miles Dist.
Tuesday July 10th.
1798: [same different
handwriting]
Steady Breezes and Clear Weather
under T. G. Sails &c. At half past 4. P.M. South Cape Palmas[2]
bore NNE Distance about 4 Leagues At 6. P.M. the Cape bore NNW Distd. 3 Leagues
At 5 p.m. a Cana[…] came along side…At 6
A.M. set Fore Top mast and Top Galt. stearing sails…At 9 A.M. took in Ditto… Lattitude observed 4.34 North
Wednesday July 11th.
1798: [same different handwriting]
Gentle Breezes and Clear
Weather Middle and latter part of this
day Ditto. Weather. People employed doing sundry Necessaries Lattitude Observed 4.28 North 108 Ml. Dist.
Dist. 108
Thursday July 12th.
1798: [same different handwriting]
Gentle Breezes and Clear
Weather Middle and latter part of this
day Ditto Weather Lattitude observed
3.33 North
Dist. 140
Friday July 13th.
1798: [same different
handwriting]
Pleasant Breezes and Clear
Weather Middle part Gentle breezes and
Heavey Weather under Top Gallant stear sails & royals People Employed Bindg. Cables, scraping and
scrubbing the Main Dk Making a Main Deck Awning &c: Lattd. Obsd. 3.36 North
Dist. 141
Saturday July 14th.
1798: [same different
handwriting]
First part of this day steady
Breezes and Heavy Weather. At ½ past Meridian cam[e] on a Heavy squall with
rain, same time double rig the main and fore top…single ruved the Mizen… Latter
part of this Day strong Breezes and Cloudy. Employed making Sinde[?] for the Boates
& Fitting the Boat sails w/ sundry other Necessary Jobs Lattitude observed 4,10 North
Dist. 182
Sunday July 15th.
1798: [same different
handwriting]
Fresh Breezes and Cloudy
Weather…At 7 A.M. shortened sail, Hove a cast of the lead sounded in 14 fathoms
water Blue mudd, stood to the SE as the log sounded every 10 Minutes At 2 A.M. were ship to the NW. At 6 A.M. bore
away, as the Log same time saw the land Bearing NE Distance 4 or 5 leagues.
Supposed to be the first River from Cape Formosa[3] to
the ErdAt Mirin. the 5th River[4]
Bore NE Distance about 4 Leagues.
[There is a gap in the journal
from July 15th to September 2nd]
John Spencer
died on August 30, 1798 and George Cannon, as first mate, replaced him as
captain of the Iris.[5]
There were nine crew member deaths on the voyage and nine crew members
deserted, none of which are mentioned in the log. In the entry of September 2, 1798, a Captain
Carshore on the ship Britannia is mentioned. The Britannia had four crew deaths
and eight crew desertions, and like the Iris, obtained its slaves in Bonny. It
seems reasonable to assume that the deaths and desertions resulted from similar
causes, perhaps disease or a conflict with African natives or a ship from
another country.
Sunday Septr 2d. [17]98:
First Part Steaddy Breezis and
Clear Weather:-- undor T. Gallansails &c:--
Middle Part Ditto. weather: The
Ship Britanna – Captn. Cashaw[6]
out of Sigh[t] a Starem [astern] Seemed to Sail verry heavey:-- Latter Part
Steaddy and Showery Slight
Observation in 3..6 No.
Dist. 74 Course S.22W. Diff. Lat. 67 Dep. 30
Lat. in 3..6 No. Long. in 6..24E Diff. Long. 30 Mer.
Dist. 34
Monday September 3d. [1798]:
Steaddy Breezes and Clear weather
all this 24 Hours. People Employed Setting up the Bowsprit Shrouds and Stowing
the Anchor Getting the Matts on the riggon &c:-- Messed 420 Slaves 6 Con… Expended 200 yams
and 13495 remains:-- Expended 8 Crues[7]
Bains & Ditto. rice:-- Lattd. Obsd. 2..5 North
Dist. 75 Course S35W. Diff. Lat. 61 Dep. 43
Lat. in 2..5 No. Long. in. 43 Diff.
Long. 5..41E. Mer. Dist. 77
Tuesday Sept 4th.
[1798]:
Moderate Breezes with Showers of
rain undor T.G. Sails &c:-- At 8 P.M. in Top G. Sails and Single reeft
[reefed] the topsails At 10 P.M. Hd.
