Abstracts from the logs of the ship Highflyer and SS Vectis by George Herbert Whidborne, ship's surgeon

Volume in which are written 'Abstracts from the Log of the Ship Highflyer from London to Sydney, Shanghai, St. Helena, & home P L Benest, Commander, Dec. 20th 1864-Nov. 19th 1865...' together with 'Abstracts from the Log of Steam Ship Vectis from Southampton to St. Vincent 1866'. The abstracts have been copied by George Herbert Whidborne, Ship's Surgeon into this album.

The journey from London was on the Blackwall 'Tea Clipper' Highflyer, (pp.1-83). Abstracts are mostly regarding position, weather and sailing conditions and other ships passed at sea. There is little medical information apart from mentions of James Bulger (crew or passenger?) who is reported sick on p.3, worsening on p.5, and dead on p.7. On p.42 the log reports the death of the Commander P L Benest in Shanghai, 21 Jun 1865, with the cause of death stated as 'delerium tremens'.

The journey from Southampton was on the P&O Steamer Vectis from Southampton to St. Vincent and Zanzibar (pp.87-97). Abstracts of the log relate to position, weather and sailing conditions only.

The volume is illustrated with watercolours, vignettes and sketches including coastal views, etc. Some of the sketches are unfinished (uncoloured). Some of the items originally affixed into the album have evidently been removed or have fallen out, including several photographs of Hong Kong, Whampoa, Canton and Yokohama. It appears that Whidborne, for the first voyage at least, had a camera with him and a single print survives of the Highflyer in Calcutta (p.62). Some 'wings of flying fish' which were also pasted-in are mostly no longer present (p.60). At the back are inserted two prints of English churches, one labelled Prittlewell Church.

1864-1866

1 volume

Purchased from Patrick King Rare Books, Stony Stratford, 19/12/2008.

Online Archives and Manuscripts catalogue.