Journal kept by Dr. Francis M. Gunnell (1827-1922), with some accounts, 1850/1858

Containers:

Box 2, Folder 1

Extent:

1 folder(s)

Scope and content:

This private journal kept by Francis M. Gunnell, M.D., U.S. Navy, whose appointment was dated March 23, 1849, describes a cruise in the sloop of war "U.S.S. Falmouth." The crew began sailing for the Pacific on May 16, 1849, where the "Falmouth" was charged with protecting the new American settlements on the west coast. The ship also voyaged to various Pacific islands before returning to Norfolk on January 29, 1852. This account of the cruise occupies pages 1-72 of the volume. The second portion of the journal, pages 74-111, describe Gunnell's cruise aboard the U.S.S. Independence and appears to be written totally in French.

According to Wikipedia, the Independence "was recommissioned in September 1854 and departed New York on 10 October to serve as flagship of the Pacific Squadron under Commodore William Mervine. She arrived Valparaíso, Chile, on 2 February 1855. Her cruising grounds ranged northward to San Francisco and west to Hawaii. Proceeding from Panama Bay, she entered the Mare Island Navy Yard on 2 October 1857." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Independence_(1814)

Language:

French

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