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Columbia Rediviva collection, 1785-1852

Overview of the Collection

Title
Columbia Rediviva collection
Dates
1785-1852 (inclusive)
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
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Historical Note

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.

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Content Description

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.

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Use of the Collection

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.

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Administrative Information

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.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Letters from Joseph Barrell to Samuel B. Webb (8 items)
    Dates: 1785-1800
    Container: Box 1, Folder 1
  • Description: Letter of John Pintard to Joseph Barrell, 1790 October 5; and letter of John Hoskins to Joseph Barrell, 1792 December 13 (typescript transcription)
    Dates: 1790-1792
    Container: Box 1, Folder 2
  • Description: Letter of Robert Haswell to Joseph Barrell
    Dates: 1801 August 5
    Container: Box 1, Folder 3
  • Description: Columbia Rediviva--Owners' accounts
    Dates: 1787-1789
    Container: Box 1, Folder 4
  • Description: Columbia Rediviva--Boston accounts, including Lady Washington accounts.

    On cover, in hand: "all the Ship Coumbias [sic] Papers / Mary Barrell / Millburn, N.J."

    Dates: 1787-1790
    Container: Box 1, Folder 5
  • Description: Robert Haswell, "A voyage around the world in the ship Columbia Rediviva" (typescript transcription from original at the Massachusetts Historical Society)
    Dates: 1787-1789
    Container: Box 1, Folder 6
  • Description: Canton invoice, signed by Robert Gray
    Dates: 1790
    Container: Box 1, Folder 7
  • Description: Columbia Rediviva--Accounts (incomplete), including entries of May 1792 at Columbia River
    Dates: 1790-1793
    Container: Box 1, Folder 8
  • Description: John Hoskins, "Journal of a voyage around the world in the ship Columbia Rediviva (bound volume)
    Dates: 1791-1792
    Container: Box 1, Folder 9
  • Description: John Hoskins, "Journal of a voyage around the world in the ship Columbia Rediviva (typescript and handwritten transcripts and excerpts)
    Dates: 1791-1792
    Container: Box 1, Folder 10
  • Description: John Hoskins, "Journal of a voyage around the world in the ship Columbia Rediviva" (microfilm access copy)
    Dates: 1791-1792
    Container: Reel MSS 957 Microfilm
  • Description: 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

    Dates: 1792-1806
    Container: Box 1, Folder 11
  • Description: Columbia Rediviva--Account of receipt (fragment)
    Dates: 1793 August
    Container: Box 1, Folder 12
  • Description: 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.

    Dates: 1848-1852
    Container: Box 1, Folder 13
  • Description: Clippings and ephemera
    Dates: 1787-1808
    Container: Box 1, Folder 14
  • Description: Columbia Rediviva--Copies of Columbia papers and orders to Captain Gray (photocopies)
    Dates: 1790 September 25
    Container: Box 1, Folder 15
  • Description: "Surprised by natives at Chicklerset," George Davidson painting (based on drawings of 1793-1795)
    Dates: 1793-1810
    Container: Box 1, Folder 16
  • Description: "At Falkland Islands," George Davidson painting (based on drawings of 1793-1795)
    Dates: 1793-1810
    Container: Box 1, Folder 17
  • Description: "Columbia in a squall," George Davidson painting (based on drawings of 1793-1795)
    Dates: 1793-1810
    Container: Box 1, Folder 18
  • Description: "Attacked at Juan de Fuca Straits," George Davidson painting (based on drawings of 1793-1795)
    Dates: 1793-1810
    Container: Box 1, Folder 19
  • Description: Letter of Joseph Barrell to John Hoskins
    Dates: 1790 September 24
    Container: Box 2, Folder 1
  • Description: Columbia Rediviva cargo list
    Dates: 1787 October 1
    Container: Box 2, Folder 2
  • Description: "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)
    Dates: 1790-1791
    Container: Box 2, Folder 3
  • Description: Records of the outfitting of the Columbia Rediviva (copies of originals at the Massachusetts Historical Society)
    Dates: 1790
    Container: Reel MSS 957 Microfilm

Laura Cray
2019

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