THE HONOURABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY SERVICE

This is the Journal, Log and Imprest Book of the Honourable East India Company Ship, the Solebay on her voyage from England to Benkulen 1764-1765. Commanded by Captain William Richardson.

EXTRACT

THE JOURNAL AND SHIP'S LOG ETC.

OF THE HON. COMPANY'S SHIP

SOLEBAY

(BLACKWALL, LONDON, ENGLAND)

Written by The Commander, Captain William Richardson

Voyage to Benkulen

14 Jan 1763 - 1764

(British Library Ref: L / MAR / B / 591A, 591B, 591C(1), 591C(2).)

Transcribed by Tim Richardson,
Bryant Bayliffe and Julian Rawes
November 2020

Contents

The HEICS


Company Flag 1600-1707

East India House, Leadenhall Street, London, 1796-1861
from Trade in the Eastern Seas 1793-1813.

Company Flag 1707-1808

Company Flag 1801-1858

The Honourable Company was granted a Royal Charter by Elizabeth I on 31st December 1600 and until its closure in 1858 had amassed a vast archive. The Library of the Honourable East India Company Service is housed in the British Library in Euston, London. The HEICS library contains many thousands of records including hundreds of ships’ journals, logs, ledgers & pay books. They are contained in large ledgers, the journals & logs in one tome with the ledgers and pay books in separate books. A catalogue of these records was published in 1999 by the British Library, titled ‘Catalogue of East India Company Ships’ Journals and Logs 1600-1834’ and edited by Anthony Farrington. Most of these records have not been microfilmed. If a copy is required then a microfilm copy is made at the expense of the purchaser to whom a photostat or CD is given. A useful site for the explanation on the HEICS library is: www.barnettmaritime.co.uk/mainheic.htm.

HEICS ships would leave from and return to London using a number of stopping points both in the Thames estuary and the south coast. Passengers would more than likely embark and disembark at these stopping points. The first and major point was at Gravesend or more exactly Longreach. This was a priority for the larger vessels which would on occasion have their guns removed to lighten the ship before proceeding up the river to Deptford or Blackwall for the East India docks.


Map of the Thames estuary indicating some of the navigational points mentioned in the journals.

Until the opening of the East India Docks at Blackwall in 1806, Company ships moored on the tidal river alongside the Royal shipyards at Deptford. Deptford was the anchorage at the start of the Port of London. The ships moored alongside lines of moorings called tiers and all goods were offloaded on to lighters, hoys or barges and carried by them to wharves on shore or further up river.

Deptford from the South London Guide


1806 - the new East India docks at Blackwall
from Trade in the Eastern Seas 1793-1813.


Circa 1830 - East India docks at Blackwall
from WWW.British-History.ac.uk.

A major embarkation point for passengers and soldiers in particular was at Motherbank close to Culver Cliff and Spithead near Portsmouth. This was also where, in times of war, a Royal Navy escort would join the annual fleet. The Isle of Wight, with its healthy climate, assumed some importance to the Company, Newport, Cowes, Ryde, St Helens and Carisbrooke attracted Company officials and the Isle itself acted as a granary with production of malt, salt, flour, poultry and biscuit. A number of HEIC ships officers both came from and retired to the Isle. The naval docks at Portsmouth was close to hand for exchange of ships, crew information etc. For the Isle of Wight's connection with the Company see: http://www.hantsfieldclub.org.uk/publications/hampshirestudies/digital/2010s/Vol_68/Thomas.pdf

Most Company ships were used as troop carriers for soldiers needed in India and the Far East. These were mostly regiments created for and employed by the Company to serve in India. One of the Company's training depots was opened at Newport in the Isle of Wight in 1801. This was superceeded by the Brompton Barracks at Chatham in 1815. Recuitment lists are held in the British Library under Ref: IOR/L/MIL/9/1-106, L/MIL/9/1-28, 1817-1860, L/MIL/9/29-84 for military depots, 1801-1861. and L/MIL/9/85-106 for embarkation lists, 1753-1861. References from: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=742726.0.

Hoys & Lighters
Ships logs often mention these little craft, usually with names attached, such as Baring Hoy or Coromandel Hoy, names which often relate to ships of the same name, or perhaps firms trading with the Honourable Company.

A hoy was a shallow bottomed manoeuvrable sloop-rigged vessel ideally suited to an estuarine or coastal environment. Lighters were flat-bottomed and usually manpowered by single long oars called sweeps. Hoys, lighters and similar craft were essential for ferrying cargo and passengers between ship and port. The Thames still sees lightermen and their barges albeit powered. See under Wikipedia for more on these important vessels.

Packet ships
Log entries occasionally mention the term Packet. This refers to medium-sized ships that ploughed the seas between ports, usually on a regular basis and either owned or hired by the Company to carry post, passengers and cargo. They acted as the arteries of the Company and Empire helping to keep the flow of communication constant, An example was the Georgiana, a Company packet built by Wells of London circa 1795, a three-masted vessel, length 95ft and 285 tons. She sailed to Bengal four times and to South Africa twice and was stationed at St Helena for over three years, where she sailed between South America and South Africa, probably keeping a watchful eye on passing traffic. Others would have been based throughout the British world of influence. America also relied upon them at their ports and on the Mississippi.

Every attempt has been made to produce a faithful 'abridged' copy of the Journal and Log Book. A glossary along with explanatory notes has been added to help the reader to understand the transcript along with information of other ships and people noted in the Journal. It is realised that errors are possible owing to the difficulty of transcription. The Editor's notes can be found throughout set within square brackets.

Journals and Log Books,
as well as Ledgers, Payment Books, Absence Books, Imprest books, Receipts &c.

The following can be divided into two types of document, Journals sometimes called Deck or Dock Logs), Logs were created during the voyage by Officers on board ship to record every day events; Ledgers, Pay Books, Absence Books and Imprest Books were created by Company Officials based in London, and dealt with payments to the crew. In the Journal of the Wexford the 1st and 2nd Officers sign the daily entries on behalf of the Captain.

Journal & Log Book
A journal is a generic term for logs that covers any document that logs events. It is a fascinating record of day-to-day events on board ship such as location, weather, repairs, washing decks, including the gun deck where the crew slept, discipline, loading and unloading, embarking and disembarking and external events. The Journal records everyone on board, their positions and status whether or not they left ship or perished, including passengers. There is also a distinction between the 'Harbour Journal' and the 'Sea Log'. The ledger starts as large blank pages given to the Commander, Purser or other Officers at the commencement of each voyage. The journal and log was dutifully created by the Commander or assigned officers and the resulting document, signed by the Commander and handed in at the end of the voyage. It was the duty of the ship's Purser to deposit the ship's journals etc. at Company headquarters.

A fascinating survival is a printed form found in the front of the Journal for the Company ship Wexford 1803-4. It is a detailed description of the duties that the Captain and senior officers have to perform in regard to recording the ship's progress and every day events.


Printed form dating to 1803 from
the Journal of the Wexford 1803-4

Duplicate logs written on HEICS forms still survive in private hands as in the case of the Warren Hastings in 1825-6 and the Repulse in 1831-32. These have the appearance of being soiled and original as opposed to the rather clean copies handed in to India House. It is not known how many of these copies were kept on a particular voyage or are still extant but their survival must be rare. The keeping of copy journals by midshipmen and junior officers was probably encouraged for training purposes. On a rare occasion such as with the 1822/3 voyage of the ship 'London' to Madras and China, the Captains, the 3rd mate's, a midshipman's and another journal was lodged at Company Headquarters.

Under normal voyages Farrington's Catalogue of East India Company ships' Journals and Logs, usually lists a Journal (and Log Book), a Ledger and a Payment Book. There are occasions however, such as when the voyage of a ship is cut short, the Ledger and Payment Book are often replaced by that of an Absence Book and an Imprest Book. With that of the voyage of the Asia 1780-1783 however there is a surviving Journal, Ledger, Pay Book as well as an Imprest Book and Receipt Book. There does appear to be a direct correlation between the loss of a ship and the Absence, Imprest and Receipt books confirming that these were records based at Company Headquarters and never went to sea with the ship.

Absence Book
The Absence Book was an internal document used by Company Officials to keep a track on interim and final payments relating to individual members of the crew and was often accompanied by an Imprest Book. The Absence Book is as its name implies, an account of payments made to a representative of the crew member concerned such as a wife, mother, relative or friend. An example being Thomas Ainsley Cook, Boatswain on board the Ganges 1805-1807. In the Imprest Book he signed a receipt for £7 on 7th February 1805, presumably when or shortly after he entered service. In the Absence Book, while Thomas was at sea, Mary Cooke, presumably a relative, signed for and received £3.10 on 13th October 1805, "being one month absent". she again received interim payments of £3.10 on 15th April 1806, 15th October 1806 & 15th April 1807. He died at Bombay on 3rd February 1807. The Absence Book of the Ganges, which we have transcribed, is a volume containing payment forms, dealing with one crew member per page. Each page carries six printed receipt forms, usually only partially filled in.

Deck Log
Is a form of a Journal and Log Book.

Imprest Book
An Imprest Book, sometimes accompanied by an Absence or Receipt Book, is similar to a Pay Book but is a listing of payments made to the Crew member upon being hired. A more familiar term is the enforced 'pressing' or pressed used by the Royal Navy to hire seaman by force, hence the term 'Press Gang'. In our sense it is usually an advance payment to the hired seaman. Imprest records appear to survive when a voyage for whatever reason, whether shipwreck or otherwise, had been cut short. The money was often released by increment, sometimes after a considerable period, to either the crew member or his representative, which could be a member of his family. For more information see the Journal of the ship Ganges under the transcription of its Imprest Book.

Ledger
The following is based upon the transcribed Ledger of the ship Juliana. This is a book originally of blank forms prefaced by index pages. The index is arranged in alphabetical manner on pages divided in two so that columns for names beginning with A B appear on the first page. The forms are arranged two per page and are set out as per the following image.

The ledger is only partially filled, probably because the Juliana was only in service for two voyages. The first entry begins on 2nd May 1810 with image 16, with a voyage under Captain Toussaint to Bengal. The voyage under Captain Rawes begins with image 136. The last entry is on 24th September 1813, after the completion of a voyage under Captain Rawes from Batavia. There are blank pages both between the two voyages and after.

There are two forms per crew member, including the captain, and they are spread across two pages therefore when one opens the ledger there are two pages one and so on. Form one gives wages and deductions while the second form gives length of service and the amount received per month. There are usually two crew members on each two page. Each form can have two or more entries as they represent both salary and expenses covering the voyage.

Payment Book
Often accompanying a Ledger, the Payment Book is a book of printed receipts filled in and signed, either by the crew member or his assignee, depending on whether he was unable to sign or deceased etc. Each receipt is numbered which refers one back to the Ledger. There are four receipts per page. There is an image of the Ledger in the Journal & Log of the Juliana.

Receipt Book
A receipt Book is a Company document and is believed to be similar to a payment Book and often all there is left when a ship is lost with no surviving journal and log book. On another occasion a ship remained in India and there is only a Receipt Book and an Imprest Book, while on another occasion it accompanies a Ledger and Pay Book.

Landmarks:
Directions for Sailing to and from the East Indies

John Horsburgh, The India Directory or Directions for sailing to and from the East Indies, China, Australia, and the interjacent ports of Africa and South America: originally compiled from the Journal of the Honourable Company's Ships, and from observations and remarks. First published in two volumes plus supplement in 1811, is a most interesting book which describes the route and landmarks to the Far East, including approaches to the ports of India and China. An electronic version of the book is available on the Internet.

  • Vol. 1: London to the Bay of Bengal.
  • Vol. 2: Bay of Bengal to China, &c.


from www.britishempire.co.uk

Solebay

It is not certain when the Solebay was or by whom. The Lloyd Register entry for 1764 has: Commanded and owned by Captain Richardson, 450 tons, compliment 70 crew and built in 1750. She only sailed under the HEICS flag once, under Captain Richardson, once in 1764/5. Her voyage was from England to Benkulen in Indonesia where she arrived on 9th June 1765, her Journal ends on 20th June. The Journal is handed in and signed off by the 2nd mate William Welch at nearby Fort Marlborough on 18th April 1766 and lodged with the Governor on 1st October of that year and would then have been dispatched to London. At some stage after 20h June 1865 Captain Richardson and the Solebay proceeded from Bencoolen to Calcutta where Captain Richardson remained as a merchant and privateer for many years. No further information has come to light on the subsequent fate of the Solebay.


Example of a page from this Journal.
Friday 15th June 1764.

Farrington extract for this voyage:-
The extract from Catalogue of East India Company Ships’ Journals and Logs 1600-1834, edited by Anthony Farrington:-

SOLEBAY: Purchased from the Royal Navy. 350 tons. Principal Managing Owner: Charles Dingley.

1 1763-4 Benkalen
L/MAR/B/591A De
L/MAR/B/591B Jou         te
L/MAR/B/591C(1) Imp [Imprest Book]
L/MAR/B/591C(2) Abs [Absence Book]
Capt William Richardson
Downs 29 May 1764 - 9 Aug Batavia -
Jun Benkulen         7 Apr 1765.
[At this stage there is unfortunately a corruption of the text in Farrington's book.]

For further information on Captain Richard please refer to: https://richardson.surnametree.com/.

What the Papers Said
Tracked down by Tim Richardson.

Aberdeen Press and Journal 5 March 1764

Aberdeen Press and Journal 7 March 1764

       

The Convoy

Honourable East India Company Service ships, were generally well armed and capable of holding their own against single adversaries. The Journals often mention the cleaning of guns and drills taking place. However, especially in times of war, Company ships would set sail in convoy, accompanied by a Royal Navy ship with the captain described as a Commodore. During the long voyage there would be a fair amount of 'watching out', both for each other and for 'strangers'. If a stranger was not identified quickly then the Royal Navy ship would peel off and give chase. Royal Navy ships would not necessarily be any larger than merchant ships, which had to provide space for cargo but they were specifically prepared and better armed with their crew trained for war. A convoy would not remain fixed as there would be ships, both HEICS, Royal Navy ships and others leaving or joining. This would be especially the case when the convoy reached its port of destination. Seasonal weather patterns such as prevailing winds would play a part in when ships or convoys would leave England. January to July seems to have been the favoured time to set sail for the Far East.

Orders of Sailing and Defence
Bound in the volume containing the Journal and Log of the Indiaman True Briton, are five pages containing illustrations giving the name, position and vignettes of the individual ships in the Convoy, both outward-bound and inward-bound. Also included is an attractive array of identifying pendants, which the ships had to fly for identification purposes. It appears that ship carried a collection of assorted flags which they stored in a 'colour-chest'.

Please refer to the section on 'Illustrations' within the page dealing with the True Briton for a fuller understanding of their function.

List of Ships noted in this journal.

Every journal contains sightings of other craft, whether in passing, in a convoy, or in or near to a port. There was a good reason for this in that, before the age of telecommunication, it helped to keep record of ships encountered. These sightings were entered in to the journal on a daily basis. There is also the occasional mention of Royal Navy ships in the crew lists where crew have been pressed. Sometimes there is just one note of a passing ship, other times, especially in a convoy, the particular vessel is mentioned on a number of occasions.

Encounters Page:
is a list of all ships encountered in the transcripts we have done so far. Additional details of these ships have been added by the Editors from a number of sources. The main sources for the HCS ships and for their commanders come from Farrington: Catalogue of East India Company's Ships' Journals. Another site used is: eicships.threedecks.org, a useful source for 'country' ships. Information on HM ships comes from the website: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~pbtyc/18-1900/C/01156.html, and there is also the Internet, mostly Wikipedia.

Only the first sighting in the Journal has been recorded, unless there is a particular event that is thought worthwhile recording. Therefore it is worthwhile searching this journal for other references to a particular ship. Please click:-

~ Encounters ~.

Contents of Ship's Log


 Log Pages Description Date

1 Title Page


6-14 Harbour Log at Limehouse Hole 3rd April - 29th May 1764

15 - 50 Sea Log in The Downs 30th May - 8th August 1764

50 - 52 Harbour Log at St Salvadore, Brazil 9th August - 19th August 1764

52 - 84 Harbour Log to Madagascar 20th August - 21st October 1764

84 - 88 Harbour Log at St Augustine's Bay, Madagascar 22nd October - 13th November 1764

88 - 90 Sea Log to Mannee, Madagascar 14th November - 17th November 1764

90 - 99 Harbour Log at Mannee, Madagascar 18th November 1764 - 6th January 1765

100 - 144 Sea Log from Madagascar 7th January - 6th April 1765

145-154 Harbour Log at Batavia 7th April - 19th May 1765

154-164 Sea Log from Batavia 20th May - 8th June 1765

164-165 Harbour Log at Bencoolen 9th June - 20th June 1765

[Page 001: - cover]

[Page 002:]
Fort Marlborough 18th April 1766

No. 44

Recd P Grosvenor 1st. Oct. 1766

1764.5 / 591 / B

William Welch1 1765

[1 = 2nd mate]

[3 blank pages]

[Page 006:]

Harbour Log

Ship Solebay in Limehouse Hole

Tuesday 3rd April 1764.
East winds with cloudy weather. In the Morning employed getting the Ropes &c. on board & clearing the Ship. At 3pm Hauled out of the Dock and moored at the Chains off the Yard.

Wednesday 4th April 1764.
East w. Got the mizzen masts in and rigged it overhead. Received on board Barrels of Tar for the Ships use. Tradesmen at work as follows, 6 Carpenters, 5 Joiners, 3 Riggers, 2 Plumbers and 2 Painters.

Thursday 5th.
Ditto winds & weather. Received on board 8 Swivel Guns for the use of the Ship and a Capstan Tradesmen as follows 3 Riggers, 12 Carpenters 2 Painters, 6 Caulkers & 3 Joiners.

Friday 6th.
Wind as before. Came alongside a Lighter to take our Ballast. PM dispatched 30 tons. Sent on Shore Longboat 4 old Guns and Carriages, Tradesmen as follows 16 Carpenters, 5 Riggers, 2 Painters and 2 Joiners.

Saturday 7th.
Westerly winds with cloudy weather. Completed clearing the Hold. Tradesmen on board 16 Carpenters, 5 Riggers, 2 Joiners & 2 Painters.

Sunday 8th.
West with fine weather. No Workmen on board .

Monday 9th.
Winds with cloudy weather. And some Rain. Employed clearing the Ship PM Sent the Longboat ashore loaded with Lumber to Dock Yard.

Tuesday 10th.
Winds in the SE Quarter with Squally Rainy weather. Tradesmen on board 11 Carpenters, 5 Joiners and 3 Painters.

[Page 007:]

Ship Solebay in Limehouse Hole

Wednesday 11th April 1764.
The first part East winds with cloudy weather and some Rain. Employed clearing the Hold. PM Sent the Longboat ashore loaded with Lumber to the Dockyard. Came alongside a Lighter with Empty Casks. Received 5 Masts Coats, 50 yards worn Duck for Cabbins. 20 ditto for Perching and 7 Tarpaulins. Tradesmen as follows 2 Painters, 2 Caulkers, 1 Rigger, 12 Carpenters and 5 Joiners.

Thursday 12th.
Westerly Winds with frequent showers of Rain. Received on Board one gallon and about 60 Fathoms of Junk also three Pumps for the use of the Ship Carpenters. Employed fixing them, also fitting the half [mast].

Friday 13th.
Wind in the SW Quarter with fair Weather. The Carpenter Shutting in the Decks Round the Pumps. Joiners building Bulkheads in the Hold, Received on board 2 Barrels of Tar & 2000 Scupper Nails for the use of the Ship. Scraped the starboard side bright and payed it with Oil of Tar.

Saturday 14th.
Northerly winds & Cloudy weather. AM Came on Board with Mr Bince one of the Company’s Surveyors cleared the Limbers. Received on Board 47 Empty Butts likewise Sundry Ship Stores. Scrap’s the Starboard side and Payed it as before.

Sunday 15th.
Ditto Winds with fair Weather.

Monday 16th.
Ditto Winds & weather Employed fetching Wood from the Dockyard also Stowing away Empty Butts and filling them with water. PM Came alongside 2 Lighters with Iron and one with Empty Casks.

Tuesday 17th April 1764.
Light Winds Variable with Cloudy Rainy Weather. Employed filling Water and unloading one of the lighters of Iron. Received on Board three Topsails a Mizzen & Fore Topmast Staysails to bend. PM Swayed the Topmasts up.

Wednesday 18th.
Fresh Gales from the NW and fair weather. The first part moderate winds with frequent Showers of Rain. Received on board the remainder of the Iron and Stowed it in the Hold. Discharged the lighter. Came alongside a lighter with 8 Chaldron of Coals also a Lighter with our Small Bower and Stream Anchors got them on Board. Sett the Rigging up Fore & Aft Bent the Topsails and Foretopmast Staysails Received on board 23 Empty Water Butts Employed Stowing them in the Hold. Otherwise Employed Getting the ship ready for dropping down to Deptford.

Thursday 19th.
Moderate Breezes from the NW with fair weather. Got on board the Sails & got them down in the Hold. AM Came on board Mr Blackburn Pilot to carry the Ship down the River at 1am Cast loose & sailed to Deptford and made fast alongside the John and Mary, came alongside a Hoy with Stock Fish also another Boat with Oils and other Stores for the use of ye Ship and on board 10 dozen Birch Brooms.

Friday 20th.
Moderate Breezes Westerly with fair weather. Received on board Sundry Ships & Captains Stores, also 37 Empty Water Butts Employed Stowing them and filling Water People under the Boatswain. Employed 16 Lumpers. Hove up the Moorings and moored the Ship.

[Page 009:]

Ship Solebay at Deptford

Saturday 21st April. 1764.
Light Breezes from the NE with fair weather. Came alongside a Lighter with Our Guns took Both of them in. Received Sundry Stores on Acct of the Ship & Captain. Also our Sails. Employed 10 Lumpers. Received on board a longboat load of wood and our Colour Chest.

Sunday 22nd.
Easterly winds & fair weather. AM Came on board 2 Painters & finished Painting the Ship.

Monday 23rd.
Ditto winds & weather. Employed Stowing empty Butts and filling Water. Received on board some of our Dry Provisions. AM Came alongside a Barge with Three Cables Bent the Fore Sails, Top Gallant Sails & Stay Sails. Rec’d on board a longboat load of Wood.

Tuesday 24th.
Ditto winds and weather. Employed filling Water Discharged the Barge of the Cables. Rec’d an anchor from the Steady for a Bt Br. Also a longboat load of Wood.

[The meaning of Steady is not clear. Is it the name of a boat or is it 'steady' a howser carried out to a fixed object to keep a vessel steady? It is clearly connected to the two abreviations which follow.]

Wednesday 25th.
Northerly Winds with fair weather. Rec’d on board Our Spare & Sheet Anchor, stowed them on the Gunnwall, also 8 Puncheons of Beef. 16 of Pork, 8 Barrel Suits and 320 Bars of Iron, got on board all Our Guns & Carriages

Thursday 26th.
Fresh Gales Northerly with frequent Squalls & of Showers of Rain. Setting the Rigging up Fore & Aft. Prepared for going down to Gravesend. Received on board 2 spare Topmasts, 1 Sheer Mast, 2 Ruff Spann…[?] and one Spare Topsail Yard, 600 Round, 270 Barr Ditto, 100 Round Ditto. and 74 Round 3 Pounders.

Friday 27th.
Moderate breezes of Wind of Variable Weather. AM Came on board Mr Blackburn, Pilot, And at Noon Cast off from ye Chains At ½ past 4 PM Came Too with the Small Bower in half Way Reach. Carried Out the

Ship Solebay at Gavesend

[Page 010:]

[continued]..
Hedge and Stream Anchor to Steady the Ship.

Saturday 28th April 1764.
Night Airs, Variable and Cloudy Weather. Some Small Rain. At 10am Weighed and at 4 pm Came too with the Best Bower and Moored Ship with the Small Bower to the Flood. Gravesend Church bearing. The Flagstaff at Tilbury Fort. Received on board some Cordage also 10 Bundles Stock Fish, Ships Stores

Sunday 29th.
Strong Gales from the SW with Cloudy weather and Rain

Monday 30th.
In the Morning fresh Gales from the SW with frequent Showers of Rain. Received on board 45 Coils of Cordage 6 Hawsers 2 Towlines. PM Moderate & fair. Received on board 9 Casks Flour and 23 Baggs of Second Expending Bread 3 Ditto for Present expending. Employed in the Hold, People making Points, Nippers and Gasquetes [Gaskets], got the Sheet Anchor over the side and Bent the Cable. Discharged John Shadwell Cooks Mate Sent up to Town a Longboat & Yaul [Yawl].

Tuesday 1st May 1764.
Pleasant Gales SW with fair Weather. Received on board 13 Butts 12 with water 80 packs Puncheons Sta----[?]. PM came on board 31 Soldiers belonging to the Hon.ble Company with their Chests and other necessaries. Employed making Points, Gasguets and Nippers, Recd on board Lath Wood.

Wednesday the 2nd.
Fresh Gales from the SW with fair weather. Employed in the Hold Stowing water and Provisions for the Ships Use, also 4 --ds[?] small Beer, Employed making Points Gasquets and Nippers, Sailmaker Employed Nailing on Coates to the Masts.

[Page 011:]

Ship Solebay at Gravesend

Thursday the 3rd 1764.
Fresh SW Gales and fair weather. Received on board on acct of the Honble Company 1 Chest of Small Arms and 6 Casks Vinegar and Sundry Ship's Stores on acct of the Owners and Private Trade on acct of the Captain. Discharged Nichs Potts Carpenters Mate and Ingram Smith Sailmaker. People employed under the Boatswain.

Friday the 4th.
AM Moderate breezes WSW with fair weather. PM Calm with Rain. Hauled up the Cables and scraped ye Lower Decks Coiled them down again. Passed by the Plassey and [Earl of Ashburnham] Ashbournham home from the East Indies. Received on board 19 Soldiers on acct of the Hon Coy. Discharged Peter Preston, Richard Holland, Joshua Bridgeman Seamen.

Saturday the 5th.
Moderate breezes WSW with fair weather. Received on board Private Trade in acct of the Captain & Doctor. Unbent part of our Sails. Employed in the Hold under the Boatswain.

Sunday the 6th.
Dotto Winds and Weather. Clean’d the Hawser.

Monday the 7th.
Moderate breezes and fair. AM Set up the Lower Rigging and sent 16 Men To Town to be Impressed. PM Received on board Private Trade on acct of the Captain & Owners.

