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"A Medium in Which I Seek Relief": Manuscripts of American Sailors 1919-1940

Thomas Caldwell Diary, 1925

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Newport Log Book Example This passage from the log book of the Schoolship Newport is from January 1, 1925, when it was docked at Bedloe's Island- home of the Statue of Liberty, and now known as Liberty Island. Even as a more sensational than usual entry, its tone is still as dry as a police report:
6.00 a.m. - Quartermaster W.G. O'Grady, making hourly rounds, noticed light in Second Machinist John D. Cameron's room. On investigation, O'Grady found Cameron clothed in working clothes, lying on the deck face down and head underneath bunk. Two bottles of alcoholic contents, labeled “McDonald's Scotch whiskey”, each about half empty, were found on the chair. O'Grady turned the body on its back, and noticing no breathing, called the officer of the Deck, Mr. S.B. Wetmore, and the Surgeon, Dr. S.F. Kelley. Dr. Kelley examined the body at once in presence of O'Grady, the Master-at-Arms J.J. O'Brien, and Mr. Wetmore; pronounced him dead, probable cause acute alcoholism; and stated him dead about an hour. Body was placed in sick bay and two bottles of liquor seized for safekeeping and evidence. No other suspicious evidence found. Machinist Cameron was last seen shortly after 3 a.m. by Oiler-Watertender S. Sonneburn on watch in the fire room. Cameron's father was notified by telegraph at 7 Park Avenue, Mount Vernon, N.Y., at 6:30 a.m. (Western Union operator 51). The following were notified by telephone: Lt. Davidson, N.Y.C. police, Marine Dept. Station 71. Comdr. J.H. Boesch, acting commanding officer, at this home. Lt. C.E. Davidson, chief engineer, at this home. Knights of Pythias Lodge, Yonkers, of which Cameron was a member.
The log continues with its everyday descriptions of breezes and skies, daily drills and activities. On January 3rd, J. Cox comes aboard as the new machinist. Cameron vanishes from the pages, his body removed and his labor replaced. "But what was it like to find the body? Was he well-liked on the ship? Was a funeral held?" I screamed these questions in my head, wishing I could learn more about how this event affected the crew.

The Maritime Archives in fact contains the papers of a cadet, Thomas Caldwell, who kept a diary while on the Newport that same year. His journal starts on January 14, 1925 - perhaps the cadets were not yet on board on January 1st - and there is no mention of Cameron. Still, how interesting would it be to compare these two artifacts side-by-side, to use Caldwell's personal account to read between the lines of the official log? This would make for a fascinating digital scholarship project of its own, and remains an avenue of inquiry I'd love to pursue in the future.