Primary Sources Online

The Navigation Workbook, ca. 1820, of Joseph Robinson is now online at the request of the Education Department who plans to use the workbook as part of an off-site math class. The workbook contains rules and problems for plane, traverse, Mercator's current and middle latitude sailing, instructions for keeping a journal, description and use of Hadley's quadrant, use of log line and half-minute glass, rules for correcting dead reckoning, illustration, and sketches. It also has some great drawings. (this one of the mariners compass is now my desktop background)

Making Freedom: the Extraordinary Life of Venture Smith

The Collections have again been tapped for a ground breaking book: Making Freedom: The Extraordinary Life of Venture Smith (Includes Bibliographical References and Index) "is the first in-depth exploration of the life of Venture Smith (1728–1805), a New England slave who was sold into bondage as a boy in Africa and labored for nearly a quarter-century before purchasing his own freedom and transforming himself into a highly respected American citizen." Many of the events in this remarkable life all took place within 50 miles of Mystic Seaport and in addition to revealing the trials of 18th century slavery also tell a story of how integral the maritime experience was to the local inhabitants.

Fee Increase

As of March 18, 2009, the following fees apply to Collection products and research:

Ships Plan copy $40.00/sheet
Personal research $50.00/hour
Commercial research: $75.00/hour

All order taken prior to March 18th will be processed at the previous rate.

Hear the Boat Sing

Goran Buckhorn, Mystic Seaport's rowing expert, started a blog dedicated to rowing last week. In Goran's own words the blog will cover "all aspects of the rich history of rowing, as a sport, culture phenomena, a life style, and a necessary element to keep your wit and stay sane." So far his posts have reviewed some great books on rowing history.

This weekend he posted on the National Rowing Hall of Fame, located in the G.W. Blunt White building.

Bond of Union: Building the Erie Canal and the American Empire

Just out today, Gerard Koeppel's newest book Bond of Union: Building the Erie Canal and the American Empire delves deeply into the promoters and politicians who brought the canal into existence, and most importantly includes references to MSM's diary of Christopher Prince, 1821-1825. The diary is part of the Records of the American Seamen's Friend Society.

Joffre (schooner) located

Reputedly a sister ship of the L. A. Dunton, the Joffre has been discovered off the coast of Gloucester. Like the Dunton, the Joffre was designed by renowned naval architect Thomas F. McManus, and built at the Arthur D. Story of Essex, MA. Unlike the Dunton her career ended when her engine caught fire as she was returning to Gloucester, MA on the evening of 9 August 1947 and She subsequently sunk. For more information...

The New London Jibboom Club

Bill Peterson's, the Collections' Carl C. Cutler Chair of Maritime History, history of New London's seaman's fraternal organization is featured this month in the Hog River Journal.