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" KEPT
BY MIDSHIPMAN W. P. BUCKNER (1844‑5), IN
USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM List
of Officers includes Midshipman Robert Patton, Boatswain Robert Simpson,
Assistant Surgeon R. McSherry, and Lieutenant Fabius Stanley. 26
Mar 1844 [first entry] "...Rec'd 3 chronometers and one set of
charts..." 28
Mar 1844 "Received a spare jib boom
secured it across the stern.." 1 Apr 1844
Quartermaster Henry Barnes mentioned. 5 Apr 1844
Captain's Cook James Dungee mentioned. 12
Apr 1844 Towed from 29
Apr 1844 Shipped Seaman John Swift. 1 May 1844
Midshipman Warley and 1 Private to hospital. 2 May 1844
Midshipman Patton to hospital. 3 May 1844
"Stowed the half main yard outside under the waist anchor &
netting..." 5 May 1844
"Got up a subscription for a seamans library for the ships
company..." 10
May 1844 "...caulking in the air
ports, Took down the galley...on account of it smoking so badly. We now have a new one [on the "Espy
plan"] which is not a great deal better." 11
May 1844 John Gunn deserted from the
market boat at 18
May 1844 Seaman Charles Lee deserted
from 3rd cutter at 20
May 1844 Midshipman M. P. Jones
reported. 26
May 1844 Midshipman J. M. Maury
reported. [This entry repeated on 29 May
1844.] 27
May 1844 Seaman James Vandervoot [sic]
shipped. 17
Jul 1844 "...the martingale was
carried away in the upper sheave..." 24 Jul 1844
King Neptune's suite: 6 barbers, 6 constables, 6 guards, 4‑5
messengers. Spliced the main brace
afterwards. 28
Jul 1844 "...spring the dolphin
striker..." 3 Aug 1844
Examples of "fast sailers" [for frigates]: 276 nm in 1 day;
240 nm/day for 3 days in succession. 16
Aug 1844 Midshipman Warley's court
martial began; ended 18 Aug. 22
Aug 1844 Joseph Shafer flogged for
fighting. 24
Aug 1844 Midshipmen Warley and Knapp
transferred to USS UNITED STATES for return to US. 25
Aug 1844 Seaman George Smith deserted
from 3rd cutter at 31
Aug 1844 "Struck the main deck bow
guns below on the berth deck." 18
Oct 1844 Ship hailed by "a one eyed
gent" saying, "Wat you cum frum.
You sabee me. Me sabee you. You presents me. Me presents you." Prince Willie an old man with few gray
woolly hairs and a little beard, which he stroked. Prince John Green ["one eye"]. Armed with spears. Kitty Clover. One‑eyed
Riley. Jim Crow. [All are 3 Nov 1844
26
Nov 1844 John White and William Jones
(#2) deserted from 1st cutter at 2 Dec 1844
Punished White and Jones, as well as John Collins for having taken their
clothes. 3 Dec 1844
" 19
Dec 1844 [night] Seaman John P. Watson
died ‑ 1st of cruise; buried at sea next morning [20th]. 22
Dec 1844 1615 Musician Christian Fisher
died; buried at 1830. Personal effects auctioned
off 23 Dec. 30
Dec 1844 0840 Seaman John Peters died;
1540 buried at sea. 6 Jan 1845
0930 Midshipman Mason died; 1600 buried at sea. 4 Feb 1845
Charles Springer died of dysentery; buried in 15
Feb 1845 Stephen Hoyt died; buried in 19
Mar 1845 Lieutenant Chaplin's expedition
up Borneo's 23
Apr 1845 "...scraping black paint
off the combings [sic] of the hatches..." 29
Apr 1845 Auctioned off personal effects
of John Thompson (#2). Spliced the main brace
in honor of birthday of Captain Percival's daughter. Following
the 30 Apr 1845 [final] entry: "Very well Mr Buckner Percival." Note:
Foremast shortened 3'; mainmast, 5'; and mizzen, 2' prior to cruise in order to
reduce tendency to labor. Boats
mentioned: launch, 2 quarter boats, 1 boat named DECATUR, 1st
cutter, 3rd cutter, gig. Midshipman
Buckner noted that the Professor of Mathematics weighed “220‑odd." The
notes taken here reflect only information not included in other journals from
this cruise included in this database.
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