Travel Journal, 19th century

Anonymous journal compiled by the ship's surgeon of the William Miles, an East India company vessel plying between London and India. The unidentified author, apparently a Waterford man (f. 149), joined the William Miles (captain, Samuel Beadle) on 10 May 1819, the day before she sailed for Calcutta, via Madeira, the Cape and Madras. Leaving Calcutta on 24 December 1819, the vessel returned to England via Madras and St Helena, arriving in the Thames on 23 May 1820. The journal continues as a record of the author's life in England, mainly London, until 14 April 1821, and contains much political and social news and gossip, particularly about Queen Caroline. The account of the voyages and the period in India is primarily of social and topographical interest, although there are numerous medical references, including a description of the Madras Medical Fund (ff. 113v.-114r.; cf. MS.5285).

10 May 1819-14 April 1821

183 ff. (original pagination 1-340) 1 vol., 235 × 190 mm. Modern, half-leather binding, with spine blind-stamped with an anchor device and lettered 'journal of a voyage from London to the East Indies in 1819-20'.

Purchased from Henry Bristow, 1995.

Database description transcribed from Richard Aspin and Christopher Hilton's typescript supplement to S.A.J Moorat's Catalogue of Western Manuscripts.

Wellcome Images hold a copy of p.2 of the journal (image reference L0047983).