Description:

(CHINA) ILLUSTRATED LOGBOOK OF THE USS MARION IN THE FAR EAST, 1849-1852
Lengthy, well-written unofficial log book penned aboard penned aboard the third rate sloop of war USS MARION by seaman William N. Maull during a cruise of the East Indies, approx. 375pp. 7 1/2" x 12 1/2", commencing in Philadelphia on Dec. 17, 1849 and ending at sea on June 20, 1852. Most of the journal concerns the journey between, and port calls at Manila, Victoria, Two Brothers, Whampoa, Formosa, the Taipa River, Macau, and Hong Kong. This is an incredibly well-written and very detailed journal. Maull opens the journal describing shipboard life and the daily routine of life at sea. He describes Rio de Janeiro and the slaves he sees there, and mentions a man falling overboard whose life is saved by an albatross who repeatedly push him to the surface. By June, 1852 the MARION arrives in the region of Sumatra, and near the Straits of Gaspar he describes bringing parrots and monkeys aboard. In July, the vessel proceeds to Canton and Whampoa, and the sailor describes his interactions with the local Chinese who come aboard offering silk and regularly traverse the harbor in a "Joss" boat, a proceeding he describes in detail. A fine watercolor of a junk is added to the text, along with a description of its construction, use, and trade routes. The Chinese themselves are physically described, and the author has a local write his name "William N. Maull" in the log. On July 11, the MARION arrives at Macau and Maull offers a detailed description of the city and his visit to the "Joss house" (temple). During a November celebration, the Portuguese naval vessel DONNA MARIE explodes and sinks, probably due to ignition of a magazine, and the sailor carefully describes the horrific results and consequent events. Many aspects of life in China, Macau and the Philippines during the period are carefully described by Maull, including: government, customs, manner of eating, dress, religious and funeral practices, family life, punishments and floggings, artistic works, plays, trade, Chinese New Year, and much more. The amount of detailed contemporary information is staggering, and space will not permit even a fraction to be quoted here to fairly represent the journal. Additionally, Maull has added about a dozen watercolor images of various Chines vessels to the journal, along with a few other painting of locals and the MARION as well. All pages are clearly written in ink and entirely legible, covers detached. Enough cannot be said about this historic volume!

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July 8, 2015 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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