Overview of the Collection
Biography of George W. Gates
Restrictions
Index Terms
Administrative Information
Indexes
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Repository:
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G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport |
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Creator:
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Gates, George W., 1825-1898. |
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Title:
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George W. Gates Collection |
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Dates:
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1847-1898 |
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Extent:
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ca. 1200 pieces |
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Abstract:
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Correspondence, ships' bills,
discursements, port papers, and other records, from Gates's commands of the ships WILLIAM H.
WHARTON, NATIONAL GUARD, TWILIGHT I, TWILIGHT II, the bark GALVESTON, and
the steamer NEVADA; together with letters written by his wife Julia. |
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Identification:
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Coll.
153 |
George W. Gates, son of Zebadiah and Mercy (Denison) Gates, was born April 13, 1825 in
the Groton, Connecticut. He spent his childhood on the family farm, and at 20 years old chose a sea-faring life. What follows is Capt. Gates'
personal description of his career.
"Left the old homestead September 20th, 1845, proceeded to New York by way of the
Stonington Steam-boat. There I joined the brig MATAMORA as common sailor, under
command of my brother Capt. Gurdon Gates, Isiah D. Bunce chief mate; the first voyage was
from New York to Key West and St. Marks and return to New York - the second voyage was
from New York to Apalachicola and return to New York, where we arrived in the month of
March, 1846. Here I left the brig and came home and worked on the farm for my father until the
following September, 1846, when I again joined the brig MATAMORA, this time under
command of Capt. Isiah D. Bunce, (brother Gurdon being sick and unable to go.) Sailed on a
voyage from New York to Key West and St. Marks. We reached Key West safely, but was there
overtaken by the famous hurricane of October 6, 1846. The brig was dismantled (dismasted?)
and driven ashore after parting one chain. The cargo was taken out of the brig in Lighters, but the
brig was not floating again until the following February 1847, when my brother Gurdon came
from New York with new spars and sails and resumed command of the brig, loading cargo for
New Orleans. From here made a voyage to Galveston and return to New Orleans, (this was my
first time in Galveston.) In New Orleans we took in a load of corn at a rate of freight of thirty
pence or sixty cents per bushel for Bantry Bay on the South-west coast of Ireland, which was an
unusual large freight. This was the year of the great Irish Famine in 1847. Capt. Thomas
Eldredge was in command on this voyage, (my brother Gurdon being sick) Joshua Cameron was
first mate, Geo. W. Gates second mate. After discharging cargo here, took in ballast and sailed
direct for Mystic, where we arrived in the month of August.
The next vessel I sailed in was the bark MONTAUK as second mate, Gurdon Gates
Captain. This vessel was built in Mystic by Irons and Grinnell - sailed in ths vessel three years,
the last year as 1st mate until the summer of 1850, when I joined the ship Wm. H. WHARTON as
1st Officer, Gurdon Gates Captain. This ship was built by S. Gildersleeve & Son on the
Connecticut River; was in this ship two years as mate and five years as Master - altogether seven
years. The last four years continually between Galveston and Liverpool and other European
ports. I left this ship in 1857 to take charge of the new ship NATIONAL GUARD, 1084 tons,
built by S. Gildersleeve & Son on the Connecticut River. Sailed in this ship three years between
Galveston and European ports, when this vessel was sold to the United States Government in
1860, at the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion.
In March, 1862, I took charge of the ship TWILLIGHT NO. 1 made one voyage to San
Francisco and return to New York in February 1863.
In September, 1864 took charge of the NEVADA, built in Mystic, by Maxson Fish & Co.
and owned by Wakeman, Gorking & Dickinson of New York, was in the transport service of the
U.S. Government until the close of the war in April, 1865.
Was in command of the steamer GEORGIA from August, 1865 until March, 1866. Made
two voyages, one to Galveston and one to Mobile. This steamer GEORGIA was a Confederate
Privateer, captured by the U.S. Government in the last year of the war and put under the U.S.
flag, she was built at Dunbarten, on the River Clyde, Scotland.
Was in command of bark GALVESTON, Charles Mallory owner, from October 1866 to
August 1867. Was in command of steamer GENERAL SEDGWICK and steamer EUTERPE
from December, 1867 to Jul 1870, and ran the "Mallory Line" between New York and Galveston
and New Orleans.
In August 1870 took command of ship TWILIGHT No. 2 owned by Charles Mallory &
Sons, was in this ship seven years, until 1877, and sailed from New York to San Francisco and
Liverpool. I left this ship in August, 1877, which ended my sea-faring life."
Capt. George Gates died in Mystic, Connecticut in 1898.
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Restrictions on Access
Available for use in the Manuscripts Division
Restrictions on Use
Various copying restriction apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts
Division. See also: Mystic Seaport's copyright notice.
