James Connelly, Forrest L Evans Et Al (1 results)

Condition: Good. On offer is a super, rare, original manuscript maritime diary kept by several men who deserted from the U. S. S. Hartford, January 26, 1901, while on liberty when the ship docked at Barbados, British West Indies. James Connelly, from New York City and Forrest L Evans, Laconia New Hampshire, identified in the free end papers, leave their the ship and through prior arrangement they meet up with a few more sailors from the ship and meet others by surprise. In total we learn that 15 men are named as deserters from the Hartford. While there a number of different hands writing the majority of the writings are by Connelly and Evans we believe. Beginning the first week of January when the men are transferred from the U. S. S. Buffalo to the Hartford. It was on the Buffalo that the desertion was originally conceived, but it was on the Hartford where it was carried out. The narrative of desertion is only hinted at first: On January 20 Evans sells his sea boots and other gear he won't be needing. Upon landfall in Barbados, Evans and Connelly are paid off and they go on liberty. They buy civilian clothes and sleep on the beach. Their only further contact with the ship was when they were nearly scooped up by four policemen and a party of officers from the Hartford. They are hidden by blacks who have taken them in, but they start starving because their new friends are too poor to sustain them. We start off with Connelly and Evans, than more men are dropped into the narrative with no indication of how they arrived. Researchers, historians and collectors of naval and maritime history will recognize the uniqueness of a manuscript retelling in the hand of the actual deserters. Here are snippets: "Tues. Jan. 1, 1901 It's hot today. Did a little washing and made a lot of clothes slops. Wednesday 2 Left Trinidad tonight at six o'clock. Did some washing. Today Campbell was sent from cooking to ships waiter. Thursday 3 Had bag inspection then signed for accounts. Had a balance of $66.30 due me. Found my ?? Arrived at Lagueria at 6.30 Fri. Jan. 4, 1901 Got up at 5.30. Lashed our bags and hammocks together and at 4.30 were transferred to U.S.S. Hartford. Saturday 5 Turned out at 5.30. Took on stores from The Buffalo and scrubbed wash clothes. Sunday 6 Had general muster and scrubbed wash clothes and then scrubbed down spar deck Monday 7 Scrubbed hammock this evening and washed clothes, scrubbed deck. Had bag inspected and put down for small stores. Tuesday 8 Left Laguire Venezuela at about four o'clock and made six knots all night. Had to stand two sea watches, 8 -12, 4 - 8. Wednesday 9 Had the four to 8 watch this morning and we were all sent to the doctor and examined this afternoon. Thursday 10 Worked tonight about two hours from ten to twelve trying to anchor. Arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad about 9.30 p.m. Was half tired to death. Friday 11 Got up at 7.00, was detailed as side cleaner and worked all the fore noon and most of the after noon. Got woman tatooed on my right arm. Saturday 12 Got up 5.00 and scrubbed sides. Had some tatooing done on my right arm a bird, and a heart and dagger. [Forest L. Evans describes himself and his body art] Sunday 13 Got up and got inspected & went to church. Had liberty today and went all over port of Spain Trinidad and got back at five o'clock. Had inspection today. Monday 14 Got up at five and did my work. Sat around with Davis (?) In the head almost all the afternoon. Tuesday 15 Got up and did my work then Arthur and I went up in the head and I shook dice for a cent a shake and then he and I and two others played poker Wednesday 16 Got up at 6.00 and did my work, worked almost all the forenoon. And shook dice all the afternoon. Thursday 17 Left Trinidad today at one o'clock for three day sail drill then Ho for Barbadoes and liberty. Friday 18 Got up and cleaned my gun and hustled all the forenoon making sail and this afternoon tieing knots and hitches. Saturday 19 Got up and cleaned my 6 pounder and scrubbe. Manuscript.