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A guide to the Reindeer (built 1863; ship) logbook, 1856-1858
HDC0123 (SAFR 14043)
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Title: Reindeer (built 1863; ship) logbook
Date: 1856-1858
Collection No. (Catalog No.): HDC0123 (SAFR 14043)
Creator:
Unknown
Physical Description:
1 item.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The Reindeer (built 1863; ship) logbook (SAFR 14043, HDC 123) is a carbon copy of a transcript of the log from the ship REINDEER
during a whaling voyage taken from New Bedford, Massachusetts to the Pacific Ocean and Hawaii during the years 1856-1858.
Edward R. Ashley was master of the vessel. The daily entries account the weather, position, whales sighted and killed, and
other vessels. A photograph of Captain Ashley is tipped into a front page of the logbook. This collection has been processed
to the collection level and is open for use without restrictions.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English.
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.
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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.
Please 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], HDC0123 (SAFR 14043), Reindeer (built 1863; ship) logbook, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
SAFR-00001
This collection was transferred from Golden Gate National Recreation Area to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Historical or Biographical Note
Vessel History
The REINDEER, built at Mattapoisett, Massachusetts in 1853, was 450 tons and first commanded by Captain Peter Cromwell, E.W.
Howland, Agent. The REINDEER was abandoned in the Arctic Ocean in September of 1871.
Biography
Ashley, Edward R. was born May 15, 1824, on the Ashley homestead, about a mile above Long Plain, Massachusetts. He spent his
boyhood on the farm, and like many of the bright boys of that period commenced the pursuit of the leviathan of the deep at
an early age. Promotion was rapid and he sailed, as master of the WILLIAM WIRT in 1853, the REINDEER in 1856, and the GOVERNOR
TROUP in 1867. He made a large catch each of these voyages but the best was in the WILLIAM WIRT, when in 31 months he stowed
away 2,886 barrels of oil and 45,900 pounds of bone, a record seldom equaled. His wife accompanied him in his voyages in the
REINDEER and GOVERNOR TROUP, during which time their children, Edward W., Granville A. and Carrie L. were born at the Sandwich
Islands. He gave up whaling in 1867 and purchased a farm in the village of Long Plain where he enjoyed life till his decease,
May 30, 1900. All these years he was prominent in the political affairs of the town which he served in various positions of
trust. He represented
this district in the House of Representatives of 1897, where he did good work on the committee on Fisheries and Game, He was
a useful member of the South Bristol Farmers' club, and prominent in the Odd Fellows and Masonic Fraternities, being in the
Sutton Commander of New Bedford. He was affable, generous hearted, and upright in his dealings, and was held in high esteem
by his friends and townsmen. Captain Ashley married August 9, 1853, Adra (Braley) of Rochester. Children: (1) Edward W. born
Apr. 18, 1857; now a resident of this town, where he has served as school committee several years; (2) Carrie Austin, born
Oct. 8, 1861; (3) Granville Allen, born Aug. 9, 1864; (4) Carrie Luella, born Dec. 20, 1895; and (5) Lucy Delaney born Oct.
12, 1867, died Oct. 28, 1893.
From A History of the Town of Acushnet, Bristol County, State of Massachusetts by Franklyn Howland published 1907, with some
modifications for clarity.
The Reindeer (built 1863; ship) logbook (SAFR 14043, HDC 123) is a carbon copy of a transcript of the log from the ship REINDEER
during a whaling voyage taken from New Bedford, Massachusetts to the Pacific Ocean and Hawaii during the years 1856-1858.
Edward R. Ashley was master of the vessel. The daily entries account the weather, position, whales sighted and killed, and
other vessels. A photograph of Captain Ashley is tipped into a front page of the logbook. This collection has been processed
to the collection level and is open for use without restrictions.
This collection consists of a single item.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Logbooks
Whaling
Ashley, Edward R.
Reindeer (built 1853; ship)