Tuesday the 8th.
Easterly winds and fresh breezes with fair weather. Employed Stowing the Lazaretto. Discharged Isaac Duncan Ships Steward.

Wednesday the 9th.
Chiefly fresh breezes of Easterly Winds with fair weather. People employed under the Boatswain. Received on board 240 Iron Potts on acct of the Owner.

[Page 012:]

Ship Solebay at Gravesend

Thursday May the 10th 1764.
Fresh Gales of SW Wind with cloudy rainy weather and frequent Squalls. AM Came alongside a boat with Powder. Received on board 40 Barrels for the Ships use, 80 half barrels and 169: Barrels on acct of the Owners, also for the Use of the Military. Employed stowing the Cordage in the Tween Decks.

Friday the 11th.
Moderate Westerly Winds with cloudy weather. Received on board a new 16 inch Cable for a Sheet which we spliced to the other and payed down in its berth.

Saturday the 12th.
Strong Gales of SW Winds with Rain. Received on board 6 Hhds2 Brandy for the use of the Soldiers.

[2 = Abbreviation of hogsheads - a large cask holding about 63 gallons]

Sunday the 13th.
Ditto winds & weather.

Monday the 14th.
Ditto Winds & weather. Received on board Medicine & Drugg Chests and part of our Livestock.

Tuesday the 15th.
Ditto winds & weather. Received on board Sundry Private Trade on acct of Owners, Captain and Officers. Employed stowing in the Hold.

Wednesday the 16th.
Calm with fair weather. Received Sundry Private Trade on acct of the Officers. Received our Long boat and an old Sail with 7 Spars. Employed in the hold.

Thursday the 17th.
Light Airs with fair weather. Hoisted up the Masts & Rigging Fore & Aft. Received on board 8 Bags of Bread. Employed stowing the Hold and Gunroom. Friday the 18th Light Airs variable and fair weather. Received on board Sundry Private Trade on acct of the Officers and 18 fathoms of Tiller Rope. Paid the Soldiers, bent the Sails.

[Page 013:]

Ship Solebay at Gravesend

Saturday May the 19th 1764.
Fresh breezes with Easterly Winds and fair weather. AM Came down our Cutter and Jolly Boat which we sent ashore with a longboat load of Water Casks empty. Received on board Sundry Stores.

Sunday May 20th.
Light breezes and fair weather. Received on board a longboat of Water and also Sundry Stores.

Monday the 21st.
Light winds and Fair Weather. AM went ashore several of our Men not caring to go the Voyage also missed Cove[?] one of the Company's Soldiers who we imagine swam ashore. Employed clearing the Ship. Received on board the Stock with Sundry Stores.

Tuesday the 22nd.
Variable light winds and fair. Prepared for unmooring. Paid some of the people their River Pay and sent up by Terreys Boat 12 Swivel Guns.

Wednesday the 23rd.
Ditto winds and weather. Hoisted in the Longboat and stowed her between Decks, wore away and took up the small Bower Anchor and hove short on the best, at 1 PM hoisted in the Boat & ½ past 6 Weighed and run down into the Hope. ½ 8 came too with the best Bower.

Thursday the 24th.
Ditto wind & weather, at 7 AM Weighed with light Airs to the Westward. At 1pm came too with the Small Bower in 4 fathoms in the lower part of the Roads. At 6 Weighed with a light breeze SE. At 3pm came too with the Small Bower in the Warp in 8 fathoms.

Friday the 25th.
Light Easterly winds and Calm. At 4am came on board Purser with 3 of our hands which left us. At 9am Weighed but being calm came too with the Small Bower in 8 fathoms. Employed setting up the Rigging.

[Page 014:]

Ship Solebay in the Downs

Saturday May 26th 1764.
Ditto winds and weather. At 10am Weighed but a falling Calm came too again at ½ past 11 with the Small Bower in 7 fms. PM flected3 the Rigging fore & aft and set it up.

3 = flecting = laying out and assembling the various lengths of sail

Sunday the 27th.
Fresh NW winds with some Rain. ½ past 5 AM Weighed. At 11 passed through the Narrows. At 3pm came too with the Best Bower in the Downs in 7fms Water. South Foreland SSW½W. Deal Castle WSW½ and Sandown Castle NW½N. Came on board Mr Hodson one of the Company’s Agents and Mustered the People.

Monday the 28th.
Fresh breezes Northerly winds & fair weather. Received on board beef and small Beer. Employed clearing the Ship for the Sea.

Tuesday the 29th.
Fresh breezes of Winds at NE with fair weather and some Rain. At 9am came on board our Purser with the Dispatches. Received on board one Tun and half of Water. Employed as before.

[End of Harbour Log]

[Start of Sea Log]

[Page 015:]

Ship Solebay from England [From here on each page is divided into a 7-column page, ex:]

Wednesday May 30th 1764.
C&D WbN 79. Fresh Gales with fair weather. Employ'd Clearing the Decks, other remarks on ye Log. Stored the Sheet Anchor. Dungeness ENE Distance about 2 Leagues. Beachy Head NbW ½ W Distance 4 Leagues. Lat -. Long 4.44W.

Thursday May 31st.
C&D S61W 106. Fresh Gales and fair weather. At 8pm the Bill of Portland bore North Distance about 7 or 8 Leagues. Stowed the Gunns in the Waste. People employed under the Boatswain. Take my Departure from Portland. allowing it to lay in Latitue 50.30N. Longitude from the Meridian of London 20. Lat -. Long -.

[Page 016:]

Towards Madagascar

Friday 1st June 1764.
Mostly pleasant Breezes with fair Weather and a smooth Sea. At 4pm got the best and small Bower Anchor on the Gunwales. At 8 Do: the Land in sight bearing from NbW to NNW½W Dist about 13 Leagues. Lat - Long 06.30W.

Saturday 2nd June C&D S48W 92. The first part Gales the middle latter moderate Breaze, Weather mostly cloudy Unbent the best[?] and small ---- Cables ropes[?] -- stays by the --- -----. Lat – Long 8.13W.

[Page 017:]

Ship Solebay from England

Sunday 3rd June 1764.
C&D S47W 122. The first part pleasant Breezes and fair weather middle & latter fresh Gales with Cloudy Squally weather & Rain. Lat 46.49W Long 10.28W.

Monday the 4th.
C&D S51W 127. For the most part fresh Gales and cloudy weather. People employed under the Boatswain. Lat 45.16N Long 12.50W.

[Page 018:]

Towards Madagascar

Tuesday June 5th 1764.
C&D S41W 93. Mostly fresh breezes with fair weather. People Employ'd by the Boatswain drawing Yarns. Carpenter Retting up the Bulk Head in the Steerage, other remarks as per Log. Lat 44.09N Long 14.16W.

Wednesday June 6th.
C&D S48W 45. Light breezes and fair weather. People Employed as per Days Past. Lat 40.16N Long 15.03W.

[Page 019:]

C&D

Thursday June 7th 1764.
C&D N57W 83. Fresh Gales with frequent Squalls and cloudy Hazy weather with Rain and a large head Sea. At ½ past 6 AM Sounded the Pumps and found the Ship had 14 Inches Water in her hold. At 10 Sounded her again and found She had made 10 Inches more Pumped her out. The Lazaretto and the Magazine much damaged by the Water that Ship makes, other Transactions as per Log. Lat 44.01N Long 16,38W.

Friday 8th 1764.
C&D N47W 22. The first Part Fresh breezes the middle & latter Calm thick Hazy Weather with drizzling Rain at Times. Find that the Ship making much water about her Bows. People Employ'd by the Boatswain & Carpenter stoping the Bows, other Remarks in the Log. Lat 44.1N Long 17.00W.

[Page 020:]

Towards Madagascar

Saturday June 9th 1764.
C&D N26W 71. Fresh Gales and thick foggy hazy weather. With Drizzling Rain and large Swell from the NW. The Ship still continuing to make Water. Carpenter employed securing the Mizzen Top. People under the Boatswain, other Transactions as per Log. Secured the Hawse Holes with Pluggs. Lat 44.5N Long 17.36W.

Sunday 10th.
C&D N21W86. Fresh Gales & thick foggy weather with Rain, Quartered the People to the great Guns and Small Arms. These 4 hours the Ship has made but very little Water, other Remarks as Log. Lat 43.2N Long 17.40W.

[Page 021:]

Ship Solebay from England

Monday 11th June 1764.
C&D S11E 46. Light breezes West & cloudy weather with a smooth Sea. Carpenter employed Stopping a Leek in the Larboard Bow under the Counters & Hause Hole. People under the Boatswain. Lat 42.33N Long 17.28W.

Tuesday the 12th.
C&D S30W 58. Moderate breezes West & hazy weather. People employed under the Boatswain. Lat 41.16N Long 18.08W.

[Page 022:]

Towards Madagascar

Wednesday the 13th 1764.
C&D S28W 42. Light Airs NW and mostly cloudy weather. Carpenter employed Caulking in the Head. People under the Boatswain making Matts for the Yards foot of the Sails & Rigging. Lat 40.26N Long 18.34W.

Thursday the 14th.
C&D S29W 79. Light winds NNE and hazy weather with a Swell from the NE which makes the Ship labour very much. Carpenter employed in the Bows. People under the Boatswain, the Ship makes but very little. Washed the Gunn Deck & other remarks in the Log. Passed by 2 Sail Standing to the North. Saw a Sail Standing to the SW. Lat 39.12N Long 19.23W.

[Page 023:]

Ship Solebay from England

Friday June 15th 1764.
C&D S30W 31. Light Airs NE and fair weather with a smooth Sea. At 5pm put Joseph Weanhouse and Thomas Dean two of the Hon Coys Soldiers in irons for mutinous expressions to the Captain and Officers. At 6am spoke a Dutch Ship from Trica [Tricia] for Amsterdam. Ditto at 3 Sail in sight to the Westward, at 10 ditto Spoke a [from] Brig under English Colours from Zant bound for Hamburgh at the same time passed us a Ship to the Norward under Dutch Colours.
NB Hoisted out our Boat and sent her on Board with letters for England. Reeved a new Top Mast Sail Tie and fleeted the back stays. Employed under the Boatswain. Lat 38.40N Long 19.48W.

Saturday the 16th.
C&D S30W 97. The first part Moderate Gales WbS and cloudy weather with light Squalls and Rain at times. The middle & latter pleasant and fair with a smooth Sea. The Ship makes but very little Water. People employed drawing and knotting Yarns. Tacked Ship. Tradesmen at their different callings, other Transactions as per Log. Lat 37.22N Long 20.44W.

[Page 024:]

Towards Madagascar

Sunday June 17th 1764.
C&D S20W 65. Moderate NWbW breezes and fair weather. Exercised the Soldiers. At Noon the Strange Sail on our W quarter dist about 3 or 4 Leagues. Had Divine Service. At 8pm released Thomas Dean out of Irons on his making concession and promise of good behaviour. Lat 36.19N Long 21.11W.

Monday the 18th.
C&D S16W 102. Pleasant West Gales and fair weather with a Swell from the NW. At 8pm the Strange Sail out of sight astern. Lat 34.24N Long 21.46W.

[Page 025:]

Ship Solebay from England

C&D S18W 115. Mostly fresh WNW breezes and fair weather. Released Joshua Weanhouse out of Irons on his making concessions and promise of good behaviour. At 8am fleeted the Fore Stay and part of the Fore Rigging and set it up. Other remarks as per Log. Lat 32.32N Long 22.28W.

Wednesday the 20th.
C&D S18W 86. Mostly pleasant North breezes with fair weather and a smooth Sea. PM Fleeted and Set up the remainder part of the Fore Rigging and Set up the Main & Main Top Mast Rigging. Other remarks as per Log. Lat 31.12N Long 23.00W.

[Page 026:]

Towards Madagascar

Thursday June 21st 1764.
C&D S19W 52. Light Airs NEbN and fair weather. Scraped the Main and Mizzen Top Masts. AM Washed the Gun Deck and rattled [down] the Fore & Main rigging. People otherwise employed making Points. Lat 30.11N Long 23.20W.

Friday the 22nd.
C&D S19W 53. Little wind NEbN and fair weather. People under the Boatswain. Lat 29.19N Long 23.40W

[Page 027:]

Ship Solebay from England

Saturday 23rd June 1764.
C&D S19W 134. Mostly fresh NEbN Gales with fair weather the Ship labours very much although a small Sea. People employed making Points etc. other Transactions as per Log. Lat 27.26N Long 24.29W.

Sunday the 24th.
C&D S9W 176. Fresh NEbE Gales and cloudy weather. Employed under the Boatswain. The Main Top Sail Tie broke. Lat 24.51N Long 25.00W.

[Page 028:]

Towards Madagascar

Monday the 25th June 1764.
C&D S10W 156. A Pleasant Trade ENE and hazy weather. Washed the Gun Deck Got up two shifting back Stays. People employed making Points etc. Lat 22.30N Long 25.29W.

Tuesday the 26th.
C&D S11W 142. A pleasant NE Trade with hazy weather. Tarred the Booms anew and secured them. Lat 20.40N Long 25.58W.

[Page 029:]

Ship Solebay from England

Wednesday 27th June 1764.
C&D S4W. A pleasant Trade NEbN and hazy. At 9am hauled up the Cables of the Larboard Side to clean under them. People otherwise employed by the Boatswain fitting new Top Sail Ties. Lat 17.46N Long 26.09W.

Thursday28th June.
C&D ---. Pleasant East Gales and hazy weather. 6pm Shortened Sail and kept a good look out for the Cape de Verde Islands, at 12 saw two of them the one on our Wr [weather] bow bearing from SbE to SSE dist about 4 or 5 Leagues which proved to be St Lucia the other on our Lee Beam bearing west Distance about 2 Leagues which proved to be Island of St Vincent. Hauled down Wind to the Norward. At 2 AM rounded and got ground at 17 fathoms Ground the Land. Bent the Small Cable. Antonia NWbN about 2 Leagues. At 5am saw a large Island on our West about 2 Leagues, very high land which by description proved to be St Nicholas bore away and run through between the Island St Lucia and St Nicholas, in Weading sprung the Fore Top Mast about 4 feet above the Cap, got them down. Employed getting ready. Our Carpenter and Mate both Sick and not able to give any assistance. At Noon got the Fore Top Mast through the Cap and Rigged it. Lat – Long –

[Page 030:]

Towards Madagascar

Friday June 29th 1764.
C&D S36W 62. Moderate NE Trade and hazy weather. At 1pm Swayed up the Fore Top Mast and Set the rigging up. Ditto found the Larboard Main Top Sail Yard Arm Sprung without the rigging. At 4pm swayed up the fore Top Gallant Mast set the rigging up and got the yard across. At 3am the Main Top Sail Tie broke Reeved a new one. At 9 ditto hauled up the small Bower and Sheet Cables and cleaned underneath them. Course with bearings and distance allowed from the Island of St Vincent laying in the Latitude 17.15N and Longitude 24.25 West from the meridian of London. Lat 15.08N Long 25.93W.

Saturday the 30th.
C&D S10W 122. Pleasant Trade NEbN and hazy weather. Washed the Gun Deck. People employed making Points and Gasquets other remarks in the Log. Lat 13.12N Long 25.25W.

[Page 031:]

Ship Solebay from England

Sunday July 1st 1764.
C&D S30E 117. A Moderate NE Trade and mostly fair weather. Had Divine Service. Squally with small Rain. Lat 11,34N Long 25.25W.

Monday the 2nd.
C&D S29E 112. A pleasant NNE to ENE Trade and mostly cloudy weather, People Employ'd making Points & Gasquetts. Armourer cleaning the Small Arms. Small Rain. Lat 10.03N Long 24.30W.

[Page 032:]

Towards Madagascar

Tuesday July 3rd 1764.
C&D S24E 83. The first part pleasant East Trade with fair weather, the middle and latter fresh breezes with dark cloudy Squally weather and Rain. People employed making Points and drawing Yarns. Armourer cleaning Small Arms. Lat 08.36N Long 23.56W.

Wednesday the 4th.
C&D S31E 21. Light Airs and Calms SEbS with dark cloudy weather and light Squalls with hard Rain. Armourer Employed as per days past other remarks in the Log. Lay 08.12N Long 23.44W.

[Page 033:]

Ship Solebay from England

Thursday July the 5th 1764.
C&D S67E 18. Light breezes variable and Calm with cloudy Squally weather and hard Rain at times. A Swell from the SE. People employed making Gasquettes drawing Yarns and picking Oakum4. Remarks as per Log. Taken aback. Lat 07.58N Long 23.26W.

[4 - preparation of tarred fibre used to seal gaps]

Friday the 6th.
C&D N87E 76. Moderate breezes SbW and cloudy weather. Employed as per days past a large Swell from the SE. Lat 08.07N Long 22.10W.

[Page 034:]

Towards Madagascar

Saturday 7th July 1764.
C&D S68E74. Moderate breeze SbW cloudy weather the Swell abated . Filled 6 Butts with Salt Water in the Fore hold on the Larboard5 Side the Ship having a great List to Starboard. People employed as before. Armourer cleaning Small Arms. Lat 07.26N Long 21.07W.

[5 - port side / side on which cargo was loaded]

Sunday the 8th.
C&D E4S 89. The first part moderate SWbS breezes with light Squalls and dark cloudy weather with Rain the middle and latter parts fresh Gales with mostly fair weather, a large Swell from the SE. Got the Quarter Deck Guns on the Forecastle to trim the Ship. Other remarks as per Log. Lat 07.20N Long 19.31W.

[Page 035:]

Ship Solebay from England

Monday 9th July 1764.
C&D W4N 75. The first & middle parts fresh South Gales & cloudy weather with squalls the latter moderate & fair. At 1pm Saw a Sail bearing EbN standing to the SW, at 2 ditto she passed us under Dutch Colours, Tacked & joined her Company. Trimmed ship by filling 6 empty Butts in the Fore Hold on the Larboard Side with Salt Water and getting forward in the Corn Rings 18 Bags of Salt out of the scuttle in the Gun Room. In Company with Dutch Ship, other remarks as per Log. Lat 07.07N Long 20.47W.

Tuesday the 10th.
C&D S57E 31. Moderate SSW breezes and mostly cloudy weather. At 8pm the Dutch Ship out of sight standing to the Westward. People employed drawing Yarns and spinning Spun yarn. Lat 06.4N Long 20.19W.

[Page 036:]

Towards Madagascar

Wednesday July 11th 1764.
C&D S65E 67. Mostly light SSW breezes with cloudy weather. People employed drawing & knotting Yarns and pointing the running Ropes. Quartermaster making Platts, Armourer cleaning the Small Arms. Other Transactions as Log. Lat 06.16N Long 1918W.

Thursday the 12th.
C&D S78E 70. Fresh variable Gales with cloudy Squally weather. People employed as per days past. Armourer cleaning the Small Arms. At Noon found the Main Top Gallant Yard Sprung about ¾ of an Inch thro' in the Slings, Joyner repairing it, our Carpenter still remaining ill. The Sailmaker mending Sails, other remarks as per Log. Lat 06.04N Long 18.09W.

[Page 037:]

Ship Solebay from England

Friday July 13th 1764.
C&D S87W 94. Fresh SbW Gales and cloudy weather. At 4pm Got across the Main Top Gallant Yard bent the Sail and set it. Joiner employed making Port Bars, Armourer as before. People drawing and knotting Yarns. A large head Swell which makes the Ship labour very much and makes much Water about the Bows. Lat 05.40N Long 19.43W.

Saturday the 14th.
C&D S63W 73. For the most part light SbE breezes and fair weather with smooth Sea. At 6pm carried away the Main Top Gallant Yard in the Slings, got it down and unbent the Sail, got in the Sprits & Top Sail & Sailmaker employed mending the Old Sails. The Carpenter employed making a new Main Top Gallant Yard. Armourer cleaning the Small Arms. People drawing & knotting Yarn. Washed the Gun Deck. Other remarks as per Log. Lat 04.45N Long 20.49W.

[Page 038:]

Towards Madagascar

Sunday July 15th 1764.
C&D S47W 61. Light SEbS breezes and fair weather with smooth Sea. Unbent the old Main Top Sail it being gone in the Clew and bent the 2nd best. Sailmaker employed mending the old Main Top Sails. At 7pm the joiner finished the Spritsail Top Sail Yard with the Sail and got across the New Main Top Gallant yard, bent the Sail and set it. Other Transactions as per Log. Had Divine Service. Lat 03.40N Long 21.34W.

Monday the 16th.
C&D S55W 93. Moderate SSE breezes and cloudy weather, Sailmaker employed as before. People making Robins, Armourer cleaning the Small Arms, joiner making Bars for the Ports, other remarks as per Log. Lat 02.30N Long 22.50W.

[Page 039:]

Ship Solebay from England

Tuesday July 17th 1764.
C&D S59W 87. Moderate SbE breezes and mostly hazy weather with a smooth Sea. At 2pm Shifted the Main Top Sail with the worst. Unbent the Fore Top Sail to mend and shifted him with the 2nd best. Sailmaker mending the Fore Top Sail, joiner as per days past. People employed as before. Lat 01.48N Long 24.04W.

Wednesday the 18th.
C&D S54W 106. Fresh SbE breezes and cloudy weather. Employed making Points etc. Lat 00.50N Long 25.29W.

[Page 040:]

Towards Madagascar

Thursday the 19th 1764.
C&D S34W 92. Fresh SE breezes and mostly cloudy weather. People employed by the Boatswain. Ducked Joseph Weanhouse and John Pritchard for refusing "paying their forfeit" for crossing the line. Lat 00.30S Long 26.20W.

[Crossed the Equator]

Friday the 20th.
C&D S34W 95. For the most part moderate SE breezes and cloudy weather. Got 17 bags of Salt out of the Gun Room forward to trim the Ship, Stowed the Steerage Guns. Lat 01.56S Long 27.12W.

[Page 041:]

Ship Solebay from England

Saturday 21st July 1764.
C&D S41W 91. Moderate SE breezes and mostly cloudy weather. Confined James Ney in Irons for Drunkenness and Quarreling. People employed at Junk work. Washed the Gun Deck. Lat 03.16S Long 28.11W.

Sunday the 22nd.
C&D S53W 100. Fresh SEbS Gales and cloudy weather with frequent Squalls and a large Sea. PM the Sailmaker employed repairing the Main Top Mast Stay Sail. AM got down the Mizzen Top Gallant Yard and Mast. Ditto unbent the Main Top Gallant Sail and Tarred the Yard, other remarks as per Log. Released James Ney out of Irons. Lat 04.36S Long 29.30W.

[Page 042:]

Towards Madagascar

Monday July 23rd 1754.
C&D SW 90. Fresh SSE Gales and mostly cloudy weather the Sea something down. Cut up 10fms of the old Hausers for Junk. People employed by the Boatswain. Lat 05.46S Long 30.34W.

Tuesday the 24th.
C&D S25W 92. Fresh SE breezes and clear weather. At 6pm Sounded no Ground at 100 fathoms. Kept a good look out all night for the Coast of Brazil. People employed on Sundrys by the Boatswain. Lat 07.22S Long 31.13W.

[Page 043:]

Ship Solebay from England

Wednesday July 25th 1764.
C&D S40W 86. For the most part Strong SE Gales with frequent Squalls of wind and Rain and a very large Sea which makes the Ship labour very much, find she makes much Water in her Upper Works, kept a good look out all night and Sounded as per Log for the Brazil Coast. Most of the running Rigging very bad, other remarks as per Log. Hard Squalls & Rain. The Ship makes 13 inches Water in 8 hours. Unbent the Main Top Gallant Sail to mend. Lat 08.30S Long 32,69W.

Thursday the 26th.
C&D S42W 87. Fresh SEbS Gales and mostly cloudy weather. At 3pm Cut 2nd & 4th Reefs Top Sails. At 6 Do took in the first Reefs and at the same time Sounded no Ground at 100 fathoms. Kept a good look out and sounded several times in the night no ground at 90 & 100 fathoms. Reeved new Main Top Sail Clew lines and new Main top Mast Stay Sail -------ds[?] and Sheets. Armourer employed cleaning the Small Arms. People under the Boatswain, other Transactions as per Log. At Sunset thought we saw the Land but being cloudy in that part of the horizon could not be certain. At Daylight could not see anything Lat 09.36S Long 33.08W.

[Page 044:]

Towards Madagascar

Friday July 27th 1764.
C&D S29W 106. For the most part fresh SE Trade with fair weather. Stayed the Mizzen Top Mast and set up the rigging. People employed by the Boatswain. Armourer as per Days Past. The Ship makes 13 inches of Water in 10 hours. Lat 11.10S Long 34.01W.

Saturday the 28th.
C&D S18W 75. For the most part moderate SEbS breezes and fair weather with a smooth Sea. 8am Pay’d [painted] the Lower Masts with the oil of Turpentine and Tarred the Ships Sides. Also Tarred the coats of the Lower Masts, other remarks as per Log. Lat 12.24S Long 34.25W.

[Page 045:]

Ship Solebay from England

Sunday July 28th 1764.
C&D S21W 78. Moderate ESE breezes and fair weather with a smooth Sea. At 10pm Confined Mark Gormon Cooper for drunkenness and quarreling. Had Divine Service. Lat 13.43S Long 34.54W.

Monday the 30th.
C&D S42W 102. The first part moderate SE breezes and fair weather. the middle & latter fresh Gales with Cloudy Squally weather and kept a good look out at Night for the coast before mentioned. AM Reeved worst[?] Fore Top Sail Clew Lines. Sailmaker Employ'd repairing the Fore Top Gallant Sails. Carpenter caulking the Quarter Deck. People under the Boatswain, other Transactions as per Log. Lat 14.58S Long 36.03W.

[Page 046:]

Towards Madagascar

Tuesday July 31st 1764.
C&D S44W 84. For the most part fresh SEbS Gales with cloudy Squally weather. PM bent the Fore Top Gallant Sail at 8 shortened Sail and kept a good look out all night. At 7am saw a Sail from the mast head bearing SEbS at the same time saw the Land bearing from WSW to NW. Sounded and got Ground 20 fathoms brown Sand and Correl [Coral] At 8 Tacked Sounded no Ground at 35fms. At 10 shortened Sail and fired a Gun. Lay too to speak a Vessel but she would not come near us. At 11 Made Sail Sounded no Ground at 40fms. At Noon hoisted a Dutch Jack at her Top Mast head and fired a Gun to Leeward to speak her, but she bore away and would not come near, she was about 2 miles distant from us right ahead of us. Sounded and got Ground at 25 fathoms and & Coral. Carpenter caulking the Quarter Deck. Lat 15.52S Long 37.03W.

