Diary kept by Robert Russell Laughlin as a deck boy on the KING EDWARD ex GORALA (1919), between May 1939 and January 1940. It includes a note concerning the papers (May to September 1939) of John Mayes, deck boy and shipmate of Laughlin, a biographical note for Laughlin, twelve photographs taken by Mayes, and other insertions which consist of a Gravesend Sea School prospectus, a sea-going clothes list, Laughlin’s proficiency certificate, 2 May 1939, an essay, ‘recollections’ and various other notes.