Return to the Table of Contents
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the G. W. Blunt White Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Persons:
Gates, Julia--Correspondence
Corporate Bodies (Including Vessels):
Galveston (Bark)
National Guard (Ship)
Nevada (Steamer)
Twilight I (Ship)
Twilight II (Ship)
William H. Wharton (Ship)
Subjects:
Shipmasters' spouses--Connecticut--Groton--Correspondence
Shipping
Document Types:
Ship's papers
Occupations:
Shipmasters--Connecticut--Groton
Return to the Table of Contents
Preferred Citation
Coll. 153, Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum,
Inc.
Return to the Table of Contents
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NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about A. Lyons & Co. in Box 1, Folder 11 of the collection.
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A. Lyons & Co. |
1/11 |
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Allen, ? (Commodore) |
1/6 |
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Ashley, George (Capt.) |
1/4 |
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Baring Brothers |
1/4, 1/10 |
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Barkley, Perkins & Company |
1/3 |
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Brand, ? (Capt.) |
1/6, 1/9 |
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Brazos, ? (Capt.) |
1/13 |
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Briggs, ? (Capt.) |
1/10 |
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Brooks Brothers |
1/6 |
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Browne, Latham & Rogers |
1/1 |
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Browne, Shipley Co. |
1/3, 1/4 |
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C.H. Mallory Co. |
1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12 |
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Caspari, Ammon & Co. |
1/11 |
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Crane, Buehlint (Capt.) |
1/4 |
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DeSilva, ? (Artist) |
1/4 |
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E.E. Morgan's Sons |
1/5, 1/8, 1/9 |
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E.J. Hart & Co. |
1/1 |
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Edward Larve & Co. |
1/1 |
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Eldridge, ? (Capt.) |
1/4 |
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Ellis, ? (Capt.) |
1/4 |
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Fish, Horatio |
vol. 5 |
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Frummer, ? (Capt.) |
1/6 |
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Gates, G. Gurdon |
1/6 |
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Gates, Isaac D. |
1/2, vol 5 |
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George A. Fosdick & Co. |
1/5, 1/6 |
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George Wright & Co. |
1/3 |
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Gildersleeve, Henry |
1/3 |
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Gildersleeve, S. |
1/3 |
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Gorden, ? (Capt.) |
1/6 |
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Green, John (Capt.) |
1/13 |
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Grisar & Marsily |
1/4 |
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H. Jump & Sons |
1/11 |
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Hayden, ? (Capt.) |
1/8 |
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Hendley, William |
1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/6 |
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Heneer, Jo (Capt.) |
1/13 |
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Herriman, Warmington & Company |
1/11 |
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Holloway, George E. (Capt.) |
1/10, 1/11 |
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Holmes, Richard (Capt.) |
1/6, 1/13 |
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Horn, ? (Capt.) |
1/6 |
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Howes, ? (Capt.) |
1/13 |
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J.D. Fish Co. |
1/10, 1/11, 1/13, 1/14 |
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J.H. Brower & Co. |
1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 |
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J.S. Dolliver & Co. |
1/6 |
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Jeffrys & Sons |
1/3 |
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Johnson, ? (Capt.) |
1/4, 1/6 |
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Kountz Brothers |
1/9, 1/11 |
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Kustel, ? (Capt.) |
4/12 |
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Lincoln, ? (Capt.) |
1/2 |
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M. Condray & Co. |
1/6 |
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Mallory, B.E. |
1/4 |
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Mallory, George |
1/13 |
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Mallory, Henry R. |
1/8 |
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Morrish, T.R. (Capt.) |
4/11 |
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Muecke, Vietor Co. |
1/11 |
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Nicholson, I.Y. (Capt.) |
1/6 |
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Nottebohm Brothers |
1/1 |
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Oakly, George W. (Capt.) |
1/13 |
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Penington, ? (Capt.) |
1/13 |
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Peter Wright & Sons |
1/3 |
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Prescott Grate & Co. |
1/5 |
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Rathbone & Company |
1/8, 1/10, 1/11 |
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Robert Rogers & Co. |
1/8 |
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Rogers & Caldon |
1/3 |
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Rowland, ? (Capt.) |
1/6 |
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Sawyer, ? (Capt.) |
1/13 |
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Scott & Co. |
1/6 |
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Sleight, John S. |
1/2, 1/5 |
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Smith, ? (Capt.) |
1/3 |
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Spicer, ? (Capt.) |
1/13 |
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Spiner, Joe (Capt.) |
1/16 |
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Tribbles, ? (Capt.) |
1/13 |
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W. Clave & Co. |
1/5 |
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Wainwright Bros. |
1/11 |
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Whitlock & Punnett |
1/1 |
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Woolf, Thomas (Capt.) |
1/13 |
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Zwilchenbart & Co. |
1/2 |
Return to the Table of Contents
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NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about the vessel A.M. SMALL in Box 1, Folder 9 of the collection.
