John Hamilton Moore published this epitome of navigation for a number of years, with the eleventh edition in 1795. He particularly provided instruction for solving lunar distances. Nathaniel Bowditch found many errors in his work, and, after working for Moore to correct errors, published his own New American Practical Navigator, with improvements in the solving of lunar distances.
The first English treatise on navigation was a translation of Spaniard Martín Cortés de Albacar's Arte de Navegar, in 1561. William Bourne revised and added to it with his 1574 Regiment for the Sea, writing explicitly for the seafarers who were his neighbors in Gravesend. The book went through at least 11 English and three Dutch editions.
Cabin plan of the 640 ton bark Egeria, built in Newburyport, Massachusetts in 1864. The plan was drawn by Ellen Cutter Starrett, wife of Capt. Henry A. Starrett. The Starretts were from Belfast. Note that Ellen's and their daughter Annie's rocking chairs are drawn into the sketch. The sketch is from 1868 when Captain Starrett first took over the bark which he commanded for four years.
Survey of the wreck of the ship Clarissa B. Carver. A survey is performed to determine the value of the vessel and its cargo in its sunk location. The vessel was sunk by a steamer near Kobe, Japan on June 7, 1885. This document is part of the final settlement of payments for the ship and its cargo, called the General Average.
Captain's statement of what happened the night of the shipwreck of the ship Clarissa B. Carver, when it was hit by a steamer near Kobe, Japan on June 7, 1885. This is part of the final settlement of payments for the ship and its cargo, called the General Average
Letter announcing sale of cargo of the ship Clarissa B. Carver and that consignee is entitled to share of money made at the auction of the cargo. Clarissa B. Carver was sunk by a steamer near Kobe, Japan on June 7, 1885.
Merchant ships carry bills of lading which document their cargo and destination.This bill of lading is for a voyage of the bark John Carver from New York to Cuba in March, 1866. The cargo, made up of barrels, shooks (broken-down barrels), headings, and staves were used in Cuba to ship molasses and sugar back to the United States and to other destinations.
The John Carver was a bark built in Searsport by John Carver in 1842. She was sold to New Bedford for a second career as a whaler in 1866.
While in Hull, England in October of 1883, Captain Henry A. Starrett of the Thomaston-built and owned ship Levi G. Burgess bought a number of musical instruments to be sold to the crew through the slop chest. He must have had some musicians among his sailors. The receipt is for the purchase of three melodeons, a "miniature," three concertinas, a flute, and two tambourines.
The Burgess was launched in 1877, and Starrett was her captain until 1886; two years later she was sold to San Francisco owners.
