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CAPTAIN CHARLES H. BACON : 1876 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY AND LOG OF A NOTED NEW ENGLAND SEA CAPTAIN WHOSE CARGO IS HELPING BUILD AMERICA'S GREAT CITIES

16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. On offer is a unique record of a sailing captain's journey along the eastern seaboard of the United States. The leather-bound volume measures 5.75 inches by 3.5 inches and contains 120 pages. It is 100% complete. The notes are written in pencil but can still be read after all these years. The cover, binding and pages are all in good condition. Charles H. Bacon was born in 1815 in Middletown, Connecticut, USA. He passed away in 1902 at the age of 86. His obituary in the Hartford Courant, dated December 17, 1902 stated: "...Captain Bacon was one of the best known sea captains in this vicinity. When a young man he shipped as mate on the frigate Isabella and was engaged in the West Indian trade for many years. When that trade died out some fifty years ago he took command of a schooner engaged in the coastine trade, and made hundreds of trips from the Portland quarries to New York, Philadelphia and other ports. A few years ago he gave up his seafaring life." In 1876, he was captain of a sailing vessel plying the waters of the eastern seaboard, carrying cargo to various ports. The name and size of his ship, a schooner (Mar 13, 1877) are not mentioned. His journal begins Aug 4th, 1876 after loading at Middletown: "Sailed from Middletown to Haddam Neck." [Aug 6]; "Sailed from Haddam Neck to East Haddam to Saybrook. ... sailed from Saybrook to off Falkner's Island." [Aug 7]; "Sailed from Old Field to Rikers Island" [Aug 9]. His journal continues with 1 and 2 line entries. For the most part, he is hauling stone from the Middletown area to New York City. He records amounts received for his cargo and amounts paid for help he hires as needed. He continues right up until Dec 20th: "Finished discharging coal and towed to Chapprel's Dock * to lay up for the winter ... "This was Chappel's Coal Dock in New London, CT. His season begins again in March of 1877: "Left Middletown for New London to start the schooner"[Mar 13]. The year's entries follow the same pattern - 1 or 2 line entries identifying ports of call, trips made and cargo carried. His last entry for 1877 reads: "Lay at Middletown. Discharged crew". [Dec 10, 1877]. The remaining 36 pages contain lists of names that context suggests were people he did business with and lists of accounts. This is an excellent example of record keeping in the coastwise trade in the 2nd half of 19th century America. It provides a very good insight into the trade in stone during a time when New York City, Philadelphia and others were beginning their massive growth that led them to becoming the great cities they are today.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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