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JOURNAL
OF CARPENTER HENRY G. THOMAS (1844‑6), IN A PRIVATE COLLECTION 27
Mar 1844 [Wed] "...got the launch and spare topmast
inboard..." - "...getting small boats fastened [sic]..." 30
Mar 1844 "...we have rushed the work
done to prepare new gun carriages for our long guns as well as the
carronades." 2 Apr 1844
[Tue] "We...built and placed
in position...10 new water tanks." - "the Captain grumbles as he has
not received his cook James Dusenger from the 11
Apr 1844 "Two of my men, Robert
Keys and John Hatch returned from liberty.
They were several hours late but gave their excuses as busy trying to
gather articles for
the Captain and officers quarters. They
had the articles in hand, several ornate washstands, and several small sofas. The watch did not report them this time
as their scavenging has become an art to them and a boon to the ship." 12
Apr 1844 Underway to anchorage from
Norfolk Navy Yard at 1500 in tow of steamer ENGINEER. 15
Apr 1844 Got 7 apprentice boys from 17
Apr 1844 Captain's cook and 7 more
seamen received from 18
Apr 1844 "Around 4, the Captain
invited most of the officers and gentlemen onboard to his stateroom for a
social call. A light spirit was served
that some openly
disapproved of at this unnatural time of day.
He informed us that we would be picking up the family of Governor Henry
A. Wise of "Towards
midnight, we found ourselves in the middle of a gale. The rain began to blow across the deck, at
times it never seemed to land but rather to go clear
across ship and then over the side. "...Even in the
weather, Captain Percival inspected the crew regularly. Despite some grumblings in rank, waiting for
inspection, it always seemed
to reinsure [sic] the hearts of many how confident the Captain and other
officers appeared in [sic] such occasions." 28
Apr 1844 1330 anchored off the Battery, "...His [Henry Wise's]
family seemed to take an instant liking to the vessel. The crew seemed slightly indisposed at the laughter
and frivolity shown by the
officers toward Mrs. Wise and daughter as they had been previously
warned not to offend the family... "Captain
Percival was in an excellent mood as he had a long visit with his family in "...The Captain
had ordered a new galley to replace the old one... "Most of the time
on ship we have been trying to see that none of the many visitors we received
will get hurt or lost. This has become
somewhat of a
nuisance as many ask and repeat again the same question, 'Is this the same old
Constitution that won so much fame in the war?' The men have generally remained
hospitable towards them and have tried to explain everything to them that is at
all worth knowing." 25
May 1844 7 apprentices and more seamen
received - Commodore Jacob Jones paid a
visit - "Sailing on the Constitution is particularly exciting since there
is always so much
interest in our ship." 29
May 1844 Received 2 well‑made
cutters, new‑built under the Carpenter's direction in the Navy Yard -
1130 underway in tow of HERCULES. 31
May 1844 "Many of the crew were
allowed idle time onboard away from stations which doesn't come often, but was
a very human act often done by Captain
Percival to give the men a chance to air out their quarters." - "The
Captain seemed in a particularly light mood this morning and joked openly about Clerk Stevens'
inability to cope with the movement of sea and ships." 2 Jun 1844
[Sun] "Percival had the Marines practiced in boarding parties and
the gunners were kept busy most of the day in target practice, one of my old
cutters being used for that
service. We also varied course according
to 'textbook' situations to produce the sobering environment of an actual
battle in progress.
Sailors who made light of the situation were warned that such behavior
in even a mock drill would be matched with severe punishment." -
"...all the affairs of
the day seemed to please the Captain.
