Whaling Logs
Description
Images of logbooks from the Nicholson Whaling Collection, part of the Providence Public Library's Special Collections. Most of these items are recent acquisitions. For a list of other Nicholson Collection logs available online, see http://www.provlib.org/exhibitions/whaling-maritime-history/whaling-logbooks.
View the items in Whaling Logs
Items in the Whaling Logs Collection
Log of the Catherine, 1854-1856
This log from a New London vessel (Elisha Hull, Master) was kept by James S. Johnson, Steward, who wrote thirty-five pages of entries dating from November 21, 1854 to May 21, 1855, and did some sketches. While not extensive, the logbook records this…
Log of the Congress, 1846-1848
This log from a New Bedford vessel (Charles Little II, Master) was kept by Samuel Robinson (a greenhand), from June 21, 1846 to October 23, 1848. The Congress travelled to the Pacific Ocean and the northwest coast. Highlights include descriptions of…
Log of the Eliza, 1865-1869
The Eliza was a 296-ton bark built in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts in 1856. Her Captain (or Master) on this voyage (1865-1869) was James Witherell. The keeper of this log (probably the Mate, John D. Dimond) recorded standard information on…
Log of the Eliza, 1867-1868
This is a partial journal for the same ship, same voyage as recorded in another logbook in the collection (Eliza, 1865-1869). At the front is inscribed “C. Eldridge,” indicating that this journal was probably kept by Cyrenius Eldridge,…
Log of the Favorite, 1857-1861
Under Captain Henry Smith, this voyage (1857–1861) from Fairhaven, MA to the Northern Pacific was rather unsuccessful, bringing home only 546 barrels of oil. The ship recruited sailors from the Sandwich Islands, and in January 1860, off the…