‘A Journall kepte by me Archebell Jennison my firste voyadge to the East Indies in the London with captaine Andrew Shillinge, mrBlithe in the Harte vise admirall, mrSwann in the Rooebucke rear admiral, and MrBrowne in the Eagell, wthfleete I beseech the Allmighty God to prosper wtha good voyage, a happy and successull retourne to his glory. Amen.’

Content

This volume consists of journal (log book) kept by Archibald Jennison. The journal entries are dated 25 March 1620 to 13 June 1622.

The entries record the East India Company ship London sailing from the Downs on 25 March 1620, and then record the ship’s arrival at the following places: Saldaniya [Saldanha] (24 June 1620), Swally [Suvali, near Surat] (9 November 1620), and Jasquis [Jask] (19 December 1620).

Jennison records the London’s arrival at Swally on 3 February 1620 [New Style date 3 February 1621], before stating that he left the London and went to be Captain of the Garde (a Portuguese prize ship) from 18 March 1620 [New Style date 18 March 1621] until 5 April 1621, after which he transferred to the East India Company ship Hart , and then to a captured vessel which had been bound for Muscat.

The journal then records the ships anchoring at Soar [probably either Sohar or Sur, Oman] on 24 June 1621, after which Jennison returned to the London for a while and then rejoined the Hart .

Subsequent entries record Jennison’s ship reaching Surratt [Surat] in October 1621, before anchoring at St Hellena [St Helena] on 19 February 1622 [New Style date 19 February 1623], and in the Downes [Downs] on 7 June 1622.

Entries for when the ship was at sea mostly record: measurements of latitude and longitude; the course of the ship; the position of the ship and bearings of land; and wind direction.

The journal also includes tables recording the following: the date, knots (Kn:), fathoms (ffa:), leagues (Lea:), course (cour:), latitude (Lat:), longitude (Long:), wind, and variation (Va:); for 26 July to 7 November 1620.

Entries for when the ship was at anchor include information about goods being unloaded from the ship, and goods being loaded onto the ship, and other ships encountered.

Extent and format

1 volume (31 folios)

Arrangement

The journal entries are recorded in chronological order from the front to the rear.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 33; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/L/MAR/A/XXXII

History of this record

Date(s)

25 Mar 1620-13 Jun 1622 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Voyages and travelsShips logsShipsTrade (practice)Marine navigationWeather

Places

JasquisSwalleySaldaniyaSoarSt Hellena

People & organisations

HartHartRoebuckEagleLondon

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‘A Journall kepte by me Archebell Jennison my firste voyadge to the East Indies in the London with captaine Andrew Shillinge, mrBlithe in the Harte vise admirall, mrSwann in the Rooebucke rear admiral, and MrBrowne in the Eagell, wthfleete I beseech the Allmighty God to prosper wtha good voyage, a happy and successull retourne to his glory. Amen.’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MAR/A/XXXII, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001273.0x0001c2> [accessed 17 August 2026]

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