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CAPTAIN ANGUS RICHARDS : 1901 - 1902 ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN LOG BOOK OF THE MANY TRIPS OF THE SCHOONER ‘KIPLING’ FROM NOVA SCOTIA TO BRAZIL AND THE CARIBBEAN PROVIDING AN EXCELLENT LOOK AT EARLY 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN SAILING COMMERCE

Folio - over 12" - 15" tall. On offer is a curious and original manuscript relic of ocean going commerce, being the log book of an ill fated vessel called the Schooner "Kipling" whose commander, Captain Angus Richards details a journey from Halifax to Pernambuco Brazil in 1901-1902. The 175 page or so handwritten log is in many ways typical of sea faring logs kept since the age of sail. There are included within the pages a detailed weather conditions, ship position, cargo information, stray observations and condition reports. The log begins “From La Have towards Halifax” on the 27th of February, 1901. Next the ship is in the Port of Halifax on April 18. The entries while the ship are at port are the most expositional, focusing mostly on observations and not the precise calculations of the ship’s navigation. From Halifax, the schooner travels toward Pernambuco, then Barbados on May 4 arriving there on May 16, returning to Halifax on June 7, continuing from there to LeHave and Liverpool where they took on a load of lumber bound for the island of Antigua. They arrive in Antigua July 26, proceeding to Barbados reaching there on August 8. From there they go on to Puerto Rico and ports of Humacao and Fajardo, picking up a load of molasses. From Fajardo they set sail for St. John, New Brunswick on August 27. Other ports of call include Boston with final entries dated November 22nd dropping anchor in Getson's Cove in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia and getting ready to go out again to sea, however, where the ship is going is unwritten. The Schooner “Kipling” would eventually sink off the coast of Maine, in January 1906, and all seven members of the ship miraculously survived. The story is quite interesting for anyone interested. The log book is 13 1/4” x 8 1/4 inches. It’s a bit worn its edges but generally in pretty good condition. The front cover reads, “Ship - Kipling; Captain - Angus Richards; From - Halifax; To - Pernambuco.” The hardcover is covered in marbled paper, with a leather spine and sold by “Creighton & Marshall, 64 Upper Water Street (near the Ordinance) Halifax, NS.” The handwriting is very legible throughout in black ink that has not faded or smudged. TEXT: “Wednesday 28th Feb. 1901. At 20 minutes to eleven left Getson’s Cove with the wind from WNW bowing a strong breeze and at 4 p.m. , got alongside Hart’s wharf - hauled alongside and moored vessel furled sails and cleaned up decks.”; “Wednesday 13th March. Got ready for sea. At 4 p.m. east off from wharf. Set fore-sail jib and jumbo and proceeded to sea. Stowed anchors - secured everything above decks then set mainsail at 8 p.m. 7 miles from there I now take my departure.”; “Sunday 17th March. From Halifax towards Pernambuco. This day comes in with fresh breeze and wind increasing to a gale with a high sea running vessel bowing hard and ship taking on large quantities of water on decks after 4 a.m. moderating some but still a high sea running which made vessel pitch and roll very heavy.”; “Friday 2nd August. From Antigua towards Barbados. Strong winds from the ENE with a scattering rain squall during this day. At 7 a.m. sighted Barbados. At noon came to an anchor in Parlile Bay furled sail and cleaned up decks. Moored vessel and made ready for discharging. This day has 36 hours to commence harbor log.”; “Monday 19th August. At the port of Humacao. Strong trades during this day with a scattering rain squall. Took out 25 tons of ballast and put it on deck. Then took in 32 Puncheons of Molasses. Returned 14 Empty Puncheons and took on 4 Puncheons of molasses on deck. Then cleared up and made ready for sea. Painted mast hoops on fore and main mast. Pumped ship. Anchor light attended too. Amount of cargo taking in at Humacao - 113 Puncheons of Molasses in the hole. 4 Pun. M. on deck.” OVERALL: G+. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good +

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