United States of America articles of agreement executed for GEM OF THE SEA

United States of America articles of agreement executed for GEM OF THE SEA

Date14 April 1853

Object number00029641

NameDeed

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 580 x 455 mm, 0.05 kg

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Kendall Whaling Museum

Terms

DescriptionUnited States of America articles of agreement executed for GEM OF THE SEA, 14 April 1853. The agreement begins `Articles of agreement, between the master and seamen, of mariners, of the ship GEM OF THE SEA of New York whereof Albert Bowen is at present master, or whoever shall go for master, now bound from the Port of New York, to Australia and from there to any other port or ports, place or places in the Pacific Ocean, East Indies or elsewhere...' The article of agreement has been signed by 22 crew, listing their name, station, birth place, age, height, wages per month and any advance wages. The article is signed by the District of the port of New York Collector Office and later by the United States Consulate Melbourne, on 21 September 1853, with the notation 6 men shipped. Attached to this single folio form is a manuscript consular supplement executed at Callao, and dated 20 January 1854. This supplement lists four crew signed on and is signed by the United States consulate.HistoryThe GEM OF THE SEA was a 370-ton barque launched in 1853 for the New York to Australia trade. In 1854 the vessel made a record passage of 35 days from Melbourne to Calloa, Peru. It was part of the great fleets of clipper trips from America to Australia at a time when goods and passengers streamed across the seas at record speeds. The early 1850s were a time of great prosperity for Australia due to the discovery of gold in New South Wales and Victoria. It is estimated that by the end of 1852, 90,000 new arrivals from around the world had come to Victoria alone in search for the illusive metal. Along with the booming population came the demand for better infrastructures such as railways and roads. Introduced wealth saw the demand, and money, for greater goods and services such as businesses, trade in luxury items and the general trappings of a 'modern' city. Australia was being transformed and sources believe that from 1850 and 1900, Victoria produced the most gold in the world. SignificanceThis shipping agreement represents a relatively brief time in history when a strong economy, influx of immigrants and the eye of global trade were focused on Australia.