If you want to look at similar pages for other ships go to: * * * Index - Use this to find your Ship * * * (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3210.msg52142#msg52142)
Welcome on board the USRC Rush (II)
This post covers a log page from 1890.
The
first USRC Richard Rush, named for the eighth Secretary of the
Treasury, Richard Rush, was built in 1831. In 1884, a new USRC Richard
Rush was built, and though much bigger than the original, she did use
the first USRC Rush's engine. Commissioned in 1885, USRC Rush (II)
served in the Pacific until 1912, when she was decommissioned. When the
Coast Guard was created, Richard was dropped from the ship's name. She was sold for scrap in 1913.
(http://www.uscg.mil/history/img/RichardRush1885.jpg)
Have a look around the forum, and don't hesitate to pose questions! There are lots of people who would be happy to respond. Each time you join a new ship have a look for one of these pages.
Feel free to add your own questions and comments to: Rush -- Discussion: Questions and Comments (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3306.msg53567#msg53567)
Comments on the log:
- This is a fairly standard log format.
- The handwriting is fairly easy to read.
- Note
that the date in the log is in US order (month, day, year) and on the
Date tab the order is day, month, year following the Royal Navy format.
- The
noon latitude and longitude readings may appear to be decimal. However
the 'decimal point' is actually a degree sign. See example under
'Location' in Type What You See - Yes, but ...
(http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3191.msg51629#msg51629)
- Note
that on the RN ships we encouraged transcribers to record the names of
people, places, and ships mentioned in the log. Now that we are in the
Arctic, there are some new items that are of interest. The scientists
would appreciate your recording sightings of sea ice on the 'Sea Ice'
tab and sightings of animals on the 'Animals' tab. The historians would
appreciate your recording refueling on the 'Refueling' tab.
Links to helpful transcribing information:
- Guides for US logs (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3078.msg49657#msg49657)
- Type What You See - Yes, but ... (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3191.msg51625#msg51625)
- HELPFUL REFERENCE POSTS (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3301.0)
- Officers List for the US Revenue Cutter Service 1790-1912 (http://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/USRCSHistoricalRegister.pdf)
- Handwriting Help (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=8.0)
- What Does THAT mean? (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=9.0)
- Technical Support (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=14.0)
Links to further info about the ship:
- http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-USCGShipsList.htm#rush2
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USRC_Rush_%281885%29
- http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/USRC_Photo_Index.asp
- http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2010/05/history-sea-language-washes-ashore-or-why-beat-the-rush/
A fellow transcriber (wendolk) has created a database to help both transcribers and historians (and contributors are welcome):
Searchable Database (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=2872.msg44227#msg44227)
Weather Page:
Example: http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/USS%20Rush/Rush_1890/IMG_1597_0.jpg
The
written details are transcribed as follows, though the page you are
working on will not display a grid in this way. Note that the data in
some columns is not transcribed and that some logs do not have all the
columns included on the Weather Observation tab, so, before clicking OK,
check that your data is in the correct fields. It is more important to
be accurate than to be fast. Only transcribe what is written. Ask on the
forum for handwriting help if unsure.
| Hour | | Wind Dir | | Force | | Bar Height | | Ther Attached | | Dry | | Wet | | Water | | Weather Code | | Cloud Code | | Clear Sky | |
| 1 | SWxS | 2 | | | | | | orf | - | 0 |
| 2 | " | 2 | | | | | | " | - | 0 |
| 3 | WxS | 2 | | | | | | " | - | 0 |
| 4 | " | 2 | 29.60 | | 54 | 54 | 52 | " | - | 0 |
| 5 | WxS | 1 | | | | | | orf | - | 0 |
| 6 | " | 1 | | | | | | " | - | 0 |
| 7 | " | 1 | | | | | | " | - | 0 |
| 8 | " | 1 | 29.62 | | 56 | 55 | 50 | " | - | 0 |
| 9 | WxS | 2 | | | | | | orf | - | 0 |
| 10 | " | 2 | | | | | | " | - | 0 |
| 11 | NW | 2 | | | | | | " | - | 0 |
| Noon | " | 2 | 29.72 | | 63 | 53 | 52 | " | - | 0 |
Location | Dead Reckoning | Latitude = 50 43 N | Longitude = 137 15 W
| Hour | | Wind Dir | | Force | | Bar Height | | Ther Attached | | Dry | | Wet | | Water | | Weather Code | | Cloud Code | | Clear Sky | |
| 1 | NW | 2 | | | | | | of | - | 0 |
| 2 | " | 2 | | | | | | " | - | 0 |
| 3 | " | 2 | | | | | | " | - | 0 |
| 4 | " | 2 | 29.80 | | 52 | 55 | 55 | " | - | 0 |
| 5 | NW | 2 | | | | | | of | - | 0 |
| 6 | " | 2 | | | | | | " | - | 0 |
| 7 | " | 2 | | | | | | " | - | 0 |
| 8 | " | 2 | 29.86 | | 55 | 55 | 55 | " | - | 0 |
| 9 | WNW | 3 | | | | | | ocf | Cum-Nim | 0 |
| 10 | " | 3 | | | | | | " | " | 0 |
| 11 | " | 3 | | | | | | " | " | 0 |
| Mid. | " | 3 | 29.90 | | 50 | 50 | 49 | " | " | 0 |
Notes for transcribers:
- Atypically,
the log keeper enters the location text at the top of the Record of the
Miscellaneous Events of the Day page rather than at the top of the
Weather page. The location text should be entered where it appears on
the second page (the events page). For this reason, the 'Progress Bar',
just above the image of the log page, will be out of sequence and should
be ignored.
