The log book of a vessel recorded the daily events on board as well as the ship's course, wind direction, weather conditions etc. Apart from the official log, many captains, mates and seamen kept their own private logs and diaries. It is from these papers that we get a description of life on board ships and accounts of accidents, fights, dismastings and shipwrecks.
This is a page from the log book of the Village Belle, a brigantine of 177 tons built by Robert Chapman at Rockland, N.B. in 1860. On this voyage the master was George Buck and the log was kept by James Robson.
The vessel left Saint John, N.B. on Christmas Day, 1860 bound for Cuba loaded with lumber. It arrived at Cienfuegos on Wednesday, 16 January, 1861 and began discharging the cargo. This page reads:
Brigtn Village Belle laying in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Sunday 27th January 1861. Throughout the first and middle parts light winds and clear the latter part Thunder with heavy rain no duty done being Sunday Wind North The first and middle part discharging allast got all out an cleared up the hold the latter part got the Derrick up the Cook on shore all night with out liberty Came on board drunk and gave the Captain a good deal of Saucey language when Spooke too the cook ashore again without liberty.
The vessel was condemned at Saint Thomas, 14 February, 1872 and afterwards sold and burnt.
