Description:

LOG OF THE SHIPS "EARL OF BALCARRAS" AND "HELEN" DURING THE FIRST OPIUM WAR
Bound volume, approx. 128 pp. 8vo., an original handwritten log book documenting the 1840 voyage of the ship EARL OF BALCARRAS from London to Bombay (modern Mumbai) and China, kept by her chief officer, Alexander Bayne. The volume is bound in its original hard boards covered with marbled paper, and bears torn and aged paper labels on each cover. Each day, the keeper of the log records the ship's position, the prevailing conditions and direction of the wind, and records any notable weather phenomena, as well as encounters with other vessels, major maintenance of the ship, and any other interesting events. The ship puts to sea on September 25, and arrives at Bombay on May 25, 1841. Continuing on to China, the ship calls at Singapore, Hong Kong, and Manila. While at Hong Kong in July, Bayne records a devastating typhoon and its aftermath, in part: "... one of the severest typhoons ever felt in China, the whole fleet of ships driving about in all directions, some without masts which had been cut away & others flying to the shore as if they were tired of the tempest & there lodging ... on the rocks ... next morning the sight was horrible dead bodies floating about in all directions & several noble ships on shore ... had the typhoon lasted 20 minutes more we would have all been on shore..." Continuing to Whampoa, near Canton, Baynes writes: "...moored ship at the new anchorage close by the 1st bar large ships not being able to pass over on account of the Chinese having sunk Junks with stones in them in order to block the passage up so as to make themselves secure from the infuriated Barbarians as they are graciously pleased to call us ... during our stay here we remain in constant dread of the Chinese fearing that they might break their good faith with us but no such thing ... however they had plenty of troops stationed round us to see that we did the same..." These lines hint at the considerable tensions percolating between the English and the Chinese during the First Opium War, which was at its height during the Earl's visit. Upon returning to Macao, Baynes receives a promotion, and is given command of the ship HELEN in July of 1842. He continues to record his voyages between China, Singapore and Bombay, stopping abruptly in January of 1843. The volume bears the expected toning and slight foxing on the endpapers, with some wear and bumping to the covers and spine, but is in very good condition overall. Altogether an excellent record of a particular moment in history, containing more personal observations that most logs of this sort.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

November 17, 2016 11:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000