2 volumes. Ink manuscript on blue paper, leaves numbered in pencil in upper corners. The first is 55, 97-124 leaves (plus a few blanks), measuring 26.5x21 cm (10½x8¼”), half calf & marbled boards, label of Benj. Loring & Co., Blank Book Manufacturers, on front pastedown. The second is 96 leaves, measuring 27.3x22 cm (10¾x8¾”), half calf & cloth, small label of Thomas Groom & Co., Stationers Hall, Boston, on front pastedown. Both in custom half red morocco slipcase & chemise.
The first log book contains the voyage of the “Bald Eagle” (ll. 1-55), with the last 28 leaves being the final portion of the voyage of the “Romance of the Sea”, the first portion of which comprises the entirety of the second volume. The extreme clipper ship “Bald Eagle” was launched from the East Boston yard of Donald McKay in November of 1852, and this log book covers her maiden voyage, leaving New York on December 26, 1852, bound for San Francisco. Rounding the horn, she made the passage in 107 days, arriving in San Francisco on April 12, 1853. She left San Francisco on the return voyage to New York on May 8th, which is not covered in these log books. Back on the east coast, Captain Dumaresq took command of the newly-built “Romance of the Sea,” also a David McKay ship, and commanded her on her maiden voyage, from Boston to San Francisco, leaving on December 16, 1853, and arriving at the Golden Gate on March 23, 1854, a passage of 96 days and 18 hours. A week later, the “Romance” sailed for China, arriving in Hong Kong on May 16th. After loading at Whampoa, she set sail for London, a 103-day voyage. The entire second volume is devoted to the “Romance of the Sea,” as well as the latter portion of the first volume – apparently Captain Dumaresq, having used the entire volume, went back to the empty leaves at the end of his “Bald Eagle” log. Generally, each page in the log covers a single day at sea, with hourly records of the watch, the wind speed and direction, comments on the weather, and other salient observations and facts. The barometric pressure for each day is given, as are the longitude and latitude. They is very neatly written, and well preserved. We have compared the handwriting with a log book kept by Dumaresq that we sold in 2007, and it is clearly in the same hand.