Percival was popular as the skipper of most vessels he had been attached
to..." 16
Jun 1844 "...shipped a new main
topmast crosstree..." 17
Jun 1844 0830 arrived at Fayal - Vice
Consul 20
Jun 1844 Underway in the morning. 24
Jun 1844 1440 Arrived at Funchal -
Received 10 tons of water - HMS AMERICA present. 27
Jun 1844 James Corbett and William Ray
each got 12 lashes for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. 28
Jun 1844 Underway. 1 Jul 1844
[Mon] "At 11:30, I was
standing at the mid‑rail and gazing over the side. A splash in the water sounded like a Dolphin
or small whale. I then noticed two arms waving as we passed. I yelled to those standing near the nearest
life buoy. It was a long toss and the
line felt very old and dry in my hand. Had the weather been bad, we
would have lost the seaman, but we were once again fortunate that day as
well. When we got him back onboard I discovered it was
seaman James Corbitt [sic], who had been recently punished for
drunkenness. He was known as a general
trouble maker and had been
known to have made many enemies onboard already. Some said it was probable that he had been
deliberately pushed rather than fallen by accident. The Captain has ordered an inquiry
into the matter..." 24
Jul 1844 Crossing the line
ceremonies 6 barbers "...all who had never crossed the line
were obliged to go through the ritual which varied according to the likes and dislikes of the crew. For a few of the younger men, the ritual
seemed to be a bit more thorough.
Captain Percival looked on with a bemused spirit in his eye." - Scattered pranks later on in the night. 31
Jul 1844 1700 met USS ERIE - 1750
Lieutenant Commandant Duke, captain of 3 Aug 1844
Arrived in Rio in the morning - Ships present: USS RARITAN (Commodore
Turner), USS CONGRESS, HMS ALFRED (frigate), FNS BERCEAU corvette),
FNS COQUETTE (corvette), Genoese frigate EURYDICE, Brazilian frigate
CONSTITUCION, and a Portuguese war brig - 1600 Wise family
disembarked. 5 Aug 1844
"It was a habit of Captain Percival to handle the minor discipline of
the crew just before any visit by the crew to a port. 17
Aug 1844 "Joseph Yeager and Joseph
Sennett were punished with 12 lashes each for insolence to Midshipman Upshur of
the U. S. Frigate Congress when they were on shore
leave." 24
Aug 1844 "Captain Percival informed
me today that a court‑martial had found guilty Midshipmen R. A. Knapp and
A. F. Waring; they were detached and ordered to report aboard
the U. S. Frigate United States to be returned to the United States... We have also had a desertion from a cutter
going ashore; a seaman
named George Smith fled our crew and no one has reported seeing him on
shore." 1 Sep 1844
Acting Master Grant appointed Acting Lieutenant; Midshipman Strain,
Acting Master. - (Strain reported aboard this date.]) 8 Sep 1844
Underway at sunrise Once at sea,
"Captain Percival called all hands to witness punishment of the crew who
committed various offenses like smuggling liquor
on board and drunkeness [sic] behavior.
Quite a number of the nine men punished had also broken liberty and had
gotten into trouble on
shore." - Shotted the guns. 13
Sep 1844 0400 "...a very large
meteor..." 19
Sep 1844 0900‑1100 gunnery
practice; expended 84 round shot, 84 cartridges, and 168 wads. 23
Sep 1844 Boarded British bark LORD
ELDON; Tristan d'Acunha in sight. 1 Oct 1844
1600 Spoke American whaler SALLY ANN of New Bedford. 3 Oct 1844
Ordinary Seaman Charles Crohon received 8 lashes of the colt for theft -
1215 Carried away the cross jack at both ends. 17
Oct 1844 At St. Augustine, Madagascar -
The attire of Prince Green, a native: "...an old navy cap with a tarnished
gold band, a pepper and salt frock coat, an extremely dirty shirt, formerly belonging to
some officer, and a pair of sailors duck trousers rolled up to the knees, and a
black gin bottle in his pocket. All of this we heard he obtained from the USS
Concord and John Adams." John
Green, the "Prince's" pilot, wore "an old tattered navy
waistcoat, one epaulet, a sailor's hat, and
various pieces of cotton... To crown the
whole, he had an American eagle (brass) fastened onto his vest behind. He had only one eye..." 20
Oct 1844 0500 Underway - 1130 3rd cutter
to brig HMS SAPPHO with Lieutenant Paine, who returned with British Captain for
a 10‑minute visit. 26
Oct 1844 Arrived at 27
Oct 1844 "Before anyone left the
ship, it was Captain Percival's idea that all punishments must be handed out...
