Abstract: Journal of the East India Company ship
Cardigan, kept by Captain Richard Grainger. The journal covers the ship’s voyage to Culcutta [Kolkata], Gombroon [Bandar Abbas], and Madras [Chennai] (all dates are those of arrival): 17 January 1713, Downes [Downs]; 15 May 1713, Table Bay, Cape; 29 July 1713, Ballasore [Baleshwar]; 11 August 1713, Rogues River; 19 October 1713, Culcutta; 2 March 1714, Anjango [Anchuthengu]; 1 May 1714, Gombroon; 18 August 1714, Madras; 28 September 1714, Ballasore; 10 October 1714, Rogues River; 6 January 1715, Cox’s Island; 19 February 1715, Madras; 26 February 1715, Fort St David; 5 March 1715, Madras; 22 March 1715, Fort St David; 31 March 1715, Madras; 29 October 1715, Cape; 12 December 1715, St Hellena [St Helena]; 24 April 1716, Woolwich. Near the front of the journal (folio 3) is the inscription: ‘This is my Originall Journall, Richard Grainger, Received the 24th May 1716’ The journal consists of daily entries in two columns. The first column contains navigational data and the second column contains notes on winds, weather, land bearings, distances, ship maintenance and riggings, names of the deceased, ship sightings, additional navigational data, and some more general remarks. When the ship is at anchor the entries are remarks only. At times entries include columns on Clock (time of day) and Depth (in fathoms).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 112; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The volume includes a sequence of blank pages, ff 95-111, which have not been digitised.
Abstract: Journal of the voyages of the
Discoveryand the
Londonkept by William Speare between 1633 and 1637.Folios 5-92 cover the following voyages of the
Discovery(Captain William Morris):England to Surratt [Surat, India], March-November 1633, via St Lawrence [Madagascar], Comoros and Comorone [Bandar Abbas, Iran]Surratt to Comorone and back, January-April 1634Surratt to Massipitan [Machilipatnam, India], April-September 1634, via Morisheus [Mauritius], St Lawrence and ComorosMassipitan to Comorone, December 1634-March 1635Comorone to Bumbee [Bombay, India], April-May 1635Bumbee to Syndie [Karachi, Pakistan], September-November 1635, via SurrattSyndie to Surratt, January-March 1636, via Comorone.Folios 93-132 cover the following voyages of the
London(Captain Matthew Wills):Surratt to Massipitan, May-June 1636, via Gorre [Goa, India]Massipitan to Bantam [Banten, Java, Indonesia], August-October 1636Bantam to England, January-July 1637.The journal consists of daily entries of information on navigation, winds, weather, contact with other ships, and general observations.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 155; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The volume includes a sequence of blank pages, ff 133-153, which have not been digitised.
Abstract: Journal of the voyage of the
Discoveryfrom England to Surratt [Surat], and Persia (Captain William Morris, Master Richard Monk), 1633-37: 23 July 1633, Bay of St Augustine; 12 August 1633, Commorowe [Comoros]; 19 September 1633, Commoroone [Bandar Abbas]; 7 November 1633, Sarat [Surat]; 28 February 1634, Cumborroone [Bandar Abbas]; 8 April 1634, Surat; 20 June 1634, Maurrisshes [Mauritius]; 8 September 1634, Meslupotane [Masulipatam]; 1 February 1635, Honnor [Onore]; 28 March 1635, Gumborroune [Bandar Abbas]; 2 May 1635, Bomebay [Bombay]; 2 October 1635, Deman [Daman]; 20 October 1635, Surat; 4 February 1636, Gumberronn [Bandar Abbas]; 17 March 1636, Surat; 11 July 1636, Morriusses [Mauritius]; 26 September 1636, S Ellena [St Helena]; 21 January 1637, the Dowens [Downs].The
Discoverywas at Gombroon (various spellings) [Bandar Abbas] in September 1633, February 1634, March 1635, and February 1636.Inscribed on front cover: 'March 1632/33 Palsgrave, Discovery, Reformation, Comfort' (these were the four ships that comprised the fleet on the outward voyage of the
Discovery).The volume commences as the Journal of the
Palsgrave, kept by Richard Forder, Master's Mate aboard the
Palsgrave, from 7 March to 9 April 1633 (folios 1-11). However, following the death of one of the Master's Mates aboard the
Discovery, Forder left the
Palsgraveat the request of her Captain, and went aboard the
Discovery. Thereafter the volume comprises the Journal of the
Discovery, from 10 April 1633 to 31 January 1637 (folios 11-119). Note in margin: 'A Journall kept by mee Richard ffoorder [...] ship Discovery' (folio 11).The Journal contains daily entries recording navigational information, winds, weather, the provisioning of the ship, and general remarks. The volume also contains monthly tables of navigational data.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 127; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains a pagination sequence.
