‘A journell for this p[re]sent voiage being bound by gods assistance to Sirratt in the East India, in the good shippe London […] Captaine Mathew Wills Comaunder by me James […] Birkedell Maisters Mate’ [‎9v] (25/68)

Content

This volume consists of the journal (log book) of the voyage of the East India Company ship London (the commander of which was Captain Matthew Wills) from England to Sirratt [Surat] and back to England, recorded by the Master’s Mate James Birkdell. The entries are dated 12 March 1639 to 17 July 1640.

Birkdell records the ship setting sail from Tilbury for the Downes [Downs] on 12 March 1636, and its arrival in the Downs on 15 March. Following the ship’s departure from the Downs on 25 March 1639, the entries record the ship anchoring in the following places: St Lawrence [St Augustine’s Bay, Madagascar] (7 to 17 July 1639); Johanna [Anjouan] (30 July to 16 August 1639); Swalley [Suvali, Surat] (16 to 24 September 1639); Gomeroone [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] (11 to 24 November 1639); Swalley Hole (16 December 1639 to 29 January 1639 [New Style date 29 January 1640]); and St Hellena [Saint Helena] (21 to 29 April 1640). The ship then anchored in the Downs on 8 July 1640, before sailing from the Downs and anchoring at Eiriffe [Erith] on 17 July 1640.

Each page of the journal is divided into five columns: days (of the month); latitude; longitude; variation; and remarks. Entries for when the ship was at sea include measurements of latitude, longitude, and variation, and remarks mostly relating to: wind direction and weather conditions, the course of the ship, and sightings and bearings of land.

The journal does not include daily entries for every day the London was at anchor, it mostly just records the ship’s arrival at and departure from ports. However, entries for when the ship was at St Lawrence and St Helena include remarks about the arrival and departure of other ships on days when the London was at anchor in those places.

Extent and format

1 volume (60 folios)

Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 62; 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.

Written in

English in Latin script

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