Comprises two volumes, the journal spans eleven months from 2 February 1805 to 17 January 1806, detailing his sea voyage as assistant supercargo on the merchant sailing vessel the Samuel Elam. The ship, captained by Mr. Champlin, sailed from New York around the Cape of Good Hope through the Indian Ocean, anchoring at the Isle of France (Mauritius) and later Batavia (Jakarta), Java. Jenkins served under Master and First Supercargo Uriah O. Champlin, cousin of the captain. Jenkins records the number of crew members and passengers aboard the ship including John J. DePestyer, a passenger and brother-in-law of Uriah O. Champlin. Entries often commence with the weather, sea condition, longitude and latitude, and lunar measurement. Jenkins describes the conditions on board the ship, including cargo and livestock, amusements, books he is reading, and games played. The ship's first port after 130 days at sea was Mauritius, where the Samuel Elam was anchored from June until August. Jenkins describes the plantations, slaves, spice trees, and landscape of the island. The Samuel Elam leaves Mauritius and sails to Jakarta, where they stay for 45 days Jenkins records meetings with different ships, captains and crew, items purchased, trading, Java and its inhabitants. Throughout the journals Jenkins records the condition of passenger John J. DePestyer, whose mental state deteriorated throughout the voyage. Finally, Jenkins relates his care of the captain and crew when they contract an illness at Java, and later Jenkins describes his own ailing from dysentery. The diary ends abruptly with the Samuel Elam's second departure from Java. The journal includes Jenkins's experiences with trading and purchasing with natives and plantations, lists persons and animals aboard the ship, and a chart of the voyage on the end papers of the volume 2. Also included are Jenkins's drawings of islands from the ship, and descriptions of birds and marine animals.
Creator:
Jenkins, Joseph M., 1783-
Timespan:
Indian Ocean -- 19th century.; Jakarta (Indonesia) -- 19th century.; Mauritius -- 19th century.; United States.; Indian Ocean.; Mauritius.
Date:
1805
Description:
Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Louis A. Duhring Fund.; Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Alumni and Friends Memorial Book Fund.; Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Richard & Marsha Johnson Fund for East & Southeast Asia Studies.; Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Rosengarten Family Fund.
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