This logbook, kept by John T. Hudson, includes accounts of journeys from the Sandwich [Hawaiian] Islands to Canton and Canton to Boston. The log is in two main sections. The first section comprises 9 pages and is headed: "Remarks on board ship Mercury. Wm. H. Davis, from Sandwich Islands towards Canton." The first entry is dated 15th October, 1806 [actually 1807]. It concludes November 29, 1807. Davis was the father of William Heath Davis, Jr. an early Californian and important San Diego pioneer. Entries mention the Hawaiian royal family, cargo including bananas and taro, and ports along the way. He mentions taking leave of his ship Tamana. The second section comprises 42 pages and is headed, "Ship O'Cain from Canton to Boston." The first entry is February 14, 1808 and concludes on June 15, 1808. Hudson served as the captain of the O'Cain. His notes include lists and prices of skins purchased, lists of items such as sewing silks, India cotton, china and glassware, lace, liquors, tobacco, paper & ink, powder & shot, knives, axes, etc. Several shorter sections occur towards the end of the volume, including one headed: "The purchase of sea otter skins at San Blas." Much of the volume is blank. The very last pages of entries include only a few lines: "Don Luis Munoz de Gusman. Captain General of Chile." "Don Manuel Rodriguez, Comd. of the Port of St. Diego." and a list of several names including: Capt. James Rowen, William H. Davis, Samuel C. Blodget, Clifford, and Boyd. Several loose pages of writing containing notes and navigational calculations are laid in volume. Bound in full leather with a 19th-century tapa (kapa) cloth cover. The Huntington also has 2 volumes of Hudson's earlier journals and logbooks on the ship Tamana from 1805 to 1807: mssHM 30491-30492. Captain John T. Hudson was the master of the schooner "Tamana." After completing the 1806-1807 voyage, Hudson sold his schooner to a Russian gentleman, "Mr. Susa Slobotchkoff," took passage to China on the Mercury and from there to Boston on the O'Cain. He committed suicide in Providence, Rhode Island on July 18, 1808 at the age of 29. HM 83408. The Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.
Hudson, John T., 1778 or 1779-1808 Ocean travel Ship captains Voyages and travels Fur trade Sea otter Hawaii Guangzhou (China) O'Cain (Sailing vessel) Mercury (Sailing vessel : approximately 1806-1811) Ships' logs United States 19th century. (aat) Tapa (bark cloth) (aat)
Source
Manuscripts, Huntington Digital Library
Provenance
With John T. Hudson's signature on front free-leaf.
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