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A guide to the Alexander McFarlan journal recorded on board the California Packet (built 1849; ship, 3m), 1849-1850
HDC0210 (SAFR 17627)
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Title: Alexander McFarlan journal recorded on board the California Packet (built 1849; ship, 3m)
Date: 1849-1850
Identifier/Call Number: HDC0210 (SAFR 17627)
Physical Description:
1 EA
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The Alexander McFarlan journal recorded on board the California Packet (built 1849; ship, 3m) (SAFR 17627, HDC 210) describes
the author's journey from Machiasport, Maine to San Francisco, California aboard the CALIFORNIA PACKET (built 1849; ship:
3m) from December 1849 to August 1850.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English.
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.
Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other
case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.
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], HDC0210 (SAFR 17627), Alexander McFarlan journal recorded on board the California Packet (built 1849; ship, 3m),
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
SAFR-00001
The journal was originally donated to the San Francisco Maritime Museum. It was transferred to the Golden Gate National Recreation
Area and finally to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Historical or Biographical Note
Biography: Born July 23, 1828, Alexander McFarlan was 22 years old when he boarded the CALIFORNIA PACKET (built 1849; ship,
3m) at Machiasport, Maine on December 28, 1849 to California. Piloted by Captain George Kimball, with 80 passengers on board,
the ship sailed for California. En route the ship stopped in Boston, Rio de Janeiro, and Valparaiso. Mr. McFarlan wrote of
weather, location, food, other vessels encountered, bed bugs, passenger debates, participating in the on-board infantry which
had regular drills, washing and mending, playing the fiddle to entertain crew and passengers, the time spent reading and writing,
rounding Cape Horn, nearing the "promised land", and how the San Francisco Bay and port appeared at first site the day of
arrival, the last entry of the journal on August 24, 1850.
The Alexander McFarlan journal recorded on board the California Packet (built 1849; ship, 3m) (SAFR 17627, HDC 210) describes
the author's journey from Machiasport, Maine to San Francisco, California aboard the CALIFORNIA PACKET (built 1849; ship:
3m) from December 1849 to August 1850.
In the author's hand, the title of this journal is Alexander McFarlan's Book: Boston, February 25th, 1850. A page later, after
the initial entry regarding boarding the ship at Machiasport, Maine, an additional title reads: A journal of Alexander McFarlan's
life during a voyage to California. The original journal was given a second supporting binding, date unknown, by the author's
nephew, George A. Knight, and given an expanded title which now reads: Logbook from Boston to San Francisco via Cape Horn
1849 ship California Packet by Alexander McFarlan a true pioneer of the olden day. The collection is fully processed and available
for research.
This collection consists of one journal.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Diaries
Ocean travel
Sailing ships
McFarlan, Alexander
California Packet (built 1849; ship, 3m)
Machiasport (Me.)
Boston (Mass.)
San Francisco Bay (Calif.)
Diaries