Wednesday August 1st 1764.
C&D NE 83. The first part fresh SEbE Gales and fair weather the middle & latter light breezes with cloudy Squally weather and hard Rain. Confined Thomas Rouse one of the Company’s Soldiers for Drunkenness and mutiny. At Noon Released Mark Gorman Cooper out of Irons on his promise of better behavior. People employed picking Oakum. Quartermasters making of Platts other remarks as per Log. Lat 14.55S Long 36.05W.

[Page 047:]

Ship Solebay from England

Thursday August 2nd 1764.
C&D North 43. For the most part fresh SEbE Gales with cloudy Squally weather with Rain at times. 1pm Saw a Sail bearing SbE standing Northward. At ½ past 2 fired a Gun at her and brought too under our Lee Quarter. At 3 hoisted out the Boat and sent her on board with our Chief Mate and Doctor. At 4 the Boat returned hoisted her in and made Sail, found her to be a Portuguese belonging to Rio Janeiro bound for St Salvadore, had been out 13 days and had had the Wind at NE till within 2 days before we spoke her No Intelligence of any Ships being at Rio Janeiro. At 10pm the Captain had a consultation with his Officers. At 11 Wore the Ship and made the best of our Way for Port in the Brazills. Being in want of Water. In the morning Reeved the runners [Rigging] and Tackles, unstowed the best and Small Bower Anchors bent the Cables. At Noon Punished Thomas Rouse one of the Company’s Soldiers with a dozen lashes for Drunkenness and mutinous expressions and released him out of Irons. The Vessel we Spoke with was very Leaky and had only one Cask of Water on board. Carpenter caulking the Long Boat. Lat 14.22S Long 36.05West

Friday the 3rd.
C&D North --. Fresh Gales with frequent Severe Squalls and very hard Rain. At 9pm Shortened Sail to the Top Sails. Kept a good look out and Sounded as per Log. Got Ground at 28 fms bent the Fore Top Sail to the Mast. At 6 ditto thought we saw the breakers under the Lee it not being quite Daylight and not certain of it Made Sail as per Log. At Daybreak at 10 – off the nearest Shore about 2 Leagues what we [thought] to be Breakers was nothing but white chalky Cliffs all along that Shore. Stood off and in the Morning not being able to find the entrance of St Salvadore, nearer had less Water thereto[?] brown Sand & Coral. At Noon the extremes of the Land from N to WbS. Lat 12.58S Long –

[Page 048:]

Towards Madagascar

Saturday August 4th 1764.
C&D NE 59. Moderate ESE Gales with cloudy Squally weather and Rain at times. At 2pm Saw a Sail bearing NNE Standing in Shore. Hoisted an English Jack at the Fore Top Gallant Mast head and fired 2 Guns but she would not come near us. At 3 Tacked Ship and stood off the Shore. Unbent the old Fore Top Sail to mend and bent the 2nd best. At Sunset the extremes of the Land bore from WSW to NbE½E. At 12 Tacked and stood on. Sounded as per Log. 5am Departed this Life Alexander Wiley Carpenters Mate, at Sunrise the extremes of the Land from NbW to WbS. At 7 bore away in shore. At 9 the wind taking us Short hauled up. At Noon Tacked the Ship, before we tacked Sounded and got Ground at 32 fms. Muddy sand immediately after we Tacked Sounded and got Ground 28fms white Coral. At Noon the extremes of the Land from SW½W to NbE½E distance off the nearest Shore about 7 or 8 miles. The most part of the Coast that we have seen is very low land with white Cliffs all along the Shore. NB Unbending the Fore Top ail found the fore Top Mast Sprung about 18 inches above the Cap and about 2 ½ inches through. No observations.

Sunday the 5th.
C&D EbS 4¼ miles Light Airs & Calm with mostly fair weather stood off & on and Sounded as per Log. At 4pm committed the Body of the Deceased to the Deep. At Sunset extremes of the Land from SWbW to NbE½E distance off the nearest Shore about 8 Leagues. Sounded Ground 10fms at Sunrise the extremes of the Land from WSW to N½W. At Noon extremes from WSW½W to NbE distance off shore 4 or 5 Leagues. Judging ourselves to the North of St Salvadore by our Observation. At Noon Tacked the Ship and keep her SSW. Observation Latitude 12.14 South.

[Page 049:]

Ship Solebay from England

Monday August 6th 1764.
C&D No obs. Light Airs SEbE and Calm with fair weather. At half past 3pm hove too and hoisted out the Boat for our Captain to view the Ship. 4 hoisted the Boat in and made Sail. At 5 ditto saw several smokes on the Shore bearing from WbN to SWbW. At Sunset the extremes of the Land from SWbW to NbE½E. distance off the nearest Shore about 7 or 8 Leagues Sounded Ground at 40fms. The extremes of the Land from WSW½W to NbE distance off Shore 4 or 5 Leagues. Saw a Sail bearing SW standing to the Northward. At 9am she being near us hove too and hoisted out the Boat and sent her on board with our Captain and Doctor. At half past She returned with the Captain of the Vessel and another Gentleman, she proved to be a Portuguese from St Salvadore and had been out 3 days she judged to be about 24 Leagues. At 11 sent the Boat on board with the Captain of the Vessel. She returned again and brought on board the Pilot, hoisted her in and made Sail as per Log Intelligence of any English Ships being there the Portuguese East India Fleet sailed for Lisbon the 24th July. No observations

Tuesday the 7th.
C&D No obs. Light SE breezes and mostly fair weather. At Sunset the extremes of the Land from NbE to SWbW distance off Shore 5 or 6 leagues. Tacked Ship as per Log. At Sunrise the extremes of the Land N½W to WbS distance 6 or 7 Leagues. At Noon the extremes from WbS to North with Cliffs to the Northward which was the first Land we made they being very low, and to the North of Cape St Antonia, called by the Portuguese Tapomita Signifying in English white land Westward distance about 5 Leagues. Carpenter employed caulking the Long Boat, Sailmaker making Sails for the Pinnace. Scraped the Quarter Deck & at Noon confined William Dibney Ships Steward for theft, and Thomas Rouse, Charles Mills, Richard Mackey, Matthew Bryant & Thomas Dale Soldiers for selling their Clothes to the Ships Steward. No Observations.

[Page 050:]

Towards Madagascar

Wednesday August 8th 1764.
C&D No obs. The first part moderate SE breezes the middle latter little wind and Calm. Continual Rain with light Squalls of wind. At Sunset Cape Antonia8 WbS distance about 3 or 4 Leagues, Tacked Ship and Sounded as per Log. At 12 ditto it bore NWbN, at Daylight made the best of our Way into the Harbour. Carpenter caulking the Long Boat. Boatswain on several necessities, other remarks as per Log. No Ground at 70fms. Hoisted out the Cutter. Hard Rain Ending at night. Lat No obs

[End of Sea Log]

[8 - Cape Santo Antonio da Barra, at the mouth of the bay of Salvador]

[Start of Harbour Log]

Thursday the 9th.
C&D No obs. Half past 1 bore away for the Bay and at 2 passed the Fort on Cape Antonio. At 3 came to an Anchor abreast of the Town in 6 fathoms Water. On Anchoring Saluted the Fort with 11 Guns which they returned with 7. Came on board a Kings Boat. At 6 got out the Long Boat and at 8 Veered away on the best Bower and Moored with the small Bower a whole Cable on the Best to the Southward, and 2/3 of the small Bower to the Northward in 6½ fathoms. Fort Antonio bearing SbW½W. Mount Surrat Fort9 N, Fort St Joseph10 ENE. Distance off Shore about ½ mile. In the night Squally with Rain. At Daylight missed our Cutter though secured by a lock & chain. Employed fixing a Stage for Scrubbing the Ships bottom, and getting Empty Casks out of the Hold for Watering. At 3pm the Product Master came on board and gave us Product on his returning on Shore. Saluted him with 7 Guns. Squally with Rain.

[9 - Forte de Nossa Senhora de Monte Serrat]
[10 - Fortaleza de Sao Jose da Ponta Grossa, built in 1623]

Friday the 10th.<>br> Fresh breezes and frequent Squalls with Rain. AM Peeled & scrubbed and Pay’d [painted] the Larboard Side of the Ship with Pitch PM heeled and Pay’d [painted] the Starboard Side, Wind SE. Lat No obs

[Page 051:]

[11 On this page the header is not “Ship Solebay from England” and it appears written in a different hand with a different pen.]

Saturday August 11th 1764.
Fresh SE breezes of wind with frequent Rains. AM Sent on Shore in a Launch 11 Ch’s and 18 Butts empty Water Casks ti fill. Employed getting Empty Casks out of the Hold. Boatswain about the Rigging and Carpenter about Sundry necessities for the Ship. Received 2 Quarters of fresh beef for the Ships Company. PM Set up the fore and Fore Top Mast Rigging.

Sunday the 12th.
Frequent Squalls and Rain. AM Received on board per Launch 18 Butts and 11 Casks of Water. Employed Stacking it in the Main & Fore Hold. Sent a Shore by the Launch 22 & 10 Hogheads for Water. In the night Rain.

Monday the 13th.
Moderate breezes and cloudy, at Daylight missed our Jolly Boat and on mustering Ships Company found nine of our Hands gone. And one of the Hon Coys Soldiers among which a Quartermaster who had the Watch. AM Set up the Main and Main Top Rigging and OM set up the Mizzen and Mizzen Top Rigging. Released Thomas Rouse, Richard Mackey, Charles Mills, Thomas Dale & Henry Bryant Soldiers from their confinement. Received on board 20 Butts and 10 Hogsheads Water. Sent on Shore by the same Boat 18 Butts and 10 Hogsheads empty Water Casks to be filled. Cooper employed repairing Casks. Carpenter about Sundry necessaries. Received fresh Beef for the Ship’s Crew also a live Bullock. Tuesday the 14th Fresh South Easterly breezes and cloudy weather. AM Rain. PM moderate and fair. AM Lowered the Fore Yard and overhauled the Straps of the Lift and Jeer blocks. Received on board 21 Butts, 10 Hogsheads Water per Launch. Employed hoisting them in and stowing them in the Main & Fore Hold. Boatswain employed about the Rigging Carpenter on Sundry Necessaries. PM Swayed up the Fore Yard. In the night moderate and fair. Wednesday the 15th Moderate and cloudy. AM hoisted in the Long Boat and stowed her in between Decks. Received on board a live Bullock. Employed about Spanding the Booms. Setting up the back Stays &c. Loosed the Top Sails to dry. PM Received or Jolly Boat stove and Sunk without Oars, thoughts, Rudder or Tiller hoisted her in.

[Page 052:]

At St Salvadore

Thursday 16th August 1764.
Moderateand for the most part clear. AM Scraped the Top Masts and hogged Ship. Employed making preparations for Sea. Boatswain about the Rigging. PM and night little Winds and variable. At 3pm begun to unmoor Ship veered away on the best Bower and took up the Small and hove in to a third of the best Bower. Carpenter employed mending the Jolly Boat.

Sunday the 17th.
The winds and variable. AM Carpenter employed about the Jolly Boat. Boatswain about the Rigging. Hoisted in the Cutter. PM Calm. Received 7 of our men which had run from the Ship viz. Peter Downs, Richard Matthews, John Matthews, John Ramsey, John Collins, John Yeal Seamen and Joseph Weanhouse Soldier. Loosed Sails to dry. [Log] ending at Noon.

Saturday the 18th.
Moderate East breezes with some Rain. At PM Came on board the Pilot and 19 got under weigh on Mustering the Soldiers found missing Edward Yeoman Soldier supposed to have swimmed away during the night. Towards Noon variable Winds & Rain.

[End of Harbour Log]

[Start of Sea Log]

Sunday the 19th.
C&D S35E 85. The first part little Wind and Calm the middle and latter pleasant breezes EbS. Got down the Main Runners and unreeved the Tackles. Punished Robert Young Soldier with 2 dozen Lashes for Insolent behaviour to the Captain and Henry Phelps Seaman with 1 dozen Lashes for theft. Stowed the Best Bower Anchor and unbent the Cables. At 4pm the extremes of the Land from NNE½E to SW½W. Cape St Antonio which makes the Entrance in to the Bay N½W Distance 4 or 5 Leagues. At Sunset the extremes of the Land from SWbS to NbE. Released Peter Downs, Richard Matthews, John Matthewson, John Ramsey, John Collins, John Yeal Seamen out of Irons. At Noon housed the Guns in the Waste. Lat 14.09S Long 40.10 West.

[Page 053:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Monday August 20th 1764.
C&D S39E 85. Moderate breezes NEbN and mostly fair. At 5pm released William Dibney from his confinement and turned him before the Mast12. At 6 ditto released Joseph Weanhouse Soldier. AM Stowed the Small Bower Anchor and unbent the Cable, washed the Gun Deck other remarks as per Log. Lat 15.35S Long 39.17W.

[12 - Demoted from Ship’s Steward to a common seaman]

Tuesday the 21st.
C&D S39E 90. Moderate breezes EbN and mostly fair weather. At 9 AM hauled up the Sails to Air found a new Fore Top Sail and Spritsail much damaged owing to a leak in the Room. Carpenter Employed stopping the Leak. Employed washing the Lazaretto and new Stowing it. At Noon payed the Sails down again other remarks as per Log. Lat 17.10S Long 39.01W.

[Page 054:]

Towards Madagascar

Wednesday August 22nd 1764.
C&D S13E. First and middle parts hazy weather with light Squalls and some Rain. AM Moderate breezes and fair hauled up the Sails again to Air them. Carpenter employed Caulking over the Sail Room. At 3 AM Shortened Sail & kept a look out for the Ambrolons13 at daylight Sounded no ground 50 fms made Sail and as per Log. Lat 18.32S Long 38.43W.

[13 - Abrolhos Archipelago, off the southern coast ofd Bahia State, Brazil]

Thursday the 23rd.
C&D SEbS 80. Pleasant EbN breezes and fair weather with a Smooth Sea. At 4pm Pay’d down the Sails into the Sail Room. AM People employed drawing & knotting Yarns. Quartermasters making Nippers, sailmaker repairing the New Fore Top Sail that was damaged in the Sail Room. Carpenter repairing the Yawl, other Transactions as per Log. Lat 19.45S Long 37.57W.

[Page 055:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Friday August 24th 1764.
C&D S53E 50. The first & middle parts pleasant NEbE breezes the latter light Airs. The whole fair weather with a smooth Sea. Carpenter & Sailmaker employed as before. AM hauled up the best Bower Cable to clean under it. Lat 20.36S Long 27.15W.

Saturday the 25th.
C&D S31E 7. Light Airs and Calm with Sultry weather. At 6pm Pay’d down the Inner best Bower Cable. AM Cut off about 45 fathoms from the outer best Bower Cable being very bad and rubbed through during our stay at St Salvadore the Ground being very foul, spliced 70 fathoms of Junk Cable to it judging it the Cable. Carpenter and Sailmaker employed as before. 8 of our People were taken with vomiting and swelling in the Belly and it was the opinion of the Surgeon that they had taken some Poisonous Quality either in the Water or Provisions. Lat 20.42S Long 37.10W.

[Page 056:]

Towards Madagascar

Sunday August 26th 1764.
C&D S84E 11. Light Airs NNE and Calm with fair weather, a large Swell from the South which makes the Ship Labour very much. PM Sailmaker finished mending the new Fore Top Sail. 2 more of our People taken in the same manner as before mentioned, the rest upon recovery. Lat 20.43S Long 36.58W.

Monday the 27th.
C&D S32E 37. Light ESE breezes with Cloudy weather and light Squalls of Rain. Taken aback and Tacked Ship as per Log. Carpenter employed on the Yawl, Sailmaker mending the Main Top Gallant Sail. People employed about Sundrys other remarks as per Log. Squally & small rain. Lat 21.08S Long 36.38W.

[Page 057:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Tuesday August 28th 1764.
C&D ESE 43. The first & middle parts light ENE Airs and Calm with cloudy weather. the latter fresh Gales with some severe Squalls and Rain. At 7am had a hard Squall of wind & Rain, took the 3rd Reef in the Fore Top Sail and 2nd in the Main Top Sail, at 10 being more moderate put the 3rd reef on the Fore Top Sail, other transactions as per Log. Lat 21.20S Long 35.57W.

Wednesday the 29th.
C&D E4S 108. Fresh South Gales and mostly fair weather. Sailmaker repairing the old Fore Top Sail. People employed making Points, Quartermaster making Nippers. Carpenter finished the Yawl. Other remarks as per Log. Lat 21.22S Long 34.10W.

[Page 058:]

Towards Madagascar

Thursday August 30th 1764.
C&D S15E 15. For the most part variable moderate breezes and hazy weather. PM Shifted the Fore Sail and Main Top Sail. AM Unbent the Main Top Gallant Sail to mend, ditto bent it again. Shifted the Main Sail with the best. Sailmaker repairing the Sails that were unbent. Lat 21.34S Long 34.06W.

Friday the 31st.
C&D South 60. Moderate EbS breezes and cloudy weather. In the night some light Squalls. Carpenter employed repairing the Yawl, Sailmaker mending the old Sails that were unbent. People making Points & Nippers other remarks as per Log. Lat 22.44S Long 34.06W.

[Page 059:]

Shop Solebay from St Salvadore

Saturday September the 1st 1764.
C&D S17E 106. Strong East Gales with frequent hard Squalls of Rain & Wind. AM Shifted the Main Sail with the old one. Carpenter and People employed as per days past. Lat 24,21S Long 33.32W.

Sunday the 2nd.
C&D S22E 124. Strong EbN Gales with frequent Squalls. Cloudy weather a Head Sea making the Ship Pitch & Labour very much for the most part of these 24 hours and made 3 inches of Water per hour, other remarks as per Log. Lat 26.16S Long 32.42W.

[Page 060:]

Towards Madagascar

Monday September 3rd 1764.
C&D SE 145. Fresh NEbE Gales with cloudy weather. AM got out the Spritsail Top Sail Yard and the Fore Top Gallant Yard across bent the Sails being moderate Set them. Continuing making the same Water. People making Points etc. Unbent the Spritsail to mend. Sailmaker making a Coat for the Bowsprit other remarks as per Log. Squally. Lat 28.06S Long 30.46W.

Tuesday the 4th.
C&D SE 172. Fresh NE Gales with hazy weather. PM bent the Spritsail. AM new stowed the Gunroom. Sailmaker repairing the old Sails. Carpenter on the Yawl. Since the Wind came aft the Ship has made but little more than 1 inch of Water per hour other remarks as per Long. Lat 30.10S Long 28.26W.

[Page 061:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Wednesday September 5th 1764.
C&D S47E 200. Strong North Gales with frequent Squalls of Wind & Rain and a large Sea. Split the Jib, Middle Stay & Main Top Gallant Sail, unbent them to mend, other remarks as per Log. Continuing making the same water. Lat 32.10S Long 25.36W.

Thursday the 6th.
C&D ESE 83. Pleasant WNW breezes and hazy weather with a smooth Sea. At 2pm Set up the Fore Top Mast Rigging. At 3pm got the Spritsail Top Sail Yard unbent the Sail and got it up for the Main Top Gallant Sail. AM Carpenter Employed Hedging the Bow Sprit and nailing on a new Coat. Sailmaker as per days past People making Points. Other remarks as per Log. Lat 32.50S Long 24.05W.

[Page 062:]

Towards Madagascar

Friday Sept 7th 1764.
C&D ESE 121. For the most part North fresh gales with Hazy weather. Shifted some of the powder from the Magazine to the after Bread Room to prevent it being damaged by the Water the Ship makes in the Magazine. Sailmaker employed as before other remarks s per Log. Bent the Main Top Gallant Sail. Lat 33.37S Long 21.51W.

Saturday the 8th.
C&D EbS 235. Strong NW Gales with frequent hard squalls of Wind & Rain and a large Sea. AM Secured the Boom, find the ship to make better than 3 inches Water per hour. Sailmaker repairing the sails other remarks as per Log. Lat 34.28S Long 17.15W.

[Page 063:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Sunday September 9th 1764.
C&D EbS 205. For the most part hard NWbN Gales with very severe Squalls of Wind and Rain and a very large Sea. At 6pm found the Tiller Rope stranded unreeved it and reeved a new one of Tar Rope. At 1am finding the Ship to make much Water examined the Fore Hold found the Coal Hole to be full of Water as high up as the Platform, got up the Coals and started [stashed?] them into the Butts and the hold, reefed, handed and lay too as per Log. Lat 35.08S Long 13.09W.

Monday the 10th.
C&D East 25. The first & middle parts hard NEbE Gales with very severe Squalls and Winds & Rain with Hail and a large Sea the latter part Wore Ship as per Log and made Sail with the Fore Sail Double Reefed. Main Top Sail. At 11 being more moderate let the Reef out of the Fore Top Sail and set it, kept one hand Pump constantly going find the Ship makes 5 inches Water per hour. Lat 35.24S Long 12.39W.

[Page 064:]

Towards Madagascar

Tuesday Sept 11th 1764.
C&D EbN 162. The first part strong West Gales with hazy weather, middle & latter hard Gales with frequent hard Squalls of Wind & Rain and a very large Sea. Reefed as per Log. Continuing making the same Water. Lat 35.05S Long 09.25W.

Wednesday the 12th.
C&D E4S 177. The first part strong NNW Gales with frequent hard Squalls and very heavy Rain, the middle and latter moderate Gales from the WSW with pleasant weather. At 1pm Struck the Top Gallant Masts. At 2 handed the Main Top Sail and shifted the Main Sail with the best. AM Swayed up the Top Gallant Masts and got the Yards across & set the Sails. Find the Ship to make no more than 5 inches Water in a Watch. Hauled up the old Sails to dry them. Lat 35.05S Long 05.49W.

[Page 065:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Thursday September 13th 1764.
C&D East 134. Moderate WSW breezes and mostly fair weather. Sailmaker employed repairing the Middle Stay Sail. These 24 hours the Ship has made but one inch of Water an hour. Other remarks as per Log. Lat 34.50S Long 3.95W.

Friday the 14th.
C&D S81E 65. Moderate SE breezes and fair weather with a smooth Sea. At Noon unbent the Main Top Stay Sail to mend. Sailmaker repairing the Sails that were unbent. People making Sinnett15 others as per Log. Lat 35.01S Long 01.47W.

[15 - A small platted rope, made from rope-yarns.]

[Page 066:]

Towards Madagascar.

Saturday September 15th 1764.
C&D EbS 68. Moderate NbE breezes and fair weather with a smooth Sea. Cut up the Mizzen Top Gallant Sail to mend old sails. AM Got up the new Sails to Air them. Sailmaker employed as per days past. Carpenter stopping some Leaks in the Counter. Lat 35.29S Long 00.24W

Sunday the 16th.
C&D EbS 19. Light NNE Airs and Calm with smooth Seas other remarks as per Log. Punished Laurence Daily Seaman with 2 dozen Lashes for threatening and disobeying the 2nd Mate's Orders and refusing to do his Duty and afterwards confined him in Irons. Lat 35.30S Long 00.00.

[Page 067:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Monday September 17th 1764.
C&D East 67. Light variable Airs the first and middle parts the latter fresh NbE breezes the weather mostly fair a Swell from the SE. Sailmaker employed repairing the old Main Top Sail. Variation per Azimuth 10.50W. Lat 35.35S Long 01.23East.

Tuesday the 18th.
C&D E3N 132. The first middle parts fresh NNW Gales with light Squalls and Drizzling Rain. With smooth Water the latter light breezes. Carpenter repairing the Yawl. Sailmaker on the Jib other transactions as per Log. Unbent the Middle Stay Sail to mend. Lat 35.14S Long 04.05E.

[Page 068:]

Towards Madagascar

Wednesday September 19th 1764.
C&D E3N 62. The first & middle parts variable light Airs and Calm with hazy weather. the latter pleasant breezes with very smooth Sea. Carpenter employed as per days past. Sailmaker mending the old Sails. Remarks as per Log. Lat 35.18S Long 05.21East.

Thursday the 20th.
C&D East 139. The first & middle parts pleasant and fair weather the latter moderate variable breezes with light Squalls and Drizzling Rain, all this 24 hours very smooth Water. AM dried Sails and got forward the Quarter Deck Guns to trim the Ship. Lat 35.16S Long 08.11East.

[Page 069:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Friday September 21st 1764.
C&D N68E 82. For the most part pleasant SbE breezes and fair weather with smooth Water. At Noon unbent the Mizzen Top Mast Stay Sail to mend. Sailmaker repairing it. People drawing & knotting Yarns. Other remarks as per Log. Lat 34.36S Long 09.45East.

Saturday the 22nd.
C&D E17S 14. The first & middle parts Calm the latter light breezes from the NNW with a very smooth Sea. AM Bent the Mizzen Top Mast Stay Sail. Washed the Gun Deck. Sailmaker mending the Main Top Gallant Sail. People drawing & knotting Yarns making Sinnett etc. Find by Observation to have been well to the Northward 16 miles since yesterday Noon, which compute to the Swell from the SW. Lat 34.24S Long 10.01E.

[Page 070:]

Towards Madagascar

Sunday September 23rd 1764.
C&D E20S 117. For the most part Fresh SEbS breezes with Squally weather the latter swelled from SW. Reefed as per Log. Bent the main top Gallant Stay Sail. Lat 35.01S Long 12.15East

Monday the 24th.
C&D E27S 114. Pleasant SWbS breezes and hazy weather. Southward Swell. Carpenter repairing the Yawl. People drawing and knotting Yarns & making Sinnetts etc. Lat 35.44S Long 14.19E.

[Page 071:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Tuesday September 25th 1764.
C&D S80E 104. Pleasant SW breezes and hazy weather. Sailmaker employed repairing the Sprit Sail. Carpenter about the Yawl. People as per days past. Kept a lookout all night towards North. Little wind with fair weather, Lat 35.44S Long 16,25 East.

Wednesday the 26th.
C&D NEbE 60. For the most part Light SSE breezes and far weather. At 7pm unbent the Main Top Sail to mend, kept a good look out all night. At ½ past 10am Saw the Land from the Quarter Deck bearing NEbE dist about 13 or 14 Leagues. It appeared like a hummock and very high. At Noon the low land in sight bearing from NNE to ENE. People & Tradesmen employed as before, other remarks as per Log. Lat 35.06S Long 17.26 E.

