Arctic Expeditions

While searching a bit further on the 1852 Winter I came across this list of expeditions to the Artic. I was personally surprised to find the list dated back to 1848. It lists Ships, Captains, and deaths as well as how many days in Melville Bay.

Arctic Expeditions (from the Times, December 29, 1874).—"The following is a list of ships, comprising Government and Private Expeditions, British and Foreign, which have been on exploring service within the Arctic Circle since the Franklin Expedition sailed. It will be seen that the crews of all these vessels have returned in safety to their respective countries, with only such loss of life as might well have occurred had the men stayed at home :—
1. 1848 to 1849—H.m.'b ship Enterprise, Sir J. C. Ross. One winter, 26 days in Melville Bay.
2. 1848 to 1849.—H.M.'s ship Investigator, Captain Bird. One winter, 25 days in Melville Bay. Seven deaths (one officer) on board the Enterprise and Investigator.
3. 1849 to 1850.—H.M.'s ship North Star, Mr. Saunders. One winter, 57 days in Melville Bay. Four deaths.
4. 1849.—H.M.'s ship Plover, Captains Moore and Maguirc. Three winters. Three deaths.
6. 1850.—H.M's ship Enterprise, Captain Collinson. Three winters. Three deaths.
6. 1850.—H.M.'s ship Investigator, Captain M'Clure. Four winters. Six deaths (one officer).
7. 1850.—H.M.'s ship Resolute, Captain Austin. One winter, 45 days in Melville Bay. One death (accident).
8. 1850.—H.M.'s ship Assistance, Captain Ommanney. One winter, 45 days in Melville Bay. No death.
9. 1850.—H.M.'s ship Pioneer, Lieutenant Osborn. One winter. No death.
10. 1850.—H.M.'s «hip Intrepid, Lieutenant Cator. One winter. No death.
11. 1850.—Brig Lady Franklin, Captain Penny. One winter. No death.
12. 1850.—Brig Sophia, Captain Stewart. One winter. No death.
13. 1850.—Schooner Prince Albert, Captain Forsyth. Summer Cruise.
14. I860.—Schooner Felix, Sir John Ross and Captain Phillips. One winter. No death.
15. 1850.—Advance (American), Lieutenant Griffith. One winter drifting.
16. 1850.—Rescue (American), Lieutenant Dehaven. One winter drifting.
17. 1851.—Schooner Prince Albert, Mr. Kennedy. One winter. No death.
18. 1852.—H.M.'s ship Assistance, Sir E. Belcher. Two winters, 38 days in Melville Bay. No death.
19. 1852.—H.M.'s ship Resolute, Captain Kellett. Two winters, 38 days in Melville Bay. Six deaths.
20. 1852.—H.M.'s ship Pioneer, Commander OBborn. Two winters. No deaths.
21. 1852.—H.M.'s ship Intrepid, Lieutenant M'Clintock. Two winters. No death.
22. 1852.—H.M.'s ship North Star, Mr. Pullen. Two winters. 38 days in Melville Bay. Three deaths.
23. 1852.—Steamer Isabel, Captain Inglefield. No detention in Melville Bay; summer cruise.
24. 1853.—H.M's ship Phoenix, Captain Inglefield. Nine days in Melville Bay; summer cruise.
25. 1854.—H.M.'s ship Phojnix, Captain Inglefield. Took the pack—30 days; summer cruise.
26. 1854.—H.M.'s ship Talbot, Captain Jenkins. Summer cruise.
27. 1853.—Advance (American brig). Dr. Kane. Two winters. Took the pack—10 days.
28. 1857.—Steamer Fox, Captain M'Clintock. Two winters; first winter in pack, second season through in nine days. Three died.
29. 1850.—Schooner United States, Dr. Hayes. One winter, two days in Melville Bay. One death (accident).
30. 1871.—Steamer Poluris, Captain Hall. Twowinters; no detention in Melville Bay. One death.
31. 1873.—Steamer Juniata, Lieutenant Merriman. No detention in Melville Bay ; summer cruise.
32. 1873.—Steamer Tigress, Captain Green. Summer cruise.

Electric Lamps / Lights

Yesterday I posted about the early part of the 19th century and specifically the oil lamps. In addition to oil lamps there were gas lights and electric lights. Below is an outline of the history of electric lamps throughout the century.

1801 First electric arc lamp was invented in England by Sir Humphrey Davy.
1854 First true lightbulb invented by Henricg Globel of Germany
1857 Fluorescent lamp was introduced in France by A.E. Becquerel
1875 Henry Woodward and Matthew Evans patented a lightbulb.
1879 Thomas Edison improved the incandescent light
1880 Edison's patent was granted.

Practically speaking you won't have electric lamps in the homes of your characters set prior to the 1880's. Another interesting texture to oil and gas lamps is the smell, keep that in mind when writing as well. Remember to use the five senses when describing what your characters are experiencing.

4th of July Happy Independence Day

I've selected four addresses delivered during the first half of the 19th century regarding Independence Day. I find it fascinating to see what was said and thought of by those who were actually living during the time period I'm writing about. Even the choices of the language they use. Anyway, for those of us who are Americans, enjoy our Independence Day.

In 1810 an Oration was given by Dr. George Cumming at the Presbyterian church in East Rutger Street, New York.

In 1822 John Quincy Adams delivered this message in Washington, DC.

In 1833 Rev John Budd Pitkin delivered this address in Richmond, VA.

In 1854 David Ramsey delivered this message in Cincinnati, OH.