[hoved] Ship to the Wward:-- At 6 Hd.
to the SErd.:---- At 10 P.M. Lost
Sight of the Ship in Company and at 4 A.M. Saw one Ship to the S.W. Standing to
the Wd. Expended 180 yams and 13315 remains
Lattd. Obsd. 1..56 North
Dist. 34 Course S.34E. Diff. Lat. 18 Dep. 28
Lat. in 1..56 Long. in 6..9 Diff. Long 28 Mer.
Dist. 105
Wedinsday Sept. [5th 1798]:
Pleasent Breezeis and Clear All Sail Sett to the Best advantage:--- At 2
P.M. Joined Comp[any] with the Martha and fring…Ceaser [Ceasar?]:-- At 6 A M. Saw the Ma[in] Land Soposed to Bee
about Cape St. Johns[8]:--
The Cape Bore At ½ Pa[st] 7 S.B.E. ½ S. Distd. 3 Legues Expended 8 Crues of Bains and 3 Crues of
rice 196 yams and 13119 remains:-- Lattd. Cape – 1..15 Longt 9..25 This Day – 1..30 This Lg 9..06. This Day No Obsd.
Dist. 23 Course N49W. Diff. Lat. 15 Dep. 17
Lat. in 1..30 Long. in. 9.-06 Diff. Long. 17.W. Mer.
Dist. 17W.
Thurdsday Sept 6th.
[1798]:
Light Breezes and Cloudy undor T.
gallansails:-- At 3 P.M. Hd. [hoved] Ship to the South Eastard At 6 P.M. in Fore and Mizzen top Gallan
Sails:-- At Midnight Hd. Ship to the Northward and Westard:-- Expended 378 yams
& 12741 remains:…At Meridian Hd. Ship to the S.Ed Lattd. Obsd. 1..42 No.--
Dist. 29 Course N.65W. Diff. Lat. 12 Dep. 26
Lat. in 1..42 Long. in 8..42 Diff. Long. 24 Mer.
Dist. 43
[There is a gap in the journal
from September 6th to September 23rd]
Sunday Septr 23d [1798]:
First Part Pleasent Breezes and
Clear all Necessary Sails Sett to the Best advantage:--Middle and Latter part
fresh Bree and Heavey W. Slaves in Good Spirrits and verry Agreeable:--Expended
21 Crues Bred and 8 of Bains 449 remains. the two Before Menchuned
[mentioned]…put in boxes …recovery N.
Slight Observation 3..3…
Dist. S84W. Course
20 Diff Lat. 186
Lat. in. Long. in. 10..16 Diff. Long. 186 Mer. Dist. 1241
Monday Sept 24th.
[17]98:
Fresh Breezes and Clear Weather:
undor Stearing sails fore and aft. Bent a Spritsail topsail:-- People Employed
Getting the Cables up to Eair &c:-- Needful:-- At 8 P.M. in top Gallan
Stearingsails Blowing fresh Breeze:-- Expended 260 yams & 9173 remains 8
Crues Bains & 441 remains:--2 < & rice: Broatched one No. and
ins ren Lattd. Per. Objd. 3..48 So.
Dist. 183 Course S.87W. Diff. Lat. 11 Dep. 183
Lat. in Long. in 13..19W. Diff
Long. 183 Mer. Dist. 1424
Tuesday [September 25th 1798]:
First Part of this 24 Hours
Strong Breezes and Cloudy All Sail Sett
to the Best advantage:-- Middle and Latter Ditto. People Employed Making Sinnet[9]
Drawing yarns & Carpindor Calking the M[ain] Deck:-- Expended 160 yams and
9013 remains 8 Crues Bains 2 ½ rice Gave the Slaves a Middle Mess of Bread and
a Dram Brandy Every Cop Day Distd.
Per Loog 189 Lattd. Obsd. 3..39 So.
Dist. 189 Course N.87W. Diff. Lat. 9 Dep. 189
Lat. in Long. in. 16..28W. Diff.
Long. 189 Mer. Dist. 1613
Wedinsday [September] 26th
1798:
Fresh Breezes and Cloudy weather:
At 1 P.M. Sett top Gallan stearingsails:-- Middle and Latter Part Ditto.
weather all Small Sails Sett to the Best Advantage:-- Expended 165 yams &
8848 remains 8 Crues Bains and 425 remains 2 ½ rice Broatched one Tiree Beef
No. 10 and 15 remains: on 4 Bain Pork end remains:-- Lattd. Obsd. 3..51 So.
