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A guide to the Templar (built 1858; ship, 3m) logbook, 1862-1864
HDC0058 (SAFR 14268)
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Title: Templar (built 1858; ship, 3m) logbook
Date: 1862-1864
Identifier/Call Number: HDC0058 (SAFR 14268)
Physical Description:
2 items
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: TEMPLAR (built 1858; ship, 3m) logbook (SAFR 14268, HDC 58) consists of one logbook and a photocopy of the logbook recording
the voyages of the TEMPLAR. The first voyage departs from Calcutta on January 26 and arrives in Liverpool on October 24, 1862
via Brooklyn, NY. The master of this voyage was James P. Martin. The master of the second voyage was Capt. G. Oscar Lane and
the trip began in Liverpool in September of1862, stopped in Brooklyn and Sydney, New South Wales, and ended up again in Calcutta
on November 17, 1863. The log ends on January 17, 1864 while still in Calcutta.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English.
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Note on Description: The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information.
Such sources include the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material
and subject matter experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors
in this guide please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide. P
lease cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.
[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item
Number], HDC0058 (SAFR 14268), Templar (built 1858; ship, 3m) logbook, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
SAFR-00001
This collections was transferred from Golden Gate National Recreation Area to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Historical or Biographical Note
The TEMPLAR (built 1858; ship, 3m) was a medium clipper ship built in 1858 by J.T. Foster in Medford, MA. It was rated at
947 gross tons, and measured 160' x 32' x 23'. Its original owner was T.B. Wales & Company. The ship was built for the India
and Far East trade, operating out of Boston as a home port.
In 1878, the TEMPLAR made a momentous voyage from New York to San Francisco which took 320 days to complete. After departing
New York on September 14, 1878, the ship encountered gales and hurricanes. After calling at Rio de Janerio for repairs, the
ship suffered an outbreak of yellow fever that decimated the crew. Off Cape Horn, the main fresh water tank leaked and the
ship lost all but 1200 gallons of fresh water. Working up the west coast of South America, the ship suffered through calms
all the way to California, where it encountered strong winds and heavy fog.
The ship's master, Captain Armstrong, was affected by the yellow fever; and although he eventually recovered, his wife died
on the voyage. His 20 year old daughter was also affected by yellow fever, but recovered sooner and was credited with navigating
the ship for a considerable period and taking spells at the wheel while the captain was incapacitated. There is an account
of this voyage in American Merchant Ships, volume 1, pg 317 (Matthews), where it was cited to be "one of the most unfortunate
voyages recorded in connection with the California trade."
After this ordeal, the ship was based in San Francisco and from 1879 through 1894 it operated in coastwise Pacific trade carrying
coal or lumber. It had several owners, including E.A. Scott, T. Magee, and the Seattle Coal and Transportation Company. It
was converted to bark rig during this stretch. The TEMPLAR was eventually sold to parties in Mollendo, Peru, and renamed LOS
TRES AMIGOS. In April 1895, at a guano port, its anchor parted in a heavy swell. The ship drifted ashore and was a total loss.
TEMPLAR (built 1858; ship, 3m) logbook (SAFR 14268, HDC 58) consists of one logbook and a photocopy of the logbook recording
the voyages of the TEMPLAR. The first voyage departs from Calcutta on January 26 and arrives in Liverpool on October 24, 1862
via Brooklyn, NY. The master of this voyage was James P. Martin. The master of the second voyage was Capt. G. Oscar Lane and
the trip began in Liverpool in September of1862, stopped in Brooklyn and Sydney, New South Wales, and ended up again in Calcutta
on November 17, 1863. The log ends on January 17, 1864 while still in Calcutta.
This lengthy (approximately 250 pages) logbook records general information, such as weather and course, in small handwriting
that is difficult to read. There are frequent mentions of crew members' activities, illnesses, and desertions, but little
mention of route or places stopped. Title page has an illustration of the TEMPLAR.
This is a collection of two items: the original and a photocopy of the logbook.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Logbooks
Weather