Red Lip Salve

Not to be confused with lipgloss or lipstick as we know it now. This salve was to prevent and treat the chapping of lips. This tidbit came out of the "New Receipts for Cooking" by Miss Leslie ©1854 Alkanet is a plant that is the source of a red dye. The second clip immediately follows the first with a recipe for cold cream. Lipstick as we know of it was first used in the 1890's.

RED LIP SALVE.—Mix together equal portions of the best suet and the best lard. There must be no salt about them. Boil slowly, and skim and stir the mixture. Then add a small thin bag of alkanet chips; and when it has coloured the mixture of a fine deep red, take it out. While cooling, stir in, very hard, sufficient rose or orange-flower water to give it a fine perfume. A few drops of oil of rhodium will impart to it a very agreeable rose-scent.

Cold cream for excoriated nostrils, chafed upper lips, or chapped hands may be made nearly as above, but with one-third suet, and two-thirds lard, and no alkanet. When it has boiled thoroughly, remove it from the fire, and stir in, gradually, a large portion of rose-water, or a little oil of rhodium, beating very hard. Put it into small gallicups, with close covers.

Mustard Plaster

We've all heard about them and perhaps some of you have used one but I think for most of us today this is definitely a thing of the past. Below you'll find the recipe for a Mustard Plaster from "New Receipts for Cooking" by Miss Leslie ©1854.

MUSTARD PLASTERS.—Mustard plasters are frequently very efficacious in rheumatic or other pains occasioned by cold. It is best to make them entirely of mustard and vinegar without any mixture of flour. They should be spread between two pieces of thin muslin, and bound on the part affected. As soon as the irritation or burning becomes uncomfortable, take off the plaster. They should never remain on longer than twenty minutes ; as by that time the beneficial effect will be produced, if at all. When a mustard plaster has been taken off, wash the part tenderly with a sponge and warm water. If the irritation on the skin continues troublesome, apply successive poultices of grated bread-crumbs wetted with lead water.

A mustard plaster behind the ear will often remove a toothache, earache, or a rheumatic pain in the head. Applied to the wrists they will frequently check an ague-fit, if put on as soon as the first symptoms of chill evince themselves.

Definition of ague-fit
An obsolete term for a chill following a fever, which is said to be typical of malaria. This term is not used to working medical parlance, though it continues to be used by laypersons.
Source: Medical Free Dictionary, http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/ague+fit

Millefleurs Perfume

In the New Receipts for Cooking by Miss Leslie ©1854 you'll find lots of recipes for general food cooking. However in the middle chapters of the book are recipes for Perfumes, Remedies, Laundry-work, Needle work, etc. One of the perfume recipes for hair is listed below: Millefleurs literally means a thousand flowers.

MILLEFLEURS PERFUME.—Mix together an ounce of oil of lavender; an ounce of essence of lemon; an ounce and a quarter of oil of ambergris; and half an ounce of oil of carraway. Add half a pint of alcohol, or spirits of wine, which should be of the inodorous sort. Shake all well together. Let it stand a week, closelycorked, in a large bottle. You may then divide it in small bottles.
By mixing this perfume with equal quantities of olive oil, and oil of sweet almonds, instead of alcohol, you will have what is called millefleurs antique oil, which is used to improve the hair of young persons.

This began a search for me about the various hair treatments of the 19th century on Monday I'll continue to share what I've learned so far.

Sewing Machine & Button holes

The first attachment for the sewing machine to sew button holes was patented by Charles Miller of St. Louis, on Mar. 7, 1854. I've attached a link to a website The International Sewing Machine Collector's Society if you would like to read more about the over-edgers of the sewing machines.

Below is a copy of the patent that Charles Miller patented in 1854:
No. 10,609.—Charles Miller.—Improvement in Sewing Machines.— Patented March 7, 1854.
This invention relates to the adaptation of the cloth, or other material to be sewed, to receive what are termed the button-hole stitch, the whip-stitch, and the herring-bone stitch; and consists in giving the cloth, or other material to be sewed, a movement laterally to the direction of the seam, and in opposite directions alternately between every two stitches, in addition to the movement commonly given in the direction of the seam.

Claim.—Giving the cloth, or material being sewed, a movement laterally to the direction of the seam, between the successive stitches, or interlacings of the needle and shuttle-threads, for the purpose of receiving different kinds of stitches or seams.

Sinking John L. Avery

Disasters add conflict to a story and conflict is necessary to keep your reader turning the pages. Below is a real life account of the Sinking of the John L. Avery. The account gives the basics about the situation but there are gems in this account for me to learn from with regard to 'writing" and 'creating" a disaster for my characters. Such as, how many people were affected, the actual physical descriptions of the boat and the process of sinking. How the captain reacted, the passengers, etc. Enjoy.

The J. L. Avery, J. L. Robertson commander, was a new boat, built in the most substantial manner, and furnished with every necessary equipment for a first class passenger boat, being designed as a regular packet between New Orleans and Natchex. She left New Orleans, on her customary trip up the river, on March 7th, 1854. She stopped at Point Coupee and took in a large quantity of sugar and molasses; and on the 9th of the same month she passed the steamer Sultana, off Black Hawk point, forty miles below Natchez; and having left the Sultana, (with which she appears to have been racing,) about a mile astern, she struck what was supposed to be a tree washed from the shore by a recent freshet. A very large leak in the bottom of the boat was the consequence of this accident, and although the pilot immediately steered for the shore, the steamer sunk before she could get near enough to land the passengers. Mr. J. Y. Guthrie, an engineer, and the carpenter, were standing just forward of the boilers when they heard the crash—the boat at the same time making a sudden surge to one side. The carpenter immediately lifted the scuttle-hatch and leaped into the hold, but finding the water pouring in too fast to admit of any attempt at repairing the damage, he made haste to get out again, at the same time giving notice to the engineer that the boat had nagged. Mr. Guthrie, perceiving that the boat was going down, hastened to the engine, but before he got there, he was up to his knees in water. The cabin passengers were hurried up to the hurricane-deck. Soon after, the boat righted, and the hull separated from the cabin and sunk in sixty feet of water.

