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USS Natchez Ship Log

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0206

  • Staff Only

The volume titled "Journal of a Cruise in the US Ship Natchez, John P Lanzinger Esq Commander by Roberts Poinsett Lovell" chronicles Lovell's time as midshipman on the USS Natchez and the USS Boxer from May 4, 1833 to August 9, 1835 off the coast of Brazil and Argentina. The handwritten volume mostly documents the wind and weather conditions aboard the two ships, with some details regarding hailed ships (American, English, Dutch and French), deserted crewmembers, ship maintenance, and where the ships traveled or docked. The journal mentions when First Lieutenant David G. Farragut leaves the Natchez to command the Boxer, and Lovell briefly joins Farragut on the Boxer before returning to the Natchez. The journal includes a roster of the crew of the Natchez and the ship's rules and regulations.

The journal is inscribed and illustrated on the inside cover. The inscription says "This book passed to S. O. Izlar, son of Jas. F. Izlar and Mary A. Lovell, September 2nd 1906 -- Orangeburg, S.C. Roberts Poinsett Lovell, U.S.N." In different colored ink, the inscription also says, "Passed to S. O. Izlar, son of S. O. Izlar and Mildred B. Hill, Sept. 8th, 1926."

Dates

  • 1833 May 4-1835 August 9

Language

The material in this collection is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

This journal describes a cruise of the USS Natchez upon which David G. Farragut was an officer. It also briefly details Farragut's command of the USS Boxer. Midshipman Roberts Poinsett Lovell kept the journal from 1833-1835.

Biographical/Historical Note

Roberts Poinsett Lovell served as a midshipman in the U.S. Navy on different ships during the 1830s and 1840s. He served as midshipman on the USS Natchez and briefly on the USS Boxer as documented in the journal. The Niles National Register, Volume 69, Naval Journal mentions a letter sent from Montevideo, Brazil dated May 19th, 1845, announcing that Acting Lieutenant Robert Poinsett Lovell of the U.S. ship Boston died of dysentery.

David Glasgow Farragut (July 5, 1801-August 14, 1870) served in the U.S. Navy for more than 40 years, and is best known for his command as Admiral in naval battles during the American Civil War, including the Battle of Mobile Bay. Farragut served on the Brazil Station until late 1837. In Lovell's journal, Farragut is listed as First Lieutenant to the Natchez in 1833 and later as the commander of the Boxer beginning April 1834. The Boxer moved to the West Indies Station in 1834. Farragut died in 1870 at the age of 69 in New Hampshire. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in New York City.

Arrangement

This material is in one folder.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480