Category Archives: Ship’s logs

October 31st
First part fine pleasant breeze and clear weather. Nothing in sight.

Middle pat same. At ½ past one made the lighthouse of Wood Island ahead. Kept off for Cape Elizabeth. At 3 saw Cape Elizabeth. At 5 came to an anchor, between the Forts at Portland.

Ends clear & fine weather.

Samuel Franklin

Collectors Office

Port of Portland Nov. 1814.

I Samuel Franklin do testify and declare that the Foregoing is a true Journal of the late Cruise of the Private armed Schooner Mammoth, of which I am Commander.

Samuel Franklin.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

October 30th
First part light airs and cloudy, the three men of war in chase. At 4 PM ran them out of sight. At 9 PM hove too, head. to the NE in 70 fathoms of water.

Middle part light airs & thick fog—

Latter part, light airs and fine clear weather. At 8 AM filled way head. as P. Log.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

October 29th
First part commences fresh Gales and Flying clouds. At 12 noon sounded in 50 fathoms water. At 12:30 carried away the main yard in the [?] repaired it and sent it up again. At 6 PM found we was to the northward of the shoal ground of Georges’ Bank. At 10 the wind hanged to the NW. Made all sail. At 6 AM nearly calm saw 3 men of war. Out all sail & Sweeps and hauled to the Southward. At 12 noon could just discern them from tour Masthead.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

October 28th
First part commences fresh Breezes and clear Weather. The Sloop of War still in chase, leaving him ½ per hour, at 6 PM kept off head. as p. Log. At 10 took in the Studding sails & reefed the foresail.

Middle and latter part fresh Breezes & pleasant weather. At 6 AM saw a line of Battle ships bearing East of us, under easy sail. Made sail from line. So Ends.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

October 27th
First part light wind, and clear. The ship in full chase of us. At 2 PM tacked ship to the Eastward, at 6 she gave up the chase and kept away. At Midnight light airs. Sounded no bottom—at 2 AM saw the ship again close to us, made all sail & out all sweeps, at 5 AM she fired a gun. At Daylight found we out sailed her. At 8 took in the sweeps and cleared the decks. At 11 saw a ship bearing west apparently a Frigate. The ship still in chase. The ship was a Sloop of War.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

October 26th
First part moderate breezes and clear pleasant weather, nothing in sight. Watch Employed about the rigging &.

Middle part moderate Breezes and clear weather. Made sail accordingly.

Latter part same. At 9 AM saw a ship bearing NNW which immediately gave chase to us. Tacked ship & made sail.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

October 25th
First part commences fresh gales and squally. At 2 PM saw a Schooner bearing NW, steering to the Westward.

Middle part more moderate with a heavy sea.

Latter part moderate and clear & cold. At 8 AM sent down the old Fore Topsail yard. At 10 got a new one aloft and set the sail.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

October 24th
First part fresh Breezes and squally. At 4 PM set the Foresail with three reefs in it at 7 PM heavy gales and a heavy sea.

Middle part heavy gales and rainy weather.

Latter part more moderate. At 8 AM made sail head. as p. Log. Nothing in sight.

No observations this day.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

October 23rd
First part fresh Breezes and pleasant Weather, all hands Employed about the Fore Topsail yard & main yard, at 4 PM sent up the Fore Topsail yard & bent the sail. At 10 PM sent up the main yard, and filled away as p. log.

Middle part light breezes & moderate weather & sea.

Latter part moderate Breezes and clear. at 8 AM found the Fore stay stranded. Hove too & got another one up. Watch Employed about Jib.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.

October 22.
First part commences fresh Breezes and pleasant weather. Sail set to the best advantage, nothing in sight. At 7 PM fresh Breezes & a heavy sea on.

Middle part moderate Breezes and cloudy weather with a heavy head sea.

Latter part same, at 7 AM saw a sail on the weather quarter, made sail from him, at 11 moderate Breezes and a heavy sea. Pitched away the Main yard & sprung the Fore Topsail yd. Got them down to repair again.

From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.