'Nicholas Sharpe's Journal of the Charles'

Content

Journal of the voyage of the East India Company ship Charles from England to Surat (Captain John Weddell, Master John Elsmore), 1629-30 (dates given are for arrival unless otherwise indicated): left the Downes [Downs], 10 April 1629; 14 August 1629, Molila [Moheli]; 9 October 1629, Swallow Howle [Suvali, Surat]; 20 January 1629 [New Style date 20 January 1630], Commerun [Bandar Abbas]; 17 March 1629 [New Style date 17 March 1630], Suvali; 4 June 1630, Morrishes [Mauritius]; 23 October 1630, left Cap bonsperance [Cape of Good Hope].

The ship was at Swally Hole from 9 October to 19 December 1729, and from 17 March 1629/30 to 12 April 1630.

Inscribed on the front (inner) cover of the volume: 'Charles, London, Discovery, Reformation, & Samuel', and, (in the case of the first three ships) 'under Capt John Weddall'. The word 'London' also appears on this cover (erased), and the date '1629'.

Also inscribed: 'A jurnall of a voyadg [voyage] to the East India set out by the honorable companye of marchants trayding for thos parts in the yeare of our lord 1629 in this voydg were imployed 4 ships the Charles the london the Discovery & reformation & the samuell captaine john weddall being the Chefe Commander of the flet Ceept [kept] by nicholas sharpe M[aster's] matte [Mate] of the Charles the which voyag the lord prosper Amen' (folio 1).

The journal contains regular dated entries, and summary comments in the left hand margin.

The journal records: navigational information; weather; commodities carried, references to the other ships with which the Charles sailed in convoy; sightings of Dutch and Portuguese ships; and general remarks.

The journal employs Old Style (Julian calendar) dates only.

Extent and format

1 volume (34 folios)

Arrangement

The entries are recorded in chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 34; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers. Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/L/MAR/A/LIII

Former external reference(s)

No 69 - F

History of this record

Date(s)

10 Apr 1629-17 Nov 1630 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Ships logsWeatherTrade (practice)Marine navigation

Places

Swally Hole

People & organisations

Charles

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Cite this record in your research

'Nicholas Sharpe's Journal of the Charles', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MAR/A/LIII, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/node/9496> [accessed 16 February 2025]

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