The eighteenth century saw Bristol's Atlantic trade at its peak (the often-noted 'decline' was relative only to other ports like Liverpool). Although slavery is rightly in the public eye, most of the voyages did not touch West Africa or carry slaves; and it is with this aspect that this volume is concerned. Most of the items here are the Owners' Accounts of voyages showing the costs, the returns and the profits. Nearly 40 round trips are covered here, and this should give a fair deal of the variable factors and those which were critical to success. But there are also three stories of adventure on the high seas told by those on board: a surgeon's journal on a privateer; a journal of two round trips with an illustration for almost every day; and a logbook of a merchantman sailing under convoy in the French Wars of the 1790s. Each section contains its own discussion and analysis, together with transcriptions of the records bearing on the main points of interest and a full listing of all. -- Details from publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.