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Treasures from the Archives

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Abraham Ortelius, Septentrionalivm regionvm descrip., c. 1609-1612, MSM1– 0125

The Museum’s archives are full of wonderful and seldom seen objects that span over 500 years of maritime history. As the archivist, I derive infinite pleasure from discovering such items and making them accessible to the public. Some of my favorite discoveries have been in the collection of maps and atlases, including the map illustrated above.

This map of Northwest Europe was originally printed in the 1570 edition of Abraham Ortelius’Theatrum orbis terrarium(Theatre of the World), which is widely considered as the first modern atlas. Between 1570 and 1612, thirty-one editions of theTheatrum orbis terrariumwere printed. The Library owns a 1592 edition of the atlas, in addition to a number of separate maps by Ortelius that once graced the many editions ofTheatrum orbis terrarium.Read more

Library & Archives

A Lost Bounty

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The HMSBounty, circa 1967. From The Mariners’ Museum Library collection.

Hello readers, and welcome back to the Library blog. Close to two weeks ago, Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern seaboard of the United States, impacting our lives from the Carolinas to Boston. While each person lost during this disaster is keenly felt, perhaps no single story is more relevant to maritime history than the tragic loss of the HMSBountyand two of her crew. For the families of Claudene Christian and Robin Walbridge, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

What makes the HMSBounty如此特别的是她c阶段中被创造出来orrect materials, with the same tools they would have had back then and with the original building plans from the first HMSBounty. The modern ship was not just a replica: it was an authentic rebuilding of the same ship, right down to the hand-bend nails in her keel. Constructed for the 1962 movie “Mutiny on the Bounty,” the tall ship HMSBountyhas since served in many motion pictures and as a unique piece of living history for the coastal cities of Britain, Europe and the United States.Read more

Library & Archives

The Bucaniers of America

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This is Exquemelin’s book. From The Mariners’ Museum Library collection.

Hello readers, and welcome back to the Library blog. It has come to my attention that an increasing number of patrons are interested in the writings of Alexandre Exquemelin, a pirate – or buccaneer – in the early days of piracy in the Caribbean. Therefore, this blogger has decided to review Exquemelin’s 1684 publication of “The Bucaniers of America.” Exquemelin was a Frenchman who indentured himself to the French West India Company in 1666, in exchange for transport to Tortuga. Once he fulfilled his contract and received his freedom, he became a buccaneer and joined Henry Morgan. Exquemelin accompanies Morgan on many of his exploits, including the attacks on Panama and Porto Vello, and joins other buccaneers like Captain Bartholomew Sharp as well. He eventually returned to Europe in 1682, and published this book.

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