Log Book on the HMS Cumberland [containing Piracy, Castaways and Tornados]

Manuscript logbook, 32pp, excluding blanks, 5 pen and ink plans for a house, original red calf, gilt lettering “G.J.M.” on top board, a little rubbed, spine tail damaged, 4to, 1851-1852

Written in a tight, neat hand, the journal covers a journey around the West Indies, from Montserrat (18th May 1851) to Cape Haiti (7th September 1851), with stops at Dominica, St Kitts, Bermuda, Port au Prince and Port Royal Jamaica.

The work contains notes on wind direction, weather- with a large description of tornadoes and “appalling lightning”, and latitude. However the majority of the entries are written in a more informal manner. Malcolm gives his opinions on the West Indies Islands “…to me St Vincent is the most beautiful…”, and makes general observations throughout his voyages. Various animal sightings are mentioned, including birds, dolphins, sharks, whales and an index of different kinds of fly. He keeps notes on the books he has read, mostly histories and works on theology, but Hawkin’s Voyage to the South Seas also had a strong influence on him. Malcolm also spent time teaching “Ross” the mathematical elements needed for navigation, mostly trigonometry.

Malcolm writes of the pirate haven in Saba, “…[They] found within a few years a celebrated niche for Pirates – the Dutch Governor and all the inhabitants, it was found out, were more or less concerned in the trade, some bought goods, asking no questions…”, and a brutal punishment he witnessed near St Martins “…we passed a small flat Rock over which seas are continuously breaking, here it was that Captain Lake landed a man… with a weeks provisions and the certainty of death by starvation, for which act of humanity he was deserved.”

On the 17th of March Malcolm lands in Bermuda where he writes letters, helps refit the ship and makes plans for a ballroom. He gets a tour of the surrounding islands from Lord Dundonald and Captain Goldsmith, “going to all the principal places.. And skirting all the other Islands, close enough to see their beauties-”.

On the 15th of April he sailed from Bermuda to Halifax, remaining there until receiving orders to take command of a ship in Port au Prince, leaving on June 28th. On July 18th Malcolm notes spotting an American barque “the “stars and stripes” floating gaily on her topsail”.

After arriving in San Domingo and experiencing tornados and foul weather, Malcolm met with Captain Cambell who delivered the news “of the death of my poor father”, Sir Charles Malcolm. The HMS Cumberland arrived in Port Royal, Jamaica on Monday 28th June. The last entry being;

Wednesday 6th August

“Said goodbye to all my friends and went onboard ready to start”

Malcolm was the eldest son of Sir Charles Malcolm (1782-1851), naval officer. He followed in his father’s footsteps, serving in the Royal Navy for his entire career and becoming Rear Admiral in 1882. His long naval career took him to North and South America, the West Indies, the Baltic, Egypt, and the East Coast of Africa. After he retired from active service in 1873, he entered the Turkish services as Pasha and was employed at Constantinople as Director General of the Abolition of the Slave Trade and Judge of the Slave Courts book.