This business letter sent from Cowes to a prominent merchant house in Bordeaux very straightforwardly illustrates an important function performed by the many small harbours and ports dotted along the south coast of England in the days of sailing ships. They could provide a refuge from bad weather. The letter also shows that there were persons on hand locally to assist with formalities and practicalities; a brief internet search suggests that James Day was an establised merchant with shipping interests of his own. Written in a reasonably clear hand, it makes the reasonable assumption that there will be someone in Bordeaux who can read English; the big merchant houses were usually multi-lingually equipped. But I need Artificial Intelligence to tell me that “A galeas (or galias), in 19th-century Northern Europe referred to a relatively small, shallow-draft, two-masted merchant sailing ship equipped with a mix of square and fore-and-aft sails. They were highly popular in the Baltic and North Sea trade networks”.
James Day's bill for services of just under £34 equates according to the Bank of England calculator to about £3600 today; an 1823 agricultural labourer in southern England would have had an annual income of about £30; an experienced office clerk would have received about double that.
Cowes circa 1827 J M W Turner
Transcription
Addressed
to: Messrs Schroder Schÿler & Co Bordeaux
Datelined:
Cowes 17th Febry 1823
Postmarked
COWES, postage paid in advance as far as London with London transit mark of 27
FEB, Mss rating marks.
Docketing note: Cowes le 17 Fevrier 1823 James Day reçue
le 25 dit [ditto] rep [repondu]
Messrs. Schroeder Schÿler Bordeaux
Gentn.
I
beg to inform you that about the 9th inst the Prussian Galias
Henrietta & Jacob, Capt. Notzke, was forced into this Port by contrary
Winds & very bad Weather on a voyage to your place from Konigsberg with a
Cargo of Timber to your Consignment. Capt. Notzke applied to me to assist him
with the Needful to pay his Pilotages Port Charges &c which I accordingly
did, and for the amount say £33..17..4 [thirty-three pounds, seven shillings and
fourpence] Capt Notzke has given me his Draft on you, Gentlemen, at 2m date [due in two months] as p[er] his letter enclosed, and which I beg to recommend to
your protection.
The
Wind having become favourable yesterday Capt. Notzke lost no time getting his
Vessel underway & proceeded on his Voyage, & as the Wind has since
continued fair I make no doubt that he will soon be round with you, With a
tender of my best Service at this Port on any future Occasion
I
subscribe myself Gentlemen with great Respect Your very obedt. Servt.
James
Day