249. 1857 CRUISE OF THE USS MINNESOTA TO CHINA A historically important naval journal documenting the cruise of the USS Minnesota to bring American Minister William B. Reed on a diplomatic mission to China in 1857. Captain Samuel F. Dupont commanded the ship while the vessel was part of the Eastern Asian Squadron. The voyage lasted nearly two years, beginning on July 1, 1857 at Hampton Roads and returning home to Boston Harbor on June 1, 1859. Sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, they reached the Orient within several months and then sailed with Reed for China and Japan. Detailed are many events that befell the ship and crew. Many grand naval formalities are noted when foreign ships, ports, or dignitaries are encountered plus all the deaths, accidents and desertions that occurred while at sea. The ship's crew even witnessed the capture of Chinese forts on the Peiho River on May 20, 1858 by British vessels and on at least one occasion encountered Chinese pirates on the voyage. Their mission was deemed successful and complete after Reed succored a newly-signed trade agreement between the United States and China in April 1859 at which time they started on a long journey home. The USS Minnesota's cruise is detailed in a 9pp. 4to., paperbound journal entitled: "Abstract of a cruise to the East Indies, U. S. S. F. 'Minnesota', S. F. DuPont Esq., Commdg., 1857-8-9", reads, in very small part: "...[July 1st ]...1.30 P. M. got underway. 7.45 discharged pilot. Steaming...Aug. 6]...boarded an American ship 'Evaine'...bound to New York...[Aug. 20]...Jno. Davis (sea) fell from Main Yard to deck. Died within a few hours...[Aug. 21]...committed to the deep the remains of Jno. Davis...[Oct. 28]...the yard coming down killed Jas. L. Smith (OS)...[Oct. 31]...a heavy typhoon...blew Qr. Try sail to ribbons...[Hong Kong, Nov. 5]...got a Chinese pilot...at 1.50 P.M. anchored off Hong Kong...found Portsmouth & Servant in harbor...[Nov. 10]...flag ship 'San Jacinto' arrived from Shanghee, Commodore Armstrong on board...[Jan. 29, 1858]...flag officer Armstrong transferred command of squadron to F. O. Josiah Tatnall...[Feb. 10]...got underway and stood out through western passage...took Mr. Read on board at 6.45 P. M. came off Bogue Forts...[Feb. 13]...steamed down for Hong Kong...in coming in ran on board an English barque, carried away her jib boom and our main yard & damaged 2 whale boats...[Feb. 23]...sent Lieut. Simmons with an armed boats crew in search of Amer. Str. 'Cunfa' rumored taken by pirates...[Mar. 24]...steamed up the river for anchorage off Woosung...[Mar. 30]...boarded Eng[lish] brig 'Gallant' and found captain & 1st mate dead by cabin door...they had been murdered by Chinese pirates assisted by a part of her own Chinese crew...sent a doctor to dress wounds of some of the crew and a guard of marines to take charge of her &...render assistance to those needing it...[May 20]...at 10 A. M. the English & French forces opened fire on 8 or 9 forts commanding the mouth of the Pei-sho river & at Meridian were in entire possession of them all...[June 7]...Daniel W. Jones (sea) & Henry Bisp (sea) drowned alongside 'Powhatan' gig swamped...[Sept. 3]...anchored off bar in Yangtze river...[Dec. 16]...Thos. Biddle esq. Late consul to Singapore took passage for the U. S...[Feb. 20]...got underway for Cape Town. 'Homeward Bound'...[Apr. 3]...anchored at Table Bay...[Apr. 21]...got underway under steam...[Apr. 22]...lifted propeller...[May 29]...anchored in President's Roads...[May 30]...anchored in Boston Harbor...[June 1]...inspecting officers on board...". During the Civil War the USS Minnesota ran aground during the epic battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac. Truly a rare find of American naval history! Usual wear, overall very good.             $700 - 900