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UNIDENTIFIED : 1888 - 1889 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY AND LOG BOOK OF A LIEUTENANT ABOARD THE USS INDEPENDENCE WHILE ON AN HISTORIC SOUTH PACIFIC CRUISE DURING THE SAMOAN CIVIL WAR, THE WILCOX REBELLION AND A VISIT WITH THE KING OF HAWAII

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is a super, significant July 1888 to Oct 1889 diary and log book of an unidentified Senior Lieutenant aboard the USS Independence during a historic South Pacific cruise that touched upon many historic events including the Samoan War, the Wilcox Rebellions, visits by the King of Hawaii Kanlkaua and many encounters with British navy ships and much, much more in this 240 or so page diary. While the writer is not named there are many clues that should lead the dedicated researcher to identify the author. The Lieutenant while dedicated to his duties is not always a happy man who notes his time served and his time before leaving the service to go back to his darling. At one point he swears never to board a ship again. That said he is a super diarist with an eye for detail whether it is the daily mundane routines of rifle practice, high scores and all or the all too graphic description of the suicide of a shipmate or the disappearance of a sailor, courts martial and reprimands for a Petty officer being out of uniform, details of Hawaii in the year 1888 and 1889 wherein he describes the environment, plantations, missions, volcanoes as well as abundant sea life. There is a section in the diary with lists of sailors and officers by name with regard to transfers, swimming, helm lead, compass, signals rowing etc. etc. The lieutenant also details down time away from the Ship when he went on several excursions on land for "mountain climbing expeditions" around Honolulu, Hilo and Waikiki. As part of the Pacific Squadron aboard "The Independence" the Lieutenant made excursions to American Samoa and the Pacific he also wrote a number of entries relating to the Samoan Crisis which was a confrontation between the United States, Imperial Germany and Great Britain from over control of the Samoan Islands during the Samoan Civil War. Here are some snippets: "Sun July 28th 1888 Capt announced quarters ship going to Honolulu soon as can get out of dock and take coal will sail do not leave any bills behind must pay all debts. Those who leave unpaid Bills will have to be reported to the Admiral. Sun Aug 26th 1888 Just 19 months today since I shipped aboard the old Independence seventeen more months to serve General muster in lieu of the one, which should have been the first Sun of the month. Rigged church and read the Episcopal service but attempted so sermon we put on whites. Aug 29th 1888 Southerly breeze sprung up about 10 am now going by sail alone. A magnificent breeze all day about a 10 knotter Lat night crossed the line in about 115 degrees west longitude. 1st class Petty officers called to the mast. Reprimanded for being out of uniform sentenced to 10 days for punishment asked to see the Capt and wondered of their reprimand could be cancelled provided us? Immediately on arrival at Honolulu. Thursday Sept 6. 1888 My darlings birthday today 34 years ago today there opened upon the light of the world a pair of eyes which have so often of late looked into mine with tender love god protect her and keep her from harm. Sat Sept 15th 1888 About 1 am we sighted island of Oahu and dawn found us 4 miles away point stretching far into the water. Bold and rugged and barren looking. Entering the point an entirely different scene. Beautifully sloping hills receding from coast and all covered with splendid growth of green, residences and other buildings stationed all along the coast. Splendid mountain pass and broad plains reaching down to the water clad in moist bountiful green, in this plain is Honolulu a delightful situated town. Harbor enclosed by coral reef passed one bed of white coral from 10 fathoms of water clear and crystal. Dropped anchor at 8: 47 am The" Frisco" awaiting us as relief H.M.S" Hyacinth" here. Received lot of ordnance, stores, power, shell etc weather quite warm. Wed, Sept 19th Valdiala approached and anchored about 10 am. Kings band on board a small steamer accompanied them from one of the harbors. Steamer from China the city of New York arrived. Fri, Oct 5 1888 Burns absence not discovered until afternoon about 2; 30 searched everywhere for him and also his bag and effects, but in rain than call to quarters and through search but without result. Reward of 20.00 dollars set for him no sleeping again last night on berth deck King returned from main steamer "Hall" 6; 30 pm. Brooklyn fired salute at 8 21 guns Chinese fisherman made several lines about ship. Thursday Oct 18th,1888 Big steamer from China lying just outside the reef Archoia " of the oriental and Pacific line. Brings rumors of difficulties in China with regard to the Exclusion Bill. Rumors that we may be sent out there in all probability will be. Sailors from the came alongside This evening. Capt left ship in full dress going to some dinner on? Fri Nov 9th 1888 English Admiral inspected "Cormorant "our guard turned not when passing both ways? King entertains ours and Brooklyn's officers at dinner Brooklyn filled with all kinds of stores and provisions pigs ducks sheep chickens etc. etc., in preparations for trip around the horn. Tagaska Maru came in from Japan with 1080 Japanese laborers for the island. Fri Nov 16th 1888 King Kalakau 32nd birthday anniversary all ships in harbor dressed. Thursday Jan 10th this day has been a happy day for me and an unhappy one for many aboard the ship. This morning mail brought me two letters from darling and oh how much good dear musings do me. This evening about 4:15 Billy Daniels committed suicide by cutting his throat with a table knife. He stepped up to the table of mess No 1 as he stood set for supper and taking one of the knives from the table began sawing away on his throat and before anyone could reach him he had cut it past all redemption and died in a few minutes was there instantly but the doctor was ashore poor fellow that ends misery he was loaded and placed on" O" Deck with a screen. Sat March 2nd 1889 Day brings us within view of Diamond Head light and peaks familiar scenes break upon the view and by 7; 30 we are anchored again at Honolulu Bay nearly the same old birth The Japanese steamer Ouhio Maru came in from Japan with about a thousand Japs unloading them today. A neat orderly looking lot of people. Lat night about 8:40 we had general quarters and fired guns once each. There was to have been a balloon ascending today at 4:00. Tue Feb 26th 1889 Mr. Messer Greene and Gilmore and I left at 5 o'clock rowed for the volcanoes slowed by the surf but it was too much for me and bedsides I am not strong enough to undertake it Ship rolling and in a sickening manoeuvre I shall certainly be a dammed fool if I ever go to sea again if I ever get out of this alive. Thursday Aug 1st 1889 Getting pretty close to port will make it without doubt tomorrow water quite smooth Hurrah we are here! At anchor in Honolulu harbor once we came into port alone Niposec towed in by small steamer Adau still here kept on account of the outbreak of the 20th of last month. Quite an insurrection! 6 natives killed 8 wounded guard and militia called out." The marbled cover book with leather spine is titled 'Monthly register Department of seamanship is almost fully written in a cursive that takes some getting used to but overall G+.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good+

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