Manuscript ship's log of the American ship VERSAILLES

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Manuscript ship's log of the American ship VERSAILLES

Author Captain John Henry

Date1854 - 1855

Object number00046730

NameLogbook

MediumLeather, paper, cardboard

DimensionsOverall: 13 x 181 x 212 mm, 378.41 g

ClassificationsBooks and journals

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Collections

Manuscript diaries, journals and logs

Terms

DescriptionThe ships log of the VERSAILLES on a journey from Boston to Sydney, Sydney to Callao 1854 - 1855. HistoryThe VERSAILLES was built in Medford Massachusetts in 1848 by J.T. Foster. The vessel was 133 feet in length, 30 feet beam and 20 feet depth of hold. The loaded draft was 17 feet. The ship was described as a full mode) with deck cabin and was built of oak with copper and iron fastenings. 'It made a voyage from Boston to San Francisco in 128 days aniving on 24 March 1852 under the command of Captain Knowles. The VERSAILLES also 'made an early voyage in the tea trade from Canton to London. In addition to this voyage the ship called at Melbourne in December 1861, departing 25 January 1862 for Otago New Zealand.SignificanceThis is a very rare account of an American trading voyage from Boston to Sydney in 1854-1855 during
the Australian and American goldrushes which saw increased trade between the two countries.