London : Journal, Captain William Upton

Content

This volume consists of a journal (log book) recorded by William Upton, Captain of the East India Company ship London . The entries are dated 4 April 1720 to 15 July 1722.

The entries record the journey of the ship from Great Britain to the East Indies, and its arrival at the following places: Table Bay (26 June 1720), Bumbay [Bombay] (26 August 1720), Goa (26 October 1720), Bombay (13 November 1720), Surrat [Surat] (28 December 1720), Mocha (9 May 1721), Bombay (21 September 1721), Tillecherry [Thalassery] (20 January 1721/22), Table Bay (30 March 1722), St Hellena [St Helena] (4 May 1722), and the Downes [Downs] (15 July 1722).

The entries mostly record: wind, rain and other weather conditions; the course of the ship and navigational information; sightings of other ships; and other occurrences such as encounters with pirates.

The ship was at Mocha from 9 May to 20 August 1721, which was the longest stop of the journey, and journal entries for this period discuss matters relating to coffee and lead being received on board the ship and goods being sent ashore from the ship to the East India Company’s Factory An East India Company trading post. at Mocha.

A note on folio 1 of the volume states that the journal was received on 29 August 1722.

Extent and format

1 volume (71 folios)

Arrangement

The journal entries are arranged 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 73; 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.

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/B/313A

History of this record

Date(s)

4 Apr 1720-29 Aug 1722 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

ShipsCoffeeVoyages and travelsPiracyMarine navigationTrade (practice)Weather

Places

Mocha

People & organisations

London

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London : Journal, Captain William Upton, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MAR/B/313A, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001513.0x00002f> [accessed 24 July 2026]

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