- There is no reading for Ther Attached (most likely
this indicates that an aneroid barometer is being used). Be careful not
to enter the Air Dry Bulb entry in this column.
- There is no
field on the page specifically for refueling. If the amount of coal
received is mentioned, the data should go on the Refueling tab. There
may be entries for 'Coal consumed' and 'Coal remaining', but there is no
need to enter these numbers unless they interest you (in which case
they would go on the Events tab).
Record of the Miscellaneous Events of the Day:
Example: http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/USS%20Rush/Rush_1890/IMG_1597_1.jpg
(http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/USS%20Rush/Rush_1890/IMG_1597_1.jpg)
This
page has been completely transcribed below to help new transcribers
become familiar with both the writing and the language used. Nobody is
expected to transcribe all the text! Following it are some comments
about transcribing the page.
Captain W.C. Coulson
At Sea, Saturday, July 5th 1890
Com's to 4 AM - Light SWxS to WxS breeze and thick rainy weather.
Sea smooth. At 2 took in all sail. pl 52.3. Vessel under steam. Course W 3/4 S.
PL 69.5.
Horace B. West, 2nd Lieut.
4 to 8 AM - Light WxS airs overcast and thick rainy weather. Course W 3/4 S.
Sea smooth. Morning duties performed. Vessel under steam. PL 3.5.
D.H. Jarvis, 2nd Lieut.
8 AM to merid. - Light WxS breeze to NW and thick rainy weather. Sea
smooth. Course W 3/4 S. At 10.40 set fore and aft sail except mainsail
PL 28.3 - At 11 Course WxS 1/4 S - pl 28.8 - At 12 - Course W 3/4 S. Vessel under
steam and all fore and aft sail except mainsail. PL 37.3.
AJ Henderson, 3rd Lieut.
Merid. to 4 PM - Light NW breeze and overcast. Sea smooth. Thick fog at
intervals. Course W 3/4 S. Vessel under steam and all fore and aft sail
except mainsail. PL 73.
Horace B. West, 2nd Lieut.
4 to 6 PM - Light NW breeze overcast and foggy. Sea smooth. Course
W 3/4 S. Vessel under steam and all fore and aft sail except
mainsail. PL 91.
D.H. Jarvis, 2nd Lieut.
6 to 8 PM - Light NW breeze overcast and foggy. Sea smooth. Course W 3/4 S.
Vessel under steam and all fore and aft sail except mainsail. PL 11.
AJ Henderson,
3rd Lieut.
8 PM to mid - Gentle WNW breeze and overcast with thick fog at
intervals. Moderate sea. At 11 took in all sail. pl 13. Course W 3/4 S
PL 44.5.
Horace B. West, 2nd Lieut.
Approved for the week.
Wash.
C. Coulson
Horace B. West, 2nd Lieut.
Captain USRM
Notes for transcribers:
- The date should be transcribed. Date = 5/07/1890.
- With the exception of the date, entering any or all of the information on this page is optional.
Log keeper's quirks:
- PL refers to the Patent Log.
Other information and comments:
A list of officers:
- Washington C. Coulson, Captain
- Horace B. West, 2nd Lieut.
- D. H. Jarvis, 2nd Lieut.
- A. J. Henderson, 3rd Lieut.