This volume is midshipman Roger Perry's workbook, kept while aboard the U.S. Frigate Brandywine, after leaving Hampton Roads, Virginia, for the Mediterranean. It contains "two introductory pages, one with a sketch of the Brandywine and the second serving as the notebook's cover page; three pages listing officers aboard the frigate in 1830; 99 pages of detailed (and in seven cases illustrated) series of watch, quarter, and station bills, showing which stations the men filled during various evolutions; and 118 pages of notes on seamanship. These last include instructions on preparing a ship for departure, on operating it at sea, and for returning it to port.
Inserted in the book is a separate sheet containing on one side a 'Table of Masts and Spars for all Classes of Vessels in the U.S. Navy' (ships of the line, frigates, sloops, brigs, and schooners) and on the other side 'Proportions for Tops, Trestle trees, Cross trees & Caps'" (David P. Harris, "Midshipman Roger Perry's Workbook for the U.S. Frigate Brandywine, 1830," general description accompanying the Roger Perry Workbook).
"Roger Perry (1814-1880) of Maryland was appointed a midshipman in the U.S. Navy in July 1828, his service at this rank including time on the frigate Brandywine during which he wrote this manuscript, and then on the schooner Grampus of the West Indies Squadron in 1834. Promoted to passed midshipman in June 1834, he served on the frigate Constitution, flagship of the West India Squadron, from 1835 to 1838, and then was assigned to duty on the Baltimore receiving ship from 1839 to 1841. Perry was commissioned a lieutenant in February 1841, his duties at this rank including special service on the steamer Union (1844-1845), on the coast of Africa (1846-1847), on the frigate United States in the Mediterranean Squadron (1848-1849), on the Baltimore receiving ship (1850-1851), on the steam frigate San Jacinto in the Mediterranean Squadron (1852-1853), and at the Baltimore rendezvous (1854-1855). Commissioned a commander in September 1855, his last sea duty was in command of the storeship Fredonia in the Pacific Squadron (1863-1864). His last commission was as captain on the retired list in 1867. Perry suffered a long illness in his final years, spent at his residence in Cumberland, Maryland, where he had become a landholder. He died in his residence" (David P. Harris, "Midshipman Roger Perry's Workbook for the U.S. Frigate Brandywine, 1830," general description accompanying the Roger Perry Workbook).