[Page 072:]

Towards Madagascar

Thursday September 27th 1764.
C&S SSW 68. Moderate SSE breezes and cloudy weather. At Sunset the Body of Cape Falco16 bore NbE dist about 10 or 11 Leagues the extremes of the Land to the Eastward from NE½N to NEbE½E Sounded as per Log. Kept a good look out all night Tradesmen and People employed as per Days Past. Tacked Ship. Course with bearings and distance allowed from Cape Falco allowing it to lay in the Latitude of 34.30. South and Longitude from the Meridian of London 18.00 East. Lat 35.29S Long 17.57East

[16 - believed to be Cape False near Capetown.]

Friday the 28th.
C&D S67E 85. The first and middle parts light SEbE breezes and fair weather the latter fresh from the NW with cloudy weather and some light Squalls. People employed under the Boatswain. Sailmaker repairing the old Sails. Armourer cleaning the Small Arms, other transactions as per Log. Kept a good look out all night. Carried away Driver Boom unbent the Fore Top Gallant Sail to mend. Got up Main Top Mast Steering 160 page Sail Booms. Lat 35.43S Long 19.32E.

[Page 073:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Saturday September 29th 1764.
C&D S78E 200. The first and middle parts hard Gales NWbW and fair weather with frequent hard Squalls and a large Sea. Reefed & Handed as per Log. The latter more moderate with fair weather. People employed by the Boatswain, kept a look out all night. Shifted the Tiller Rope for a new one. Lat 36.10S Long 23.32East

Sunday the 30th.
C&D E9N 152. Fresh WNW breezes and fair weather. Hauled up East as per Log to ease the Ship, there being a large Sea which makes the Ship labour very much other remarks as per Log. Bent the Fore Top Gallant Sail. Lat 35.40S Long 26.34E.

[Page 074:]

Towards Madagascar

Monday October 1st 1764.
C&D East 117. The first part light NW breezes and clear weather, the middle & latter an increasing Gale with cloudy weather and the Sea rising. Tradesmen employed at their different Callings. Carpenter making a Mast for the Cutter. Lat 35.22S Long 28.56E

Tuesday the 2nd.
C&D N69E 204. Strong WbN Gales with frequent hard Squalls and a following hard Sea. At 7pm the main Top Sail Tie broke, spliced it again. Boatswain employed fitting a new Top Sail Tie. The People under him Spinning Spun Yarn etc. Tradesmen as before. Lat 38.52S Long 32.28E.

[Page 075:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Wednesday October 3rd 1764.
C&D N37E 150. The first & middle parts fresh West Gales with cloudy Squally weather and small Rain. The latter moderate breezes and variable with small Rain. Tradesmen at their different Callings. At 10am punished Matthew Bryant one of the Company’s Soldiers with 2 Dozen Lashes and confined him in Irons at his own request for stabbing his Messmate Harley Brown in the thigh with a pair of Scissors, other remarks as per Log. Lat 31.50S Long 34.14East.

Thursday the 4th.
C&D N70E 21. Fresh EbS Gales and hazy weather with drizzly Rain and frequent hard Squalls as short Popling [poppling] Sea which makes the Ship pitch & labour very much. Carpenter & Boatswain fitting the Long Boat. Armourer cleaning the Small Arms these 24 hours find the Ship to make 3 inches of Water. Tacked as per Log. Lat 31.53S Long 34.36E

[Page 076:]

Towards Madagascar

Friday October 5th 1764.
C&D S59E 66. The first part fresh ENE Gales and clear weather, the middle and latter parts moderate and cloudy with the Swell abated. Carpenter employed fitting the Long Boat, Tradesmen at their different Callings. People under the Boatswain. PM Released Laurence Daily from his Confinement. Lat 32,23S Long 35.42E.

Saturday the 6th.
C&D S70E 36. Moderate NEbE breezes and hazy weather with a smooth Sea. Carpenter & Tradesmen as for days past. People drawing knotting Yarns, spinning Spun yarn making Sinnett etc. Other remarks as per Log. Lat 32.42S Long 36.44E

[Page 077:].

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Sunday October 7th 1764.
C&D S75E 55. The first part fresh ENE breezes the middle & latter little Winds. Weather hazy. PM Tradesmen employed about Sundrys. AM Held Divine Service. Lat 32.56S Long 37.48E,

Monday the 8th.
C&D NbE 73. The first & middle parts with fresh North winds with hazy weather & drizzling rain. The latter pleasant breezes and fair weather a very smooth Sea. Carpenter & Tradesmen employed as for days past. Boatswain fitting the Rigging for the Long Boat, knotting Yarns and mending the Quarter Deck Netting, other Tradesmen as per Columns. Lat 31.37S Long 38.05E.

[Page 078:]

Towards Madagascar

Tuesday October 9th 1764.
C&D NbE 100. The first part pleasant SSW breezes and fair weather. the latter little wind and cloudy. AM Scraped the Quarter Deck. Tradesmen and People employed as before. Sailmaker making a Mizzen Stay Sail out of the old Man Stay Sail, other remarks as per Log. Lat 29.59S Long 38.26E.

Wednesday the 10th.
C&D N35W 93. For the most part fresh EbN breezes with hazy weather. Tradesmen employed before. People under the Boatswain spinning Spun Yarn. AM Shipped the Swivell Guns on the Quarter Deck, other remarks as per Log. Lat 28.39S Long 37.26 East.

[Page 079:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Thursday October 11th 1764.
C&D N37W 83. For the most part fresh ENE breezes and fine weather and light Squalls at times. AM Shifted the Top Sails with the worst. Sailmaker repairing the old Sails, Tradesmen & People employed sa before. Kept a good look out all night other remarks as per Log. Since my last Observation find a set to the Southward of 27 miles. Lat 27.59S Long 36.30East.

Friday the 12th.
C&D N42W 59. The first part fresh ENE breezes the middle & latter most hazy. Kept a good look out all night. At 3am thought we saw the Land but being very thick and hazy in that part of the Horizon could not be certain of it, at 4 ditto saw the land from the quarter deck bearing from NNW to the NW tacked the Ship and stood off. Sounded no Ground at 30 fathoms. At 5 hauled on Wind. Extremes from WbN to NbE dist off Shore 7 or 8 Leagues. At 4pm Cliff Point north dist about 6 leagues. Tradesmen and People as before, other remarks as per Log. Have kept a look out for the Shoal that off the South end of Madagascar but was much surprised when we made the African Coast and by our observation judged a bluff to be Pt. Fuma [Coast of Fumos (Furnas)] which[?] is laid down in plan[?]. Lat 27.40S Long 35.45East.

[Page 080:]

Towards Madagascar

Saturday October 13th 1764.
C&D N64W 102. Fresh NE breezes and cloudy weather with a head Swell which makes the Ship pitch & labour very much. Bent a new Fore Top Gallant Sail. Unbent the Jib to mend. Got the Top Gallant Yard down as per Log to ease the Ship. Shifted Sails. Tradesmen & People employed as per days past. Kept a good look out all night. Course with bearing & distance allowed from Point Furna [Coast of Fumos (Furnas)] allowing it to lay in Latitude 27.30South and Longitude from London 31.30 East. Lat 28.20S Long 33.12East.

Sunday the 14th.
C&D NbE 60. Moderate NEbN breezes and fair weather with a smooth Sea. Kept a look out all night AM Had Divine service. Lat 28..42S Long 34.17East.

[Page 081:].

Sunday the 14th.
C&D NbE 60. Moderate NEbN breezes and fair weather with a smooth Sea. Kept a look out all night AM Had Divine service. Lat 28..42S Long 34.17East. Ship Solebay from St Salvadore

Monday October 15th 1764.
C&D SbE¼S 87. The first part moderate NE and fair with smooth Water, the middle & latter fresh breezes and cloudy with some Squalls and a head Sea which makes the Ship labour so as to make much water. Kept a look out all night. Sailmaker mending the old Sails. People under the Boatswain. Carpenter fitting a Step for the Cutters Fore Mast. Lat 29.06S Long 35.54East

Tuesday the 16th.
C&D NE½E. 72. For the most part moderate NNE breezes with hazy weather with a smooth Sea. Kept a look out all night. AM filled 10 Barrels with Salt Water and some Gang Casks in the Fore Hold of the larboard Hold also got the Iron Pots out of the Main Hold into the Coal Hole in order to trim the Ship. The Ship being too much by the Stern. Tradesmen employed as before at their different Callings. Lat 28.37S Long 36.58E

[Page 082:]

Towards Madagascar

Wednesday October 17th 1764.
C&D N42E 153. The first part Moderate NW breezes with cloudy weather the middle and latter parts fresh Gales with frequent squalls & Rain. Shifted the Tiller Ropes with an old one. Kept a good look out all night for the Island of Madagascar. AM Reeved the Runners and Tackles and Top Ropes. Tradesmen as before. Oher remarks as per Log. Lat 26.43S Long 38.54E.

Thursday the 18th.
C&D NE 168. The first part fresh South Gales with thick hazy weather and frequent hard Squalls with Rain. Swell from the South. Middle & Latter moderate with mostly Cloudy weather. Kept a good look out for the aforementioned Island. AM un-stowed the Small Bower Anchor and bent the Cable, also bent the best Bower Cable to the other anchor. Tradesmen Employed as before other remarks as per Log. Lat 24.54S Long 41.06 East.

[Page 083:]

Ship Solebay from St Salvadore towards Madagascar

Friday October 19th 1764.
C&D N63E 99. The first part fresh South breezes and fair, the middle and latter moderate and cloudy at ½ past 8 Hove too with the Main Top Sail to the Mast and lay too all night judging ourselves near the land. Kept a good look out all night. At ½ 5 Wore and made Sail as per Log. Un-stowed the best Bower Anchor and run the Guns out fore & aft. Reeved the Messenger & Catt falls. Tradesmen employed as before. To the Southward of Account 15 miles. Lat 24.24S Long 42.43.

Saturday the 20th.
C&D ---- 64. Pleasant SW Gales with very clear weather and smooth Water. At 6pm saw the Land from the Mast head bearing ESE dist 8 or 9 Leagues, at 4 ditto the extremes of the Island of Madagascar from S½E to N½E dist 4 or 5 Leagues. At 6 hove too and lay too all night as per Log. Sounded several times in the night with 80, 110 fms. At daylight [ illegible] and made Sail along Shore at Sunrise the extremes of the Island from EbS to NNE dist off shore about 7 or 8 leagues. At Noon Westminster Hall ENE & Bluff Point NW the extremes of the Island from S½E to NE&189E off shore about 3 leagues. Latitude very good observations 20.50 South.

[Page 084:]

Ship Solebay at St Augustines Bay18

[18 - In the region of Atsimo-Andrefanaat the south-western coast of Madagascar at the Mozambique Channel.]

Sunday October 21st 1764.
C&D W½S ----. Moderate SW breezes and cloudy weather. At 2pm was abreast Sandy Island had 17 fathoms Coral Rock, bore away for 2 bluff Points which we took to be the entrance of St Augustines Bay, at 4 hoisted out the Cutter and sent her in shore after some Canoes, having no Soundings tacked and stood off. Sprung the Jib Boom. At 5 tacked and stood in shore, the Cutter returned with 3 Canoes. At 6 tacked and stood off. In 1st Reefs. In the night fresh South breezes and cloudy. At Sunrise Sandy Island bore ESE about 2 Leagues, the extremes of the Land from SbE to NE½E. At 10am showed our Water to be 6 fms bore away to ye ENE and sent the Cutter ahead to sound depth of our Water to 17 fathoms sandy ground. And at Noon anchored with the best Bower in 12½ fms. At 2pm moored the Ship with small Bower. Sent the Cutter to ye River19 for a Bullock and ye Jolly Boat to ye shore for another. At night ye Boats returned with a Bullock in each. In the night moderate & cloudy weather with lightning to ye SW. Moored Tent Rock bore South Westminster Hall NE½N. The extremes of the land from ENE to WNW dist off shore about ¾ Mile.

[19 - Onilahy river.]

[End of Sea Log}

[Start of Harbour Log]

Monday the 22nd.
Fresh land & Sea breezes with fair weather. AM hoisted out the Long Boat and also sent the Cutter to the River for Prince Will20, at 2pm she returned with him & his attendance whom we Saluted with 5 Guns at his coming on board and going on Shore. Employed rummaging the after Hold for the Madagascar Cargo.

[20 - Prince Will oversaw trade in St Augustine’s Bay, he spoke broken English.]

Tuesday the 23rd.
Moderate Land & Sea breezes with fair weather. Employed rummaging in the Hold. At Noon sent the Cutter with the 2nd Mate to Tolear to the King of Baubau21.

[21 - King Baba/Baubau was the hereditary title of the Sakalava Empire’s representative in Tulear.]

Wednesday the 24th.
Light Land & Sea breezes. Employed as before. At Noon the Cutter returned from Tolear and at 1am sent the Long Boat on Shore to the River with materials to build a Tent.

Thursday the 25th.
Ditto winds & weather. At 6am the Long Boat returned with a Bullock, also sent Cutter on Shore to the Tent with some necessaries. At 7pm she returned with a bullock, employed taking up some Empty Butts out of the 2nd Tear [Tier] of Water in ye Main Hold to make room for taking our Cables down there. Cooper employed Shaking some Empty Butts. PM Came on board Lascars22 who had left a French Ship at Port Dauphin23.

[22 - Sailors from India or SE Asia.]
[23 - Now Taolagnaro, on the (opposite) SE coast.]

[Page 085:]

Ship Solebay

Friday October 26th 1764.
Fresh Land & Sea breezes the first part cloudy the later fair. AM Built a Stage and employed in getting ready for heeling the Ship. Also hauled the Sheet Cables up and payed them Down in the Main Hold. PM Unrigged the Long Boat and received on board by the Cutter one live bullock for the use of the Ship. Came on board 2 black Princes from the King of Baubau in order to settle trade. Unbent the Mizzen Top Sail to mend.

Saturday the 27th.
Strong Land and Sea breezes with fair weather. AM Heel’d, Scrubbed and payed the Starboard Side with Pitch and Tar about 3 Streaks below the bends. At Noon righted the Ship again. PM Got the sheet Anchor over the Side and bent the Cables. Had one Woman Slave offered but being old refused her.

Sunday the 28th.
Moderate Winds Chiefly Westerly with cloudy weather and some Rain. AM Heeled the other Side out and pay’d it as before, also sent some Trades on Shore to the Tent.

Monday the 29th.
Winds and weather as before. AM Sent the Carpenter and his Crew on Shore with Wood also hauled the Best Bower Cable up, then then it down in the Hold. PM Sent the Long Boat on Shore for Water. Butcher employed on Shore Salting the Beef, Cooper packing[?] Butts, Tarred the Starboard Side.

Tuesday the 30th.
Light Land & Sea breezes and chiefly cloudy weather with some Rain. AM sent on Shore some Trade to the Tent. Employed clearing the Hold for Water. Trades as before, Boatswain overhauling Blocks as most necessary. PM Received per Long Boat 12 Gang Casks of Water. Tarred the Larboard Side. Had 2 Women Slaves offered but being old refused them.

[Page 086:]

At St Augustine’s Bay

Wednesday October 31st 1764.
Light winds and variable with cloudy weather. Carpenters Crew employed on Shore cutting Wood, Cooper shaking Butts. Got the Main Top Sail Yard down it being sprung and another up in its room. Received per the Long Boat 12 Gang Casks of water.

Thursday November 1st 1764.
Land & Sea breezes with fair weather. AM cleared hawse and sent the Cutter with the 2nd Mate to Tolear [Tulear], also got the Main Top Mast down & unrigged him to repair the Cross Trees they being broke. PM Rigged the Mast and Swayed it up again also the Top Gallant Mast and Main Yard. Employed overhauling blocks etc. Carpenter cutting wood.

Friday the 2nd.
Winds & weather as before. AM Got the Main Top Gallant Yard across also got the Jib Boom in it being Sprung and employed the Carpenter making another. People employed overhauling the blocks & rigging. Received per the Long Boat 13 Gang Casks of Water. At 6pm the Cutter returned from Tolear [Tulear] with 2 Bullocks from the King of Baubau. Received on board one Man Slave No.1 Come in and Anchored here the Beckenham25 Captain Malluk [Mallack] from Europe last from Rio Janero.

[25 - See ship journal of the Beckenham, 1764 IOR/L/MAR/B/561A. See under 'encounters'.]

Saturday the 3rd.
Moderate Land and Sea breezes with fair weather and a large Swell. Received by the Long Boat two trips of Water. Unbent the Top Gallant Sails and Top Sail & blacked all the Yards & Mast heads. Carpenter employed as before, Received on board one Man Slave No 2.

Sunday the 4th.
Fresh Land & Sea breezes the Chief Part.

Monday the 5th.
Strong Land & Sea breezes with fair weather. People employed about the Rigging. Tradesmen at their respective Callings. PM got the Jib Boom out and dispatched the Long Boat on Shore for Water.

[The 087:]

Tuesday November 6th 1764.
Moderate Land & Sea breezes with fair weather, bent all the Sails otherwise employed as most necessary. Carpenter making Stantions for a Slave Room out of some Wood we cut here. Received from the Tent one Puncheon26 of Beef.

[26 - A barrel measurement, one third of a tun.]

Wednesday the 7th.
Winds & weather much the same as before. Received on board a Long Boat load of Water and dispatched her on Shore again. AM Set the Top Mast rigging up also sent on Shore a Corporal and necessarys to bury Henry French one of the Company’s Soldiers who was found this morning drowned, he went on Shore yesterday morning on Duty. Employed getting clear for Sea. Carpenter as before. PM received on board one Man Slave No. 3.

Thursday the 8th.
Fresh Land & Sea breezes with fair weather. Employed as before. Cutter fetching Wood. AM The Long Boat came on board with a load of Water also received by her a Woman Slave No.4 and some Collarances from the Tent.

Friday the 9th.
Fresh Land & Sea breezes with fair weather. Employed getting ready for Sailing. Dispatched the Long Boat for a load of Water and received some of the Stores from the Tent, also 5 Bags of Collarances for the Ships use.

Saturday the 10th.
Fresh Land & Sea breezes with fair weather. Received on board a Long Boat load of water which is all we will fill here the quantity we have on board is about 15 tons. Received on board some Wood by the Cutter and sent the Long Boat on Shore to ------- the Tent[?] --- to Cleared ---.

Sunday the 11th.
Moderate Land & Sea breezes with fair weather. AM the Long Boat out with the Stores from the Tent & hoisted her in & stowed her between Decks also stowed the Booms. 3pm Cleared Hawse and unmoored the Ship by taking up the Small Cable to about a Cable on the Best Bower. Received one Woman Slave No.5.

Monday the 12th continued till Noon.
Moderate Winds and chiefly Westerly with fair weather, AM Sent the Cutter on Shore for the Booms which for the Tent, also to Sandy Bay for a load of broom stuff. Employed greasing the Masts and clearing the Decks. Carpenter repairing the Jolly Boat, at 6pm hoisted the Cutter in.

[Page 088:]

At St Augustine’s Bay

Tuesday November 13th 1764.
C&D WSW 12 miles. Light breezes with mostly fair weather. At 6am Weighed with a light Easterly breeze and at Sandy Island bore SSE distance about 2 Leagues. At Noon the extremes of the Island from NEbE to ESE dist off Shore about 6 Leagues. NB This is from Midnight till Noon now I count time as usual as Sea. [No obs]

[End of Harbour Log]

[Start of Sea Log]

Wednesday the 14th.
C&D North 82 miles. Moderate WNW breezes and fine weather. Sailmaker employed making a new Main Top Gallant Stay Sail. Carpenter fitting Masts for the Cutter. People making Sinnett other Tradesmen as per columns [Log]. At Sunrise the extremes of the land from NE to ESE about 6 or 7 Leagues. At 10 the extremes of the Land from NE to ESE about 7 or 8 Leagues. Lat 22.57 South. Long ----

[Page 089:]

Ship Solebay from St Augustine’s Bay.

Thursday November 15th 1764.
C&D NEbE 152. Pleasant SSW breezes and mostly fair weather.PM Hauled the Sails up. Carpenter, Sailmaker and People employed as yesterday. Armourer cleaning the Small arms. Remarks as per Log. Lat 20.30S Long ----

Friday the 16th.
C&D ESE 52. The first & middle parts fresh SSW breezes little Wind the whole fair weather. PM Bent a new Main Top Gallant Stay Sail. Lay too all night and Sounded as per Log. AM Carpenter employed as before. Sailmaker repairing the foot of the 2 best Main Sails. People under the boats. Lat 20.30S Long ---.

[Page 090:]

Towards Morandavia27

[27 - The River of Morandavia is recorded and mapped in Mr White’s Chart of the West Coast of Madagascar in August 1764 (three months before the Solbay passed it)]

Saturday November 17th 1764.
C&D ----. Pleasant West breezes & fair weather. At 4pm Saw the Land bearing SEbS and at Sunset came too an Anchor in 10½ fathoms Water, muddy Ground with the Best Bower. The extremes of the Land from ENE to SW dist off Shore about 2 Leagues. At 5am sent the 4th Mate in the Cutter on Shore to get Intelligence. At 11 Saw the Boat in Shore, fired a Gun for the Boat to come on Board. Lat (obs) 20.24 South. Long ----.

[End of Sea Log]

[Start of Harbour Log]

Sunday the 18th.
Moderate breezes and fair weather. Hoisted out the Long Boat and Rigged her. At ½ past 1 the Cutter returned but could get no information. Weighed and Stood inshore and came to an Anchor again in 8 fathoms with the best Bower, the extremes from NEbE to SWbW off Shore about 4 miles. At 3 the Captain28 went ashore in the cutter to a river which we take to be Molendaire [Maningory?]. At 9 she returned but with no satisfactory account there being no Natives. At Daylight sent the Long Boat to the River we take to be Yoreng Ools[?]. At 10am saw several smokes on Shore and the Captain went in the Cutter in Shore.

[28 - The first indication that the Log book was not (at least at this stage) not being recorded by the Captain.]

Monday the 19th.
Little winds and fair. At 2pm the Long Boat returned but could not find any inhabitants, in the night winds variable. At 11am some Smoke on the Shore with a Pole and something hoisted on it which we take to be a Signal made by our People belonging to the Cutter, but we can see nothing of the Boat, sent the Long Boat on Shore to see if they wanted any assistance. At 9am saw 2 Canoes to the NE and at 10 they came on board from the Mannee [Mania] River and sent one of the Canoes on Shore to the Captain.

[Page 091:]

Ship Solebay

Tuesday November 20th 1764.
Moderate breezes and fair. At 2pm the Captain returned in a Canoe and at ½ past the Cutter came on Board. At 3 got under weigh and stood to the NE to get off the Mannee River. The Long Boat under Sail in Shore. Steered NNE½E 10 miles then NE 4 miles. The Long Boat ahead sounding had regular Soundings 10, 9, 8 fathoms. At 7pm came too with the best Bower in 7½ fms. AM had a Squall of Wind at NEbE with Thunder & Lightning, veered away to the Mooring Service. AM moderate and fair with an Easterly. At 9 began to shorten in the Cable and a ½ past 10 got under weigh With the Wind NNW. Stood for the Mannee River with the Long Boat ahead Sounding at regular Soundings 8 & 9 fms

Wednesday the 21st.
Moderate breezes and fair. Steered NEbE about 5 Leagues, Soundings from 9 to ¼ less 7 then steered NEbN about 5 miles Soundings 7 & 8 fms then steered in for the entrance of the River. NEbE and at 4pm came too with the best Bower in 6 fathoms. The extremes of the Land from NbE ½ E to SWbS. Mannee River NNE Distance about 3 or 4 miles. At 8pm a Squall with Thunder & Lightning. Veered away to the Mooring Service in the night Rain. AM Moderate fair. The Captain went to the River in the Cutter in Shore. At 10am hove in a half Cable. Employed hauling the Sails out of the Sail Room.

Thursday the 22nd.
Fresh Sea breezes with fair weather. Sent the Long Boat to the River for Water. At 3pm the Cutter returned from the river with a Bullock Sent her away again. Employed getting the sails into the Bread Room. Got down Top Gallant Sails. Carpenter employed building the Slave Room. At 8pm Squally with Thunder & Lightning and the Cutter returned with a Bullock. AM the Long Boat came on Board but could not get Water also sent her on Shore again likewise the Cutter and yawls with the necessarys for erecting a Tent.

Friday the 23rd.
Land & Sea breezes in the first and latter parts fair the middle Squalls with Thunder & Lightning. At 8pm Long Boat returned with 13 Gang Casks of Water also received by the Cutter One Bullock for the Ships Use. AM hove up the Boat to see it clear, then moored hip with the Best Bower to the Eastward and ye Small Bower to the Westward half a cable. Carpenter employed as before. At 11am Departed this Life Daniel Hollingwood one of the Company’s Soldiers.

[Page 092:]

At Mannee29

[29 - Possibly the Fiherenana river, as it is the only river north of St Augustine’s Bay on the west coat.]

Saturday November 24th 1764.
Moderate Land & Sea breezes with fair weather the chief part. At 4pm sent the Long Boat on shore for Water also the corpse to be interred and at 7 ditto Departed this Life Mr Thomas Hiscock, Surgeon. This morning sent the Cutter some distance to Sea and committed the Corpse to the deep after the usual Ceremony. Carpenter employed as before. People cleaning Ship Fore & Aft. Washed the lower Deck with Vinegar.

Sunday the 25th.
Winds & weather as before with Lightning in the night. Received per Long Boat 5 Butts and 2 Gang Casks of Water. AM cleared Hawse. Received by the Cutter 2 bullocks for the Ships use.

Monday the 26th.
The winds chiefly in the NW Quarter, the first and latter parts fair the middle Cloudy with Thunder and Lightning. The Long Boat & Cutter employed Shifting the Tent from the North to the South Shore building the Slave Room. People employed as most necessary.

Tuesday the 27th.
Moderate Land & Sea breezes the weather chiefly fair. People employed as before. AM Sent the 2nd Mate on Shore to go with a present to the King which we are informed is 2 days Journey in the Country. Our People fall Sick having now 19 in the Sick List besides Officers. Received on Board a Bullock for the use of the Ship.

