Cheffins
Los 171
A 19th century Naval Journal, circa 1834-1838, written by Able Seaman Charles Woods on HMS Winchester, a First Class Frigate built in 1822, numbered manuscript pages including 5pp of introduction detailing the ship`s dimensions and 113pp detailing travels including Madeira, Tenerife and the Cape of Good Hope, with 10 watercolour paintings, 28.5 x 19cm overall, mostly disbound in cloth cover (edges creased and torn, paper discoloured). Sold with a folder of letters from the 1930s when the vendor`s father sought to have the journal published. Henry Walker Ltd agreed to publish the journal as `A Frigate on the High Seas` with a foreword by Admiral Mark Kerr but production was stalled because of the economic climate. Also included is a 55pp transcript of part of the journal, publisher`s flyers advertising the book and a manuscript letter from Admiral Kerr. Included in the journal is a description of a ceremony performed on December 1st 1834 upon crossing the Equator in which the oldest man on board impersonated King Neptune and the sailor with the most `feminine visage` impersonated Queen Amphitrite. The youngest crew members were then given an initiation before the King and Queen and the crew `ÉHe is escorted from below by a round dozen of Constables being at the same time blind-folded with a wet Swab. On his reaching the Deck, he is Saluted in the face by a Strong body of water delivered from the Pipes of the fire engine, which renders him totally forgetful of whatever is about to be done to him. He is then conducted to the Secretary of his Majesty, who questions him as to age, where born, how long at Sea, etc. to any of which should he attempt a reply, a bucket of salt water is conveyed through a Speaking trumpet into his mouth. He is then desired to be seated on a form Slung for the Purpose, and now the Ceremony of Shaving is about to commence. The barbers mate has a bucket filled, not with Suds, but a composition of tar, grease, soot and many other ingredients offensive to taste and Smell, and with this he lathers him all over the face, head and neck. This being done he is then considered fit for the manual operation of the Barber. This Knight of the Razor is equipped with a long piece of iron hoop, notches are filed on one edge of this awful weapon, and woe to him who is in the Slightest degree Stubborn and behaves unruly in any shape while the shaving part is going on, for he is certain of coming off with a lacerated face, and many bear the marks for months afterwards...`