Abstract: Journal of the voyage of the
Charlesfrom England to Saratt [Surat], April-October 1629, from Saratt to Comoroone [Bandar Abbas] and back, December 1629-March 1630, and from Saratt to England, April 1630-April 1631 (Captain John Weddell). The return journey included visits to Morisios [Mauritius], June 1630, St Lawrence [Madagascar], July-October 1630, and Santalenia [St Helena], December 1630-January 1631.The journal consists of daily entries of information on navigation, winds, weather, contact with other ships, and general observations. The
Charlesset off from England in a convoy with four other ships, the
Discovery,
Reformation,
Londonand
Samuell, but soon parted company with them.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 22; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: Journal of the voyage of the East India Company ship
Charlesfrom England to Surat (Captain John Weddell, Master John Elsmore), 1629-30 (dates given are for arrival unless otherwise indicated): left the Downes [Downs], 10 April 1629; 14 August 1629, Molila [Moheli]; 9 October 1629, Swallow Howle [Suvali, Surat]; 20 January 1629 [New Style date 20 January 1630], Commerun [Bandar Abbas]; 17 March 1629 [New Style date 17 March 1630], Suvali; 4 June 1630, Morrishes [Mauritius]; 23 October 1630, left Cap bonsperance [Cape of Good Hope].The ship was at Swally Hole from 9 October to 19 December 1729, and from 17 March 1629/30 to 12 April 1630.Inscribed on the front (inner) cover of the volume: 'Charles, London, Discovery, Reformation, & Samuel', and, (in the case of the first three ships) 'under Capt John Weddall'. The word 'London' also appears on this cover (erased), and the date '1629'.Also inscribed: 'A jurnall of a voyadg [voyage] to the East India set out by the honorable companye of marchants trayding for thos parts in the yeare of our lord 1629 in this voydg were imployed 4 ships the Charles the london the Discovery & reformation & the samuell captaine john weddall being the Chefe Commander of the flet Ceept [kept] by nicholas sharpe M[aster's] matte [Mate] of the Charles the which voyag the lord prosper Amen' (folio 1).The journal contains regular dated entries, and summary comments in the left hand margin.The journal records: navigational information; weather; commodities carried, references to the other ships with which the
Charlessailed in convoy; sightings of Dutch and Portuguese ships; and general remarks.The journal employs Old Style (Julian calendar) dates only.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 34; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers. Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: Fragment of a journal kept by Benjamin Green of the sixth voyage of the East India Company ship the
Trades Increase(Captain Henry Middleton). The journal starts on 15 November 1610 in Moha [Mocha] and ends at Bantam [Banten] on 22 December 1612.The journal consists of monthly entries with information on navigation, winds, weather, contact with other ships, deaths of crewmembers, and general observations. The journal relates different events that happened during the voyage; trade relations with the Aga of Moha and working trade relations with different Agas in the Redde [Red] Sea; information of the capture of the captain and the crew around Zenan [San’a]; sightings of other vessels, and contact with other English ships, like the Peppercorn; interaction with the native populations, and general remarks. On the last folio of the journal (f 20) there is a fragment from a play, in different handwriting.Notable places: Mecca, Medina, Yeamen [Yemen], Aden, Siam, Zenan, Moha, Succatra [Socotra], Surat, and Bantam.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 23; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
Abstract: Journal of the voyage of the East India Company ship
Arabia Merchant(written as Arabia Marchant in the volume) from England to Mocho [Mocha] and Bombay [Mumbai], 1704-1707. The ship left England on 12 December 1704 and the journal covers its visits to the following places (dates are those of arrival): 28 June 1705, Mocho; 19 October 1705, Bombay; 19 November 1705, Gogo [Goa]; 31 December 1705, Bombay; 23 January 1705/6, Callicut [Calicut]; 24 March 1705/6, Bombay; 30 April 1706, Surat; 5 May 1706, Bombay; 20 May 1706, Carwar [Karwar]; 20 October 1706, Bombay; 5 January 1706/7, Carwar; 27 January 1706/7, Tellecherry [Thalassery]; 3 February 1706/7, Callicut; 24 April 1707, Mauritius.The journal contains daily entries (although not for every day of the voyage) in six columns: H [Hour], K [Knot], F [Fathoms], Courses, Wind, and a final column recording latitude, longitude, meridian distance, departure times, observations of weather and currents, sightings of land or other vessels, and other general remarks. When the ship is at anchor the entries consist of remarks only.The journal employs Old Style (Julian calendar) and New Style dates (Gregorian calendar).A note at the beginning of the volume states that the journal was received on 22 October 1708.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 1, and terminates at f 99; it is part of a larger physical volume of different shelfmarks in which every shelfmark has been given its own separate foliation sequence, i.e. non-consecutive; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Journal of the East India Company ship
Orford, kept by Captain Philip Jodrell. The journal covers the ship's voyage from England to Gombroon [Bandar Abbas] and Bombay [Mumbai], calling at the following places (all dates given are those of arrival): 12 January 1748, Gravesend; 20 February 1748, Downs; 25 February 1748, Spithead; 11 July 1748, Johanna [Anjouan]; 18 August 1748, Gombroon; 12 October 1748, Bombay; 4 December 1748, Tillicherry [Thalassery]; 15 December 1748, Anjango [Anchuthengu]; 8 May 1749, St Hellena [St Helena]; 10 August 1749, Deptford.The journal consists of daily entries in seven columns: H [Hours], K [Knots], F [Fathoms], Courses, Winds, Weather, and a general remarks column. The general remarks include the date and notes on winds, weather, sea conditions, employment of crew, rigging, ship maintenance, courses, distances, supplies, land bearings, ship sightings, flora and fauna, and some navigational data.Captain Jodrell has inscribed and signed the journal (folio 2).The entry for 23 July 1748 contains a long description of an attempted mutiny on board the ship (folio 44).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 188; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The volume includes a sequence of blank pages, ff 123-183, which have not been digitised.
