Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Vandalia (Sloop)

Description

1. .31 linear foot (1 volume, 1 folder)

Summary

1. Charles Blue kept this diary from February 14, 1853 through September 30, 1856 aboard the U.S. Sloop of War Vandalia, sailing from Philadelphia by way of Rio de Janeiro, the Cape of Good Hope, Christmas Island, Sunda Straits, Singapore and Macao to the Loo Choo Islands (Ryukyu Islands). Entries describe life and people on the island of Grand Loo Choo; the voyage to Japan and Commodore Matthew Perry's reception there; negotiations held on March 8, 1854; the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa; Japan and its people, their lives, and government; gifts from the President of the United States (includes a list); and Vandalia's departure for Shanghai on May 31, 1854. Entries also describe Shanghai's being in the hands of rebels at that time; the city itself; skirmishes between Imperialists and Rebels; the defense of the city by American, English, and French forces; and the final defeat of Rebels. The Vandalia sailed home by same route.
2. The volume is illustrated by 11 sketches and includes a list of ports touched at and crew members who died.

Subject

1. United States > Navy
2. United States > Foreign relations > Japan
3. Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
4. China > History > Taiping Rebellion, 1850-1864
5. Christmas Island (Indian Ocean)
6. Shanghai (China) > Description and travel
7. Singapore
8. Diaries
9. United States Naval Expedition to Japan (1852-1854) > Sources
10. Travel sketches
11. Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858
12. Macau (China : Special Administrative Region)
13. Ryukyu Islands > Description and travel
14. Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
15. Japan > Foreign relations > United States
16. Japan > Description and travel

Genre/Form

1. Diaries.
2. Travel sketches.

Call number

1. MssCol 324

Access (note)

1. Apply to Manuscripts and Archives Division for access at http://www.nypl.org/mssref.

Author

1. Blue, Charles.

Title

1. Charles Blue diary kept on board the U.S.S. Vandalia, 1853-1856.

Restricted access

1. Apply to Manuscripts and Archives Division for access at http://www.nypl.org/mssref.

Biography

1. The U.S. Sloop of War Vandalia set sail on February 14, 1853 and joined Commodore Matthew C. Perry's East Indies Squadron. She was present at Perry's historic entrance into Tokyo Bay on February 13, 1854 and in 1855 helped to protect American interests in China during the Taiping Rebellion. Vandalia was decommissioned at the Portsmouth Navy Yard on September 30, 1856.

Connect to:

1. NYPL Digital Collections

Added author

1. Vandalia (Sloop)

Research call number

1. MssCol 324