Wednesday the 28th.
Land & Sea breezes with fair weather and some Lightning in the night. Sent on Shore some empty Butts to sink for Wells there being no Water here but what’s brackish received on board 4 Men Slaves Nos. 6,7,8 & 9. PM Departed this Life William Dibney Ships Steward and this Morning sent the Corpse on Shore to be buried, also sent on Shore some Trade to the tent viz. 2 Quarter and 5 half Barrels of Powder. PM Came back & anchored here the Beckenham Captain Mallock30 from St Augustine’s Bay.

[30 - Their second encounter. Captain Newman Mallack of the Beckenham had left Portsmouth on the same day as the Solebay (as well as a third ship, the Lord Anson, departing from the Downs) and was employed by the East India Company on an identical mission (Madagascar - Bencoolen - India) - it is possible that William Richardson did not call upon him because his ship was struck with fever.]

Thursday the 29th.
Winds and weather as before. PM Departed this Life William Winter, Boatswain’s Boy of fever. Sent the corpse on Shore having got the Tent built for them by the Natives. Received on Board 2 Bags of Rice.

[Page 093:]

Ship Solebay

Friday November 30th 1764.
Winds as before. Employed cleaning Ship below & aloft and washed her with Vinegar. PM Departed this Life John Delivera who went on Shore yesterday. AM Cleared hawse and received by Long Boat 10 Hogsheads of Water and one Bag of Rice. Sent on Shore some Trade to the tent.

Saturday December 1st 1764.
The first & latter parts light Westerly Winds with Sultry weather, the middle fresh Winds off the land with frequent Squalls and Thunder & Lightning. Sent the Long Boat on Shore for Water. Employed mending the services to the Cables.

Sunday the 2nd.
Fresh Winds Chiefly Westerly with cloudy weather and a large Swell. Employed clearing away for some Planks that were under the Cordage. AM Received on Board by Long Boat 10 Hogsheads Water, 3 Bags of Rice and one Woman Slave No.10.

Monday the 3rd.
Fresh Land & Sea breezes with a large Swell and some Rain in the night. More Moderate. AM Cleared hawse. People employed by the Boatswain.

Tuesday the 4th.
Light Sea breezes with Sultry weather. Sent the Long Boat for Water, at 2pm came on Board the 2nd Mate with a Man & Boy Slave No. 11 & 12 as a present from the King. In the night hard Squalls of Wind and Rain with Thunder & Lightning. Received on Board the Cutter 4 Gang Casks of Water. AM Sent her on Shore. People employed drawing and knotting Yarns. Received fresh Beef for the Ship’s Company.

Wednesday the 5th.
Light Sea breezes with hot weather. Received on Board per Cutter 3 Slaves No. 13,14 and 15. The night moderate with some lightning. AM Came on Board the Long Boat with 5 Butts and 1 Hogshead of Water and 6 Bags of Rice. Fleeted the Fore Main Top Masts Rigging and Set it up. People employed drawing & knotting Yarns Spinning Spunyarn etc. Received fresh Beef for the Ship’s Company.

Thursday the 6th.
A light Sea breeze with Sultry weather. Dispatched the Long Boat for Water. Received on Board by the Cutter One Woman Slave and a stout Boy No. 16, 17, 6 Bags of Rice. Received on Board per Long Boat 5 Barrels & 2 Hogsheads of Water, Struck the Mizzen Top Mast to repair the Tree. Carpenter repairing the Cross Tree. People employed by the Boatswain. Received fresh Beef for the Ship’s Company.

[Page 094:]

Ship Solebay

Friday December 7th 1764.
Moderate Land & Sea breezes. Sent the Long Boat for Water. At 6pm Departed this Life John Slater Boatswain’s Yuman [Yeoman?] one of those who went on Shore to Sick Quarters. In the night hard Rain. Received on Board by the Cutter 3 Bags of Rice and one Man Slave No.18. Received on Board per Long Boat 5 Butts and 2 Hogsheads Water. Swayed the Mizzen Top Mast up and stayed it. Cleared hawse. Received Fresh Beef for the Ship’s Company.

Saturday the 8th.
Winds as before with fair weather. Sent the Long Boat for Water. In the night fresh Land Wind with severe Thunder & Lightning and hard Rain. Departed this Life James Hambleton seaman at Sick Quarters. AM Loosed Sails to dry, came on Board the Long Boat with 5 Butts and 1 Hogshead Water, 2 Puncheons Beef and fresh Meat for the Ship’s Company. Carpenter employed Caulking the Larboard Side of the Quarter Deck and People employed by the Boatswain fitting the Broken Stays.

Sunday the 9th.
Light Sea breezes and cloudy weather. Sent the Long Boat for Water. PM Received by the Cutter One Woman Slave No 19 and 5 Bags of Rice. Confined William Beezley Quartermaster for disobeying orders and abusing the Slaves also William Spender for abusing the Corporal. In the night Calm with hard Rain. AM Received on Board by Long Boat 12 Hogsheads Water 1 Puncheon Beef and fresh Meat for the Ship’s Company. Cleared hawse.

Monday the 10th.
Moderate Land and Sea breezes with fair weather. PM Received per Cutter 12 Bags of Rice. AM Released the two Prisoners on their making proper confession and promise of good behavior for the future. Cooper employed Caulking the Quarter Deck. Boatswain about the Rigging. Struck the Top Gallant Masts.

Tuesday the 11th.
Winds & weather as before. PM Set up the Bob Stays. Stayed the Fore Mast and set the Fore Rigging up, also Received on Board One Man and one Woman Slave No 20, 21. AM Stayed the Main Mast and received on Board 1 Man and one Woman Slave No 22, 23. Carpenter employed as before. Cooper Setting up the Casks for Provisions. PM Confined John Sadler Gunners Mate for theft.

[Page 095:]

Ship Solebay

Wednesday December 12th 1764.
Fresh Land & Sea breezes and Chiefly cloudy weather. PM Tyed [Tied] John Sadler up and gave him one dozen and James Ney two dozen lashes for breaking open the Captain’s Store Room and taking out a five Gallon Keg of Brandy then released them. Set the Main Rigging up and received a Man and Woman Slave No 24, 25 and 7 Bags of Rice. Set the Top Mast Rigging up. Tradesmen employed as before.

Thursday the 13th.
Moderate Land & Sea breezes with cloudy weather and some Rain PM Cleared Hawse and received on Board One Man Slave N927. Boatswain employed about Rigging. Carpenter and Coopers as before.

Friday the 14th.
Fresh Land & Sea breezes te first and middle parts cloudy weather with Thunder, Lightning & Rain, the latter part fair. PM Sent the Long Boat on Shore for Water. AM Returned with 8 Hogsheads Water, 3 Puncheons of Beef 8 Bags of Rice and 2 Men Slaves No. 28 & 29. Boatswain employed as before. Carpenter, Caulkers on the Gun Room Ports and the Cooper setting up Butts for Water. Loosed Sails to dry.

Saturday the 15th.
Fresh Land and Light Sea breezes and Chiefly cloudy weather with some Thunder Lightning & Rain. PM Sent the Long Boat for Water but the Wind coming off the Land she was obliged to return. AM Cleared Hawse and employed cleaning the Slaves Rooms. Carpenter making the Bulkhead of the Lazaretto from Side to Side and knocking down the Store Rooms which were there.

Sunday the 16th.
Moderate Land & Sea breezes with Sultry weather, in the night Thunder & Lightning with Rain. PM Received per the Cutter a load of Wood and 3 Bags of Rice which came on the Long Boat with 3 Hogsheads of Water, 2 Hogsheads and one Puncheon of Beef, also came on Board Prince George31, John Nick, Captain Rundiny, and Captain Sight to see the Ship. Saluted them on their coming & going with 5 Guns. PM Dispatched the Long Boat for Water. Washed the Gun Deck, received Fresh Beef for the Ship’s Company.

[31 - Prince George, John Nick and the Captains were local “natives of distinction” with assumed names who were showingly dressed and negotiated trade with the passing ships.]

[Page 096:]

At Mannee

Monday December 17th 1764.
Land & Sea breezes the middle and latter parts calm with close weather. AM Received on Board by the long Boat 13 Hogsheads Water and some Wood. Loosed Sails dry. Unbent the Main Sail to mend. PM Dispatched the Long Boat, Carpenter employed Caulking the Quarter Deck. People under the Boatswain.

Tuesday the 18th.
Light Land & Sea breezes with fair weather. PM Received by the Cutter One Bag of Rice and One Woman Slave No.30 by the Jolly Boat One ditto No.31. Employed Stowing the Lazaretto. AM Received some Wood and Man Slave No 32. Employed stowing loosed Sails to dry. Carpenter employed as before. Cooper Setting up Butts. Received fresh Meat for the Ship’s Company.

Wednesday the 19th.
Moderate Winds from NW to NE and Chiefly cloudy weather, and in the night Thunder, Lightning and some Rain. AM Received by the Long Boat One Man Slave No 33. 2 Puncheons of Beef and 10 Hogsheads of Water. Cooper & Carpenter as before. Scraped and greased the Top Masts down.

Thursday the 20th.
Fresh Gales of Wind variable with frequent Squalls and abundance of Thunder, lightening and Rain with a very large Swell from the SW AM Found our Small Bower Anchor had come home. AM received by the Cutter a Man and Woman Slave No 34 & 35. Dispatched the Long Boat for Wood & Water. And Received one Boy Slave No 36.

Friday the 21st.
Fresh Squalls of Wind Chiefly Northerly and dark cloudy weather. and a great deal of Thunder & Lightning and Rain and a very large Swell, the weather being so precarious can get no opportunity of a new Mooring the Ship. AM Received on Board per the Long Boat 2 Hogsheads of Water and some Wood. AM Got the Spritsail Top Sail Yard in.

[Page 097:]

Ship Solebay

Saturday December 22nd 1764.
Dark cloudy weather with Thunder, Lightning and Rain. The first part moderate middle & latter some very hard Squalls. AM Veered out to a whole Cable on the Best Bower and weighed the Small Bower anchor it being clear let it go again under foot, but found the Cable Stranded under the Service ditto cut & Spliced him also lowered the lower Yards down a Portland [meaning not clear] and hoisted the Jolly Boat in.

Sunday the 23rd.
The first part hard Gales of Wind and rain the middle and latter more moderate but cloudy weather. the Swells something abated, this morning took up the Small Bower Anchor and stowed him also swayed the lower Yards up. Received by the Cutter 4 Bags of Rice and One Man Slave No 37.

Monday the 24th.
Chiefly fresh Gales from the NW to NE with frequent Squalls and very hard Rain. The latter part the Wind Variable to SE. At 7am the weighed best Bower Anchor and stood to the Northward being too near the south Shore. At 8 came too again with the Best Bower and moored Ship with the Best Bower to the Northward and the small Bower to the Southward about a Cable each way. The extremes of the Land from NNE to SWbS off shore about 2 Leagues.

Tuesday the 25th.
Moderate Land & Sea breezes the first part fair the middle and latter parts cloudy with some very hard Rain. PM Dispatched the long Boat for Water and this morning she returned with 4 Hogsheads of Water, 1 Puncheon and 2 Hogsheads of Beef. Cleared Hawse and loosed Sails to dry.

Wednesday the 26th.
Moderate Land & Sea breezes with fair weather. PM Sent the Long Boat on Shore and this morning she returned with 10 Hogsheads of Water also the Cutter with a load of Wood. AM Tarred the Lower Masts. PM Tyed William Williams up to the Gangway and gave him a Dozen Lashes for disobeying Command and leaving the Cutter when on Shore.

Thursday the 27th.
Land & Sea breezes with fair weather and very large Swell from the Sea which makes the Ship labour very much. PM Sent the Long Boat on Shore, PM by the Cutter a load of Wood and this morning by Long Boat some Wood 4 Hogsheads Water and 2 Bags of Rice. Tarred the Ships Sides also cleared Hawse.

[Page 098:]

At Mannee

Friday December 28th 1764.
The first & middle parts moderate breezes of Wind & fair weather, the latter fresh Gales Northerly with a very large Swell as before. PM Sent the Long Boat ashore with empty Casks and this morning she returned but the Ship labouring so much she could not lay alongside. Received by the Cutter some Wood and a Woman Slave No 38.

Saturday the 29th.
Fresh Gales of Wind between NW & NE with frequent smart Squalls & Rain, a very large Sea which makes the Ship labour so much we have been unable to unload the Long Boat. PM wore out to a whole Cable the Best Bower and this morning got the Top Gallant Masts down upon Deck. Received the Cutter with some Plantain [Banana] Trees.

Sunday the 30th.
Winds & weather much the same as past days. We still have such a Swell there is no possibility of getting our Long Boat unloaded. Received by Cutter a Man & Woman Slave Nos 39 & 40, likewise a few Plantain Trees which we were obliged to get over the Stern.

Monday the 31st.
Fresh Gales of Wind between N & NE chiefly fair weather with some Swells and Rain. The Swells something abated. Received by Cutter a Woman Slave No 41. AM Sent the Jolly Boat a grapnail and warp to get the Long Boat on Board but it blowing fresh and a great Swell were obliged to decline it.

Tuesday January 1st 1765.
The first part fresh Gales of Wind an fair weather, the middle and latter part moderate and cloudy weather with rain. AM Got the Long Boat in Board with 3 Puncheons of Beef & 1 Hogshead of Water and 1 Bag of Rice. AM Sent her on Shore with all the empty Casks, also received the Cutter and some broom stuff and Sundrys from the Tent.

Wednesday the 2nd.
Moderate Land and Sea breezes the first part cloudy the latter fair weather. PM Received by Long Boat 3 Puncheons of Beef and 7 Hogsheads of Water and also by the Cutter the Spare Sails from the Tent. Dispatched the Long Boat on Shore again & getting ready for Sea. Bent the Main Sail and loosed Sails to dry.

[Page 099:]

Ship Solebay at Mannee

Thursday January 3rd 1765.
Moderate Land & Sea breezes with fair weather and sooth Water. PM Received the Cutter with 2 Casks of Water and 2 Bullocks. Got the Top Gallant Masts up and this morning received by Long Boat 11 Casks of Water and One Man Slave No 42, also sent her on Shore again with empty Casks.

Friday the 4th.
Winds and weather as before. PM Received by Cutter 3 Bullocks and 2 Casks of Water and this morning by the Long Boat 9 Casks of Water and 1 Hogshead of Beef, also unmoored the Ship by taking up the Small Bower then hove to about ½ a Cable on the Best Bower. Received by the Cutter 4 Bullocks, dispatched the Long Boat ashore and got the top Gallant Yards across.

Saturday the 5th.
Light Land & Sea breezes with fair weather. PM Bent the Top Gallant Sails also got the Spritsail Topsail Yard out and bent the Sail. Received by the Cutter 3 Bullocks. AM the Long Boat came on Board with some water and the remainder of the things from the Tent. Unrigged and hoisted her in also received by Cutter a Cow and also 1 Woman Slave No 43. At 6 Weighed but with falling Calm let the Anchor go again under foot.

Sunday the 6th.
Light Land & Sea breezes the first & latter parts fair weather, the middle cloudy with Rain. PM Got the Sheet Anchor on the Gunwall and hoisted in the Jolly boat also sent the cutter on shore for a Bullock, at -she returned with one also a Woman Slave no 44 At AM Weighed with the a light Air Easterly. Hoisted in the Cutter and at Noon the Extremes of the Land bore from EbN to South Distance off Shore about 5 Leagues. Unbent the Sheet Cable and un-reeved the Top Ropes. Latitude (obs) 19.55 South.

[End of Harbour Log]

[Start of Sea Log]

[Page 100:]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar towards Bencoolen.

Monday January 7th 1765.
C&D S53W 56. Light Airs NWbW and Calm with Sultry weather. At 7pm the extremes of the Land from ENE to SWb½W Distance off the nearest Shore about 7 or 8 Miles. Un-reeved the Messenger unbent the Best Bower Cables and slung the Lower Yards. Soundings from 14 to 25 Fathoms. People employed by the Boatswain cleaning the Decks. Main Ties broke. Soundings and other Remarks as per Log. Spliced the Main Ties and Swayed the Yards up. Lat 20.26S Long 42.32E.

Tuesday the 8th.
C&D S31W 21. Light Airs and Calm with fair weather. People employed by the Boatswain. Lat 20.52S Long 42.15East.

[Page 101:]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Wednesday January 9th 1765 C&D S47W 29. Light Airs and Calm with Sultry Weather, AM Stowed the best and Small Bower. Anchors and unreeved the Runners and Tackles. Salted 6 Bullocks. Find a help to the Southward of 26 Miles. Lat 21.36S Long 41.53E.

Thursday the 10th.
C&D S55W 88. The most part fresh breezes and fine Weather. People Employed by the Boatswain. To the Southward of Account 14 Miles. Lat 22.30S Long 40.55E.

[Page 102:]

Towards Bencoolen

Friday January the 11th 1765.
C&D WSW 67. Fresh Breezes and fair Weather with Smooth Water. Brought too as per Log and lay too all Night for a Shoal Called Bassas de India32 layed down in the new East India Directory in the Latitude of 22° 20’ South. AM Washed the Gun Deck. People Employed by the Boatswain. Lat 22.57S Long 39.49E.

[32 - an uninhabited, roughly circular atoll halfway between Mozambique and Madagascar. Named "Baixo da Judia" ("Jewess Shoals") by Portuguese explorers in the early sixteenth century. It became "Bassas da India" due to transcription errors by cartographers.]

Saturday the 12th.
C&D S59W 91. Fresh Gales and fair Weather. AM Set up the Mizen Top Mast rigging, Housed the Guns in the Waste. People Employed under the Boatswain other Remarks as per Log. Lat 23.49S Long 38.24E.

[Page 103:]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Sunday January the 13th 1765.
C&D S78W 42. Fresh Gales and Cloudy Weather with constant Squalls and a large Swell, People Employed by the Boatswain. Tacked as per Log. Lat 24.0S Long 37.39 East.

Monday January the 14th.
C&D S7West 17. For the most part Fresh Gales with frequent Squalls in the night the Swell continued People Employed by the Boatswain. Reefs Tacked &c. as per Log. Lat 23.43S Long 37.35East.

[Page 104:]

Towards Bencoolen

Tuesday January the 15th 1765.
C&D S21W 78. For the most part fresh Breezes and Cloudy Weather with some flying Squalls, the swell something down (AM) Housed the remainder of the Guns in the Waste, People under the Boatswain, Sailmaker making a Mizen Top Gallant Sail out of some old Sails. Lat 24.56S Long 37.05East.

Wednesday the 16th.
S16W 76. The most part light Breezes with some light Squalls (AM) Hauled up the best and Small Bower. Cables to take off the mooring Service, Sailmaker Employed mending the Jib. Lat 26.13S Long 36.41East.

[Page 105:]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Thursday January the 17th 1765.
C&D South 32. Light Airs and Calm with mostly fair Weather other Remarks as per Log. Lat 26.53S Long 36.11 East.

Friday the 18th.
C&D S51E 13. Light Airs and calm with fair Weather People Employed under the Boatswain, Sailmaker repairing the old Main Top Sail. Lat 27.01S Long 26.52E

[Page 106:]

Towards Bencoolen

Saturday January the 19th 1765.
C&D S33E 67. The first and middle part light Airs, the latter pleasant Breezes Weather fair throughout. People drawing and knotting yarns Sailmaker Employed as before. Lat 27.39S Long 37.32East.

Sunday the 20th.
C&D S75E 23 The first part light Airs and fair Weather. The middle Calm with Rain, the latter fresh Gales and variable with frequent hard Squalls and Rain and a large Sea AM Departed this life a Man Slave No. [ ]33 other Transactions as Per Log. No observation. Lat 27.46S Long 38.17 East.

[33 - Underlined sentence highlighted in pencil]

[Page 107]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Monday January the 21st 1765.
C&D S37W 50. Fresh Gales and frequent hard Squalls of Wind and Rain, and a large head Sea which makes the Ship pitch and labour very much find her to make 4 Inches of Water Per Hour. PM the Doctor dissected the Body of the Man Slave hove it over board. other Remarks as Per Log. Lat 28.25S Long 37.43East.

Tuesday the 22nd.
C&D S49W 43. Strong Gales with constant hard Squalls of Wind and Rain and a large Sea as before kept one hand Pump constantly going. Required handed &c. as Per Log. Lat 28.58S Long 37.07 East.

[Page 108]

Towards Bencoolen

Wednesday January the 23rd 1765.
C&D S28W 46. For the most part moderate Breezes and fair Weather the swell down. AM Shifted Main Sails and Mizen. Top Sail with the best. Sailmaker Employed repairing the old Sails that were unbent. Carpenter Employed knocking down the Slave Room of the Starboard Side and making a [partition] in the one of the larboard Side, other Remarks as Per Log. Lat 29.55S Long 36.42East.

Thursday January the 24th 1765.
C&D S4W 35. Moderate Breezes and fair Weather with a Smooth Sea. AM Hauled up the new Sails to Air them also the old ones found several of the new Sails damaged other Transactions as Per Log. Lat 30.42S Long 36.38E.

[Page 109]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Friday January the 25th 1765.
C&D S70E 74. Pleasant Breezes and fair Weather with smooth Water. AM Bent the Middle Stay Sails, also a new Fore Top Mast Stay Sail for a Jib, placed the Cutter in her berth, Carpenter Employed repairing her, Sailmaker repairing the old Main Top Sail People by the Boatswain. Lat 32.12S Long 36.49East.

Saturday January the 26th 1765.
C&D S21E 86. Pleasant Breezes and fair Weather with Smooth Waters. Carpenter Employed as Per Day Past, Sailmaker mending the old Fore Top Sail AM People drawing yarns and Spinning Spunyarn Washed the Gun Deck. Lat 33.31S Long 47.26East.

[Page 110]

Towards Bencoolen

Sunday January the 27th 1765.
C&D S36E 90. Pleasant Breezes and fair Weather with smooth Water. Lat 34.46S Long 38.29East.

Monday January the 28th 1765.
C&D S 41E 112. Pleasant Breezes and fair Weather with smooth Water. Tradesmen Employed as before AM Got the Small Bower Anchor in upon Deck to grease the Stocks. Lat 36.48S Long 10.00East.

[Page 111]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Tuesday January the 29th 1765.
C&D S56E 100. Pleasant Breezes and fair Weather Carpenter Employed as per Days Past, Sailmaker mending the old Main Sail. Lat 37.26S Long 41.44 East

Wednesday January the 30th 1765.
C&D S88E 118. Pleasant Breezes and Hazy Weather AM Wind shifted as per Log. Tradesmen and Seamen Employed as most necessary. Lat 37.31S Long 44.12 East.

[Page 112]

Towards Bencoolen

Thursday January the 31st 1765.
C&D S 73E 03. For the most part fresh Gales with Cloudy Squally weather and Rain. Tacked Reefs &c. as Per Log. Sailmaker Employed as before. Lat 37.00S Long 46.04 East.

Friday February the 1st 1765.
C&D S80E 196. Chiefly Fresh Breezes and Cloudy Weather. Tradesmen and People Employed as necessary. Lat 36.55S Long 48.16 East.

[Now in the Roaring Forties]

[Page 113]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Saturday February the 2nd 1765.
C&D S68E 74. The first and Middle parts moderate Breezes, the latter increasing Gales the weather Hazy throughout. Sailmaker Employed mending old Sails. Lat 37.19S Long 48.36 East.

Sunday the 3rd.
C&D S84E 154. Fresh Gales and fair Weather the first and Middle parts a Swell the latter Smooth Water. at 12 PM Departed this life a Man Slave No 13 Committed the Body to the Deep. Lat 37.35E Long 52.48 East.

[Page 114]

Towards Bencoolen

Monday February the 4th 1765.
C&D EbN 170. Pleasant Gales and fair Weather with Smooth Water, Carpenter and Sailmaker Employed as before. People under the Boatswain. Lat 37.28S Long 56.21 East.

Tuesday the 5th.
Fresh Gales and Hazy Weather the latter part some light Squalls with drizzling Rain, Carpenter and Sailmaker Employed as before, People under the Boatswain.

[Page 115]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Wednesday February the 6th 1765.
C&D East 73. The first part pleasant Gales and fair Weather, the middle and latter light Breezes and Calm with thick Hazy Weather and Rain, Sailmaker and Carpenter Employed as before. Lat 37.07S Long 61.50 East.

Thursday February the 7th 1765.
C&D S78E 71. Light Breezes and Cloudy Weather with Small Rain at times a large Squall from the Southward 18 of our People down with the Flux, Sailmaker and Carpenter Employed as before. Lat 37.09S Long 63.19 East.

[Page 116]

Towards Bencoolen

Friday February the 8th 1765.
C&D S79E 113. For the most part Pleasant Breezes and fair Weather with Smooth Water. Lat 37.25S Long 65.37 East.

Saturday the 9th.
C&D E4S 156. Fresh Gales and mostly Squally Weather with a large Sea. Carpenter and Sailmaker Employed as before. People &c as per Log. Lat 37.26S Long 68.52 East.

[Page 117]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Sunday February the 10th 1765.
C&D N76E 57. The first part fresh Breezes, the middle and latter light Airs and Calm Weather. mostly fair other Remarks as per Log. Lat 37.08S Long 69.55 East.

Monday the 11th.
C&D S63E 112. The first part Moderate and fair, the Middle and latter Strong Gales with very hard Squalls of Wind and Rain with thick Hazy Weather and a very large Sea, obliged to keep one hand pump constantly going PM departed this life a Woman Slave No. 23, Committed the body to the deep. Required &c as Per Log. Lat 38.00S Long 72.01 East.

[Page 118]

Towards Bencoolen

Tuesday February the 12th 1765.
C&D N64E 81. The first part Strong Gales with very hard Squalls and Rain and a large Sea, the middle and latter moderate with thick Hazy Weather, the Sea down, other Transactions as per Log. Lat 37.25S Long 73.32 East

Wednesday the 13th.
C&D S44E 118. Fresh Gales with frequent Squalls and Small Rain, the latter part a very large Sea from the SE at 8 AM Departed this life Lieut. Andrew Willson. No observation. Lat 36.01 Long 75.14 East.

[Page 119]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Thursday February the 14th 1765.
C&D N34E 61. The first and latter parts thick Hazy Weather with fresh Gales and constant Rain the middle little Wind and Cloudy. at (4 PM) Committed the Body of the deceased to the deep at Noon unbent the Middle Stay Sails and condemned it, Sailmaker Employed making a new one, other Transactions as Per Log. Lat 35.11S Long 75.56 East.

