Edwin Augustus Porcher HMS Sparrowhawk diary and watercolor drawings, 1865-1868.

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Edwin Augustus Porcher HMS Sparrowhawk diary and watercolor drawings, 1865-1868.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/702150386

Holograph diary kept by Porcher while commander of the HMS Sparrowhawk during its voyage from England to British Columbia by way of South America, through the Straits of Magellan, from Callao to the Hawaiian Islands, and from Honolulu to Esquimalt Harbor, Vancouver Island, and while stationed at Esquimalt from March 9, 1865 to October 14, 1868. The 287-page volume contains details of the scenery, wildlife, buildings, industry, customs, natural resources, and everyday life of the places visited during his initial voyage and during short voyages along the Northwest Coast from San Francisco to Sitka, Alaska. Porcher describes meeting, working, and socializing with local dignitaries and clergymen including Governor and Mrs. [Frederick] Seymour, other navy men and their families, miners, lumbermen, fur traders, Indians, and others. He notes assisting other ships in need of help due to accidents; visiting coal mines, gold mines and saw mills; and settling magistrate cases. Pages 260-307 contain statistical information about the ship, and its location and conditions during the voyage. Three letters of thanks to Porcher for his service during the voyage, and Porcher's certificate of appointment to captain are included with the material. Accompanied by notes of a former owner and a typed transcript of the diary. Fifty-three watercolors by Porcher, the majority of which are of British Columbia, including scenic views, native and non-native settlements, ships, and buildings. Additional works illustrate views of Madeira, Rio de Janeiro, the Falkland Islands, the Straits of Magellan, Valparaiso, Lima, and Honolulu. Three drawings were made on his return to England via Panama and St. Thomas. The watercolors are individually mounted, numbered, captioned, and dated, and are arranged by date (1865 Apr 11-1868 Sep 28).

5.87 linear ft. (5 boxes)

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 8018826

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Porcher, Edwin Augustus, 1824-1878

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6x65nbh (person)

Edwin Porcher joined the H.M.S. Fly in 1842, for a four-year voyage to Australia and the adjoining islands. In 1846 he served aboard the steam frigate Sidon, then on the Cleopatra in 1849. After several other tours he joined the Hibernia in 1857, on a special assignment in the Middle East for the British Government. He later published a history of the discoveries made at Cyrene during this expedition. In 1865 he was in command of the H.M.S. Sparrowhawk, stationed in British Columbia, where he re...

Seymour, Frederick, 1820-1869

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w60w0f1m (person)

Great Britain. Royal Navy

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jm6277 (corporateBody)

Richard Howe, Earl Howe, was born in London, England, on March 19, 1726, the son of Emanuel Scrope Howe (1699-1735) and Mary Sophia Charlotte von Kielmansegg (1703-1782). Around 1735, he joined the crew of the merchant ship Thames, and in July 1739 he joined the 40-gun Royal Navy ship Pearl . Howe then served on several ships in the Caribbean and off the South American coast. After being promoted to lieutenant in 1744 and post captain in 1746, he continued his military service in th...

Sparrowhawk (Ship)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w64n4r3k (corporateBody)