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EDITOR'S PREFACE

MONG the early missionaries of the A. B. C. F. M. none was better known than Rev. S. C. Damon (or "Father Damon," as he was commonly called). He was Seamen's Chaplain at Honolulu for many years, as well as Editor of The Friend newspaper, devoted largely to temperance and the welfare of seamen.

In 1849 he made a journey from the Island to Oregon and Northern California, the record of which was first published in his paper and then in book form, with the title of "Thirty Leaves from Our Log-Book."

This is now extremely scarce, a copy recently selling at $130, and is one of the most important California items, unknown to Sabin, Smith, and all bibliographers except Cowan. It contains much of interest on the early history of the Pacific Coast, and our readers will find it very valuable. Our copy is made from those owned by Harvard and the Library of Congress.

THIRTY LEAVES SELECTED FROM "OUR LOG BOOK."

BY SAMUEL C. DAMON,

SEAMEN'S CHAPLAIN

HONOLULU, OAHU, H. I.

PRINTED AT THE POLYNESIAN OFFICE

1849

TARRYTOWN, N. Y.

REPRINTED

WILLIAM ABBATT

1923

A TRIP FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS TO LOWER
OREGON AND UPPER CALIFORNIA

Leaves selected from "Our Log Book."

I. PASSAGE TO COLUMBIA RIVER

Tuesday, April 17th.* The order was given to "cast off," which was followed by that to "go ahead" with the steam, and the Massachusetts quietly glided out of Honolulu harbor. Soon the pilot bid us adieu and I felt that I was for some months severed from scenes and persons endeared by many pleasant associations. At sundown we had reached that region of calms off the S. W. part of the Island of Oahu, but fancying that we should be favored with wind, the steam was allowed to escape, and we found the vessel becalmed. During the evening some of the officers assemble in the "Ladies' Cabin." One reads the "News," another the "Polynesian," a third 'Jarves' History," and a fourth "Wyllie's Notes." Another group assemble in the after cabin to listen to the sound of the violin. Everything is very quiet. Not a sailor or soldier deserted at Honolulu.

All day yesterday, (the 18th), it was quite calm, and the vessel made but little progress. Towards evening Capt. Wood gave the order to "fire up," and during the night we ran at the rate of six knots. This morning the summits of the mountains and hills of Oahu are scarcely to be discerned in the distance. By the aid of steam and sails we are rapidly urged on our course. I am surprised to perceive how retired a passenger can be, on board a vessel with two hundred shipmates. As for sea-sickness I have escaped in a manner far short of my fears.

In conversation with Capt. Wood I learned that he was a class

*1849