As the hull parted from the upper works, the surging of the waters caused the cabin floor to rise up against the hurricane roof, and six persons who remained in the cabin were dragged out through the skylights by Capt. Robertson and his two clerks. Mrs. Parmin, one of the six passengers rescued from that perilous situation, had her eldest child in her arms at the time, and was with difficulty prevented from plunging in again, as her babe was left asleep on the bed. But the situation of the deck passengers was the most calamitous; there was a large number of them crowded in their allotted place, where they were walled in by hogsheads of sugar, which would have prevented their escape, if escape had been otherwise possible. These unfortunate people were nearly all drowned.

There were many Irish emigrants on board, whose names were unregistered, and there is a great deal of uncertainty respecting the number of those who perished. Eye-witnesses testify that a large number of men, women and children could be seen drowning at one time. Of the twenty firemen on board, twelve were drowned. The second mate and another person launched the life-boat, but it was almost itnmedidiately upset, probably by the eager and ill-directed efforts of tho drowning people to get into it. The steamer Sultana, with which the Avery had been racing, promptly camo to the rescuo of the drowning crew and passengers, and was the means of saving some of them; but the number lost is believed to be at least eighty or ninety.

Mrs. Seymour, one of the cabin passengers who escaped, relates the following incidents of the wreck: party accounted for by stating that some unusual means had been used to get up extra steam, as the officers of the Avery were resolved to outrun the rival steamer, Sultana. Mrs. Seymour had retired to her state room for an afternoon nap, from which she was aroused by the concussion when the boat struck; and soon after, she found herself in the water. She was drawn up into the floating cabin by one of the waiters, named John Anderson, who, as Mrs. Seymour testifies, was instrumental in saving the lives of several other passengers. She states that her pocket-book, containing nine hundred dollars, which had been placed under her pillow, was lost. She also lost a manuscript which she was preparing for the press, and which she valued still more highly than her pocket-book.

Mrs. Seymour continues :—I cast my eyes upon the water, which was covered with fragments of the cabin. To these frail supports human hands were clinging, while many human voices were crying, "Save me ! oh, save me!" The water at first was dotted with human heads, sinking and rising, and then sinking to rise no more. A sudden splash drew my attention to the side of the boat, and I saw that a young lady, who had been drawn from the inundated cabin through the sky-light and placed in safety on the floating deck, in the delirium of the moment had plunged again into the water, from which she never again emerged. Several others followed her example, but appearing again on the surface, they were rescued by the waiter Anderson and two or three others of the boat's crew, who never slackened in their efforts to save human life. Two or three gentlemen leaped into the water and swam to land. A fine Texan poney, belonging to Mrs. Emerson, escaped from the deck, and endeavored to save himself by swimming. He reached the shore, but not being able to climb the bank, he fell back into the water and was drowned. In a faint but earnest tone, I heard a female voice say, " Oh, William, do save her!" On directing my gaze to the place from whence the voice came, I saw a woman sinking in the river. At the same time a child's voice exclaimed, "Oh, mother, he cannot save me!" I saw her fair hair, all wet, fall back from her young face as her little arms loosened their grasp on the neck of her brother, and the mother and her two children sank together.
Source: Fifty Years on the Mississippi ©1889

Planting Corn

For most of our characters in the 19th century they enjoyed and needed to plant their own food. Corn was a staple in most homes and farms. Below are some brief tidbits about when to plant corn.

In a 1828 source it is recommended to plant corn on Long Island, NY from the 10th-20th of May.
In 1845 an individual began planting corn in April. Unfortunately it doesn't say where.
An 1854 also says from 10-25th of May.
In a 1895 source it recommends to plant corn when the white oak leaves are as big as a squirrel's foot or a mouse's ear. For New England and Middle states.

Of the various sources I read, most prepared the field by laying down the manurer a month before.

Etiquette & Manners

Etiquette & Manners is something often discussed on some of my of the writer loops I belong to as they pertain to the 19th century. Through Google books I've found a great source of books regarding such topics. Below is a list ordered by the year they were published. I've gathered this resource list over the past two years from Google Books. Hope it helps you in your search for proper behavior in the time period of your setting.