Friday the 15th.
C&D NE 106. Fresh Breezes with Squally Hazy Weather and Small Rain, Sailmaker Employed as before other Transactions as Per Log. No observation. Lat 33.58S Long 77.26 East

[Page 120]

Towards Bencoolen

Saturday February the 16th 1765.
C&D S9E 191. The first part fresh Breezes and Hazy Weather, the Middle and latter light Airs and Calm with Cloudy Weather and some Rain Carpenter, and Sailmaker Employed as before. Lat 34.47S Long 77.36 East.

Sunday the 17th.
C&D S52E 47. Light Airs and Calm with fair Weather Sailmaker Employed as before, AM Carpenter Employed Stopping Some leaks on the Starboard Bow, other Remarks as Per Log. Lat 35.28S Long 78.21 East.

[Page 121]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Monday February the 18th 1765.
C&D S59E 13. Light Airs and Calm with fair Weather and Smooth Water. Carpenter Employed as before Sailmaker mending the Fore Sail, at Noon reeved a new Fore Top Sail Tie and double Halliards, other Transactions as Per Log. Lat 35.47S Long 78.35 East

Tuesday the 19th.
C&D East 5 N. 69. For the most part light Breezes and Fair Weather with a smooth Sea. Carpenter Employed as before, Sailmaker mending old Sails, People under the Boatswain. Lat 35.41S Long 79.59 East.

[Page 122]

Towards Bencoolen

Wednesday February the 20th 1765.
C&D E7N 71. The first and Middle parts mostly light Breezes and Calm, the latter pleasant breezes the Weather mostly fair with a Smooth Sea Carpenter Employed as before, Sailmaker making a Quarter Deck awning out of the old Foresails other Transactions as per Log. Lat 36.20S Long 81.25 East.

Thursday the 21st.
C&D E6N 73. The first and latter parts pleasant Breezes the Middle lighter Winds and Hazy Weather. Carpenter finished the Cutter, Sailmaker ending the Fore Top Sails that was unbent. A Swell from the Southward. Lat 35.18S Long 82.54 East.

[Page 123]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Friday February the 22nd 1765.
C&D E10N 176. Fresh Gales and Fair Weather the latter part the swells abated, Sailmaker Employed as before, Quartermaster making Nippers, People making Linnett and Spinning Spunyarn. Lat 34.33S Long 86.25 East.

Saturday the 23rd.
C&D ENE½N 201. Fresh Gales and fair Weather with some Squalls at Times, Sailmaker on the Awning, Quartermasters and People Employed as before, other Remarks as Per Log. Lat 33.10S Long 90.01 East.

[Page 124]

Towards Bencoolen

Sunday February the 24th 1765.
C&D E64N 148. The first part fresh Gales and fair Weather, the Middle and latter Moderate and Hazy, other Transactions as per Log. Lat 31.43S Long 92.07 East.

Monday the 25th.
C&D E44N 135. The first and latter parts fresh Gales and Hazy Weather, with same Squalls and Rain, the middle moderate Breezes Sailmaker repairing old Sails, Carpenter Repairing the Barrakader [barracade] on the Quarter Deck, other Remarks as per Log. Lat 30.12S Long 93.57 East.

[Page 125]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Tuesday February the 26th 1765.
C&D N37E 219. Strong Gales with Cloudy Hazy Weather and Squalls at times PM Filled 5 Butts & 3 Gang Casks in the Fore Hold with Salt Water to trim the Ship AM found the Fore Top Mast Sprung in the wake of the Caps and in two other places about 5 foot above the Cap, Sailmaker and Carpenter Employed as before, other Remarks as per Log. To the southward of Account 17 Miles. Lat 27.35S Long 96.29 East.

Wednesday the 27th.
C&D N28E 152. The first and Middle parts fresh Gales and Cloudy Hazy Weather with some Squalls the latter Moderate and Fair. Sailmaker making the Sails that were unbent, Carpenter as before other Transactions as per Log. To the Southward of Account 12 miles. Lat 25.32S Long 97.41 East.

[Page 126]

Towards Bencoolen

Thursday February the 28th 1765.
C&D N26E 143 Pleasant Breezes and fair Weather Tradesmen Employed as before, Employed filling more Butts in the Fore Hold with Salt Water. Much time lost not being able to carry Sails on the Fore Top Masts. To the Northward of Account 22 Miles. Lat 23.30S Long 98.50 East.

Friday March the 1st 1765.
C&D N28E 148. Fresh Breezes and Squally Weather with Rain and the Wind Variable at times. Kept a good look out all night for Cloats [Cloates] Island Sailmaker and Carpenter Employed as necessary other Remarks as Per Log. [A] short Swell which has made the Ship labour very much. To the Southward of Account 5 Miles. Lat 21.14S Long 100.04 East.

[Page 127]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Saturday March the 2nd 1765.
C&D N19E 126. Pleasant Breezes and Hazy Weather with a Smooth Sea, Shortened Sail as per Log and kept a good look out for the Tryall {Tryal] Rocks, at Day light made Sail, Tradesmen Employed as before, People under the Boatswain. Lat 19.10S Long 100.46 East.

Sunday the 3rd.
C&D N19E 123. Pleasant Trade and fair Weather with Smooth Water. Sailmaker at work on the Sails, other Remarks as per Log. To the Northward of Account 10 Miles. Lat 17.02S Long 101.28 East.

[Page 128]

Towards Bencoolen

Monday March the 4th 1765.
C&D N19E 120. Pleasant Trade and mostly fair Weather with Smooth Water, Sailmaker, and Carpenter Employed as before, Gunners Mate Painting the Cutter, People Employed by the Boatswain, other Remarks as per Log. To the Northard of Account 13 Miles. Lat 14.56S Long 102.09 East. [these are corrections to Latitude observations]

Tuesday the 5th 1765.
C&D NE 106. The first part moderate Breezes and Hazy Weather, the Middle and latter light Breezes variable with Cloudy Hazy Weather and some Squalls and Rain, Sailmaker making a poop Awning, Gunner’s Mate as before, Quartermaster making Nippers, People Employed by the Boatswain as necessarie, other Transactions as Per Log. To the Northward of Account 7 Miles. Lat 37.36S Long 60.19 East.

[Page 129]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Wednesday March the 6th 1765.
C&D N44W 65. Light Breezes and fair Weather with Smooth Water. Sailmaker and Gunner’s Mate Employed as before, Carpenter Sick, Quartermaster making Platts for the Cables, People under the Boatswain, other Remarks as Per Log. To the Southward of Account 17 Miles. Lat 12.34S Long 101.28 East.

Thursday the 7th.
C&D N6W 55. Light Breezes and fair Weather with Smooth Water, Sailmaker mending the Spritsail, Joyner repairing the Jolly Boat, Gunner’s Mate and Quartermasters Employed as before, People mending the Quarter Deck Netting, and otherwise Employed by the Boatswain. Kept a good look out all night for the Coco Islands. To the Norward of Account 5 Miles. Lat 11.35S Long 101.21 East.


Location of Coco Islands

[Page 130]

Towards Bencoolen

Friday March the 8th 1765.
C&D North 41. Light Airs and fair weather with very Smooth Water, at 3PM Departed this life Patrick Leonard Poulterer at 7 Do. Committed his body to the deep. Quartermasters and People Employed as before, Sailmaker on old Sails, Joiner fitting the Jolly Boat's Oar], Gunner’s Mate Painting her. Lat 10.49S Long 101.21 East.

Saturday the 9th 1765.
C&D – 22. Light Airs and Calm with fair Weather and very Smooth Water. Quartermasters and People Employed as before, Gunner’s Mate finished Painting the Boats, others Remarks as Per Log. Lat 10.25S Long 101.21 East.

[Page 131]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Sunday March the 10th 1765.
C&D N28 98. Pleasant Breezes and fair Weather with very Smooth Water, at [6]PM Jo[ao] Pedro, a Portuguese Seaman being in liquor fell from the Sheet Anchor over board hove too immediately and hoisted out the Jolly Boat and sent her in search of him, but all endeavours did not prevent the accidental drowning fatal to him. Sailmaker over hauling the Fore Top Sail that was unbent, other Remarks as per Log. Lat 08.52S Long 101.55 East.

Monday the 11th.
C&D N18E 87. The first part Moderate and fair Weather with Smooth Water, the Middle Winds Variable with light Squalls and very hard Rain. Kept a good look out all night for the land. AM Hauled up the Best Bower Cable out of the hold upon the Gun Deck. Sailmaker. Employed repairing new Sails that got Damaged in the Sailroom, other Remarks as per Log. To the Nohward of Account 11 Miles. Lat 07.19S Long 102.23 East.

[Page 132]

Towards Bencoolen

Tuesday March the 12th 1765.
C&D N17E 76. For the most part Pleasant Breezes with Cloudy Hazy Weather, at 1 PM took in the first Reef and hauled our Wind to the EastWard. Kept a good look out all night as before: These 24 Hours have been Employed hauling our Cables up out of the Main hold overhauling them and coiling them down in their proper birthes between Decks. Knocked down the Slaverooms Found the Small Bower Cables very bad, condemned it and coiled it down under the sheet for dunage, drew the Splicer of the Sheet and Best Bower Cables, and Spliced the outer Sheet to the Best Bower for an inner Best Bower Cable and made a Small Bower of the inner Best Bower Sailmaker Employed as before, other Remarks as per Log. To the Norward of Account 13 Miles. Lat 05.54S Long 102.45 East.

Wednesday the 13th.
C&D N29E 50. The first part light Airs and fair Weather The Middle and latter moderate Breezes Variable with Squalls and Rain. Kept a good look out all night. At 2PM Sounded no ground 50 fathoms. AM Bent the Sheet Best Bower and Small Bower Cables also Reeved the Messenger and Yard Tackles, Sailmaker Employed repairing new Sails that got damaged in the Sailroom, otherwise Employed as necessary. To the Norward of Account 18 Miles. Lat 04,52S Long 103.09 East. Lat 03.46S Long 103.49 East.

[Page 133]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Thursday March the 14th 1765.
C&D N48E 54. Moderate Breezes and fair Weather with Smooth Water. Kept a good look out all night, AM Run out the Guns fore and aft, Sailmaker Employed as before. People under the Boatswain. To the Norward of Account 29 Miles.

Friday the 15th.
C&D ---. Fair Weather and Calm with very Smooth Water at 5 AM Hoisted out the Jolly Boat to try the Current, found it to Set WNW 1/4 per hour. Scraped and Scrubbed both Sides of the Ship under the bends; Sailmaker and People Employed as before. NB. By Mistake in our Glass too late for an observation. Lat --- Long 103.49 East.

[Page 134]

Towards Bencoolen

Saturday March the 16th 1765.
C&D S69E 28. The first and Middle parts light Airs and Calm with some light Squalls, the latter Pleasant Breezes with Cloudy Weather. Sailmaker and People Employed as before, other Remarks as Per Log. Lat 3.48S Long 104.15 East.

Sunday the 17th 1765.
C&D S86E 14. For the most part light Airs and Calm with fair Weather, PM Bent the Main Top Mast Stay Sail AM Had Divine Service. Lat 3.47S Long 104.29 East.

[Page 135]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

C&D S16W 06. Monday March the 18th 1765.
Light Airs and Calm with Fair Weather a Swell from the Southward, People Employed under the Boatswain making a Swifter for the Cutter, and other necessaries, Sailmaker making a new jib, other Remarks as per Log. NB For these 3 Days Past have seen Several large Trees with some large Birds on them [presumably dead trees floating in the sea.]. Lat 3,47S Long 104.27 East.

Tuesday the 19th.
C&D S51E 40. The first and latter parts moderate breezes the Middle Calm Weather mostly Cloudy PM Departed this life Man Slave throwed the Body over board. Kept a good look out all night, Sailmaker Employed as before, People as necessarie, other Remarks as per Log, Past Several Drifts. Lat 04.22S Long 104.58 East.

[Page 136]

Towards Bencoolen

Wednesday March the 20th 1765.
C&D N64E 24. Light Airs and Calm with Cloudy Weather. People and Sailmaker Employed as per Day past. To the Norward of Account 7 Miles. Lat 04.05S Long 105.20 East.

Thursday the 21st 1765.
C&D N4E 25. The first and Middle parts light Airs and Calm with fair Weather, the latter Winds variable with light Squalls and hard Rain taken aback Several Times in the hours AM hoisted out the Jolly Boat to try the Current, found it Set NNW 5 fathoms per hour Sailmaker and People Employed as before other Remarks as per Log. Lat 03.41S Long 105.40 East.

[Page 137]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Friday March the 22nd 1765.
C&D EbS 09. For the most part Calm with Sultry Weather. Sailmaker and People Employed as per Day Past other Remarks as per Log. Put the People to an allowance of Water 3 Pints a Man per Day. Lat 03.37S Long 105.49 East.

[Saturday March the 23rd.]
C&D S77E 38. Light Breezes and Chiefly fair Weather with Some light Squalls at Times and Squally Rain. Sailmaker & People Employed as before. No Observation. Lat 03.45S Long 106.26 East.

[Page 138]

Towards Bencoolen

Sunday March the 24th 1765.
C&D S75E 16. The first and Middle Parts Calm with Cloudy Weather, the latter Squally Weather and Rain, Sailmaker finished the new Jib, other Remarks as Per Log. No Observation. Lat 03.49S Long 106.42 East.

Monday the 25th.
C&D South 71. The first part moderate Breezes with Rain the Middle and latter fresh Gales with very Severe Squalls of Wind & Rain, towards Noon moderate & fair Kept a good look out all night At 2AM Put too and lay too till Day light then made Sail as Per Log. At ½ past 6 AM Saw the land from the Quarter Deck which one takes to be faml[?] to land The Extreme Point to the Eastward NEbE Distance off the Island about 7 or 8 Miles when abreast of the Island had Soundings as per Log. Lat 04.04S Long 107.39 East.

This Day’s Worked till making the Island Lattd by Account. 04° 08'S at ½ past 6AM.

[Page 139]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Tuesday March the 26th 1765.
C&D ---- 46. The first part fresh breezes and fair Weather, the middle and latter Strong Gales with continual hard Squalls and Rain with very thick Weather and the sea rising. At Sun Set the Extremes of the land from NNE to East Distance off Shore about 8 or 9 Leagues. Kept a good look out all night Soundings and other Remarks. as per Log. Hauled the Lee Gun in the Waste. No Observations. Lat ---- Long ----.

Wednesday March the 27th.
C&D ---- 10. Chiefly fresh Gales with frequent Squalls of Wind and continual hard Rain, Shifted Sails as per, Log. At Day light the Extremes of the Land from NNW to ESE Distance off the nearest Shore about 3 Leagues. No Observation. Lat ---- Lon ----.

[Page 140]

Towards Bencoolen

Thursday March the 28th 1765.
C&D --- -----. Light Breezes and Calm with mostly Rainy Weather other Transactions as per Log. AM Punished Richard Mathews with 1 Dozen lashes for Drunkenness and Insolent behaviour to the Captain and 2d Officer. No Observation. Lat ---- Long ---.

Friday the 29th.
C&D ---- 7. Mostly Calm with Hazy Weather and a large Squall. At ½ past 5 AM Saw a Sail bearing NNW about 2 leagues Standing to the SE at 8 Do hoisted out the Cutter and Sent her on board with the 3d Mate & Purser Do. Departed this life Charles Honese Soldier being ill a long while and his Body quite Putrified, Committed it to the deep after letting it lay 2 hours At 10 hoisted out the Jolly Boat and try'd the Current found it Set SSE 5 fm Per hour, other Remarks as Per Log. Lat {obs) 05.14 South Long ----.

[Page 141]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Saturday March the 30th 1765.
C&D NW 23. Light Airs and Calm with fair Weather. At 3PM Returned the Cutter from on board the Strange Sail which proved to be a Dutch East India Ship last from Ceylon bound for Batavia, Parted Company with 2 more Dutch Ships in the same Gale that we were in. Made Sail &c as Per Log. At Noon Hazy could not see the Extremes of the land to Set it. Run out the larboard Guns in the Waste. Sailmaker Employed repairing the old Sails that got split in the last Gale. Put the People to an allowance of Water again 3 Pints per Man. Lat --- Long---.

Sunday the 31st.
C&D NE 54. Light Breezes and fair Weather At 6 PM high land in Sight Bearing NE Distance 7 or 8 Leagues. Soundings and other Remarks as Per Log. At 5 AM the Extremes of the land from the ESE to NNW ½ W Distance off Shore about 5 Leagues, Sailmaker Employed as before. At Noon the Extremes of the land from NW to ESE ½ S Distance off Shore about 2 or 3 leagues, a high Peak which we take to be what is called in the Directory Mt Pangang NE. Mt Pangang is possibly Mt Gede (arrowed). Lat (obs) 05.09 South.


Mt Pangang is possibly Mt Gede (arrowed)

[Page 142]

Towards Bencoolen

Monday April the 1st 1765.
C&D WSW 66. The first part fresh Breezes and Fair Weather the Middle and latter Strong Gales with frequent hard Squalls and very hard Rain with a hard Sea, which makes the Ship make much Water At 5 PM the Extremes of the Land from NWbN to ESE Distance off Shore 3 or 4 Leagues. Reefed tacked &c and other Remarks as per Log. At Noon Shifted Mizen with the best. No observation. Lat --- Long ---.

Tuesday the 2nd.
C&D NW 59. Fresh Gales with frequent Squalls and hard Rain, and a large head Sea which makes the Ship labour much PM Housed the Guns in the Waste, other Remarks as Per Log. At Noon the Extremees of the land from ESE to NNW Distance off Shore about 3 Leagues the Southernmost Extremes we take to be about Fortune Island. No observation. Lat --- Long ---.

[Page 143]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Wednesday April the 3rd 1765.
C&D --- 66. For the most part fresh Gales and a Squally Weather with hard Rain and a large head Sea At 6AM the Extremes of the land from NbW ½ W to EbN Distance off Shore 5 or 6 Leagues. Hove Ship to as Per Log. At 7PM Saw Fortune Island bearing EbN At Noon it bore SEbE Distance 5 Leagues Hazy to the Norward could not See the Extremes of the land, find the Ship by Observation to have been Set aright down the Coast which compute to the head Sea and a Strong [Pt.] Setting to the SE. NB Have only 13 Butts & 5 Punchions of Water left with 4 Punchions Beef obliged to put the People to allowance of Rice 3 Pints Per Mess having only 3 Bags & half left one Bag remaining with another 175[?] Pounds. Lat --- Long---.

Thursday the 4th.
C&D --- 52. Fresh Gales and Cloudy Weather with Some severe Squalls and hard Rain. At 6 PM the Extremes of the land from NNW to SbE off Shore about 4 Leagues. At AM Fortune Island bore EbS Distance about 4 Leagues Sailmaker Employed repairing old Sails. AM Departed this life a Man Slave, throwed the body overboard. also Departed John Davenport 2nd Mate's Servant. Latt’d Observed 05° 5’6 South. Lat (obs) 05.56 South Long ---.

[Page 144]

Towards Bencoolen

Friday April the 5th 1765.
C&D --- 64. Fresh Gales with Cloudy Squally weather At 4PM Buried the deceased. At 6 Do. Fortune Island bore E ½ N Distance 2 or 3 Leagues Kept a look out all night, wore Sounded and other Transactions as Per Log. At 6AM the Extremes of the land from NbW to ENE Distance off Shore about 7 or 8 Leagues. At 8 Ditto Fortune Island N NW 6 Leagues. Flatt Point NbE Finding impossible to Work the Ship against the Wind and a Strong SE Current: bore away as Per Log. This the Straights of Sunda, having only one Bag of Rice left and very little Water. At Noon the Body of Caschatore Island bore ENE Distance about 9 or 10 Leagues the Body of Princes [Pulo Panaitan] Island SEbS Distance about 7 or 8 leagues. Lat --- Long ---.

Saturday the 6th.
C&D --- ----. Chiefly fresh Breezes and Cloudy with Some Squalls & Rain. At 4PM the Peak of Cockatoa NE b SW 4 leagues the Peak on Princes Island NW ½ W the 2° Point of Java SbW ½ W the 3d: Point Java ESE½ S. Departed this life a Man Slave No 42, At 5 Crockatoa No. 3 Leagues a large Island NNE ½ E Land of Java in sight as far as NEbE Put too as Per Log. At [6AM] to the Fore Top Sail & Set other Fore Sail & Stood towards Crockatoa Island. At 12 Do. Island bore NWbW about 3 Leagues. At [9AM] saw[?] through[?] the Way Island. NE the high land of Bantam EbN, Crackatoa Island W½N Round Island ---[?] At Day light Crockatoa Island. W½ N Round Island NW ½ W the afore Body of a large Island next to Thwart the Way Island [Middle Island or Pulo Renyang] NbW Thwart the Way Island NNE½ E about 3 Leagues, the Button [Button Island] NE, the Cap ENE Nicholas Point NE ½ E, high land of Bantam EbN Anger Point ENE At 10 Came on board a Prow [proa] Pulo Baby E ½ N, the afore Body of Palo Pangang SE. At Noon the Westernmost Point of Pulo Baby EbN about 3 Leagues Extremes of Pulo Pangang from WSW to SW. Great Moody SbE½E, little Moody []½W, Maneater Island from the NW head EbS½S, Soundings and other Remarks as Per Log. Latt’d Observed 05° 52’ South. Lat (obs) 05.52 South Long ---.


Extract from Memoir of a Chart of the Passage to the Eastward of Banka with the Relative Positions of Batavia, and the
Several Places from the Strait of Sunda, to Canton by Lestock Wilson, 1806

[End of Sea Log]

[Page 145]

[Start of Harbour Log]

Ship Solebay from Madagascar

Sunday April the 7th 1765.
Fresh Breezes and fair Weather, in the night little Wind and Cloudy with Squally Rain, At 4 PM Anchored with the Bt. Br. in 13 fm. Water the West end of great Cambyses [Cambuys] SE ½ S 3 Miles a beacon off Do SbW little Cambuyses [Cambuys] &c end ESE Maneaters Island SW ½ W the West end of Wappin Island NWbN Pulo Pau NE, a Dutch Ship NbE ½ E, At 6 AM, Got under Weigh with a moderate Breeze at SWbS and Stood in for Batavia Road. At 10 Saluted with 10 Guns which the Duke of Gloster34 returned with the same Number. At Noon came too with the Best Bower in 6 Fathom Water unbent the Fore Top Sail to mend and hoisted out the Cutter and Jolly Boat. Got aft the Quarter Deck Guns from the Forecastle the Tradesmen Employed as necessary. Found riding here the Duke [] Gloster Captain Burdett35 Earl [of] Elgin Captain Cook Duke of Richmond Captain La Gett (late Captain Godfr[e]y) Earl Middlesex Captain Fletcher, one English Country Snow 8 Dutch Ships and 4 China Junks, When Anchored the Extremes End of Java EbS, Dome at Batavia So., High land Bantam WbS, Onroust36 NW [Idem] NNb[] Distance off Shore about 2 Miles.

[34 - Possibly a contemporary abbreviation of Duke of Gloucester.]
[35 - According to a clipping from The Universal Magazine of November 11, 1765 (published 7 months later) Captain Burdett was captain of the Duke of Gloucester and Captain Fletcher was captain of the Earl of Middlesex.]
[36 - The usual anchorage for Dutch men of war, is off Onroost Island, where their dockyard establishment is situated - Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle, 1852.]

Monday the 8th.
Pleasant Breezes and fair Weather with Some Squalls and Rain in the night. PM hoisted in the Boats, at 10 heard the reports of Several Guns to the Norward, AM sent Boats at 9 Saluted the Dutch Commodore with 15 Guns, which they returned with. Sailmaker Employed repairing old Sails, Boatswain about the rigging, Received fresh Beef for the Ship’s Company.

Tuesday the 9th.
The first part fresh Gales and Squally with thunder lightning and hard Rain, Middle and latter pleasant Breezes and fair, AM Punished Christopher Premer Seaman with 2 Dozen lashes for theft, Sailed a Dutch Ship for Onroust, loosed Sails to dry them, and unbent the Top Gallant Sails, Middle and Top Gallant Stay Sails, Employed as necessarie about the Rigging, Sailmaker as Yesterday. Received fresh Beef for the Ship’s Company.

[Page 146]

At Batavia37

[37 - Now known as Jakarta, the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company.]

Wednesday April the 10th 1765.
Moderate land and Sea Breezes with fair Weather, PM Received Per the Jolly Boats 3 Hogs for the Ship’s Use, Employed Stacking Salt Water in the Fore Hold AM Received on board yer Prow [proa] 45 Baggs of Rice. Sent on Shore by Do. 15 Hogheads. and a Punchion. Empty Casks, also Received on board Per another Prow [proa] 16 Hoggs for the Ship’s Use, Sent on Shore by Do. 13 Empty Butts to fill. Boatswain Employed as Yesterday Sailmaker making a Hove [meaning not known] out of the Spritsail that was damaged. Received on board 2 Turtles for the Ship’s Company, AM Sent on Shore to Sick Quarter Robt. Burt Ship’s Steward.

Thursday the 11th.
Do. Wind and Weather. PM Boatswain Employed as necessarie about the Rigging Carpenter making a Jib boom out of a Spar. AM Received on board Per Boats 12 Butts, 13 Hogheads and 9 Punchions. Water, Employed Hoisting it in and Stacking it in the Fore hold, Sent on Shore by Do. 12 Empty Butts, 15 Hogheads. & 9 Punchions. 10[?] PM Came in and Anchored here a Dutch Ship, Received fresh beef for the Ship’s Company.

Friday the 12th.
Moderate land and Sea Breezes with fair Weather PM Boatswain Employed about the Rigging, Carpenter as Yesterday AM Received Per Boat 12 Butts Water Dispatched on Shore with 12 Empty Butts to fill, Employed Stowing the Water in the Fore Hold, Sailmaker repairing the Fore Top Sail.

Saturday the 13th.
Land and Sea Breezes with fair Weather, PM Sailed a Dutch Ship for Onroost, Carpenter Employed about the Jib boom, People as necessarie AM Sailed the Middlesex East India Man for Bencoolen, also a Dutch Ship for Onroost, Received on board Per 2 Boats 12 Butts, 15 Hogheads and 8 Punchions Water. Dispatched the one Boat with 16 Hogheads & Punchions and the other with 12 Butts [as fill] Received also another Boat with Wood, Dispatched her Received fresh beef for the Ship’s Company.

