IOR/L/MAR/B/662C

Journal of the voyage of the East India Company ship Monmouth from England to Mocha and Bombay, and back (Captain James Montgomery), 30 September 1731-7 November 1733 (dates given are for arrival unless otherwise indicated): left the Downs, 30 November 1731; 8 March 1732 Cape of Good Hope; 19 May 1732, Mocha; 4 September 1732, Bombay; 29 October 1732, Coachin [Cochin, Kochi]; 10 December 1732, Gomberoon [Gombroon, Bandar Abbas]; 27 January 1733, Bombay; 22 February 1733, Tillicherey [Tellicherry, Thalassery]; 5 March 1733, Anjanga [Anjengo, Anchuthengo]; 23 June 1733, St Hellena [St Helena]; 22 October 1733, Deptford.

Inscribed: 'A Journal Book Kept By me James Montgomery Commander of the Good Ship Monmouth Commencing The 29 of September 1731 being the Day Establish'd Commander and Bound to Mocha and now Lying In Capt. Thomas Brundons Dry Dock', and (in a different hand), 'This is my Origanall Jurnall, J. Mt.gomery' (folio 1).

Marked: 'Recd. [Received] 9 Novr. [November] 1733' (folio 1).

The journal contains daily entries in eight columns: [date and navigational details]; H [Hour]; K [Knots]; F [Fathoms]; Courses; Winds; Weather, and Remarkable Accidents [events]. A further column recording Depth or Soundings is also used occasionally. When the ship is at anchor entries appear in three columns: weekdays and months; winds; and remarks (the column headings are variously rendered). Symbols are occasionally used for the days of the week.

The journal records: navigational information; weather; sea conditions; the ballasting, supplying, and provisioning of the ship; the maintenance of the ship; transport of Company officers and soldiers; details of the other ships with which the Monmouth sailed in convoy; contact with other British ships; sightings of country ships and other vessels; occasional remarks on encounters with birds, fish, and other marine animals; commodities carried (e.g. timber for Bandar Abbas, and pepper); private trade; deaths of crewmembers; and general remarks.

The journal also includes: a punishment for theft (folio 25); a 'dismall' account of deaths aboard a Dutch ship (folio 34); a report of the death of the Captain's son (folio 52); and details of cargo unloaded at Erith and Deptford (folios 150-152).