JAMES CARY’S LOGBOOK OF THE BARQUE FORTUNE, circa 1829. The Fortune sailed during the years 1829-1837 under Masters C.P. Swain & P.C. Brock from Plymouth & Holmes Hole (Vineyard Haven). Travels in the Pacific, the Japan Grounds, the Sandwich Islands and offshore whaling grounds are mentioned extensively in the logbook. Daily life on a whaleship is revealed on every page, from repairing sails to stops at the “Peak of Pico” or “Barrabears Island.” The logbook is a rare find with hand drawn illustrations of whales, whale’s tails, a whaleship, blackfish, a school of whales, anchors and a breaching whale. The last seven pages contain the logbook of the ship Margaret from the Cape of Good Hope, 1837.

WILLIAM SWAIN (1803-1847) PORTRAIT OF JAMES S. CARY II (1807-1853) oil on canvas in its original condition. 26 ½ in. x 22 ½ in.
James Cary died at an early age leaving his wife Margaret with three young children, Lydia, Ellen, George and one unborn, James. He was mate on a whaling ship and upon arrival in New York suffering with typhoid fever was taken to the hospital by a seaman from the ship. This seaman was evidently rather weak-minded person as he did not wait to tell the hospital authorities who it was that he had brought in. James Cary died without the hospital knowing who he was, and was buried in Potter’s Field. James Cary’s father was Captain of the ship Rose.