A somewhat unusual item, and we're not even sure where it came from -
probably one of the Maine auctions we've attended over the last 50
years or so, but this is one case where we're really not certain
of the provenance. In any case, this lot consists of two items,
both in fine condition. The FIRST item is a skillfully drawn map,
in pen and ink, of the "Bay of Islands/New Zealand." This
map was drawn to accompany the SECOND item which is a Protest
filed with the American Consul, James R. Clendon, at the Bay of
Islands. This document measures 13 x 8 1/2, consists of four
pages of which three are a detailed account of the troubles of
the American ship "Richmond", a whaler out of New Bedford,
Massachusetts. Three of the pages give an almost story-like
accounting of the ship's difficulties, and the last page has a
notation, dated September 3, 1839, that this is an exact copy of the
paper filed at the Consulate, and signed "James R. Clendon/U.S.
Consul/Bay of Islands - New Zealand." The document is
also signed by the Master of the vessel, John Tucker, and the
First Officer, Henry S. Gifford. By the time the ship reached New
Zealand - it left New Bedford on May 28, 1835 - it was in such poor
condition that she was condemned. In a situation of this
sort it was customary in maritime law to issue a protest which
made plain that damage to a ship and/o its cargo was not due to
the Captain's conduct. And thus this official "Protest
against all persons, accidents, occurances, condemnation of Ship, loss
or losses that has arisen or may arise in consequence of the said Ship
'Richmond' being condemed." With about 120 lines, it
is too long to quote in full, but beginning in the middle of
the Protest it reads in part, "Laying too under
storm...found the mizen top mast sprung - from 21st January to
14th April the leak gradually increased to 1000 strokes [a
reference to the ship's pumps] per hour - on the 28th
of April 1839 making 1200 pr hour -Stood for the Southward
for the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, to repair [less
than a year earlier they had undergone some repairs at Syndey] On
8th of June, 1839, the leak had increased to 1500 strokes per
hour. In running up the Harbor grounded on a mud flat, soon after
high water spring tides went ashore to note Protest. The tides
taking off made it necessary to lighten & list the ship on the 15th
hauled off & anchored in 6 fathoms water. Call'd a survey on
the ship which ordered her ot be laid on shore, or hobeout for further
inspection. Employ'd landing Provisions & Stores to
lighten the Ship previous to hauling on shore. On the 7th
of July hauled on Shore, & gave notice of being
ready for the survey. On the 10th the surveyors
considered she might be repaired so as to; proceed to the
United States of America. Employ'd laborers and carpenters as
necessary for repairing & completed the larboard side. Listed
the ship over & commenced the starboard side by stripping off the
sheathing, and found the plank so much worm eaten that it would not
bear nailing. Ship at the time making so much water that the pumps
would not free her. On the 11th call'd a survey which
declared the ship to be unseaworthy, & that she could not be
repaired in this port. On the 12th commenced discharging cargo
& stores & gave notice that the ship & stores were to be
sold for the benefit of those concerned. On the 26th of August
the ship was sold by Public Auction for 1670 pounds...." And a
few more lines, though there are many more not quoted. The ship
seems to have encountered more than its fair share of storms with a
particularly fierce storm "...off the Feejee Islands, blowing hard from
the N.W...." And so on. Payment by check or money
order. Priority insured mailing is $5., and double that if sent
outside the Union.
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