Naval History and Heritage Command

Scope and Content: The diary consists of one volume, handwritten. Southard describes the voyage of the USS Ticonderoga through Africa and Asia. He also records song lyrics, draws US and international signal flags (in color), and records distances traveled and dates of port calls.

Transcription of Albert Southard Diary, Page 1:

Transferred to U.S.S. Ticonderoga Nov. 6^th 1878. Fitted out at Pourtsmouth Navy yard. Left on the 13^th for Norfolk, had to put into Glouester and in coming out ran on the rocks and damaged the keel. Made Hampton Rhodes on 19^th went up to Norfolk and went on the dry dock on the 2^nd of Dec. Came out of dry dock on the 4^th and went down to Hampton Rhodes on the 5^th. Commodore came on board on the 7^th and put to sea in the afternoon of the 7^th. Had a very rough passage, eight days out lost jib and Flying jib boom’s. Tore trysail gaff and Dingy five days on sick list. Arrived off Madeira on the 23^rd of Dec. Run into Tunchanl and anchored on the 24^th. Coaled ship. Distance run 28.00 miles.

This color drawing of a ship appears on the inside back cover of the diary. Albert Southard’s name is written multiple times.

This color drawing labeled “U.S. Naval Code” appears after the end of the narration portion of the diary. It is followed by pages of drawings labeled “Pendants,” “International Code,” and “Caustic signals.” Drawings of flags are numbered 0 through 9, followed by General recall, Guard, Telegraph, Dispatch, and [illegible].

Use and Reproduction Policy: Manuscripts are unavailable for loan and must be consulted in the library. Photocopying of manuscripts is generally prohibited, though the use of digital cameras by researchers to reproduce non-copyrighted materials is permitted.