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Auction: 18038 - Autographs, Historical Documents, Ephemera and Postal History
Lot: 3048

Autographs
Logbook of H.M.S. 'Syren'
1749 (30 August) - 1850 (30 November) handwritten logbook in a modern binding, half calf and corners, 230 x 340 mm, 80 pages; the first page reads "Syren's Journal 2nd Part".

The logbook begins at the post of Madras, where the 'Syren' was moored. This continues with patrols through different ports of India and nearby waters, including Pondicherry, Bombay and Surattan, onto the Congo and Gabon, then back to Bombay. On 10 February 1750 enemy ships are spotted, the 'Syren' attempts to chase them, but they eventually escape.

The log was compiled by Michael Clements, later rear-admiral. At this time he was not a captain but was a ship officer, so was expected to keep the log. It is believed that part 1 of this log is now held in the National Maritime Museum. Photo

HMS Syren was a sixth-rate post ship of the British Royal Navy, in commission between 1745 and 1763, seeing action during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. Matthew King was appointed to her in October 1747, and in August 1748, she sailed for the East Indies. Captain King died there in June 1749, and command was assumed by William Mantell. Siren remained in the East Indies until 1751 She returned to England, and was paid off in July 1752


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Estimate
£700 to £800