1832 Domestic Manners of the Americans
1835 Pencil Sketches
1837 The Young Lady's Friend
1839 Miss Leslie's Behavior Book
1842 Elegant Extracts
1843 Etiquette or, A Guide to The Usages of Society with a Glance at Bad Habits
1854 Etiquette Social Ethics and the Curtiousy of Society
1854 The Behavior Book
1860 The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette and Manners
1860 The Hand Book of Etiquette
1866 Marine's Sensible Letter Writer
1868 Manners or Happy Homes
1870 Good Manners a Manual of Ediquette
1872 The Ladie's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness
1873 The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness
1884 Don't: A Manual of Mistakes and Improprieties More or Less
1888 Manners
1889 American Etiquette and Rules of Politeness
1889 Perfect Etiquette or How to Behave in social...
1892 Etiquette An Answer to the Riddle, When? Where? How?
1896 Social Etiquette or Manners and Customs of Polite Society
1897 Manners for Men
1897 Practical Letter Writing
1899 Twenty Letters in Letter Writing and Business

Manners in Speech

The excerpt I'm sharing today comes from the 1854 publication "Manners" by Miss Leslie. In the chapter Incorrect words. You can read the entire chapter at Google Books with this Link

When you mean that an article of dress (a bonnet or a cap) is neat and pretty, do not say that it is cunning. An inanimate object cannot be cunning. To be cunning requires some mind. We are sorry to say that we have heard females who, when they intend to be witty, talk of taking a snooze, (which means a nap,) and speak of a comic anecdote as being "rich," and of a man in faded clothes as looking "seedy." We have heard Philadelphia ladies speak of a "great big" house, or a "great big" ship; and there are still some who expect what has already come to pass—as, "I expect it rained somewhere last night" —"I expect she arrived yesterday"—"I expect he went to Baltimore." In all these cases the proper term is "I suppose," and not "I expect."
The word "mayhap" (instead of perhaps) is a positive vulgarism. It is of English origin, but is only used in England by very low people—and by English writers, never.

Scarlet Fever

Household Medicine, Surgery, Sick-room Management and Diet for Invalids ©1854


Scarlatina is popularly supposed to be a different disease from scarlet fever. This is an error, scarlet fever being merely the technical name of scarlatina. The most severe and the mildest cases are termed by medical men, indifferently, scarlatina, or scarlet fever.
Scarlet fever is comparatively unfrequent after childhood; the cause of this appears to be, not that adults, as such, are insusceptible to the disease, hut that the majority of persons have been affected by it in childhood.
Like most of the other specific diseases, scarlet fever varies greatly in severity,—sometimes it is a disease so malignant as to kill in a few hours, at other times its symptoms are so mild that the patient is almost unconscious that he is ill.
The first symptom of scarlatina in an adult is usually considerable stiffness and soreness of the throat; this is quickly followed by shivering or chilliness, heat of skin, headache, thirst, and frequent pulse. In children these latter symptoms ordinarily precede complaints of sore throat. Among the symptoms less constantly present on the first day of disease are vomiting, and, in children, convulsions.
The rash from which the disease derives its name appears on the second day of illness—i.e.,supposing the child to have sickened on Monday, the rash may be looked for on Tuesday. The rash breaks out first on the throat and chest, it then affects the face and trunk, and extends in two or three days to the legs and arms. When first visible it consists of minute scarlet points; these soon grow so numerous as to unite and tint the skin generally of a scarlet hue. The colour is sometimes as vivid as that of the shell of the boiled lobster; at others, it is only a faint scarlet blush. AVhen the rash is fully out, the face is a good deal swollen, the skin is very hot, the pulse is very rapid; the patient's mind may wander at night; the tongue is intensely red or white, with red points projecting through it, and the throat red and swollen ; there is often, too, at this time, more or less swelling externally, about the angle of the lower jaw on either side. On looking down the throat ulceration of tho tonsils is sometimes visible, but more commonly what at the first moment appears to be an ulcer, is only a patch of adherent secretion. The rash of scarlet fever attains its maximum extent and intensity on about the fifth day.
From this date all the symptoms of the disease quickly subside, and in three or four days may altogether disappear. On or about the fifteenth day—sometimes, however, at a much earlier period—the skin begins to desquamate in small bran-like scales from the surface generally, but from the hands and feet the separation of the cuticle takes place in large flakes.
In a considerable proportion of cases, a fortnight or three weeks after the rash has faded the face is observed to be fuller than natural; and if the feet be examined thoy are found to be swollen; the patient has scarlatinal dropsy; the urine is at the same time small in quantity and of dark colour. Under these circumstances he may be suddenly seized with convulsions.
There are no remedies which can directly cure a ease of scarlet fever. The room in which the patient lies should be carefully kept cool, and freely ventilated ; his bed should be very lightly covered, and all his flannel clothing removed. Cold sponging of the whole surface, when the skin is very hot and the patient does not feel chilly after, affords considerable relief. The bowels should be kept moderately lax. No other medicines are needed in mild cases. In severe cases the treatment varies according to the intensity of the disease. Sometimes danger is occasioned by the occurrence of local inflammation, and at others by extreme debility. In the latter case brandy and ammonia may be demanded; in the former, blood-letting may be required. During the period of desquamation great care must be taken that there be no exposure to cold, as such exposure is generally supposed to favour the occurrence of dropsy. Warm baths are, during convalescence, of considerable advantage; and, should dropsy supervene, confinement to a warm room is essential for recovery.

Clipper Ships, The Flying Cloud

In 1853 the "Flying Cloud" sailed 14,000 miles from NY to San Francisco in 89 days and 8 hours. The ship was built by Donald McKay and launched in 1851.

You can see a picture and some information about the Flying Cloud at Wikispaces

Another ship Donald McKay built was "The Great Republic." Below is an article from a Naval Journal published in 1854.

THE GREAT REPUBLIC.
This largest ship in the world, this wonderful piece of naval architecture, which has just made its appearance in our harbor, was designed, built, and is owned by Donald McKay, Esq., of Boston. The discovery of California gold, and the rush of emigrants to that land, and the consequent urgent demands for supplies, have called to existence fleets of clipper ships, eight of which, had been built by Mr. McKay, before he designed the Great Republic.

