John Vian’s Journal on the Discovery

Content

The volume is part of the Marine Department Records, Ships’ Journals. Inscribed: ‘A Journall [Journal] kept by me John Vian from England to Endie [India] and Persia and from there backe agayn [back again] in the good ship Discoverie [Discovery], Capt. John Bickell, Commander in the yeare. [year] Anno: 1629.’ A note on the front cover also states ‘25 March 1629. Discovery, Charles, Reformation, London, Samuel Pinnace.’ The log provides navigational information; notes of sightings of other vessels, Dutch ships in particular; and general remarks.

The journal covers the voyage of the East India Company ship Discovery from England to Surat and Persia, and back, 1629-31, including the following places: Cape Bonsperance [Cape of Good Hope]; Island of St Larence [St Laurence/Madagascar]; the Island of Mayotos [Mayotte]; the Island of Molala [Mohilla]; the Coast of Endies [the Indies]; Surrat [Surat] port; port of Swalie [Swalley/Suvali]; Comoron [Bandar ‘Abbas, also known as Gombroon at this time]; St Johns along the Coast of Endies [Indies]; the Moritissis [Mauritius]; St Augustine [Bay of St Augustin]; Island of Johana [Anjouan]; Bassen [Bassein/Vasai]; Porsia [Persia]; Bay of Saldanie [Saldanha Bay]; and the Island of St Hellna [St Helena].

The three types of navigational information mentioned are, Lat [Latitude], Log [Longitude], and Mrc [Mercator/ Mercator projection Any method by which the earth’s curved surface may be transposed (or projected) on to a flat surface. , which is a type of a flat map of the globe, devised by Gerardus Mercator in 1569].

Extent and format

1 volume (50 folios)

Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 46; 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. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.

Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.

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/LII

History of this record

Date(s)

25 Mar 1629-16 Dec 1631 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

ShipsShips logsTrade (practice)WeatherMarine navigation

Places

Comoron

People & organisations

Discovery

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

John Vian’s Journal on the Discovery , British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MAR/A/LII, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001273.0x000335> [accessed 12 August 2026]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000001273.0x000335

IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000001273.0x000335/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content