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 USS Vicksburg
This post covers a log page from 1897.
5 December 1896-28 March 1946
Three wars, diplomatic work, training staff, Coast Guard
50 years of service to her country
(http://imageshack.us/a/img22/6833/picture1is.jpg)
(The Vicksburg 1898)
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: Vicksburg -- Discussion: Questions and Comments (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3344.0)
Comments on the log:
- This is a fairly standard log format.
- Beautiful, clear writing style.
- 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)
- 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://naval-history.net/OW-US/Vicksburg/USS_Vicksburg.htm
- "a complete barkentine rig that could spread more than 11,000 square feet of canvas"
http://navalwarfare.blogspot.fr/2009/07/uss-vicksburg-pg-11.html - http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-v/pg11.htm
- http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/09011.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Vicksburg_%28PG-11%29
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/final/USS%20Vicksburg/vol003of023_jpg_clean/vol003of023_025_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 in the weather entry box, 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.
Location | Place Name | Name = Moored alongside sea-wall, Navy Yard, Portsmouth. N.H.
| Hour | | Wind Dir | | Force | | Bar Height | | Ther Attached | | Dry | | Wet | | Water | | Weather Code | | Cloud code | | Clear Sky | |
| 1 | WNW | 4 | 29.94 | 62 | 68 | 67 | | b | None | 10 |
| 2 | " | 4 | 29.94 | 62 | 68 | 67 | | " | " | 10 |
| 3 | WbyN | 3 | 29.92 | 63 | 65 | 64 | | " | " | 10 |
| 4 | " | 3 | 29.92 | 63 | 59 | 59 | | " | " | 10 |
| 5 | " | 3 | 29.92 | 63 | 71 | 60 | | " | " | 10 |
| 6 | WNW | 3 | 29.94 | 66 | 69 | 58 | | bc | Nim | 9 |
| 7 | W | 2 | 29.96 | 65 | 68 | 57 | | " | Cir.Cum.Str | 8 |
| 8 | WNW | 2 | 29.96 | 64 | 64 | 55 | | " | " | 6 |
| 9 | NW | 5-6 | 29.94 | 61 | 55 | 48 | | bcq | " | 6 |
| 10 | WNW | 4-6 | 29.94 | 62 | 65 | 54 | | " | " | 8 |
| 11 | " | 4-6 | 29.94 | 62 | 65 | 54 | | " | " | 8 |
| 12 | " | 4-6 | 29.94 | 64 | 65 | 54 | | " | " | 7 |
| Hour | | Wind Dir | | Force | | Bar Height | | Ther Attached | | Dry | | Wet | | Water | | Weather Code | | Cloud code | | Clear Sky | |
| 1 | NW | 4-6 | 29.94 | 67 | 65 | 54 | | bcq | Cir.Cum.Str | 7 |
| 2 | " | 4-6 | 29.94 | 64 | 58 | 49 | | " | " | 7 |
| 3 | " | 4-6 | 29.94 | 64 | 58 | 49 | | " | " | 7 |
| 4 | " | 4-6 | 29.94 | 66 | 60 | 50 | | " | " | 7 |
| 5 | " | 4-6 | 29.94 | 66 | 60 | 50 | | " | " | 7 |
| 6 | " | 3-5 | 29.98 | 72 | 61 | 56 | | bq | None | 10 |
| 7 | " | 4-5 | 29.97 | 72 | 59 | 56 | | " | " | 10 |
| 8 | " | 4-5 | 29.97 | 72 | 59 | 56 | | " | " | 10 |
| 9 | " | 4-5 | 30.00 | 65 | 61 | 52 | | " | " | 10 |
| 10 | " | 4-5 | 30.00 | 65 | 65 | 54 | | " | " | 10 |
| 11 | " | 4-5 | 30.00 | 65 | 65 | 55 | | " | " | 10 |
| 12 | " | 4-5 | 30.00 | 65 | 65 | 55 | | " | " | 10 |
Notes for transcribers:
- No
entries are given in the log for 'Water'. This is often the case while
in port. The number of water temperature measurements varies greatly
from ship to ship.
- Cloud forms are sometimes named in full, for
example 'Nimbus' at 6.00am. Nonetheless, you can use Nim from the
drop-down menu. If a cloud form is not shown in the drop-down menu,
enter what is in the log.
- When the sky is blue with no clouds the cloud code is noted as 'None'.
- 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/final/USS%20Vicksburg/vol003of023_jpg_clean/vol003of023_025_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.
Commander A.B.H. Lillie,
Sunday November 7'th, 1897
Commences and until 4 A.M.
Clear and pleasant. Moderate breeze from W.N.W. Ship swinging in different directions
to eddies of the tide.
Charles
E. Frox.
Lieutenant,
U.S. Navy.
From 4 to 8 A.M.
Clear and pleasant. Moderate breeze from W.N.W. Ship swinging to eddies of the tide.
Charles
E. Frox
Lieutenant,
U.S. Navy.
From 8 A.M. to Meridian.
Clear and pleasant, with moderate fresh breeze in squalls from N.W. and W.N.W. At 9.30
went to quarters for inspection. After which got underway and started hauling in to Navy Yard sea-wall.
In heaving up anchors, hove up two old moorings. At end of watch, cleaning anchors and hauling
in alongside sea-wall.
Henry
H. Hough.
Ensign,
U.S. Navy.
From Meridian to 4 P.M.
Clear and pleasant with moderate to fresh breeze in squalls from N.W. Breasted ship
in alongside sea-wall and secured with bow and stern chains, and bow and quarter
breasts and springs.
Henry
H. Hough.
Ensign,
U.S. Navy.
From 4 to 8 P.M.
Clear and pleasant, with moderate to stiff breeze from N.W. blowing in squalls.
Henry
H. Hough.
Ensign,
U.S. Navy.
From 8 P.M. to Midnight
Clear and pleasant. Bright starlight. Moderate to fresh breeze from N.W. in squalls.
Henry
H. Hough.
Ensign,
U.S. Navy.
Henry H. Hough
Ensign, U.S.Navy.
Notes for transcribers:
- The date should be transcribed. Date = 07/11/1897.
- With
the exception of the date, entering any or all of the information on
this page is optional. Note: When transcribing descriptions or context,
please do not edit what is written in the log. It is OK to transcribe
only a small segment of the text if the log entry is long
- Watch out for capital 'U's which sometimes look like 'Al' due to the leading loop.
(http://i.imgur.com/7GQy9MO.png)
Log keeper's quirks:
- None noted from a single page example of a log book.
Other information and comments:
- Other names for this ship:
- Gunboat No.11
- USCGC Alexander Hamilton (WIX 272)
- USCGC Beta (WIX 272)
- Commanding Officers:
- CDR A. B. H. Lillie; Command from 23 October 1897; USN; Retired as Rear Admiral
- CDR Edward Buttevant Barry; Command from 15 May 1900; USN - USNA Class of 1869; Retired as Rear Admiral
- CDR Alexander Seaman Halstead; Command from 17 May 1909; USN; Retired as Rear Admiral
- BMC Frederick R. Hazard; Command from 1915; USN