They were the Flying Cloud, Flying Fish, Sovereign of the Seas, Bald Eagle, Empress of the Sea, Staghound, Westward Ho, and Staffordshire. The Flying Cloud he built on his own account. She was 1,700 tons register; made the quickest passage from New York to San •Francisco on record, in 98 days, ran in 24 consecutive hours, 374 geographical miles. Not satisfied with this triumph, he determined to build a larger clipper that would outsail the Flying Cloud. He next designed the Sovereign of the Seas, a ship of 2,400 tons, " then the largest, longest and sharpest merchant ship in the world." She was so large, and the plan of her seemed so dubious and Utopian, that no merchant would invest in her. " Mr. McKay embarked all he was worth in her," turned merchant and freighted her himself She did out-sail the Flying Cloud.— Although her passage to San Francisco was longer, " she sailed in 24 consecutive hours, 430 geographical miles, 56 miles more than the greatest run of the Flying Cloud, and in ten consecutive days she ran 3,144 miles." " In eleven months her gross earnings amounted to $200,000," when he sold her on his own terms.

In these enterprises, " experience had shown, that the passage to California had been lengthened by ths tremendous westerly gales in the vicinity ofs Cape Horn, and that to combat them successfully, vessels of a still larger size and power were necessary.

He accordingly designed the Great Republic, a ship of 4,000 tons register, and full 6,000 tons storage capacity" ; has built her and will sail her on his own account.
" She is 325 feet long 53 feet wideand her whole depth is 39 feet." Shehas four decks, is 8 feet between decks, except between her spar and upper decks which is 7 feet. She has four masts, the aft one is called the spanker mast. From her keel to the main truck is 250 feet. Few of the thousands who have visited her have left with 'any adequate idea of her enormous size.

A house 25 feet front, 50 feet deepand four stories high is as large a tenement as often meets the eye, in this city; a block of 13 such houses is a longer hloc than is often met with, and yet the hull of this monster ship occupies more space than a whole block of such dwellings. A 300 ton ship used to be considered a large craft; yet this ship -will carry as much freight, and consequently displace as much water as a fleet of twenty such vessels.

Our forests could not furnish trees of sufficient size and length, to make her fore, or main, or mizen masts.— " They are built of hard pine, doweled and bolted together, and hooped over all with iron." Her foremast is 44 inches in diameter and 130 feet long, mainmast 44 inches, and 131 feet, mizen, 40 inches and 122 feet. Her main yard is 28 inches in diameter and 120 feet long, is spliced in the middle, being formed of two of the longest pine trees. There has been used in her construction,
Of hard pine 1,5QO,000 feet.
Of white oak, 2,056 tons.
Of iron, 336 1-2 tons.
Of copper, exclusive of sheathing, 56 tons.
Canvas in a suit of sails, 15,653 yirds.
Days' work on her hull 50,000. Her crew is to consist of 100 men and 40 boys.
Notwithstanding her great size, she is one of the most beautiful models afloat. Her Figure-head is the head and beak of the Eagle. Her stern is ornamented with a spread eagle measuring Thirty-six feet from tip to tip of its wings.

Under her spar deck, in the stern and richly ornamented, is the spacious ladies' cabin with three large state rooms on either side, forward of this, the main cabin and eight state rooms; still forward, stewards' rooms, officers' rooms, hospital, and rooms for the boys; a good arrangement to keep the boys from the forecastle and under the eye of the officers. She has also, we are happy to see, a fine spacious and airy forecastle, the men are to be lodged in hammocks, like a ship of war. She has three houses on the spar deck, in one of which is a steam engine of 15 horse power, to do the hard work of the ship, such as pumping, working the flre engine, hoisting topsails, taking in and discharging cargo. With it also is connected a distilery, not of ardent spirit* but of sea water into good fresh water ; no doubt she will be a temperance ship. The engine can be shipped into a huge long boat constructed as a propeller, to be used in calm latitudes for towing the ship. An admirable Yankee contrivance, truly, to help Jack out of the doldrums.— We suppose too it can be used as a lighter to load and unload in ports where there are no wharves.

In one of the houses is a library for the men containing over one thousand volumes of profitable books, and connected with it a teacher tor the boys.

In the construction and arrangement of this noble ship there is evidently an eye to the comfort and improvement of the men, which we are most happy to note and commend.— She is to be commanded by Capt. L. McKay, a brother, we believe, of thebuilder. We bespeak for her a good crew who shall look well to the interests and honor of the Great Republic.

Sewing Machines

The first progress of sewing machines was done for factory work, there were several starts and failures in Europe and America. You can read an overview of the history at About.com

For the purpose of a practical sewing machine for the 19th century housewife we start with Hunt & Elias Howe in 1834.
1846 Elias Howe was issued the first American patent
Then comes Isaac Singer who built the first successful machine. It was this sewing machine that started showing up in homes across America.

Yes, there was a patent war between Singer and Howe and Howe one, making him a wealthy man. Of course, Singer continued his production and paid royalties to Howe.

For purposes of writing historical fiction note these facts.
1846 Howe introduces the first home use sewing machine.
1851 Singer introduced a sewing machine for home use. His was scaled down for home use.
1854 Singer received patent for home sewing machine. This machine had a rigid arm and held the fabric down.
1889 First practical electric sewing machine
By the end of the century Singer claimed 80% of the world market.

Another source for a time line is from Idea Finder.

Stenographic Notes

I stumbled on this phrase while researching the railroads and while I thought I knew what the writer was saying, I wanted to double check. What I found was an interesting tidbit.

