Ship's Logbook - Gem of Beverly

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Richmond
Rare Books and Special Collections
Boatwright Library
University of Richmond
28 Westhampton Way
Richmond, VA 23173
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lynda Kachurek
Phone: (804) 289-8458
Fax: (804) 287-1840
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection.

Terms of access:

Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

[page], SC-1 Ship's Logbook Gem of Beverly, Book Arts, Archives, & Rare Books, Boatwright Memorial Library, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
1 Volumes
Creator:
Locke, Vernon Guyon, 1827-1890
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[page], SC-1 Ship's Logbook Gem of Beverly, Book Arts, Archives, & Rare Books, Boatwright Memorial Library, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

This ship's log records the journeys of at least 3 ships and voyages during the 1850s, ostensibly all authored by Vernon Locke.

The Gem of Beverly was an American whaling brig and forms the bulk of information documented in this ship's log. Beginning on 7 April 1851, the log documents the location and activities of the brig almost continuously through 29 April 1853.

The SS Sonora (1853-1868) was an 82m long wood sidewheel steamer that was built for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. The ship primarily sailed the San Francisco – Panama route through 1863, then made one additional voyage delivering troops to Panama in 1865. It was dismantled in 1868. The log tracks the Sonora from 9 December 1853 through 17 Feb 1857, but several pages were removed at some unknown time.

The log then picks up again with the Barque Vernon, listing Vernon Locke as master, on 13 March 1857 continuing through 30 July 1857.

Other materials in the logbook are recipes, budget and accounting calculations, song lyrics and poetry, correspondence, notes, and other miscellaneous writings. One notable addition in the last section of the book is an essay titled "My travels from the year 1846 to 1862."

Biographical / historical:

The 1850s were considered the height of American whaling during the 19th century. This manuscript documents several different voyages during the 1850s, although the entries record varying levels of detail. Many are dated and often include the longitude and latitude of the vessel as well as information about the weather and when whales were sighted. Throughout the material, the name Vernon Locke appears in various forms. Vernon Guyon Locke (1827–1890) was from Nova Scotia but spent many years living in Fayetteville, NC. Locke commanded the Confederate privateer Retribution under his alias as Captain John Parker, but he was best known for his role in the Chesapeake Affair in December 1863, when Confederate sympathizers from Nova Scotia captured the Chesapeake.

Arrangement:

This small collection consists of one item.

Physical / technical requirements:

While mainly intact, the log does have some loose pages throughout. Additionally, the handwriting is often dense and occasionally overwritten which causes challenges in reading the full text in some places.

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Whaling
Logbook
Names:
Locke, Vernon Guyon, 1827-1890