Joseph Sinnett [sic], seaman, was given many lashes of the colt for general disobedience
and J. R. Heard was punished with 6 lashes of the colt for neglect of duty. "...A steady
and lucrative trade is carried on between 29
Oct 1844 [At sea.] "Thomas Glaving and Thomas Williams were
punished with 6 lashes of the colt each for skulking below in their
watch." 30
Oct 1844 0730 Punished Lott [sic] Green,
cockpit steward, with 12 lashes of the cat for stabbing Thomas Pusey. 1 Nov 1844
1700 Arrived at 2 Nov 1844
"Back of the town [of Majunga], there is an excuse of a fort. The greater part of the battery was entered
as consisting of guns obtained from trading ships on the coast. They are all of old ages and various
sizes. By examining one specimen of a 18
lb. gun, they seem to be the survivors of the original battery of Noah's 3 Nov 1844
Allowed on liberty until sunset - Those that returned on time mostly
were very drunk from rum - The next morning, Percival and a party went ashore, ostensibly to visit the fort,
but to seek out the AWOLs - "It was certain on board that a minor mutiny
was about to take place, without any apparent reason for the
mischief." - When Percival returned that afternoon, he said, "that
there had been some trouble with the men who had broken liberty, and that seaman Edward Brett had
threatened him when they attempted to bring the men back. Finally, after a small fight, the seamen were
brought back. Shortly after, all hands were
called to witness the punishment of the 12 leaders. They were each given 12 lashes or more for
their activity in the matter. Some still seemed to be drunk
at the time of punishment, but the Captain made sure all were sober
after." 12
Nov 1844 Underway from Nos Bey 1800 Arrived off 13
Nov 1844 "...all hands were called
to witness the punishment of the deserters during our visit to 18
Nov 1844 1730 Arrived at 19
Nov 1844 "The Captain grumbled at a
continued day of diplomatic exchange." - [TheAmerican Consul had stayed
aboard overnight; a French Commodore and the British Consul called
during the afternoon after Waters left.] 20
Nov 1844 "The only fault in the
[fresh] water here is that it has been found to run directly beneath the Sultan's
Palace and is not as clear as we should wish. Captain [Fitzwilliam]
Owen [a British surveyor] attributes all the sickness onboard his vessels to
this water. As yet we have found it
good." - Percival and
a party of officers dined with the Sultan. 22
Nov 1844 Percival and a party again
called on the Sultan. 24
Nov 1844 "Since it was Sunday,
Captain Percival read the sermon. At
10:00 in the morning, all hands were called to muster at the morning prayer. The sermon read was Lazarus
and the Rich Man, being one of the Captain's favorites." 25
Nov 1844 The Sultan sent a boatload of
wood as a gift. 26
Nov 1844 "...most of the crew, including
the Captain stayed up for a total eclipse of the moon." ‑‑
Later in the morning, the Sultan sent another gift of fruit "Perhaps Zanzibar has been
too friendly as there is some talk among the men of a large number of men
deserting vessels here and hoping to ship home with the next passing
vessel in the opposite direction. We
have had but two, and their whereabouts on the island are already known: they
are John White and William
Jones. Most of the deserters will
volunteer for cutter duty and while filling the tanks will sneak off. Most of that type can be found frequently at the same bar where they were
last seen the previous night and many are returned in the most vile
condition." - 13 sick - Sailed at 1545 - At 1740, anchored to discharge the
pilot and debark the Consul; White and Jones returned under arrest in boat that
took Consul ashore. 27
Nov 1844 16 sick. 28
Nov 1844 Anchored off 29
Nov 1844 20 sick. 2 Dec 1844
"At 8 A.M., all hands were called to witness the punishment and
flogging of John White and William Jones...
The Captain informed the crew that they had also resisted arrest by the
6 Dec 1844
33 sick. 18
Dec 1844 Crew numbers 457; composition
by nationalities determined. 20
Dec 1844 "At 7 a.m. [sic], the bad
news of the sudden death of John Weston, seaman, was reported. He had been our first death and the crew
almost
expected at this point to be spared from the vengeful wreckage of life
that death creates. He had been sick for
four days and then made a recovery, leaving many behind
that were much sicker than he. He was
found on the berth deck, not too far from the sick bay. Several men who found him reported that he
was moaning, but no one recorded his last words. The surgeon thought that fever might have
been the cause of death. But upon
cutting the body, and
further inspecting the corpse, Weston was found to have badly decayed lungs. All hands were called to bury the dead and
the solemn occasion has saddened the
entire crew. The ceremony of reading the
burial service was performed by Lieutenant Paine. The body of
Seaman John P.
