Albert J. Kenyon diaries, 1867, 1871.
Collection Number: 1953

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Albert J. Kenyon diaries, 1867, 1871.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
1953
Abstract:
Diary entries concern Kenyon's activities aboard the U.S.S. Dacotah and the U.S.S. Wasp and shore visits to Valparaiso, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and other South American ports.
Creator:
Kenyon, Albert J.
Quanitities:
2 volumes.
Language:
Collection material in English
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Albert J. Kenyon, a native of Owego, Tioga County, served as a 2nd Assistant Engineer with the South Pacific Squadron of the United States Navy.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Diary entries concern Kenyon's activities aboard the U.S.S. Dacotah and the U.S.S. Wasp and shore visits to Valparaiso, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and other South American ports.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Cite As:

Albert J. Kenyon diaries, #1953. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
SUBJECTS

Names:
United States. Navy. South Pacific Squadron
Dacotah (Ship)
Wasp (Ship)
Places:
United States -- History, Naval.
Valparaiso (Chile) -- Description and travel.
Montevideo (Uruguay) -- Description and travel.
Buenos Aires (Argentina) -- Description and travel.
South America -- Description and travel.
Form and Genre Terms:
Diaries.
CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Box 1
Diary of "A.J. Kenyon, U.S.S. 'Dacotah,' South Pacific Squadron, Callao, Peru, Dec. 27 '66" (flyleaf inscription)
Scope and Contents
Kenyon may have come from Owego, N.Y. Diary itself was printed in London and includes an almanac for the year 1867, a record of letters home for 1866 (when and to whom sent), and a list of cash items.
Contents of 1867 Diary:
  1. Comments on the weather. Mail he received and sent, the crew of the ship and their activities.
  2. Kenyon made up the quarterly reports.
  3. Jan. 8 entry - Received Prize Money for capture of Confederate ships in Mobile Bay. Aug. 5, 1964.
  4. Voyages on the ship, speed, distance, location, refueling.
  5. Places - Callao, Peru; Valparaiso, Talcahuano Bay, Coquimbo Bay, Calera Bay, Chile; Panama; Iolay [?], Peru; Iquique, Chile.
  6. Menion of other ships (e.g. Feb. 1, 6, 27, 28, Mar. 17, 18, 25, 27 [Russian ship], July 15-16).
  7. Impression of the places visited (Jan. 27, May 9, May 13 - La Serena, Chile, Dec. 2).
  8. Visitors on board the "Dacotah."
  9. Describes trip to Santiago - Apr. 12ff.
  10. Describes copper works - May 15 - La Serena.
  11. Kept the steam log, quarterly reports.
  12. Death of one of the crew - June 17-18.
  13. Court Martial - June 21, Aug. 20.
  14. Mention of various balls given - June 13-16, Sept. 11, 16.
  15. Mention that charter of Panama R.R. was extended for 99 yrs. by the President - Sept. 2, 1967.
  16. Birthday mentioned and time in the service - Sept. 22 - 26 years old and 6 years in service.
  17. Plata Island - said that Pizarro buried his treasure there - Nov. 4.
Box 1
Diary for year 1871 - "A.J. Kenyon, U.S.S. Wasp, Montevideo, Jan. 1871" (flyleaf inscription)
 1871
Scope and Contents
List of accounts and letters written - front of diary and back pages.
Contents of 1871 Diary:
  1. General information as in 1867 diary - i.e., mail, weather, ships, shore trips, balls.
  2. Mention of stabbings - Jan. 18, 29
  3. Places visited - Montevideo, Colonia, Asuncion, Paraguay, New Palmyra (?), Ruicon, San Rosario de Santa Fe, Parana (?) City, Corrientes, Rosario, Buenos Aires, Argentine Rep.
  4. Mentions sport of shooting birds - "gunning" - frequent pasttime.
  5. Yellow fever in B. Ayres (Buenos Aires) - Mar. 20.
  6. Court martial - Apr. 5.
  7. Visit by President of Paraguay on the ship - July 25.
  8. Mention of an execution of four murderers in a Plaza - Sept. 22.
  9. Years of service and pay - Oct. 11.
  10. Account of ship burning - Dec. 24.