Sunday the 14th.
Moderate land and Sea Breezes and pleasant Weather, PM Came in and Anchored here the Beckenham, Capt. Mallock from Madagascar. People Employed [as] necessarie, Carpenter finished the jib Boom, Sailmaker mending old Sails Received Per Boat 4 Turtles for Ship’s Use, AM Confined George Hill Soldier for theft.

[Page 147]

Ship Solebay

Monday April the 15th 1765.
Moderate land and Sea Breezes with fair Weather, AM Received on board Per 2 Boats 23 Gang Casks and 12 Butts Water, Employed hoisting it in and Stowing it between the Guns. Received on board a Turtle for the Ship’s use, People otherwise Employed as necessary. Sailmaker repairing old Sails, Scraped the Quarter Deck.

Tuesday the 16th.
Land and Sea Breezes with fair Weather. PM People Employed under the Boatswain, AM hoisted out the long Boat and Sent her on Shore, found she was not able to take anything in when ashore being very leaky hoisted her up to be caulked Sailmaker Employed as before, People overhauling the rigging.

Wednesday the 17th.
Do. Winds and Weather. PM Came in and Anchored here a Dutch Ship, Punished George Hill Soldier with a Dozen lashes and released him out of Irons, in the night very hard Rain with Thunder and lightning, AM loosed Sails to dry, also Received on board some live Stock and 2 Buffaloes for the Ship’s Company, came along side a Country Boat.

Thursday the 18th.
The first part calm with a faint Sea Breeze PM Dispatched the Country Boat with private Trade on Account of the Owners and Company. Do. Some thunder and lightning, People Employed overhauling the rigging Sailmaker as before. Slaves Picking oakum, AM Came along Side a Country Prow [proa].

Friday the 19th.
Faint land and Sea Breezes with very Sultry Weather PM Dispatched the Prow [proa] with private Trade on Account of the Captn, Owners and Officers, much Thunder and lightning in the night. People Employed as necessary, Sailmaker repairing Sails, Slaves as before, Coopers setting up Butts &c.

Saturday the 20th.
Moderate land and Sea Breezes with fair Weather, in the night very Severe Thunder and lightning with very hard Rain, AM loosed Sails to dry Tradesmen and People Employed as necessary, Came a long side a Country Prow [proa].

[Page 148]

At Batavia

Sunday April the 21st 1765.
Land and Sea Breezes the first part Cloudy Weather with Thunder light and very hard Rain the latter Fair Weather, Sent on Shore 59 Pack Puncheon Staves and 500 Hoops on account of the Owners, also some private Trade, AM Sailed a Dutch Ship for Onroust.

Monday the 22nd.
Light land and Sea Breezes and chiefly fair Weather. AM Came on board 12 Chinese Caulkers in order to Caulk the Ship, also Received on board the long Boat she being finished loosed Sails to dry. Found the following People had run away from the Ship when on liberty, and from the Boats when on Shore Viz: Jon Blewitt, Howard Ladeston, Wm. Hatherall, Lawrence Daily, Richard Matthews, Jon’ Call, Henry Salm, Jon’ Collins, Jon’ Ramsey, John Barrett and David Jones.

Tuesday the 23rd.
Land and Sea Breezes with Fair Weather. Some Thunder and lightning PM Sent on Shore per the long Boat some private trade, also Received on board 2 Lascars and [1] Buffalo for the Ship’s Use. Anchored here Dutch Ship from Onroust, AM eased[?] off the bob Stays to [new] serve them, also got in the Jib boon that was Sprung and the new one out and flected the Fore Stay Sailmaker repairing the Fore Top Sail, AM Anchored here a Dutch Ship.

Wednesday the 24th.
Winds and Weather as before, Employed about the Rigging and 12 Chinese Caulkers on the outside, AM Unbent the Fore Sail to mend, Sailed an English Swan [Country ship] for Madrass.

Thursday the 25th.
A continuance of Wind and Weather , Employed as before, AM Received on board 171 Baggs of Rice for the use of the Ship, PM Anchored here a Dutch Ship.

Friday the 26th.
Winds and Weather as before, Employed about the rigging and the Caulkers on the Larboard Side, PM Came on board 2 Lascars.

[Page 149]

Ship Solebay

Saturday April the 27th 1765.
Land and Sea Breezes the first part, Cloudy with Thunder, lightning and Rain the latter fair Weather the Caulkers Employed on the outsides, Sailmaker repairing the Foresail, AM Received on board a long Boat load of Water, also by a Country Prow [proa] 10 Legars of Arrack on Account of the Captain.

Sunday the 28th.
Land and Sea Breezes the first part, fair the Middle and latter hard Rain with Thunder and lightning and very close Weather. AM Came along side a Country Prow [proa] with Japan Wood on Account of the Captain.

Monday the 29th.
Moderate land and Sea Breezes with Fair Weather PM Dispatched the Prow [proa] with 12 Empty Butts and 4 empty Hogheads, AM loosed the sails to dry, Sailed 2 Dutch Ships one for Onroust the other to the Eastward, Came along side a Country Prow [proa] with Arrack on Account of the Captain. Sailmaker at Work on the Fore Sail, Armourer cleaning the Small Arms. Dispatched the Prow [proa], Came on board 9 Caulkers Employed them Caulking the Starboard Side of the Ship.

Thursday the 30th.
Faint land and sea Breezes with close Weather At ½ past 5 PM fired 21 half Minnet Gunnes on the decease of Captain. Legett38 of the Duke of Richmond East India Man, John Sadler Gunners Mate in loading one of the Guns that had been fired it unfortunately went off and blowed him to pieces, Sent the Jolly Boat. in Search of his body but could not find it, found Several pieces of the Sprung Staff [stuff]. At Day light saluted the Duke of Richmond with 9 Guns. Delivered the Duke of Gloster’s Boat 1 Hogshead Beer and 1 Puncheon Salt. Came on Board 11 Caulkers Employed them on the Bows. Sailmaker and Armourer Employed as per Days past. Anchored here a Dutch Ship from Onroust, also came in and Anchored another Dutch Ship from the Norward, and a China Junk, Received Per Cutter fresh Meat for the Ship’s Company, Employed Stowing Arrack39 in the Main Hold, Dispatched the long Boat for Water.

[38 - Philip Legeyt Chief Mate was Captain for only three months following the death of Captain Benjamin Godfrey.]
[39 - Batavia Arrack is a clear alcoholic drink made from sugarcane, popular in the colonial era.]

[Page 150]

At Batavia

Wednesday May the 1st 1765.
Moderate land and Sea Breezes the first and latter parts Cloudy, the Middle hard Rain with very Severe Thunder and lightning, AM loosed Sails to dry, Came on board 11 Caulkers Employed them on the Starboard Side and the Bow, Received on board per long Boat 3 Casks Beef and 5 Pork, Employed stowing them in the Lazareter. Came a longside 2 Prows [proas] with 20 Leagars [legare, bound bundle of] Arrack on Account of the Captain, Sailmaker and Armourer Employed as per Days past.

Thursday the 2nd.
Land and Sea Breezes the first part Rain with lightning the middle and latter Cloudy Weather PM Dispatched 1 Prow [proa] Came in and Anchored a Dutch Ship and a [Snow] from Onroost AM loosed Sails to dry Came on board 12 Caulkers Employed them Caulking the Starboard Side of the Ship. Came a longside a Prow [proa] with [10] Leagers [legare, bound bundle of] 2 Puncheons and a small Cask of Arrack on Accounts of the Captain. Dispatched one Prow [proa] Employed Stowing away the Arrack. Came in and Anchored a Dutch Ship. Tradesmen Employed as before.

Friday the 3rd.
Moderate land and Sea Breezes with Fair Weather AM Dispatched the long Boat ashore, also the Prow [proa]. Came on board 11 Caulkers and finished Caulking the outside of the Ship. Returned the long boat with 20 Hoggs, and 2 Buffaloes, Dispatched her ashore again. Sailmaker finished the Foresail Employed Stowing the Arrack. Armourer cleaning the small arms.

Saturday the 4th.
Faint land & Sea Breezes with very Close Weather and lightning in the night. PM Came on board the long boat with 6 Baggs Paddy and one Bagg Bees Wax. AM Sailed the Duke Gloster Burdett, the Earl of Elgin Cooke40, the Duke of Richmond Hinman [Hindman], for China, two Dutch Ships one for Onroost and the other the Eastward, Came a longside a Country Prow [proa] with Sugar Candy. Confined Thomas Roune George Hill Soldiers for making free with the Women Slaves, Geo. Hill for [suffering] them being Centry [sentry], and John Gutterage Ship’s Cook for taking away the Jolly Boat from a long side in order to go a Shore, Came a longside another Prow [proa] with Sugar & Sugar Candy. Dispatched Prow [proa]. Came on board 12 Caulkers Employed them on the Paint Work on the outside. Discharged the [other] Prow [proa], Employed Stowing Arrack in ye Fore Hold, Sailmaker repairing the Mizen Topsails Armourer cleaning small arms.

[40 - Thomas Cooke.]

[Page 151]

Ship Solebay

Sunday May the 5th 1765.
Do. Breezes with mostly Cloudy Weather. PM Dispatched the long boat Do. She returned with 7 Bags of Paddy, AM Came on board 12 Caulkers, Employed them as before, also a Prow [proa] with Arrack on Account of the Chief Mate41. Came in and Anchored a Dutch Ship. Sailed a Dutch Ship for Onroost. The 3 Indiamen in sight. Discharged the Prow [proa].

[41 - According to Oriental Commerce (see appendix) the East India Company permitted (in 1804) up to 20 leaguers [legare] (3200 gallons) of Arrack to be shipped aboard for private profit.

Monday the 6th.
Light land and Sea Breezes with very close Weather. PM Squall off the land with Thunder, lightning and very hard Rain. AM loos’d Sails to dry Dispatched the long boat a shore, Came on board 12 Caulkers Emp’d Stowing the Arrack in the Main Hold, unbent the Main Topsail to mend.

Tuesday the 7th.
Faint land and Sea Breezes with some lightning in the night and Cloudy Weather. PM James Gutterage Ship’s Cook ran the Gauntlet for taking the Jolly Boat from alongside the Ship in order to go on Shore. Confined him in Irons again on his attempting to make the 2nd escape, Came on board the long boat with one Lagar Arrack and live Stock on Account of the Captain. AM Sent her on Shore again. Came alongside a Prow [proa] with 5 Leagars [legare] of Arrack on Account of the Honourable Company Discharged the Prow [proa], Employed Stowing the after hold, Sailmaker on the Main Topsail.

Wednesday the 8th.
Land & Sea Breezes the chief part fair Weather with some Rain in the night PM Employed Stowing the Arrack in the Lazareter and this morning bent the Fore Sails, Fore Topsail Top Gallant Sails and Staysails, also Received on board a Prow [proa] load of Water. Came in and Anchored here the Plassey42 an English Schooner from China.

[42 - Probably named after the Battle of Plassey 7 years before which terminated French designs on India.]

Thursday the 9th.
Fresh land and Sea Breezes with Cloudy Weather and some Rain, AM Sent on Shore the long boat, PM Stowed the Sheet Anchor and unbent the Cable otherwise Employed clearing the Decke and getting ready for Sea.

Friday the 10th.
Faint land and Sea Breezes with very Close Weather. AM Sailed a Dutch Ship to Europe falling calm She came too again. Received Per the long boat a Horse on Account of the Captain and a Buffloe [Buffalo] for the use of the Ship, and some Paddy Employed as yesterday.

[Page 152]

At Batavia

Saturday May the 11th 1765.
Land and Sea Breezes the first and latter parts fair, the middle Cloudy and Rain with much Thunder & lightning. Employed getting ready for Sea and clearing the Decks, At 6AM Weighed with a light Air off the land and at 11 came too again being calm with the Stream Anchor in 7 fm. Delivered 28 Coils of Cordage on Account of the Captain.

Sunday the 12th.
Land and Sea Breezes with fair Weather Employed as most necessary PM tyed James Gutterage Ship’s Cook up and gave him a dozen lashes for attempting to take the Ship’s Boat away. At 5AM Weighed with the Wind Sowtherly in Company with the Beckenham43 and a Dutch Ship for Europe.

[43 - Note that the Beckenham, despite being the sister ship of this voyage, was never mentioned even though it was also anchored in Batavia.]

Monday the 13th.
Land and Sea Breezes with Cloudy and a good deal of Rain. PM Tacked Several times, [AM] [ … ] Reefs, and at 7 came too with the Best Bower in 8 fm. Maneater Island bearing EbS, Pilo Baby NW Bantam Hill WWSW Off Shore about 2 or 3 Leagues At Day light Weighed with a light Breeze off the Land. At 10AM hoisted in the Cutter to repair. At Noon St Nicholas Point W ½ N about 3 Leagues, Bantam hill and Pulo [Panjan] in [...] SW½W and Pulo Baby NEbE.

Tuesday the 14th.
Faint land and Sea Breezes with mostly Cloudy Weather in the Night Squally and Rain. At 6 PM Came to with the Beam Anchor in 17 fathoms ½ [...] very hard Squalls of Wind with Some Thunder and lightning, and very hard Rain, let go the Best Bower Anchor and Wore away to ½ a Cable, at 5 AM Weighed with a light land breeze At Noon the Button WbS, the Body of Thwart the Way [Middle Island or Pulo Renyang] stood WSW ½ S, the Cap SSW the Extreme of the Java Shore from EbN½N to SWbS Distance off Shore about 4 or 5 Miles, Employed rigging the longboat and otherwise as necessary.

Wednesday the 15th.

Light breezes of Wind & the chief parts fair Weather [ at AM] Came to with the Best [Bower] in 20 fm the Extremes of Thwart the Way [Middle Island or Pulo Renyang] from West to NW Distance 2 or 3 miles Anger SbW½W Cap SbE the Button. NbE½E At 7 AM Weighed light Winds variable AM Came to with the Best Bower 12 fm off Anger Point bearing as follows Angt Per SWbW Extreme of Thwart the Way [Middle Island or Pulo Renyang] NW to NNW, the SWbE, Cap NNE½E Dist. off Java Shore about ½ a Mile. Hoisted out the Cutter & Jolly Boat.

[Page 153]

Ship Solebay from Batavia

Thursday May the 16th 1765.
Light Airs Variable and the chief parts fair Weather, PM Sent the longboat on Shore with Empty Casks, also Received a Cutter and Jolly Boat load of Wood, AM Received Per the longboat 11 Gang Casks Water, also the Jolly Boat and Cutter load of Wood, Dispatched the longboat on Shore again for Water.

Friday the 17th.
Light airs and variable with some Squalls, the chief parts Cloudy Weather and Rain, Received on board 2 longboat loads of Water also some Wood by the Cutter and Jolly Boat.

Saturday the 18th.
Light Airs of Wind Variable the chief part Cloudy, the latter fair Weather. PM Received on board a longboat load of Water also some Wood by the [...] At 7 AM Weighed the Wind Easterly in Company with the Beckenham.

Sunday the 19th.
C&D SW ---. Moderate Breezes of Wind Variable the first and middle parts fair, the latter Cloudy with hard Rain. At Noon the Extreme of Cockatoo Island from East to NE½N Distance about 4 Miles, The Extremes Princess Island from S½W to SSW, and the Extremes of land off Java in Sight ESE. Lat --- Long ---.

[End of Harbour Log]

[Page 154]

[Start of Sea Log]

Towards Bencoolen

Monday May the 20th 1765.
C&D WbS 32. For the most part fresh Breezes and Cloudy Weather with some Rain At 4 PM the Body of Princes Island SbW½W. The Extremes of Cockatoo from NbEN to ENE Distance @ Do. about 2 leagues, the W end Sumatra WbN, At 5 hoisted in the Cutter. At Noon the Extremes of the land from NE to NbW Distance off the nearest Shore about 9 or 10 leagues Carpenter Employed Stopping some leaks in the longboat. Sailmaker repairing the old Mizen Topsails, under an easy Sails these 24 hours for the Beckenham. Lat (obs) 0623 South Long ---.

Tuesday the 21st.
C&D NNW 28. Little Winds and fair Weather with a large Swell, Towards Noon Squalls with small Rain. Carpenter and Sailmaker Employed as yesterday At 6 PM the Extremes of the land from NEbE to North At [..] the Extremes from NE to NW. Lat --- Long ---.

[Page 155]

Ship Solebay from Batavia

Wednesday May the 22nd 1765.
C&D NW 54. The first part Pleasant Breezes and fair Weather, the middle and latter light Breezes Variable with Cloudy Squally Weather and hard Rain at times. At 6PM departed this life a Man Slave No. Do. The Extremes of the land from NbW to NEbE Distance off Shore about 7 or 8 leagues, At 6AM the Extreme from ENE to NNW off shore about 8 or 9 leagues. At Noon Cloudy could not see the Land, Carpenter Employed about the longboat, other Remarks as Per Log. Lat 05.34 South Long ---.

Thursday the 23rd.
C&D SW 38. Frequent Squalls and Rain with very unsettled Weather throughout, at 6PM the Extremes of the land bore from EbS to NbW Distance off shore about 8 or 9 Leagues, At 6AM the Extremes of the land bore from NW½W to NEbE Distance off shore about 9 Leagues. Carpenter Employed making a Top Gallant Yard. Lat --- Long ---.

[Page 156]

Towards Bencoolen

Friday May the 24th 1765.
C&D --- 36. The first parts fresh Breezes and fair Weather, the middle and latter dark Cloudy Weather with frequent hard Squalls Thunder lightning and constant hard Rain At 5AM the Fore Tackle fall broke the longboat filled immediately & Stove to pieces. Was obliged to cut her away. At Noon the Beckenham out of Sight to the Norward. The Extremes of the land from ENE to NbW½W Distance off Shore about 12 or 13 Leagues. No Observation. Lat --- Long---.

Saturday the 25th.
C&D SSW 36. The first part fresh Breezes and Squally with Rain, Middle and latter moderate [&] fair. At 8AM the Extremes of the land from [NNW] [..W] to East, Fortune Island E[---] off Shore about 5 or 6 Leagues. Got [...] the [...] Top Gallant Yard and set the Sails. At Noon the Extremes of the land from [...] [ …] NW Fortune Island [...] distance about 3 or 4 Leagues. Employed drying Sails, Sailmaker and Carpenter as yesterday. No observations Lat --- Long ---.

[Page 157]

Ship Solebay from Batavia

Sunday May the 26th 1765.
C&D NbW 62. The first part Moderate and fair, the Middle and latter Winds Variable in Squalls with dark Cloudy Weather lightning and hard Rain At 4PM the Extremes of the land from EbN½N to NNW½W Distance off Shore about 5 or 6 Leagues At 6 Do. the Extremes from EbN to NbW½W off shore about 7 or 8 Leagues. At 8 AM the Extremes from No. to W. off Shore about 7 or 8 Leagues. At Noon Squally over the land could not see the Extremes No Observation. Lat ---- Long ----.

Monday the 27th.
Chiefly little Winds and Calm weather Some Squalls and hard Rain and a large Swell At 6AM the Extremes of the land from ENE to N½W off Shore 9 or 10 Leagues At 8 AM the Extremes of the land from EbN to NbW off Shore 5 or 6 Leagues Pulo Panjun NE Carpenter and Sailmaker Employed as necessary. No Observations Lat --- Long ---.

[Page 158]

Towards Bencoolen

Tuesday May the 28th 1765.
C&D --- ---. The first and Middle parts light breezes variable and calm with hard Rain, the latter pleasant Breezes and fair Weather with a Smooth Sea. At Noon Hazy could not see the Extremes of the land At 2AM the Dutch Ship in Sight Standing to the Eastward. Saimaker and Carpenter Employed as necessary. Lat 06.11 South Long ----.

Wednesday the 29th.
C&D --- ----. The first part little Winds in [ … ] to Calm with fair Weather middle Squalls with thunder, lightning and Rain, latter [ ] & Moderate, Tradesmen Employed [ ] At Noon the land in sight from to NbE Distance about [...] Leagues [ ] [ ] its being cloudy. Lat (obs) 05.54 South Long ----.

[Page 159]

Ship Solebay from Batavia

Thursday May the 30th 1765.
C&D WSW ----. The first part light Breezes [Norle] with Rain, the Middle and latter Calm, At 6PM the Extremes of the land from EbN to N½W Distance off Shore about 7 or 8 Leagues Do. Departed this life a Man Slave No. 11. At Sunrise the Extremes. from ENE to NbW½W Distance off Shore about 7 Leagues, People Employed Scraping the Paint Work on the [...?] Sailmaker and Carpenter as necessary. Lat (obs) 06.01 South Long ---.

Friday the 31st.
C&D NW 24. Mostly light Breezes and Calm with some Squalls and Rain At 6AM the Extremes of the land from NbW to EbN Distance off Shore about 5 Leagues, Sailmaker Employed repairing the new Fore Topsails other Remarks as per Log At 11AM A Woman Slave No 41 was delivered of a Daughter.

[Page 160]

Towards Bencoolen

Saturday June the 1st 1765.
C&D NW 8. For the most part Calm with Cloudy Weather. At 4PM Departed this life George Miller Seaman At 6 Do. Committed the Body to the deep, Sailmaker and Carpenter Employed as necessary. Lat (obs) 05.16 South Long ---.

Sunday the 2nd.
C&D NW 31. Moderate Breezes and squally Cloudy At 6PM the Extreme of the land from NNW to East off Shore about 4 or 5 Leagues. At 6AM the Extremes of the land from the ESE to NNW [Pulo] Panjang E½S Distance off Shore about 4 Leagues, At Noon the Extreme from NNW½W to E[S] Stayed off Shore about 4 Leagues, Sailmaker Employed making a new Mizen Stay Sail out of 2 Fore Top Mast Stay Sails, other Remarks as per Log. Lat (obs) 04.57 South Long ---.

[Page 161]

Ship Solebay from Batavia

Thursday May the 3rd 1765.
C&D WNW 49. The first part moderate Breezes and fair Weather the Middle and latter light Air & Variable At 6PM the Extremes of the land from NNW to EbS Distance about 5 Leagues The [...] taken to be Manna Point, at 6 AM the Extremes of the land from NNW to East. Distance off Shore about 6 Leagues At 7 Saw a Sail to the NW, at 10 She Passed us under Dutch Colours and Jury Masts one Sail Sight astern which was taken to be the Beckenham, at Hoon Hazy could not See the land, Carpenter Employed repairing the Cutter, Sailmaker mending the [Old Sails]. Lat 04.39 South Long ----.

Tuesday the 4th.
WNW 21. Little Winds and Variable weather Calm and chiefly fair Wr. At 6 PM the [...] the land, from NNW to EbS Distance off Shore about 4 Leagues, other Remarks as Per Log. Tradesmen as necessary. Lat --- Long ---.

[Page 162]

Towards Bencoolen

Wednesday June the 5th 1765.
C&D NNW 33. The first parts Moderate Breezes & fair the Middle and latter calm with Cloudy Weather and Some light Squalls At 6PM the Extremes of the land from NWbN to SEbE Distance off Shore about 2 or 3 Leagues At 5AM the Extremes from NW to EbS from NNW½W [to] E½S off Shore 5 or 6 Leagues, Sailmaker and Carpenter Employed as before, People making Linnett. Lat (obs) 04.50 South Long ----.

Thursday the 6th.
C&D NW 25. Little Winds and variable with Calm in the night. Some Squalls and Rain. At [9 PM] Departed this life a Man Slave No. 24 Committed the body to the deep. At 6 the Extremes of the land from E½S to NbW Distance off Shore about 5 or 6 Leagues. At 6 AM the Extremes from NNW to ES½S off Shore about. 5 Leagues, Carpenter and Sailmaker Employed as necessary other Remarks as per Log. Lat (obs) 04.48 South Long ----.

[Page 163]

Ship Solebay from Batavia towards Bencoolen

Friday June the 7th 1765.
C&D NW 26. The first and Middle parts part light Airs and Calm, the latter pleasant Breezes fair Weather throughout, At 6 PM the Extremes of the land from NbW to East, At 6 AM the Extremes from NNW to EbS Distance off Shore about 5 or 6 Leagues. At Noon the Extremes from NbW½W to EbS Distance off Shore about 4 or 5 Leagues. Scraped the Gun Deck fore and after Sailmaker mending the Fore Topmast Staysails, Carpenter as before. Caulker Caulking the Water Ways on the Quarter Deck. The Strange Sail in Sight at Stern. Lat (obs) 04.33 South Long ---.

Saturday the 8th.
C&D NW ---.Pleasant Breezes and fair Weather At 5PM the Extremes of the land from North to East off Shore about 4 Leagues. At 2AM Brought too with the Main Topsail to the Mast. Soundings as Per Log. At 5 Made Sail, and at Sunrise the Extremes of the land from NbW to EbS off Shore about 3 or 4 Leagues Sugar Loaf NbE. At Noon Rat Island from [Little] [Island] NNW Distance about 6 Leagues, Pulo Point No. Extremes of the land to the Southward EbS½S. Lat ---- Long ----.

[End of Sea Log]

[Page 164]

[Start of Harbour Log]

Ship Solebay at Bencoolen

Sunday June the 9th 1765.
Land and Sea Breezes the first and latter parts fair, the Middle Squally from the NW with hard Rain. At Sunset came too with the Best Bower. in Bencoolen Road in ½ 9 Fathom. Got the Top Gallant. Masts and Yard down upon Deck. At Sunrise Saluted the Fort with 9 Guns, which were returned with the like Number, hoisted out the Cutter and got the Sheet Anchor over the Side, also loosed Sails to dry.

Monday the 10th.
Land & Sea Breezes and the chief part fair Weather, PM Wore away and Moored Ship the Best Bower to the SSW and the Small Bower to the NNE depth of Water 9 fathoms, bearings when moored as following: Rat Island SW½W the Sugar Loaf ESE, the Flag staff NEbE, Pulo Point SbE, Buffline Point SbE ...ly[?] Distance off Shore about 3 or 4 Miles, Employed [Lowring] the Cutter AM Sent on Shore all the Soldiers and Slaves belonging to the Honouble Company, loosed Sails to dry.

Tuesday the 11th.
Winds &c as before Some Squalls and Rain from the NW in the Night. PM Unbent the Sails using the best Fore Sail, Fore Top Sail and Stays Mizen and Mizen Topsail, Received on board by the Cutter one Cask of Water PM [... ] People left by the Cutter when on shore Employed cleaning Ship.

