Archives West Finding Aid
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Columbia Rediviva collection, 1785-1852
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Columbia Rediviva collection
- Dates
- 1785-1852 (inclusive)17851852
- Quantity
- 1.1 cubic feet, (1 document case; 1 oversized flat box (17 x 21); 1 microfilm reel)
- Collection Number
- Mss 957
- Summary
- Collection of documents, originals and copies, relating to the ship Columbia (also known as the Columbia Rediviva) and its journeys to the Pacific Northwest in the late 18th century. The ship was owned by Joseph Barrell out of Boston and most famously captained by Robert Gray. Materials include logs, journals, letters, financial records, cargo lists, and drawings of the ship.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Columbia, also known as the Columbia Rediviva, was a three-masted sailing ship of 212 tons owned by Joseph Barrell of Boston, Massachusetts. It was built in 1773 by James Briggs. In its first voyage to the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia, captained by John Kendrick, was accompanied by the sloop Lady Washington, captained by Robert Gray. The Columbia left Boston on September 30, 1787, reaching Nootka Sound in the summer of 1788. After wintering in the area, Captain Gray took the Columbia to China via the Hawaiian Islands in the summer of 1789, continuing on to circumnavigate the globe and returning to Boston on August 9, 1790. In September of that year, Gray took the Columbia on its second voyage, reaching the Pacific Northwest in 1792. He was credited with discovering the entrance to the Columbia River, which bore the name of his ship, and he also gave his name to Grays Harbor. He continued to Canton and around the world again, reaching Boston on July 20, 1793.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection consists of correspondence, journals, ship logs, administrative records, and ink sketches relating to the ship Columbia Rediviva. A mix of original materials and reproductions are present. Among the originals are: the journal of John Hoskins, written during the Columbia's journey around the world in 1791-1792; the journal of George Barrell, 1806, written on board the brig Venus from Boston to Malaga, and on the schooner Louisiana from Malaga to New York; Barrell's account of stores on board the Columbia, 1792-1793; letters of Joseph Barrell to Samuel Webb, 1785-1801, and to John Hoskins, 1790; letters from Colburn Barrell and Robert Haswell, 1801; owner's accounts, 1787-1793; accounts of the Columbia and Lady Washington, 1787-1790; receipts; and four ink sketches by George Davidson depicting incidents in the voyages of the Columbia.
The reproductions held in this collection include the journals of Robert Haswell and Owen Smith, 1787-1789; and a file of receipts and other papers concerning outfitting of the Columbia, 1790 (on microfilm). Also included are publications of Robert Gray's wife Martha's petition to congress for a pension and memorial, 1848-1852.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.
Preferred Citation
Columbia Rediviva collection, Mss 957, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Alternative Forms Available
Journal of John Hoskins is also available on microfilm as Mss 957 Microfilm at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Alternative Forms Available
See digitized versions of original materials at OHS Digital Collections.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Acquisition Information
A portion of the collection was purchased in April 1966 with the Margaret Bates Memorial Fund (Acc. 10234).
Location of Originals
Originals of Robert Haswell journal, the Ship Columbia Log, and the records of the outfitting of the Columbia Rediviva are held at the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Letters from Joseph Barrell to Samuel B. Webb (8 items) | 1785-1800 |
| 1 | 2 | Letter of John Pintard to Joseph Barrell, 1790 October 5; and letter of John Hoskins to Joseph Barrell, 1792 December 13 (typescript transcription) | 1790-1792 |
| 1 | 3 | Letter of Robert Haswell to Joseph Barrell | 1801 August 5 |
| 1 | 4 | Columbia Rediviva--Owners' accounts | 1787-1789 |
| 1 | 5 | Columbia Rediviva--Boston accounts, including Lady Washington accounts.
