Personal journal of Captain Arthur Darley, R.N.

Date
1842-01-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Personal journal kept by Captain Arthur Darley of the British Royal Navy aboard the HMS Electra describing his travels throughout Bermuda, the West Indies, Jamaica, Honduras, Colombia, Havana, Belize, and Galveston, Texas, from January 1, 1842 through February 3, 1843.
Description
Arthur Darley commanded the sloop HMS Electra based in the West Indies. He was a captain in the British Royal Navy during the period he was in charge of this sloop. The journal is a personal narrative of his experiences on board and in port, including discussions of his dinner companions and fellow captains of companion HMS ships as well as the flora and fauna of the ports.
Captain Arthur Darley kept this journal on board the HMS Electra while serving in the British Royal Navy in the West Indies and visiting ports in the Gulf of Mexico. He reported weather, latitude, and longitude, however, the journal is a very personal account of official duties, fishing, life aboard ship, and aspects of ports visited including Bermuda, Jamaica, Honduras, Colombia, Havana, Belize, and Galveston, Texas. The journal also recounts court martial trials, of which Captain Darley was a sitting member, and the punishments meted out.
Keywords
Journals (accounts), Captains (military officers), Great Britain. Royal Navy--Officers--History--19th century, Great Britain. Royal Navy--Officers--Diaries
Citation
MSS 097, Item 018, Arthur Darley, Personal journal of Captain Arthur Darley, R.N., Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.