R. Henderson, Journal of a Cruise on the U. S. Ship Lexington, 1832-1833
35 pages (1 volume)
R. Henderson, a sailor aboard the U. S. sloop of war Lexington was assigned to keep a journal of the sloop's activities during his voyage with the Brazil Squadron for the Falklands Expedition. This journal covers the period from December 13, 1832, to September 24, 1833, and Henderson's frequent (but not daily) entries provide an account of everyday life aboard the American warship.
Henderson's entries are irregular, documenting weather, direction, and shipboard activities on a non-daily basis. Variously he recorded musters of the crew, the cleaning and repairing of the ship, the detention of deserters, and work with the sails. He made notes about the arrivals of American, French, and English ships bearing salt, government officials, money, and troops; the transportation of Danish Governor Peter Carl Frederick von Sholten; the drinking and singing of "liberty men" released briefly from ship duty; and celebrations and salutes for various occasions, including George Washington's birthday, Brazilian independence, Catholic holidays, and others. He also remarked on the arrival and movements of consuls from England, France, Russia, and America.