On cover, in hand: "all the Ship Coumbias [sic] Papers / Mary Barrell / Millburn, N.J."
|
1787-1790 |
| 1 | 6 | Robert Haswell, "A voyage around the world in the ship Columbia Rediviva" (typescript transcription from original at the Massachusetts Historical Society) | 1787-1789 |
| 1 | 7 | Canton invoice, signed by Robert Gray | 1790 |
| 1 | 8 | Columbia Rediviva--Accounts (incomplete), including entries of May 1792 at Columbia River | 1790-1793 |
| 1 | 9 | John Hoskins, "Journal of a voyage around the world in the ship Columbia Rediviva (bound volume) | 1791-1792 |
| 1 | 10 | John Hoskins, "Journal of a voyage around the world in the ship Columbia Rediviva (typescript and handwritten transcripts and excerpts) | 1791-1792 |
| Reel | |||
| MSS 957 Microfilm | John Hoskins, "Journal of a voyage around the world in the ship Columbia Rediviva" (microfilm access copy) | 1791-1792 | |
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 11 | George Barrell's journal
Includes: Columbia account of stores, 1792 June 23-1793 May 27; Journal from Boston to Malaga in the brig Venus, George Barrell, master, 1806 July 13-September 14; Journal from Malaga to New York in the schooner Louisiana, Thomas Davis, master, 1806 September 23-November 30
|
1792-1806 |
| 1 | 12 | Columbia Rediviva--Account of receipt (fragment) | 1793 August |
| 1 | 13 | Columbia Rediviva--Record of claims (contemporary printed pamphlets)
Includes: Report of claim for pension made by Martha Gray, widow of Captain Robert Gray, U.S. Congress, House, 1848 April 26; report from U.S. Senate on claims to lands purchased from Indian tribes in the northwestern U.S., by Martha Gray and others related to the Columbia voyage, 1852 August 11.
|
1848-1852 |
| 1 | 14 | Clippings and ephemera | 1787-1808 |
| 1 | 15 | Columbia Rediviva--Copies of Columbia papers and orders to Captain Gray (photocopies) | 1790 September 25 |
| 1 | 16 | "Surprised by natives at Chicklerset," George Davidson painting (based on drawings of 1793-1795) | 1793-1810 |
| 1 | 17 | "At Falkland Islands," George Davidson painting (based on drawings of 1793-1795) | 1793-1810 |
| 1 | 18 | "Columbia in a squall," George Davidson painting (based on drawings of 1793-1795) | 1793-1810 |
| 1 | 19 | "Attacked at Juan de Fuca Straits," George Davidson painting (based on drawings of 1793-1795) | 1793-1810 |
| 2 | 1 | Letter of Joseph Barrell to John Hoskins | 1790 September 24 |
| 2 | 2 | Columbia Rediviva cargo list | 1787 October 1 |
| 2 | 3 | "Ship Columbia Log / from Sep't 28 1790 to Oct'r 3rd 1791 / by / Robert Haswell / and by / Owen Smith / the Remainder of ye / Volume." (copy of original at the Massachusetts Historical Society) | 1790-1791 |
| Reel | |||
| MSS 957 Microfilm | Records of the outfitting of the Columbia Rediviva (copies of originals at the Massachusetts Historical Society) | 1790 | |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Ships
- Voyages to the Pacific coast
Personal Names
- Barrell, George Guelphs, 1780-1838 (creator)
- Barrell, George Guelphs, 1780-1838
- Barrell, Joseph, 1739-1804 (creator)
- Barrell, Joseph, 1739-1804
- Davidson, George, 1768-1801 (creator)
- Davidson, George, 1768-1801
- Gray, Robert, 1755-1806
- Haswell, Robert, 1768-1801 (creator)
- Haswell, Robert, 1768-1801
- Hoskins, John Box, 1768-1824? (creator)
- Hoskins, John Box, 1768-1824?
- Webb, Samuel Blachley, 1753-1807
Corporate Names
- Columbia (Ship : 1787-1801)
- Lady Washington (Brigantine)
Form or Genre Terms
- Administrative records
- Correspondence
- travel sketches
