Journal Book 1756 [Packet Ship Newcastle from Bristol to the West Indies]

Manuscript log book, [5pp.], full page compass drawing, original paper wrappers, manuscript title and calculations to cover, folio (320 x 210mm), February 2nd – April 14th, 1756

A concise but detailed ships log for the voyage of the West Indies fast packet ship Newcastle, commanded by Robert Golightly, from Bristol to Barbados, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Christopher and Jamaica.

Departing from Bristol on “Monday Febry. ye 2d 1756 at four in the morning small Breezes of Wind at E the pilot came on Board…Weigh’d anchor and made sail for ye Island of Barbadoes in Company wth. 30 sails for Different Ports at 8: P:M a Brest a Pawlock”. Within a hand drawn table, this journal records details on weather, wind direction, navigational records, notable sightings of land and other ships.

Other ships include “Thursday 19th… spoke a sloop from Gennova to Portsmouth” and “Thursday 26th… Saw a Brigantine Captn. James Dawson from Virginia to Madeira…”. The most notable is the encounter with Admiral George Townshend (1716-1769), the Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica Station “Monday 5 … & weigh’d anchor & saluted admiral Townshend wth 9 Gunes…”.

Arriving in Barbados on Thursday 18th. “Came to anchor… – Sent the male on shore”. From Barbados the Newcastle headed to Antigua (Friday 26th), Montserrat (Thursday 1st April), St. Christopher (Friday 2nd), finally reaching Jamaica on Wednesday, April 14th. “… at Port Royal Salluted the Port and Commodore wth 9 guns Each at 4 in the afternoon came to an anchor at Kingston… and sent on shore the male & passengers Salluted them wth 9 Guns.”

A fine example of a typical journey for a mail ship, with encounters that foreshadow the onset of the Seven Years War later that year.