Wednesday the 12th.
Land & Sea Breezes with Some Squalls in the Night and hard Rain At 11PM Departed this life Wm. Williams Seaman and at 7AM Committed his Body to the deep, also loosed Sails to dry and cleared hawse.

Thursday the 13th.
Land & Sea Breezes in the Night a very hard Squall from the NE with thunder and lightning & hard Rain, AM loosed Sais to dry.

Friday the 14th.
Moderate land and Sea Breezes with fair Weather. Received per the Cutter 1 Gang Cask of Water.

[Page 165]

Ship Solebay at Bencoolen

Saturday June the 15th 1765.
Do. Breezes with Some Rain in the night. AM loosed Sails to dry. People Employed by the Boatswain overhauling the Topsail Sheet and loft Blocks. Caulker Caulking the Water Ways on the Quarter Deck.

Sunday the 16th.
Moderate land & Sea Breezes with mostly fair Weather, a continual Swell which makes the Ship labour very much. PM Received on board Gang Casks of Water, AM sent her on Shore with 2 Empty Casks.

Monday the 17th.
Do. Breezes with fair Weather the first part of the night Squally from the NE with very severe thunder, lightning & hard Rain. AM came on board the Cutter with 2 Hogheads. Water AM loosed Sails to dry Dispatched the Cutter with 2 Empty Casks 1 Chest Hams and 1 Do. Claret belonging to the Surgeon deceased.

Tuesday the 18th.
Do. Winds with fair Weather throughout PM Received Per the Cutter Casks Water AM Cleared hawse, hove in the Cable to mend the mooring Services Sent the Cutter on Shore with 1 Empty Casks.

Wednesday the 19th.
Land & Sea Breezes the first part a light Squall from the North with thunder lightning & Rain, the middle & latter parts fair Weather. At 3 PM Departed this life John [Buck] Captain’s Servant at 6 Do. Committed the Body to the deep, Received Per Cutter 2 Casks Water AM Sent her on Shore with 2 Empty Casks A Sail on the offing, Loosed Sails to dry At Noon Sailed the Prince Henry Captain Johnson for Pulo Bay People overhauling the Rigging.

Thursday the 20th.
Land & Sea Breezes chiefly Cloudy Weather at 5PM Sent the Cutter on Shore with 2 Empty Casks. at 6 had a Squall from the WNW which lasted about an hour the Admiral Watson parting her Cable, bore away for Pulo Bay, as did the rest of the Company’s Vessels, the Admiral Watson’s long Boat oversets astern, with People in her. Sent our Jolly Boat to save some: & with the assistance of the Beckenham’s Boat got some on board. AM returned the Cutter with 2 Casks Water Sent her on Shore again, the Sl[?] in the offing turning in for the Road, Struck the Mizen Topsail Mast to shift the Sheaf, Carpenter & Caulker Employed as necessary.

[The log appears to finish here as this page is stamped and the rest of the log is blank. The first page of the log is stamped with:-]

Fort Marlborough 18th April 1766 (10 months later) and Received by the Governor 1st Oct. 1766 (another 6 months later).

The Solebay proceeded from Bencoolen to Calcutta.

Solebay Ships Company.
This is a listing of those crew members mentioned in the Journal and the Imprest Book as being on board the Solebay and extracted by Tim Richardson and Julian Rawes.
It is possibly not a definitive list. There are also a number of soldiers noted who are almost certainly part of a much larger detachment.
There may of course have been other passengers but unfortunately their names are not recorded.
No, Names Stations Dead, Run, or Discharg'd
1 William Richardson Commander [Farrington gives no details and only records this voyage but there is a detailed biography of him on the Internet at https://richardson.surnametree.com. He was born in Limehouse, London in 1738, the son of Christopher and Jane Richardson. He settled in the East as a merchant trader and privateer based in Calcutta and had with his Euro-Indian bride Anna Maria Lucy from Tirhut State in Bihar, two sons and six daughters. He lived with her for many years then returned to England and died at Gainford County Durham in August 1799, aged 61 years. He left an extensive Will.]
2 Edmund (Edward) Gale Chief mate [4th mate Onslow (2) 1759/60; 3rd mate Prince of Wales (3) 1761/2; 1st mate Solebay 1763/4.]
3 William Welch 2nd mate [Could be the same William Gilby Welsh who sailed on the Earl of Elgin as 5th mate in 1760/1.]
4 James Rees 3rd Mate [James Rees, born circa 1739. One voyage to India; 3rd mate Solebay 1763/4; 2nd mate Asia (2) 1767/8; 1st mate Northamberland (2) 1769/70; Captain Northamberland (2) 1773/4 (approved 29 September 1773, aged 34); Captain Northumberland (3) 1780/1, 1784/5, 1787/8, 1790/1 & 1794/5; Captain and Principal Managing Owner Houghton (5) 1798/9. In 1807 James Rees and his wife were receiving a East India Company pension.]
5 Joseph Garland Bradford 4th Mate17/11/1764 went on shore at Molendarrie river (Madagascar) and returned to ship. [Joseph Garland Bradford was born circa 1740. 4th mate Solebay 1763/4; 2nd mate Horsenden 1767/8; 2nd mate Bridgewater (2) 1769/70; 1st mate Earl of Sandwich 1771/2 aged 31; died 25th December 1772.]
6 Thomas Hiscock Surgeon Died of fever 24th November 1764.
7 Reynold Thomas Purser
8 William Snowdon Midshipman
9 Robert Hewitt Midshipman
10 Richard Stratton Midshipman
11 William White Carpenter
12 William Dibney Joiner Died of fever 28th November 1764.
13 Isaac Duncan Ships Steward Discharged 8th May 1764.
14 William Dibney Ship's steward
15 William Harvey Caulker
16 Mark Gorman Cooper
17 John Gutterage Ship's Cook
18 Charles Whittingham Captain's Cook
19 William Patterson Boatswain's Mate
20 Robert Hull Surgeon's Mate
21 John Sadler Gunner's mate Received 12 lashes on 12th December 1764 for stealing a keg of brandy. Blown up during a 21-gun salute at Batavia 30th May 1765.
22 Alexander Wiley Carpenter's mate
23 Henry Staplefield Cooper's Mate
24 Ingram Smith Sail Maker Discharged at Gravesend on Thursday 3rd May 1764.
25 Thomas Meredith Armourer
26 Robert Burt Quarter Master 10/04/1765 sent ashore to Sick Quarters at Batavia.
27 William Beezley Quarter Master Confined 09/12/1764 for disobeying orders and abusing the 4th Mate.
28 Robert Blackaller Quarter Master
29 James Robinson Quarter Master
30 John Bloodworth Butcher
31 William Wood Butcher
32 Patrick Leonard Poulterer Died 8th March 1765.
33 John Buck Captain's Servant Died 19th June 1765.
34 George Welbourne Captain's Servant
35 John Broughton Chief Mate's Servant
36 John Davenport 2nd Mate's servant Died 6th April 1765.
37 John Whitmarsh Surgeon's Servant
38 Nicholas Potts Carpenter's Mate Discharged at Gravesend on 3rd May 1764.
39 John Ians Carpenter's Servant
40 William Winter Boatswains Servant Died of fever 29th November 1764.
41 Jon Slater Boatswains Yuman[?] Died 7th December 1764.
42 Ralph Lomax Boatswains Servant[?] Died 7th December 1764.
43 George Sculthorpe Landsman[?] Died 7th December 1764.
44 John Shadwell Cook's mate Discharged at Gravesend 30th April 1764.
45 Christopher Macdonald Seaman
45 Christopher Premer Seaman Received two dozen lashes for theft 9th April 1765.
46 John Anderson Seaman[?]
47 John Barrett Seaman[?] Ran at Batavia 22nd April 1765.
48 Matthew Bay Seaman
49 William Bennet Seaman[?] Ran at Batavia 22nd April 1765.
50 John Blewitt Seaman[?] Ran at Batavia 22nd April 1765.
51 Christian Bremmer Seaman[?]
52 Harley Brown Seaman[?]
53 John Call or Calf Seaman[?] Ran at Batavia 22nd April 1765.
54 John Clark Seaman[?]
55 Edward Cobb Seaman[?]
56 John Collins Seaman Ran at Salvadore 17th August 1764 but brought back in irons.
57 Mark Da Costa Seaman[?]
58 Lawrence Daily Seaman Ran at Batavia 22nd April 1765.
59 Thomas Dean Seaman[?]
60 John Delivera Seaman[?] Died of fever 30th November 1764.
61 Peter Downes Seaman Ran at Salvadore 17th August 1764, but brought back in irons.
62 William Gill Seaman[?]
63 James Hambleton Seaman Died of fever 8th December 1764.
64 James Hamilton Seaman[?]
65 William Hatherall Seaman[?] Ran at Batavia 22nd April 1765.
66 Thomas Humphrys Seaman[?]
67 Benjamin Hughes Seaman[?]
68 David Jones Seaman[?] Ran at Batavia 22nd April 1765.
69 Thomas Kew Seaman[?]
70 Howard Ladeston Seaman[?] Ran at Batavia 22nd April 1765.
71 William Lee Seaman[?]
72 John McLaughlen Seaman[?]
73 Emanuel Mandes Seaman[?]
74 James Marsh Seaman[?]
75 Richard Matthews Seaman Ran at Salvadore 17th August 1764 but brought back in irons. Ran again at Batavia 22nd April 1765.
76 John Matthewson Seaman Ran at Salvadore 17th August 1764 but brought back in irons.
77 George Miller Seaman Died 1st June 1765.
78 Alexander Moore Seaman[?]
79 John Nelson Seaman[?]
80 James Ney Seaman Received 24 lashes for stealing a keg of brandy on 12th December 1764.
81 Joao Pedro Seaman A Portuguese seaman who fell overboard while drunk and was lost 10th March 1765.
82 John Antoni Perera Seaman[?]
83 Henry Phelps Seaman
84 John Ramsay Seaman Ran at Salvadore 17th August 1764 but brought back in irons. Ran again at Batavia 22nd April 1765.
85 Thomas Roberts Seaman{?}
86 Henry Salm Seaman[?] Ran at Batavia 22nd April 1765.
87 William Smith Seaman[?]
88 William Spender Seaman[?] Confined on 9th December 1764 for abusing the Corporal.
89 Christopher Staplefield Seaman[?]
90 Joseph Steady[?] Seaman[?]
91 Joseph Thomas Seaman[?]
92 James Tripe Seaman[?]
93 William Williams Seaman Received a dozen lashes for leaving the Cutter while ashore on 26th December 1764. Died Wednesday 12th June 1765.]
94 John Yeal(l) Seaman Ran at Salvadore 17th August 1764 but brought back in irons.
95 Peter Preston Seaman Discharged at Gravesend on 4th May 1764.
96 Richard Holland Seaman Discharged at Gravesend on 4th May 1764.
97 Joshua Bridgeman Seaman Discharged at Gravesend on 4th May 1764.
Company detachment of Soldiers
The regiment is not known but 31 plus another 19 un-named soldiers are noted in the Journal.
1 Andrew Willson Lieutenant Died Wednesday 13th February 1765.
2 Thomas Rouse Soldier
3 - not named Corporal 7th November 1764 "sent on Shore a Corporal and necessarys to bury Henry French one of the Company’s Soldiers".
4 - not named Corporal William Spender was confined on 9th December 1764 for abusing the Corporal.
5 Charles Mills Soldier
6 Richard Mackey Soldier
7 Matthew Bryant Soldier
8 Thomas Dale Soldier
9 Joseph/Joshua Weanhouse Soldier Ran at Salvadore 17th August 1764
10 Edward Yeoman Soldier Deserted at Salvadore by swimming ashore 18th August 1764
11 Robert Young Soldier
12 Henry French Soldier Drowned Wednesday 7th November 1764, and buried St Augustines Bay, Madagascar.
13 Daniel Hollingwood Soldier Died of fever 23rd November 1764.
14 Charles Honese Soldier Died 29th March 1765.
15 George Hill Soldier Confined for theft on 14th April 1765.
16 Thomas Roune Soldier
17 Thomas Dean Soldier
18 John Pritchard Soldier
19 Francis Dale [Officers?] Servant

FURTHER READING

Only other mention of Great Moody and Little Moody Islands, written some forty years after William Richardson navigated these waters.

Oriental Commerce: Containing a Geographical Description of the Principal Places in the East Indies, China, and Japan, with Their Produce, Manufactures, and Trade, Volume 1

End of Journal.

Imprest Book:
(Similar to a Pay Book)


Example of a page from the Imprest Book.

In Farrington's Catalogue of The East India Ship's Journals and Logs. 1600 - 1834, each journey of an HEICS ship is recorded and in most cases the Log Books, Ledgers and Pay Books are listed. When a ship, as in the case of the Solebay, fails to return to England then an Imprest Book is created. An Imprest Book contains printed receipts for payments to an individual and signed, either by the crew member, or his assignee. This Imprest Book commences on 2nd May 1764 and ends on the 16th May 1764. There are five receipts per page, see the above image to see the original arrangement of the receipt.

[PARAGRAPH TO BE WRITTEN UP LATER] The Ship's Log commences on the 14th January 1805 while the first entry in the Impress Book is on the 12th January. The ship was at Blackwall where it remained for about a month while it was being prepared for the lengthy voyage ahead. In early February the Ganges was moved down to Gravesend where it was loaded with cargo, stores etc. The Ship's crew are taken on and everything was made ready for its departure. The last entry in the Imprest Book is on 27th March 1805, shortly before the ship sails for Portsmouth.

[Transcription of the Imprest Book.]

[Imprest 001:] [Cover] Ship Solebay [with label] Imprest 1763 / Remains in India / Box 60.

[Imprest 002:]
Alphabeted / [with stamp] India House Records.

[Imprest Book 003 - 001: page 1]
Received this 2d Day of May 1764 by me Thomas Humphrys the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark x of Thos Humphrys. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 003 - 002: page 1]
Received this 2d Day of May 1764 by me John Nelson the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark x of Jno Nelson. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 003 - 003: page 1]
Received this 2d Day of May 17[64] by me James Tripe the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. James Tripe [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 003 - 004: page 1]
Received this 2d Day of May 1764 by me Emanuel Mandes the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark x. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 003 - 005: page 1]
Received this 2d Day of May 1764 by me William Smith the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. Wm Smith [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 004 - 001: page 2]
Received this 2d Day of May 1764 by me Mark Da Costa the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x Da Costa. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 004 - 002: page 2]
Received this 3d Day of May 1764 by me James Robinson the Sum of two Pounds sixteen Shillings being for two Months Impress. Qtr Master The mark of x James Robinson. £2.16s

[Imprest Book 004 - 003: page 2]
Received this 3d Day of May 1764 by me Henry Salm the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark x of Salm. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 004 - 004: page 2]
Received this 3d Day of May 1764 by me Christian Bremer the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark x of Christian Bremer. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 004 - 005: page 2]
Received this 3d Day of May 1764 by me Rich Stratton the Sum of two Pounds sixteen Shillings being for two Months Impress. Midn [Midshipman] Cox - Richd Stratton [signed]. £2.16s

[Imprest Book 005 - 001: page 3]
Received this 3d Day of May 1764 by me James Marsh the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x James Marsh. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 005 - 002: page 3]
Received this 3d Day of May 1764 by me Wm Dibney the Sum of three Pounds being for two Months Impress. Ships Steward Wm Dibney [signed]. £3.

[Imprest Book 005 - 003: page 3]
Received this 3d Day of May 1764 by me Joseph Thomas the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x Joseph Thomas. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 005 - 004: page 3]
Received this 3d Day of May 1764 by me William Lee the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x Wm Lee. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 005 - 005: page 3]
Received this 3d Day of May 1764 by me John Clark the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x Jno Clark. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 006 - 001: page 4]
Received this 3d Day of May 1764 by me John McLaughlen the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. John Mc Lachlen [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 006 - 002: page 4]
Received this 4 Day of May 1764 by me Reynold Thomas the Sum of four Pounds being for two Months Impress. Solebay No atty Purser - Reynold Thomas [signed]. £4

[Imprest Book 006 - 003: page 4]
Received this 4 Day of May 1764 by me Alexr Moore the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x Alexander Moore. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 006 - 004: page 4]
Received this 4th Day of May 1764 by me John Calf the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. John Kalf [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 006 - 005: page 4]
Received this 7th Day of May 1764 by me Joseph Garland Bradford the Sum of four Pounds being for two Months Impress. 4th Mate J G Bradford [signed]. £4

[Imprest Book 007 - 001: page 5]
Received this 7th Day of May 1764 by me Thomas Roberts the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x Roberts. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 007 - 002: page 5]
Received this 7th Day of May 1764 by me James Ney the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x James Ney. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 007 - 003: page 5]
Received this 7th Day of May 1764 by me Christopher McDonald the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x Christo McDonald. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 007 - 004: page 5]
Received this 7th Day of May 1764 by me George Sculthorpe the Sum of one Pound ten Shillings being for two Months Impress. Landsman[?] - George Sculthorpe [signed]. £1.10s

[Imprest Book 007 - 005: page 5]
Received this 8th Day of May 1764 by me John Yeal the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. John Yeall. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 008 - 001: page 6]
Received this 8th Day of May 1764 by me John Anderson the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x John Anderson. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 008 - 002: page 6]
Received this 8th Day of May 1764 by me Robert Blackaller the Sum of two Pounds sixteen Shillings being for two Months Impress. Qr Master - Robert Blackaller [signed]. £2.16s

[Imprest Book 008 - 003: page 6]
Received this 9th Day of May 1764 by me Robert Burt the Sum of two Pounds sixteen Shillings being for two Months Impress. Qr Master - Robert Burt [signed]. £2.16s

[Imprest Book 008 - 004: page 6]
Received this 9th Day of May 1764 by me Thomas Kew the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. Thomas Ren [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 008 - 005: page 6]
Received this 9th Day of May 1764 by me John Blewitt the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. John Blewitt [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 009 - 001: page 7]
Received this 9 Day of May 1764 by me Henry Staplefield the Sum of three Pounds being for two Months Impress. Coopers Mate - Henry Staplefield [signed]. £3

[Imprest Book 009 - 002: page 7]
Received this 9th Day of May 1764 by me Peter Downes the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x Peter Downes. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 009 - 003: page 7]
Received this 9th Day of May 1764 by me Christopher Staplefield the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. Christian Staplefield [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 009 - 004: page 7]
Received this 9 Day of May 1764 by me William Gill the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. The mark of x Willm Gill. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 009 - 005: page 7]
Received this 9th Day of May 1764 by me Charles Whittingham the Sum of five Pounds being for two Months Impress. Captns Cook - Chas Whittingham [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 010 - 001: page 8]
Received this 9 Day of May 1764 by me John Clark the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings being for two Months Impress. No Atty - John Clarke [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 010 - 002: page 8]
Received this 9 Day of May 1764 by me John Davenport the Sum of one Pound sixteen Shillings for two Months Impress. Second Mates Servt No Atty - John Davenport [signed]. £1.16s

[Imprest Book 010 - 003: page 8]
Received this 9th Day of May 1764 by me William Welch the Sum of eight Pounds for two Months Impress. Second Mate No atty - William Welch [signed]. £8

[Imprest Book 010 - 004: page 8]
Received this 9 Day of May 1764 by me James Rees the Sum of six Pounds for two Months Impress. 3d Mate - James Rees [signed]. £6

[Imprest Book 010 - 005: page 8]
Received this 9 Day of May 1764 by me Joseph Steady[?] the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. The mark of Joseph Steady[?]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 011 - 001: page 9]
Received this 9 Day of May 1764 by me Thomas Meredith the Sum of three Pounds for two Months Impress. Armourer - Thomas Meredith [signed]. £3

[Imprest Book 011 - 002: page 9]
Received this 10 Day of May 1764 by me Antoni Perera the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. The mark of x John (Antonio) Perera. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 011 - 003: page 9]
Received this 10 Day of May 1764 by me John Barrett the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. No Atte John Barrett [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 011 - 004: page 9]
Received this 10th Day of May 1764 by me John Ramsey the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. The mark of x Jno Ramsay. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 011 - 005: page 9]
Received this 10 Day of May 1764 by me George Miller the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. No Atte - George Miller [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 012 - 001: page 10]
Received this 10th Day of May 1764 by me William Patterson the Sum of two Pounds sixteen Shillings for two Months Impress. Boats Mate - William Patterson [signed]. £2.16s

[Imprest Book 012 - 002: page 10]
Received this 10 Day of May 1764 by me William Wood the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. Butcher - William Wood [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 012 - 003: page 10]
Received this 10th Day of May 1764 by me James Hamilton the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. The mark of x James Hamilton. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 012 - 004: page 10]
Received this 11 Day of May 1764 by me John Bloodsworth the Sum of two Pounds sixteen Shillings for two Months Impress. Butcher - crossed out and written 'Not paid'

[Imprest Book 012 - 005: page 10]
Received this 11th Day of May 1764 by me Thomas Hiscock the Sum of six Pounds for two Months Impress. Surgeon No Atte - Thos Hiscock [signed]. £6

[Imprest Book 013 - 001: page 11]
Received this 11 Day of May 1764 by me Robt Hull the Sum of three Pounds for two Months Impress. Surgeon's Mate No Atte - Robt Hull [signed]. £3

[Imprest Book 013 - 002: page 11]
Received this 14th Day of May 1764 by me William Snowdon the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. Midn - Wm Snowdon [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 013 - 003: page 11]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me Mark Gorman the Sum of five Pounds for two Months Impress. Cooper - Mark Cooper [signed]. £5

[Imprest Book 013 - 004: page 11]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me James Gutteridge the Sum of three Pounds for two Months Impress. Ships Cook - James Gutteridge [signed]. £3

[Imprest Book 013 - 005: page 11]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me John Bloodsworth the Sum of two Pounds sixteen Shillings for two Months Impress. Butcher - Not paid £2.16 [crossed out]

[Imprest Book 014 - 001: page 12]
Received this 14th Day of May 1764 by me John Sadler the Sum of two Pounds sixteen Shillings for two Months Impress. Gunners Mate - John Sadler [signed]. £2.16s

[Imprest Book 014 - 002: page 12]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me William White the Sum of seven Pounds for two Months Impress. Carpenter - William White [signed]. £7

[Imprest Book 014 - 003: page 12]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me John Ians the Sum of one Pound ten Shillings for two Months Impress. ---[?] Servt No Atte - William White [signed]. £1.10s

[Imprest Book 014 - 004: page 12]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me Ingram Smith the Sum of four Pounds for two Months Impress. Sail Mr - Ingram Smith. £4

[Imprest Book 014 - 005: page 12]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me John Bloodsworth the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. Butcher - Jno Bloodsworth [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 015 - 001: page 13]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me Alexr Young the Sum of five Pounds ten Shillings for two Months Impress. Gunner - Alexr Young [signed]. £5.10s

[Imprest Book 015 - 002: page 13]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me Francis Dale the Sum of one Pound ten Shillings for two Months Impress. ----[?] Servt - Alexr Young [signed]. £1.10s

[Imprest Book 015 - 003: page 13]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me Alexr Wiley the Sum of five Pounds for two Months Impress. Carpenter's Mate - Alexr Wylie [signed]. £5

[Imprest Book 015 - 004: page 13]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me William Harvey the Sum of six Pounds for two Months Impress. Caulker - Wm Harvey [signed]. £6

[Imprest Book 015 - 005: page 13]
Received this 14th Day of May 1764 by me Ralph Lomax the Sum of five Pounds ten Shillings for two Months Impress. Boatsn - R. £5.10s

[Imprest Book 016 - 001: page 14]
Received this 14th Day of May 1764 by me William Winter the Sum of one Pound ten Shillings for two Months Impress. Boatn Servt No Atte - R. £1.10s

[Imprest Book 016 - 002: page 14]
Received this 14th Day of May 1764 by me Edward Cobb the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. The mark of x Edwd Cobb. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 016 - 003: page 14]
Received this 14 Day of May 1764 by me Benjm Hughes the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. Benjamin Hughes [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 016 - 004: page 14]
Received this 15th Day of May 1764 by me Robert Hewitt the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. Midn No Atte - R Hewitt [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 016 - 005: page 14]
Received this 15 Day of May 1764 by me William Bennet the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. Willm Bennet [signed]. £2.6s

[Imprest Book 017 - 001: page 15]
Received this 15th Day of May 1764 by me Edmund Gale the Sum of ten Pounds for two Months Impress. Chief Mate - Edwd Gales [signed]. £10

[Imprest Book 017 - 002: page 15]
Received this 15th Day of May 1764 by me John Broughton the Sum of two Pounds for two Months Impress. ---[?] Servt No Atte - Edmd Gale [signed]. £2

[Imprest Book 017 - 003: page 15]
Received this 15th Day of May 1764 by me John Whitmarsh the Sum of one Pound ten Shillings for two Months Impress. Surgeon's Servt - Thos Hiscock [signed]. £1.10s

[Imprest Book 017 - 004: page 15]
Received this 16 Day of May 1764 by me William Richardson the Sum of twenty Pounds for two Months Impress. Commdr - Wm Richardson [signed]. £20

[Imprest Book 017 - 005: page 15]
Received this 16 Day of May 1764 by me John Buck the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. Captns Servt - Wm Richardson [signed]. £1.6s

[Imprest Book 018 - 001: page 16]
Received this 16 Day of May 1764 by me George Welbourne the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. Captns Servt - Wm Richardson [signed]. £2.6s

[Followed by a page and a half of blank forms.]

End of Imprest Book.

The Absence Book for this voyage has not been transcribed.

APPENDIX 1

Glossary of Abbreviations and Terms.

This section is now in a separate page of its own under:
Glossary.

APPENDIX 2

Bibliography.

This section is now in a separate page of its own under:
Bibliography.

END
ervt - Thos Hiscock [signed]. £1.10s

[Imprest Book 017 - 004: page 15]
Received this 16 Day of May 1764 by me William Richardson the Sum of twenty Pounds for two Months Impress. Commdr - Wm Richardson [signed]. £20

[Imprest Book 017 - 005: page 15]
Received this 16 Day of May 1764 by me John Buck the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. Captns Servt - Wm Richardson [signed]. £1.6s

[Imprest Book 018 - 001: page 16]
Received this 16 Day of May 1764 by me George Welbourne the Sum of two Pounds six Shillings for two Months Impress. Captns Servt - Wm Richardson [signed]. £2.6s

[Followed by a page and a half of blank forms.]

E