First the quote from the article I was reading:
My friends of the Railroad Gazette informed me that in such event they would have stenographic notes taken for a report that would appear in their paper.

Naturally I presumed shorthand. Which the writer was intending. Wikipedia shows there were several varieties of short hand in the 19th Century. Here's a link to view the Lord's Prayer in several of those forms.

A basic timeline of shorthand in the 19th century.
Pitman shorthand introduced in 1837
Graham shorthand introduced in 1854 (credited with perfecting Pitman's shorthand)
Munson shorthand introduced in 1867
Gregg Shorthand introduced in 1888

Medical Advertisments

While reading "A Family Medicine Directory" ©1854 by Charles Dinneford, I discovered some recommendations in the book of various medicines and treatments that Dinneford approved of. Today's post includes several from this book.

SELECT MEDICINES FOR FAMILY USE,
BY
DINNEFOED & Co.,
Pharmacentical Chemists
172, NEW' BOND STREET, LONDON.

THE CORDIAL TINCTURE OF TURKEY RHUBARB.
This preparation possesses all the properties of the root, combined with such aromatics as render it an exceedingly useful medicine in a variety of affections where a cordial aperient is required, particularly for indigestion and griping pains in the stomach and bowels; it is esteemed by those who have been in the habit of taking it, .one of the most useful aperients for persons affected with the Gout, and can be taken in such cases, when a cooling aperient would be attended with danger.

CONCENTRATED PEPPERMINT WATER.
The medicinal virtues of the herb Peppermint, in relieving cramps, spasms, flatulency, and other affections of the stomach and bowels ; and also languor, lowness of spirits, general debility, &c, have been long so well known as to render it one of our most valuable medicines. This is a preparation of such general utility, and so applicable to all cases of emergency, that its possession is earnestly recommended to the heads of every family. The sick chamber or nursery should never be without it, as it may be taken at all times, and under all circumstances, with equal success.

AROMATIC CORDIAL GINGER.
This elegant preparation possesses all the valuable properties of the finest Jamaica Ginger, and is presented in the most agreeable form in which that esteemed domestic medicine is capable of being administered. In cases of languor or temporary depression, no other stimulant is more agreeable and efficacious.

DR. BABINGTON'S DOMESTIC PILLS.
These Pills have been used in the practice of that distinguished Physician for nearly fifty years, and are invaluable as a standing family medicine, for all disorders arising from a confined state of the bowels—such as pains in the stomach, head-ache, dimness of sight, &c, &c. They contain neither calomel, antimony, or any other medicine requiring the least confinement or alteration of diet; they may be taken by persons of all ages, for any number of years, without the slightest injury to the constitution, and are therefore peculiarly adapted to persons of sedentary or studious habits, who are unable to take necessary exercise.

DR. ARMSTRONG'S DIGESTIVE PILLS.
These Dinner Pills assist the digestion, improve the appetite, increase the action of the bowels, and by regular use will give new vigour to the constitution.

COMPOUND RHUBARB PILLS,
USED AS DIGESTIVE OR DINNER PILLS.
Dinneford and Co. give especial attention to the selection of medicines constituting this valuable compound ; the Pills as prepared by them, possess stomachic and aperient qualities, and are confidently recommended to the heads of families for general domestic use.

FLUID EXTRACT OF DANDELION.
Containing all the active properties of the fresh root in a concentrated state. A dessert-spoonful in water is equal to half a pint of the ordinary decoction of the root.

CONCENTRATED ESSENCE OF JAMAICA GINGER.
Possessing all the aromatic properties of the root in the greatest perfection; this liquid form of Ginger is peculiarly serviceable where gouty, spasmodic, and flatulent affeotions disturb the digestive functions.

SUPERIOR AROMATISED SAL VOLATILE.
This elegant preparation has long been celebrated for its beautiful flavour and softness, being entirely deprived of the unpleasant caustic qualities complained of in the Sal Volatile of ordinary use.

CONCENTRATED ESSENCE OF CAMPHOR.
A convenient preparation for the extemporaneous production of CAMPHOR JDLEP, which can be made by adding thirty or forty drops of the essence to a wineglassful of water.

CAMPHORATED SAL VOLATILE.
An efficacious and convenient restorative for relieving sickness, lowness of spirits, languor, and faintings, particularly when produced from over-heated assemblies. A small teaspoonful, mixed with a wineglassful of water, forms a draught equal in every respect to Sal Volatile, taken with Camphor Julep, the inconvenience of two bottles being avoided.

EFFERVESCING MAGNESIAN APERIENT.
This agreeable preparation will be found efficacious as an aperient in cases of habitual costiveness; as a remedy for heartburn, acidity of stomach, and cutaneous eruptions, it may be taken in smaller doses with equal advantage. Being comparatively tasteless, it may be given to children, who frequently refuse the usual aperients.

GERMAN TASTELESS SALT.
Prepared from an analysis of the mineral springs of Germany, and adapted for the cure of bilious affections, indigestion, want of appetite, habitual costiveness, cutaneous eruptions, &c.; by regular use this salt will prevent the necessity of having recourse to Calomel, Epsom Salts, and other more powerful and nauseous medicines, which frequently tend only to weaken by giving temporary relief.

TASTLESS SEIDLITZ POWDER.
From its portability this preparation is far more convenient for use than the ordinary Seidlitz Powder. The dose can be proportioned to form either an Aperient or a Saline Draught.
For the former it is only necessary to dissolve a large tablespoonful in two-thirds of a tumbler of water; for the latter a teaspoonful.
It will keep good in every situation, and is singularly efficacious in preventing sea-sickness.

