Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Log book of the EARL OF MIDDLESEX by the ship's surgeon
Log book of the EARL OF MIDDLESEX by the ship's surgeon

Log book of the EARL OF MIDDLESEX by the ship's surgeon

Author
Date1766 - 1768
Object number00018286
NameLogbook
MediumCardboard, leather, gilt, Ink on paper
DimensionsOverall: 377 x 255 x 15 mm, 0.85 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Michael Wilkin
DescriptionLog book of the EARL OF MIDDLESEX written by the ship's surgeon William Wilkin on a voyage from Portsmouth to Batavia departing the Downs, Kent, 31 December 1766 and arriving in Batavia 1767. The log book contains a list of the 113 crew members and a detailed description of the 499 ton vessel's voyage. On this voyage John Hasell was the captain and the EARL OF MIDDLESEX arrived back in the Downs on 3 July, 1768, some weeks before departure of James Cook and the ENDEAVOUR. HistoryThis is a log of the East indiaman the EARL OF MIDDLESEX, on its voyage from Portsmouth to Batavia departing the Downs 31 December 1756, arriving Batavia 1767. The log begins with list of the 113 crew, from Captain John Haswell to George Brotherton, the poulterer and William Mathews, surgeons mate, both of whom died in the Sunda Strait. The Earl of Middlesex was a 499 ton East Indiaman, owned by Andrew Moffat. This was it's second voyage to the East, and only one further is known.There is much picturesque detail on the voyage. On 6 January "David Campbell seaman jumped overboard and was drowned". On the 7th "12 people on the sick list mostly venereal". In fresh conditions "the ship labours very much and ships a great many seas". There were six passengers. A Register of Ships, Employed in the Service of the Honorable the United East India Company, from the Year 1760 to 1819, with an Appendix: Containing a Variety of Particulars and Useful Information, Interesting to Those Concerned with East India Commerce - Charles Hardy, 1820.SignificanceThis log was written just prior to Cook's voyage to the South Seas is a particularly fascinating insight into shipboard life of the period.