Weston was taken to the gangway and committed to the deep. An American Jack was placed upon it." -
44 sick. 22
Dec 1844 Percival conducted divine
services at 10 - "We have had another death onboard ship. This time the deceased is Christian
Fisher... His body was examined and...[h]is
stomach was very decayed... Because of
the many who are sick aboard ship, Captain Percival has ordered the forward
cabin converted
immediately into a hospital. Four of the
more serious sick have already been removed to the improvised quarters." -
46 sick. 24
Dec 1844 "We have tried to sell the
last belongings and clothing of our deceased seamen... Our colors are...at half mast... Some onboard think that the myth about the Sultan’s water being contaminated has caused quite a
stir about the men, but so far, all [sic] the deaths have been from other
causes as the port
mortems have proven." - 54 sick. 30
Dec 1844 61 sick. 2 Jan 1845
66 sick "...carronade no.
21..." - 1400 arrived at Quallah Battoo, 4 Jan 1845
As Clerk Stephens commented, quote: "The Captain has...been
severely ill with the gout in his feet and right hand..." - 64 sick. 6 Jan 1845
65 sick. 7 Jan 1845
L. H. Peck given 6 lashes of the colt for disobeying the Captain of the
Afterguard. 8 Jan 1845
Arrived at Wylah at 1030. 22
Jan 1845 57 sick. 29
Jan 1845 At 2100 Peter Wolf, Captain of
the Main Hold, died of dysentery in the forward cabin after a 2‑month
illness; buried at sea at 0930 the next morning. 2 Feb 1845
1130 Arrived at Singapore. 3 Feb 1845
60 sick. 5 Feb 1845
Charles Springer and Stephen Hoyt have died since arrival in port;
buried ashore. 24
Feb 1844 Liberty granted. 25
Feb 1844 New slings fitted to the main
yard. 2 Mar 1845
Two Englishmen, a Scot, and a German discharged .30 sick. 8 Mar 1845
A barometer received on board Irishman James Corbett, seaman discharged
"because of misconduct;" another Irishman and an Englishman discharged
.Draft: 22' 10" fwd; 21' 3" aft. 10
Mar 1845 Underway 31 sick. 18
Mar 1845 Off the mouth of the Sambas
River, Borneo Master Strain took the 4th
cutter to reconnoitre coast in vicinity - At 1600, following return of Strain,
1st cutter
and gig, under Lieutenant William C. Chaplin, and with Marine Lieutenant J. W.
Curtis, Strain, Midshipman Colville Terrett, Assistant Surgeon M. Duvall, and Naturalist J. C.
Reinhardt, 23 armed seamen and 3 Marines, ordered up the river to the
settlement of Sambas in reconnaissance - 27 sick. 20
Mar 1845 Percival getting anxious, 3rd
cutter sent up 22
Mar 1845 Underway 26 sick. 31
Mar 1845 "It was reported to the Captain
that several of the marines and seamen had become cross with each other and
several fights were reported. One
of the more serious
incidents of this nature was between marine Arthur DeBlueg and seaman Thomas
Starkey. Starkey being the principal
instigator was given
one dozen lashes of the cat, while the marine was given only nine lashes."
