Writing at sea – the origin of logbooks

Revered explorers such as Cook, Darwin and Shackleton were not the first to record their travels. (The National Library of Australia have published Cook's journal, 1768–71.) The more modest, everyday writings of ordinary mariners are of no less value to the general reader or to the inquisitive scientist.

Records were kept from the earliest days of exploration in the 15th century, when the Portuguese mariners took to the open ocean, leaving familiar landmarks and coastlines behind them. At first these were jealously guarded secret documents holding the key to the routes for the spice trade and the riches of the Orient. Some were more humble accounts of the wonders encountered by Europeans as they ventured into the exotic world of the Middle and Far East. Of these early attempts to forge trade links few documents remain, although those of Christopher Columbus's epic undertaking to find a route to China and the Spice Islands, only of course to find a 'New World’, have been transcribed many times.

Logbooks become formal documents

The Pitt engaging the St Louis, 29 September 1758, by Lawson Dunn. Repro ID: BHC0385 ©National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird CollectionThe passage of time saw more ships from more nations engaging in deep sea trade, exploration and inevitably war. The number of voyages increased dramatically in the 17th century as the imperial powers of Spain and Portugal found themselves competing with France, Holland and England. Voyages of primary exploration were replaced by undertakings of a state-run nature, such as empire building, trade and administration. At the same time, the officers of these ships began to keep official records, which were the beginnings of the logbook, similar to what is used today.

English logbooks survive from as early as the mid-17th century and a few more general journals from even earlier. By 1730, the Admiralty identified the need for consistency and issued the order in their Naval Instructions of 1731:

He [the Captain] is, from the Time of his going on board, to keep a Journal, according to the Form set down… and to be careful to note therein all Occurences, viz. Place where the ship is at Noon; changes of Wind and Weather; Salutes, with the Reasons thereof; Remarks on Unknown Places; and in general, every Circumstance that concerns the Ship, her Stores, and Provisions. At the end of every Six months he is to send a Copy of his Journal for the said Time, to the Secretary of the Admiralty…