Research Catalog

Charles Blue diary kept on board the U.S.S. Vandalia

Title
Charles Blue diary kept on board the U.S.S. Vandalia, 1853-1856.
Author
Blue, Charles.

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StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Mixed materialRequest in advance MssCol 324Schwarzman Building - Manuscripts & Archives Room 328

Details

Additional Authors
Vandalia (Sloop)
Description
.31 linear foot (1 volume, 1 folder)
Summary
  • Charles Blue kept this diary from February 14, 1853 through September 30, 1856 aboard the U.S. Sloop of War Vandalia, sailing from Philadelphia by way of Rio de Janeiro, the Cape of Good Hope, Christmas Island, Sunda Straits, Singapore and Macao to the Loo Choo Islands (Ryukyu Islands). Entries describe life and people on the island of Grand Loo Choo; the voyage to Japan and Commodore Matthew Perry's reception there; negotiations held on March 8, 1854; the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa; Japan and its people, their lives, and government; gifts from the President of the United States (includes a list); and Vandalia's departure for Shanghai on May 31, 1854. Entries also describe Shanghai's being in the hands of rebels at that time; the city itself; skirmishes between Imperialists and Rebels; the defense of the city by American, English, and French forces; and the final defeat of Rebels. The Vandalia sailed home by same route.
  • The volume is illustrated by 11 sketches and includes a list of ports touched at and crew members who died.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Diaries.
  • Travel sketches.
Access (note)
  • Apply to Manuscripts and Archives Division for access at http://www.nypl.org/mssref.
Call Number
MssCol 324
OCLC
757518210
Author
Blue, Charles.
Title
Charles Blue diary kept on board the U.S.S. Vandalia, 1853-1856.
Restricted Access
Apply to Manuscripts and Archives Division for access at http://www.nypl.org/mssref.
Biography
The U.S. Sloop of War Vandalia set sail on February 14, 1853 and joined Commodore Matthew C. Perry's East Indies Squadron. She was present at Perry's historic entrance into Tokyo Bay on February 13, 1854 and in 1855 helped to protect American interests in China during the Taiping Rebellion. Vandalia was decommissioned at the Portsmouth Navy Yard on September 30, 1856.
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Added Author
Vandalia (Sloop)
Research Call Number
MssCol 324
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