Abstract: Journal of the voyage of the East India Company ship the Eagle from England to Surat and Bantam and back (Captain John Johnson), 27 March 1624-7 April 1626. The Eagle departed from the Downes [Downs] on 28 March 1624, and returned to England in early April 1626, arriving at Silly [Isles of Scilly] on 7 April 1626. The journal covers the ship's visits during the voyage, including the following destinations (dates are those of arrival): 17 July 1624, Capa bona Sperantia [Cape of Good Hope]; 10 October 1624, Surrat [Surat]; 6 November 1624, Debull [Dabhol]; 19 November 1624, Surrat; 23 December 1624, Gombroone [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]; in action against the Portuguese, February 1624 [New Style date February 1625] 7 March 1624 [New Style date 7 March 1625], Surrat.There appears to be a gap in the entries between 25 September and 24 November 1625.The entries are dated according to the Julian calendar.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 95; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The volume includes a sequence of blank pages, ff 46-89, which have not been digitised.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Journal of the voyage of the East India Company ship
Edgecotefrom England to Bombay [Mumbai], April-November 1755, from Bombay to Surat January-February 1755 [New Style date 1756], from Surat to Mocha, April-May 1756, from Mocha to Bombay, August-September 1756, and from Bombay to England, December 1756-July 1757 (Captain John Pearce). Upon leaving England
Edgecotewas accompanied by the East India Company ships
Pelham,
Houghton,
Strethamand
Doddington, but soon parted company with them.The journal consists of daily entries of information on navigation, winds, weather, contact with other ships, deaths of crewmembers, and general observations. Folio 1 provides the ship’s weight of kentlage (permanent ballast, usually made of pig-iron) and other ballast. A list of crew is provided on folios 2-3. Folio 69 describes an engagement against four Marrater [Maratha] ships.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 1, and terminates at f 137; it is part of a larger physical volume of different shelfmarks in which this shelfmark has been given its own separate foliation sequence, i.e. non-consecutive; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Fragment of a journal kept by Edmund Sayers of the voyage of the East India Company ship
Anne Royalto Batavia [Jakarta] 22 February 1623 [New Style 22 February 1624] to 11 April 1624. The Journal consists of daily entries of information on navigation, winds, weather, and general observations.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 15, and terminates at f 15, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Journal kept by Henry Crosby between 1619 and 1624, including voyages on the East India Company ships
Charlesand
Exchange.Folios 8-15 cover the voyage of the
Charlesfrom England to Surat, March-October 1619, from Surat to Jasquet [Bandar-e Jask, Iran] and back, November 1619-January 1619 [New Style date, 1620], and from Surat to Achine [Banda Aceh, Indonesia], March-April 1620 (Captain John Bickell).Folios 15-16 state that Henry Crosby departed Achine aboard the
Rauebuckein July 1620 and spent the next months trading along the coast of Sumatra before arriving at Jakatraye [Jakarta] in December. The
Rauebuckecould be presumed to be the same as the East India Company ship
Roebuck, except that the journal for the
Roebuckfound in IOR/L/MAR/A/XXX states that the ship is travelling between the Cape of Good Hope and Surat in July-December 1620.For the remainder of the journal it is not clear which ship Crosby is aboard, until he arrives in England aboard the
Exchange(Captain Richard Swanley). It has been presumed that he departed from Jakatraye in the
Exchange, as there is no further mention of him changing ships.Folios 16-24 cover the voyage, presumably of the
Exchange, from Jakatraye to patrol the coast of Mozambique as part of the Anglo-Dutch Fleet of Defence, with a base at the Island of Molala [Moheli, Comoros], October 1621-July 1622.Folios 24-29 cover continued service with the Anglo-Dutch Fleet of Defence, travelling from Molala to Surat, August-October 1622, patrolling the coast of India and joining a blockade of Goa, November 1622-April 1623, and arriving at Jakatraye in June 1623. Folio 28 describes an earthquake that was felt at sea off the coast of Sumatra on 27 May 1623.Folios 29-34 cover the voyage of the
Exchange, accompanied by the East India Company ship
Elizabeth, from Jakatraye to England, December 1623-June 1624.The journal consists of daily entries of information on navigation, winds, weather, contact with other ships, including engagements against Portuguese ships, and general observations.The margins contain several pencil annotations, presumed to have been added by someone within the India Office during the twentieth century.The dates provided in folios 8-20 have been altered to a year earlier than originally written. The altered dates fit with the remainder of the volume and are presumed to be correct.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 37; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.