- 19 sick. 1 Apr 1845
"As we have entered dangerous waters and reports from various ships
are sufficient warning against possible incidents, we have begun exercizing
our marines in small arms
fire at various targets. The cutters are
also being exercized for exchanges with a possible enemy. Most of the drills concern themselves with defending
the cutters in withdrawal or landings." 4 Apr 1845
"Our marines are now practicing firing at targets while they are
suspended from the fore yard arms to give cover to the cutters. Our gun divisions have also commenced practicing for
cover and support as well." 10
Apr 1845 Underway at daylight. 11
Apr 1845 20 sick Lat 5‑47N, Long. 115-07E. 13
Apr 1845 "The Constitution is in a
very ticklish position as we are almost surrounded by shoals. None of them are marked on our charts. The entire crew now realizes that a shipwreck on
such a wild and savage coast as 14
Apr 1845 Lat. 5‑07N, Long. 114‑44E. 17
Apr 1845 Lat. 4‑45N, Long. 114‑18E 17 sick. 21
Apr 1845 "During this day the
temperature is hot as hell." - Lat. 4‑43N, Long. ? 22
Apr 1845 Lat. 4‑53N, 112‑48E
- 24 sick. 26
Apr 1845 22 sick. 1 May 1845
23 sick. 10
May 1845 Arrived Turon ,William Cook
died and was buried ashore (on the 11th). 12
May 1845 Shifted closer to the fort Got water from streams flowing down [Monkey
Mountain] to the shore, using a hose tub to lead water directly into casks Three large ships lay in
close to land, housed over; they have "about 16 guns each" - 80 men
first went ashore with Percival, including 30 Marines. While Percival
made second trip to town, ship fired 10 ranging "shells." 20
May 1845 It was so hot, that I decided
to try and cook an egg in the sun which I did by placing it on my hammock cloth
and blocking it. Since the air temperature was
now a constant 90 degrees the egg was soon ready to eat..." - Fired 9
shots at an escaping junk. Ship repainted while at Turon. 29
May 1845 "The crew is busily
painting a white streak." 30
May 1845 Painters still at work. 5 Jun 1845
Boarded American ship RAINBOW, homeward bound, and gave her a mail bag -
1900 Anchored off 7 Jun 1845
Upon learning of Commodore Dallas' death, fired 13 guns and half‑masted
the flag. 9 Jun 1845
Boarded American vessel ANN MARIA; sent letter bag to the 18
Jun 1845 "…while standing up for
the 19
Jun 1845 0830 Stood up the river. 20
Jun 1845 1200 Anchored in Blenheim
Reach. - "Filled up with water from the river. This we did by filtering the water through
charcoal…it was very good…" 21
Jun ‑ 1 Jul 1845 - Boarded American ships AKBAR, SAPPHO, and HORATIO. 4 Jul 1845
Fired a 21-gun salute and splice the main brace, 17
Jul 1845 Charles Lewis, "the sea
captain of the fore deck," died and was buried ashore. 22
Jul 1845 Charles Crohon [sic] died and
was buried ashore. 30
Jul 1845 Carpenters repairing the boats
damaged at Turon - 59 sick. 31
Jul 1845 0900 Underway for river mouth
with royals and starboard studdingsails set. - 60 sick. 3 Aug 1845
Anchored near French frigate CLEOPATRE. - Percival spoke to the crew
about rumors of war, hoping they were untrue but expressing confidence in his men. 13
Aug 1845 Private Henry Lehman died. -
buried ashore. 24
Aug 1845 SeamanGeorge Fulcher died
"after a short illness." 27
Aug 1845 Underway from Boca Tigris. 28
Aug 1845 Arrived at Blenheim Reach. 1 Sep 1845
Underway. Shotted the guns. 5 Sep 1845
29 sick. 6 Sep 1845
28 sick. .Exercised the great guns. 8 Sep 1845
Sold the clothing and belongings of George Fulcher. 10
Sep 1845 28 sick. 11
Sep 1845 "A negro named John Wright
was punished as was Isaac Travers with the cats for stealing knives." -
Boarded the American ship TALBOT, sendinga mail bag to the 12 Sep 1845
Arrived at 17
Sep 1845 "We have had several attempts
at desertion in the fourth cutter. - The men who made the attempt, Peter
Williams, William Valiant, and John Brown
were all brought
back the same day." 43 sick. 21
Sep 1845 Standing out of 24
Sep 1845 37 sick. 25
Sep 1845 Exercised the great guns - 28
sick - Anchored off 27
Sep 1845 Edward Robinson, seaman,
deserted. 29
Sep 1845 Exercised divisions at great
guns and small arms. - 27 sick. 30
Sep 1845 "Today we Spliced the Main
Brace because on this day 36 years ago, the Captain got spliced to his better
half." - Overhauled the larboard anchor
chain. 3 Oct 1845
"...hoisted the first and second cutters out of the launch..."