TRUE WIESBADEN SALT.
The celebrated saline water of Wiesbaden possesses alterative and aperient properties; it stimulates the absorbent system, and is found beneficial in gouty and other affections depending on a deranged state of the system, The salt obtained by evaporation from the natural spring, as specially consigned to Messrs. Dinneford & Co., will be found correspondingly efficacious and desirable.

LEMON AND KALI,
FOR MAKING SALINE DRAUGHTS.
This peculiarly grateful effervescent may be taken with the greatest advantage in febrile and other similar affections, and as a beverage for allaying thirst during the heat of summer.

DR. GREGORY'S STOMACHIC POWDER.
For gout, indigestion, acidity, &c., composed of Turkey Rhubarb, Farina of Jamaica Ginger, and pure Calcined Magnesia. This composition was a favourite remedy of the late Professor Gregory, of Edinburgh, for affections of the stomach (such as acidity, flatulency, &c.), and torpidity of the bowels, consequent upon an impaired state of the secretions necessary for the process of digestion. Its effects are antacid, carminative, and gently aperient. It is particularly serviceable to gouty and dyspeptic invalids, and may be taken without any restraint whatever, according to the directions which accompany it.

ESSENCE OF CAMOMILE AND GINGER.
The ingredients of this formula are especially selected: the aromatic properties of the Ginger assist in relieving flatulence; whilst the bitter qualities of the Camomile act as a mild tonic on the stomach, assisting digestion and restoring the appetite.

DINNEFORD'S INDIAN TONIC,
For weak stomachs, flatulency, indigestion, loss of appetite, nervous affections, and constitutional debility.

ORANGE QUININE WINE.
An elegant and grateful stomachic, and strengthening stimulant to the nervous system.

RASPBERRY SALINE DRAUGHT.
A grateful effervescing beverage for allaying thirst.

MEDICATED COTTON.
For preventing and relieving colds, difficulty of breathing,

AROMATIC BLACK DRAUGHT.
A most agreeable form for administering this usually nauseous draught. It is an admirable domestic medicine, and may be had recourse to in all cases, with safety, in the absence of a medical man. It will keep good for any length of time.

Posted by Lynn Coleman at 7:27 AM 0 comments 
Labels: 1854, Household Medicine, Medicine

Baths & Bathing Part 2

Today's post continues from yesterday picking up about Sea Bathing, from "A Family Medicine Directory ©1854 by Charles Dinneford.

SEA-WATER BATH.
The topical action of sea-water is more stimulant than common water, and, employed as a bath, it more speedily and certainly causes the re-action and glow, and, consequently, the sea-water bath may be used for a longer period, without causing exhaustion, than the common water bath. It is a popular opinion, which is, perhaps, well founded, that patients are less liable to take cold after the use of salt water, as a bath, than after the use of common water.

Artificial Sea-Water Bath.—A solution of one part of common salt in thirty parts of water, is a cheap substitute for a sea-water bath. When, however, a more faithful imitation of sea-water is desired, the following formula, founded on Marcet's analysis, may be relied on:—
Common Salt 390 grains
Sulphate of Soda (crystals) 172 grains
Chloride of Calcium (crystals) 36 grains
Chloride of Magnesium (crystals) .... 144 grains
Iodide of Potassium 1 grain
Bromide of Potassium 1 grain
Water 1 wine quart
This imitation is perfect.
The following remarks on " Sea Bathing" are compressed from an able article which formerly appeared in The Lancet:—
" The Cold Sea Bath—Is a therapeutic agent, not only of immense power, but it admits of no substitute: it will accomplish what no other remedy will effect. On the other hand, a cold plunge, indiscreetly resorted to in visceral disease, may prove to be a plunge into eternity. For these reasons the cold sea bath should only be used (by invalids) under special medical direction. Nor is any medical practitioner justified in giving directions for its use, unless he have a practical acquaintance, not only with the morbid conditions which it is calculated to rectify, but with all the circumstances which indicate or contra-indicate its use— with the requisite dose or frequency of repetition—with the signs of an over-dose or excessive use—and with the indications for perseverance in its use on the one hand, or for its discontinuance on the other. All this is considered essential in administering a drug, and it holds with equal force in reference to a bath. Yet the use of the cold bath as a remedy for disease, is, perhaps, less understood by the profession than any agent of equal power. The conditions of its administration, not less than the effects of its abuse, are alike subjects on which erroneous views extensively prevail.

" There are reasons for this deficiency of knowledge, which go far both to explain and excuse it. In the first place, a comparatively small number only of the practitioners of these islands have opportunities of witnessing and watching the operations of the old sea bath—those, namely, who are located at marine watering places. Their inland brethren cannot be expected to take much interest in the study of a subject which to them must be purely theoretical. Nor is it at all necessary that they should do so. I only entreat them, as they value human life, to abstain from prescribing at random, a remedy of which they cannot understand the value; and to admonish their patients visiting the coast, not to consign their health to the care of the ignorant proprietors of bathing machines, or their more ignorant ' guides.' As well might a lancet be plunged into the vein of a patient at the dictum of the instrument maker, or calomel be administered under the advice of the laboratory man, as for such persons to have the direction of this powerful remedy. So far as disease is concerned, every bathing establishment should be under medical superintendence. And as every watering place may be supposed to contain medical practitioners who are practically acquainted with the subject, there can be no excuse whatever for the encouragement of the form of hydropathic quackery above described.