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A.M. SMALL |
1/9 |
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ANNA |
1/12 |
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ASIA |
1/3 |
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BLACK HAWK |
1/4 |
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BRAZOS |
1/8, 1/9, 1/13 |
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BRIDGEPORT |
1/13 |
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CANADA |
1/2 |
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CAVELTOR |
1/12 |
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CHALLENGER |
1/15 |
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CITY OF DALLAS |
1/13 |
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CITY OF WACO |
1/13 |
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COLD STREAM |
1/8 |
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CORNELIA |
1/15 |
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CREMORNE |
1/6, 1/8 |
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DAUNTLESS |
1/10 |
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ELWELL |
1/12 |
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EUTERPE |
1/13, 2/8 |
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FEARLESS |
vol. 3 |
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FOUTANA BOUND |
1/10 |
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GALVESTON |
1/13, 2/7, 4/11 |
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GENERAL McCALLUM |
1/9 |
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GILDERSLEEVE |
1/4 |
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GOVERNOR MORTON |
1/10 |
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HARVESTOR |
4/12 |
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HENRY REED |
1/10 |
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HIGHLAND LIGHT |
1/12 |
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HUMBOLDT |
1/12 |
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J.W. CLIDE |
1/13 |
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JEREMIAH THOMPSON |
1/11, 1/12 |
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METROPOLIS |
1/13 |
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NATIONAL GUARD |
1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 2/5 |
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NORTHERN LIGHT |
1/11, 1/13 |
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OCCIDENTAL |
1/12 |
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P. ROWLAND |
1/13 |
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P.N. BLANCHARD |
1/12 |
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REAPER |
1/12 |
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S.H. KUHN |
1/4 |
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SABINE |
1/8, 1/13 |
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SALT SPRINGS |
3/1 |
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SARAH |
3/1 |
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SEMINOLE |
1/6 |
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SILAS FISH |
1/13 |
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SMULL |
1/11, 1/13 |
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SON OF THE SEAS |
1/6 |
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SONORA |
2/6 |
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SUWELL |
1/8 |
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TRAVIS |
1/3, 1/4 |
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TRIUMPHANT |
4/14 |
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TWILIGHT |
1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12, 1/13, 1/15, 2/6, 3/1, 3/2, 3/3, 3/4, 3/5, 3/6, 3/7, 3/8, 3/9, 3/10, 4, 4/1, 4/2, 4/3, 4/4, 4/5, 4/11, 4/18, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, vol 3 |
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VANOLINDA |
3/1 |
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VICTOR |
1/5 |
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VIDOR |
1/10 |
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WILLIAM H. WHARTON |
1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 4/11, vol 1 |
Return to the Table of Contents
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The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
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Correspondence; 1853-1880
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Box
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Folder
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1 |
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Correspondence; 1853-1854 |
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2 |
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Correspondence; 1855-1857 |
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3 |
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Correspondence; 1858 |
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4 |
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Correspondence; 1859-1862 |
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5 |
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Correspondence; 1870 |
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6 |
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Correspondence; 1871 |
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7 |
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Correspondence; 1872 |
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8 |
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Correspondence; 1873 |
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9 |
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Correspondence; 1874 |
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10 |
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Correspondence; 1875 |
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11 |
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Correspondence; 1876 |
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12 |
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Correspondence; 1877 |
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13 |
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Correspondence between George W. and brother Gurdon Gates; 1861-1877 |
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14 |
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Letters and payments received from J. D. Fish; 1863-1880 |
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15 |
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Correspondence, unidentified; undated |
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Ship disbursements, documentation, bills, etc., and Capt. Gates accounts at various ports; 1853-1869
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Box
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Folder
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| 2 |
1 |
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Ship WILLIAM H. WHARTON; Galveston, Antwerp, New Orleans, and Havre; 1853-1869 |
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2 |
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Ship WILLIAM H. WHARTON; Galveston and Liverpool; 1855 |
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3 |
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Ship WILLIAM H. WHARTON; Galveston and Liverpool; 1856 |
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4 |
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Ship WILLIAM H. WHARTON; Liverpool, Galveston, New York; 1857 Feb-Jul |
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5 |
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Ship NATIONAL GUARD; Liverpool, Galveston; 1858 Jun-1860 Aug |
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6 |
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Ship TWILLIGHT (1st); New York, San Francisco; 1862 Mar-Oct |
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7 |
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Bark GALVESTON; New York, Nassau, Galveston; 1866 Nov-1867 Mar |
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8 |
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Steamer EUTERPE; New York, Key West, Galveston; 1868 Apr-1869 Mar |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2nd); documentation, disbursements, bills, etc., and Capt. Gates account at various ports; 1870-1877
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Box
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Folder
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| 3 |
1 |
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Ship TWILIGHT and Capt. Gates, New York and Bristol; 1870 |
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2 |
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Ship TWILIGHT and Capt. Gates, New Orleans, Liverpool, and New York; 1871 Jan-Jul |
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3 |
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Ship TWILIGHT and Capt. Gates, San Francisco, Calcutta; 1872 Jan-Jun |
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4 |