- Overhauled the starboard anchor chain. 5 Oct 1845
24 sick. 17
Oct 1845 Exercised at great guns and
small arms. 20
Oct 1845 "Split the main
spenser." 22
Oct 1845 23 sick. 7 Nov 1845
Exercised at great guns and small arms; fired 134 rounds: more than
usual. - Marine Charles G. Clyde died and was buried at sea. 16
Nov 1845 Arrived at 1 Dec 1845
Underway for Monterey. 4 Dec 1845
32 sick. 7 Dec 1845
30 sick. 7 Jan 1846
Off 8 Jan 1846
Gun crews experimented with flannel, felt, and rubber cylinders. - The
India rubber always stuck fast to the bottoms of the guns; the felt probably
was best, but only slightly
better than flannel. 10
Jan 1846 "...the patent
anchor." 12
Jan 1846 "Several men punished
today. - One was caught gambling and the other two were fighting." 14
Jan 1846 Arrived Mazatlan at 1430. 23
Jan 1846 Half‑masted the colors
for Andrew Jackson. - "Since we have been at anchor, we have had to punish
so many of the crew for drunkenness." 24
Jan 1845 Fired memorial minute guns. -
An English brig drifted afoul of CONSTITUTION and stove in the gig; hoisted it
in for repairs. 22
Apr 1846 Underway for home. 25
Apr 1846 Witnessed a partial eclipse of
the sun. - Overhauling rigging. 5 May 1846
"Old Whit [Sailmaker] is on the gun deck making a new
foresail. In rainy weather, he and his
gang block up the gun deck and in fair weather, they occupy the lee side of the
quarter deck, so there is no chance for a reefer either in fair or foul
weather. However, he has not thrown his
time away, for there
has been made by him a new suit of sails for this ship." - 32 sick. 21
May 1846 John Chippey punished with 12
lashes of the cat for insolence to the Boatswain. - Carpenters repairing main
hatch coamings. - 32 sick. 22
May 1846 Fired 36 shot in practice. -
"The guns were double shotted for the purpose of experimenting on the
breechings. It carried away two of the breechings of
the spar deck guns." 27
May 1846 Exercised at battle stations. -
30 sick. 9 Jun 1846 0600 William Wallace and John Tyrer punished
with 6 of the colt each for skulking. - Exercised at battle stations. 14
Jun 1846 Arrived at 19
Jun 1846 "...a great problem with
violations on the liberty leave." -
At muster, missing were Charles H. Prince, Thomas Prott, Robert Keys, Joseph
Welch, Joseph Riley, Charles Seymour,
John Collins, and [Midshipman] John Hopson. 20
Jun 1846 1000 Underway. 24
Jun 1846 0910 Mustered to witness
punishments. - 1150 Henry Mathews [sic] died. 1 Jul 1846
"...set down the spencer." - Michael McLaughlin got 12 of the
cat for skulking. 15
Jul 1846 0900 Spoke the French barque
JUSTE of St. Malo, which needed medical help. - Surgeon McLeod was sent over
and, at 1000, returned with French seaman Peter
Mace, who had broken his leg, and who would be delivered to 20
Jul 1846 John Moore, seaman, killed when
hit in the head by a block while hauling out the weather main jigger. 28
Jul 1846 1530 Arrived at Rio. 30
Jul 1846 Painting the hull. 5 Aug 1846
Underway 0700, convoying 22
Aug 1846 Convoy up to 16 ships. 48 sick. 11
Sep 1846 Thomas Hammons, gunner's mate,
fell overboard; rescued with a line from the main chains. - Several men
punished for gambling and sleeping on
watch. 17
Sep 1846 Came upon derelict USS WASHINGTON,
brig; took it in tow ‑‑ "...gig and SPARROW boat." -0
Convoy beginning to break up. - Lat 36‑39N, Long. 73‑00W. 21
Sep 1846 Pilot boat ENOCH TURLEY took
brig in tow for the Delaware Capes. 26
Sep 1846 Boy Dan B. Perry given 12 of
the colt for missing muster. Note:
Carpenter Thomas turned in his warrant and "went south" at the
start of the Civil War.
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