All posts by Baltimore Heritage

on July 4,
First part of these 24 hours Light winds and very foggy weather and very cold. at 7 PM heard a Report like unto A gun. Made all sail in pursuit of it. At 10 PM came on so Dark that I could not see the fore mast from the main. At 10 PM it being to Dismal to run hove her too. At 4 AM made all sail. at 8 saw several Islands of Ice with in a mile of us. Tack ship and stood to the [?] , as I suppose it must Be the Island of Ice Bursting which made those Reports like guns. The mountains of Ice was nearly 50 feet above the surface and very large in circumference and the Islands being thick together. [?] it Ends with thick weather [?]

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

on July 3,
The first part of these 24 hours commences with pleasant Breezes and Foggy weather. At 8 PM took in Top gallansails, Main Topsail, Jib a Jib and Foresail. Close reefed the Fore Topsail and single reefed the Mainsail.
Middle part same as before. Hove too and under mainsail Jib and Fore Topsail, and sounded in 52 fathoms of water.
At 12 PM let reef out of mainsail and set the Flying Jib.

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

July 2 – cloudy all day and cool, Wind N.E. Went to Town, return’d to Dinner. Mrs. T. & S. Stewart walk’d to Mr. H. Nicols and drank Tea ~ Mr. Martin rode out in the Evening ~ Had 15 men reaping Cradling & hauling Rye, & finish’d cutting all I have, say about 30 acres, with which we have been lucky, as it has not rain’d since we commenc’d, & all the hirelings behav’d well, & are satisfied, indeed much pleas’d with their treatment –

From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, July 2, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.

on July 2,
The first part of these 24 hours. fresh breezes and rainy weather. at 3 PM set the Flying Jib.

Middle part fresh breezes, with thick foggy weather.

Latter part light airs. at 11 AM the sun came out and the Fog disappeared. At 12 AM won ship to the NNE and set Top gallansails.

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

July 1
These 24 hours commences with light winds and a very thick fog. At 8 PM took in Main Top Sail. Middle part light winds and thick fog. At midnight sounded in 55 Fathoms water. Sandy Bottom. At 2 AM Bailed up the Foresail and took in the Flying Jib and tacked the Fore Topsail. sounded in Fifty three fathoms water.
Latter part fresh breezes and a thick fog. At 10 AM took in Fore Topsail & hove too. Caught several Codfish.

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

30th June
First part of these 24 hours commences with fresh breezes and Lazy weather. at 12 set the squaresail and fore Topmast Studdingsail. At 5 PM took in Top gallansail, Squaresail and Studdingsails and braided up the Foresail.

Middle part fresh breezes with a very thick fog. At 3 AM took one reef in mainsail.

Latter part moderate and foggy. People employed at ships’ duty.

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

29th June – Fine Hot day Wind S.E. Went to Town return’d to Dinner – Mrs. T din’d with Mr. Wm. Hollins & return’d home in the evg. with P. Merony & Sally Stewart – Commenc’d reaping Rye & made a Hay Stack in meadow next Mr. Stewarts which is very clear of Weeds, and in excellent Order, no rain upon it ~

From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, June 29, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.