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Ship TWILIGHT and Capt. Gates, San Francisco; 1873 May-Jun |
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5 |
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Ship TWILIGHT and Capt. Gates, Liverpool; 1873 Nov |
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6 |
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Ship TWILIGHT and Capt. Gates, San Francisco; 1874 Jul-Nov |
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7 |
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Ship TWILIGHT and Capt. Gates, Liverpool; 1875 Mar-Apr |
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8 |
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Ship TWILIGHT and Capt. Gates, San Francisco; 1875 Dec-1876 Jan |
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9 |
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Ship TWILIGHT and Capt. Gates, Liverpool; 1876 May-Jul |
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10 |
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Ship TWILIGHT and Capt. Gates, San Francisco; 1876 Dec-1877 Jul |
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Miscellaneous material relative to Ship TWILIGHT and to Capt. G. W. Gates; 185-1877
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Box
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Folder
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| 4 |
1 |
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Ship TWILIGHT, registration certificate, San Francisco; 1868 Dec 9 |
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2 |
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Ship TWILIGHT, cargo receipts; 1870 |
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3 |
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Ship TWILIGHT, chandlery order blanks; 1874-1875 |
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4 |
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Ship TWILIGHT, sailing card; undated |
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5 |
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Ship TWILIGHT, Capt. Gates bills for voyages 3-5; ca. 1872-1876 |
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6 |
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Capt. Gates, miscellaneous bills; 1858, 1864, 1869 Nov-Dec |
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7 |
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"The American Emigrant Passenger Law," pamplet; 1855 |
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8 |
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"Suggestions to Masters of Vessels and List of Agents for Vessels and Cargoes in Distress," booklet; 1868 |
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9 |
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Freight/record booklet; ca. 1870 |
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10 |
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Harbor Laws and Regulations of the Port of San Francisco, booklet; 1874 |
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11 |
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Charter Parities; 1854-1877 |
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12 |
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"Sailing Directions for finding Rosa Island, Gulf of California, as given by Capt. Kustel of the Sch. HARVESTER; undated |
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13 |
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Abstract log, unidenified ship, New York to San Francisco; undated |
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14 |
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Abstract log, Ship TRIUMPHANT, New York to San Francisco; undated |
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15 |
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Ship store list, Clark, Scott & Co., San Francisco, booklet; undated |
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16 |
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Nautical Almanac; 1864-1874 |
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17 |
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Business cards; undated |
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18 |
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Unindentified bills, receipts, brochures, pamphlets, accounts, etc.; undated |
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Envelopes; ca. 1853-1880
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Box
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Folder
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| 5 |
1 |
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Envelopes; undated |
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2 |
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Envelopes; undated |
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3 |
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Envelopes; undated |
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4 |
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Envelopes for ship's papers; undated |
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5 |
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Envelopes for ship's papers; undated |
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Volumes; 1857-1877
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Volume
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| 1 |
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Journal Ship WILLIAM H. WHARTON; 1857 Jan-Jun |
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Volume
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| 2 |
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Journal, unidentified vessel; 1861 Jan-May |
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Volume
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| 3 |
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Journal, Ship TWILIGHT (1); 1862 Mar-Nov |
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Volume
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| 4 |
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Journal, Ship TWILIGHT (2); 1877 Mar-Jun |
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Volume
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| 5 |
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Capt. G. W. Gates, personal account book/record book; 1862-1869 |
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Volume
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| 6 |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2); crew account book; 1870-1872 |
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Volume
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| 7 |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2); Capt. Gates "Slop Book"; ca. 1872-1877 |
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Volume
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| 8 |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2); "accounts from San Francisco at Liverpool"; 1875-1877 |
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Volume
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| 9 |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2); Cargo book; ca. 1870 |
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Volume
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| 10 |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2); Cargo book; 1870 Aug |
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Volume
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| 11 |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2); Cargo book; 1870 Aug |
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Volume
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| 12 |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2); Cargo book; (ca 1871) Apr |
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Volume
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| 13 |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2); "Measurement book"; 1872 May |
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Volume
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| 14 |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2); Cargo book; 1873 May-Jun |
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Volume
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| 15 |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2); Cargo book; ca. 1876 |
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Volume
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| 16 |
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Ship TWILIGHT (2); "Weight book" (cargo); 1876 Jun |
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Volume
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| 17 |
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Capt. G. W. Gates, receipt book, Liverpool; 1876 Jun-Jul |
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Volume
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| 18 |
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Unidentifed volume of computations; undated |
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