Baths & Bathing Part 1

This is the first of two posts on Baths & Bathing taken from "A Family Medicine Directory ©1854 by Charles Dinneford.

BATHS AND BATHING.
The simplest and most natural division of Baths is into hot and cold; the former comprehending all those which occasion the feeling of heat, the latter all which communicate the sensation of cold. The following arrangement of Baths according to temperature, is likely to be generally useful:—
1 The cold bath 60° to 70°
2 The temperate hath 75° to 85°
8 The tepid bath 85° to 92°
4 The warm bath 92° to 98°
5 The hot bath 98° to 112°
THE COLD BATH.
As a preventative of the numerous diseases produced by cold, or rather by variations of temperature, the cold bath excels all other measures. In the numerous variations of catarrhal disorders it is frequently of extreme value. It obviously acts, too, in warding off these diseases; in the first place, as a tonic to the whole system, thereby rendering it less easily affected by deleterious influences from without. Secondly, it strengthens, in a peculiar manner, the skin and the mucous membranes of the air passages, on which part the morbific impressions, producing catarrh, are generally made. In the third place, by accustoming the surface to a frequent change of temperature, it renders it less liable to suffer from those which are unavoidable, and which are known to be the common cause of colds. The same observations apply, in a great measure, to rheumatism, chilblains, and other diseases produced by the same causes.
THE WARM BATH.
The following are a few of the cases in which the warm bath is highly beneficial:—
1.—In fatigue after great muscular exertion, particularly if long continued; in those cases the body should be allowed time to cool before the bath is taken, and the temperature of this should not be higher than is absolutely necessary to produce the desired effects. In general 94°, 95°, or 96° will be sufficiently high.
2.—After a long journey, more particularly in the case of persons of a delicate or feverish habit. Travelling for several successive days, even in the easiest carriage, and on the best roads, produces, in almost every person, dryness of skin, irregular distribution of blood, defective secretion and excretion, general irritation of the nervous system, and a slight degree of feverish heat; in all such cases the warm bath is an invaluable remedy.
3.—After long continued and mental excitement and loss of sleep, as in studious labours ; and after great bodily exertion and activity of the external senses, as many departments of public and professional life impose, the warm bath is very beneficial.
The warm bath is of essential benefit in many diseases, but it is unnecessary here to speak of bathing medicinally, the only object being to offer a few suggestions for the guidance of persons in health.
Period Of Stay In The Bath.—Speaking generally, a quarter of an hour may be said to be the shortest period, an hour the longest, and twenty-five minutes to half an hour the medium.
THE TEPID BATH.
The effects of the tepid bath are similar in kind to those of the warm bath, but inferior in degree. The tepid bath is less pleasant, less animating, less soothing; it possesses neither the direct stimulus of the warm, nor the indirect stimulus of the cold bath, and in its medical effects may be taid to occupy a middle position between the temperate and warm baths.

THE HOT BATH.
The application of the hot hath is exclusively therapeutical, and its employment, consequently, circumscribed; tbe propriety of its use must, therefore, be determined by the practitioner.

THE VAPOUR BATH.
The vapour bath is applicable in most cases of chronic, rheumatism and gout, in some cutaneous affections, and in slight colds from checked perspiration; the general effects of the vapour bath are those of a powerful stimulant and sudorific, followed by a feeling of languor and tendency to sleep; it seems that a much higher temperature can be borne in the vapour, than in the warm bath, and that the exhalation and consequent exhaustion is also less.
The Medicated Vapour Bath.—Is prepared by impregnating aqueous vapour with the odour of medicinal plants. There is no good reason, however, for supposing that it possesses any advantage over the simple vapour bath.

Tomorrow continues with a long post on Sea Bathing.

Oil Discovery

Here is a brief outline sketch of the oil history in the 19th century.

1846 Kerosene as fuel was introduced by Canadian Abraham Gesner
1853 a Russian sea captain noted the oil along the shoreline of Cook Inlet, Alaska.
1854 the North American Gas Light Company was formed.
1859 NW Pennsylvania an important well is drilled for the soul purpose of finding oil.
1862 first commercial oil well in Canon City, Colorado.
1865 first oil pipeline was constructed.
1865 California's first productive well was drilled.
1866 First well in Texas drilled by Lyne T. Barret. wasn't exploited until 1888 when a crew of drillers from the PA came to lend a hand.
1872 Robert Augustus patents Vaseline from the unwanted goop of the PA wells.
1892 First well strike in Southern California was drilled by Edward L. Doheny indowntown LA
1896 some marginally successful wells were drilled in Corsicana, Texas.
1897 500 wells in LA, California
1897 oil discovered in Oklahoma
1898 Oil drilling begins in Alaska

Beacon Press

In 1854, a Book and Tract Fund was established, with the goal of
raising $50,000, and educator George Emerson, cousin of Unitarian
minister Ralph Waldo Emerson, headed the fund-raising effort. New
AUA headquarters, replete with a street-accessible bookstore, were set
up at 21 Bromfield Street, near Boston Common. With the fund and the
storefront in place, the precursor of Beacon Press—then called simply
the Press of the American Unitarian Association—was officially born.

On March 9, 1854, AUA president Samuel Kirkland Lothrop
addressed a gathering at 21 Bromfield to explain why regular and
planned book publishing was the logical next step for the AUA. In the
nineteenth year of his incumbency, Lothrop was pastor of the very
wealthy, very distinguished Brattle Street Church.