Beschreibung:

The manuscript diary/journal of Charles Senior a seaman in the Royal Navy, covering the period from 21st January 1893 when he joined as a Boy Seaman at Sheffield, until 28th September 1901 when being by this time a Petty Officer, he 'purchased his discharge' at Shanghai where he subsequently joined the Imperial Maritime Customs Service - (Vo, 90 pages) This very well kept journal provides a dramatic insight into the life on the lower deck in the Royal Navy towards the end of the Victorian era. Early in it he makes a comment expressed by many sailors both before and since -- 'I soon began to wish that I had never left home but as I had gone against all Mother's entreaties not to go, I soon made up my mind come what may I would not complain.' In 1894 he was drafted to the submarine depot ship HMS Vulcan which was going out to join the Mediterranean Fleet; this was a year before Marconi invented radio in 1895. In July 1897 it is recorded in the journal that HMS Vulcan was at Spezzia (sic) in the Gulf of Genoa and Able Seaman Senior makes the following historical and prophetic entry -- 'On the Monday (19th July 1897) Marconi and his father came onboard and fitted up his telegraphy affair; we went out to sea a few miles to try communication with the shore and it proved very successful so I have no doubt this young fellow, who is only 26 years of age, will make his fortune by it.' Charles Senior died 28th May 1963