Dist. 189 Course S.86W. Diff. Lat. 12 Dep. 188
Lat. in Long. in 19..36 Diff.
Long. 188 Merc. Dist. 1.8.0.1
Thurdsday Septr. 27th.
[1798]:
Fresh Breezes and Cloudy W. At 1
P.M. Sett Spritsail topsail and Small Sails that would Draw:-- Middle and
Latter Part Ditto. People Employed variously Doing Sundry Necessarys at the
riggon Spinning Spunyarn. Expended 180 yams and 8668 remains 8 Crues Bains
& 417 remains 2 ½ rice: Broatched one PW or No. 15 and 26 remains:-- Lattd. Obsd. 3..22 South
Dist. 196 Course N81W. Diff.
Lat. 29 Dep. 196
Lat. in 3..22 Long. in. 22..50 Diff. Long. 194 Mer.
Dist. 1995
[1] This
might be another spelling for “crues”. See entry for September 3, 1798.
[2]
Cape Palmas, separating the Pepper or Grain Coast and Ivory Coast of Africa, is
located at the southern end of Liberia, on the west coast of Africa, near the
border with Cote D’ivorie. (Wikipedia Encyclopedia: Harper, Liberia and Liberia)
[3]
Cape Formosa is the dividing point between the Bight of Benin and the Bight of
Biafra, also known as the Bight of Bonny, and is located in modern day Nigeria.
In 1791, a Captain Landolphe described a journey with descriptions very similar
to Captain Cannon’s. He stated: “I took the wind direction to get out of the
gulf of Benin and cross Cape Formosa. I wanted to explore the rivers of
Calabar, where many English trade, especially in the Bani river. I note here
that, when one has Cape Formosa in sight, one must count six rivers on this
point, and that the seventh is that which leades to Calabar…” (www.diafrica.org/nigeriaop/ kenny/DH08E.htm)
[4]
The 5th River appears to be Bonny, based on the description given by
Captain Landolphe in the prior footnote. Bonny is located before Calabar, which
was the seventh river from Cape Formosa.
[5] First
Iris Voyage.
[6]
The ship Britannia, captained by Joseph Carshore, left Liverpool on May 31,
1798, eight days before the Iris. It also obtained all or the majority of its
slaves in Bonny. It was a smaller ship, 209 tons, with a crew of 35 and 337
slaves that were delivered to Antigua. The Britannia had four crew members die
and eight desert on its voyage, compared to nine deaths and nine desertions on
the Iris. Given Captain Spencer’s death in Africa, and a similar desertion
pattern, it can be presumed that most of both crews deaths and desertions
happened in Bonny. Captain George likely met Captain Carshore while bargaining
for slaves in Bonny, or dealing with deaths and desertions among their crews.
The Britannia arrived back in Liverpool on March 28, 1799, 15 days before the
Iris. (Cambridge Slave CD)
[7]
The dictionary defines a “cruse” as a small earthenware container, such as a
pot or jar, for holding liquids. A “crue” is defined in Admiral W. H. Smith Sailor’s
Word-book A Dictionary of Nautical Terms 1867 as another word for kreel, a
framework of timber for the catching of fish. In the context of another slave
voyage just a few years before Captain Cannon’s, the ship Ranger leaving the
coast of Africa indicated it had “600 crues of beans, 90 crues of rice, 357
crues of corn”. Entries in the Ranger’s logbook for December 17, 1789 and
December 21, 1789 both record, “Cooper making crues.” Wilkins, Frances, Manx
Slave Traders: A Social History of the Isle of Man’s involvement in the
Atlantic Slave Trade, (Wyre Forest Press, Worcestershire: 1999), pp. 91,
94-95. Captain Cannon’s journal records “crues” of beans [“bains”], rice and
bread [“bred”]. See also the entry for July 7, 1798, “Cooper making Crews”.
Based on the above, it appears “crues” were small wooden storage
containers.
[8]
Cape St. John is a promontory off of what is now Equatorial Guinea, north of
Corisco Bay. See Stories of the Gorilla Country by Paul du Chaillu
(chapter on Hunting for a Leopard) and
Richard F. Burton, Two Trips to Gorilla Land and the Cataracts of the
Congo, Chapter III on Geography of the Gaboon.
[9] “Sinet”
[sinnet/sennit] is “a flat cordage formed by plaiting five or even rope yarns
together. Manx Slave Traders, p. 95.
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