William H. Meyers diary, 1838-1839

Creator

Meyers, William H., b. 1815.

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division

Extent

1 v. (36 tipped-in leaves) : 32 ill. (watercolor drawings) ; 36 cm.

Access Restrictions

Restricted access; Manuscripts and Archives Division; Permit must be requested at the division indicated.
Microfilm and digital images must be used in lieu of original volume.

Scope/Contents Note

Meyers' illustrated diary (17 Oct. 1838-4 Mar. 1839) records his voyages from: Philadelphia to Baltimore and Cuba (with visits to Xibara and Santiago de Cuba) on the schooner Ajax; Santiago de Cuba to Nassau, Bahamas, as master of the brig Lucy; and Nassau to New York as a passenger on the brig Victress, noting his later return toPhiladelphia. The diary, which functions as a ship's logfor the Lucy, includes accounts of his visit to a Cuban plantation and his illness from yellow fever, and poetic tributes to women encountered in his travels. Watercolor drawings (one in ink wash) illustrate ships at sea, localities visited, entertainments, shipboard activities and illness at sea.

Biographical/Historical Note

William H. Meyers (b. 1815), a native of Philadelphia, sailed on merchant vessels, worked at the U.S. Naval Laboratory in Washington, D.C., and served as a gunner in the U.S. Navy.

Controlled Access Terms

  • Meyers, William H., b. 1815.
  • Ajax (Schooner)
  • Lucy (Brig)
  • Victress (Brig)
  • Plantations -- Cuba -- 19th century.
  • Slavery -- Cuba -- 19th century.
  • Yellow fever.
  • Baltimore (Md.) -- Description and travel -- 19th century.
  • Cuba -- Description and travel -- 19th century.
  • Nassau (Bahamas) -- Description and travel -- 19th century.
  • Diaries.
  • Ships' logs.
  • Watercolors.
  • Merchant mariners -- United States.
  • Ship captains -- United States.