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Title Journal of a Voyage to the Coast of California, 1834-1836
Reference Special Collections - Dana
Library Massachusetts Historical Society
Date 14 Aug 1834 -21 Sep 1836
Author / Creator Dana, Richard Henry
Description Journal kept by Richard H Dana, Jr from 14 Aug 1834 - 21 Sep 1836 while serving as a common sailor on the brig Pilgrim, Francis A Thompson master, a fur-trading vessel. The journal contains descriptions of his voyage from Boston, around Cape Horn, to various stops on the California coast and of his return voyage on the ship Alert; a list of geographic coordinates on the Alert; and a list of his outfit for the voyage, his clothing purchased, and cash advanced.

Dana later used the journal to write Two Years Before the Mast, published in 1840, a popular work about his sailing experiences.

Included is an ink sketch of the brig Pilgrim.

Document Type Journal, Manuscript
Theme(s) Trade and Commerce; Employment and Labour
Keywords brig, cargo, climate, death, journey, salt, tallow, fur trade, weather, whaling, seafaring, discipline, sailor's life, diet, food, navigation
Countries USA; Chile
Places Boston; California; Juan Fernández Islands; Point Conception; Santa Barbara; Cape Horn
Ports Boston, USA; Santa Barbara, USA
Company Bryant, Sturgis and Company
Ships Pilgrim, Mermaid, Helen Mar, New England, Alert
People Captain Bangs Hallet; Captain Edward H Faucon; Captain Francis A Thompson
Additional Information Please note that some of the metadata for this document has been drawn from the Massachusetts Historical Society catalogue.
Copyright Massachusetts Historical Society