1808-23 Maine Sailor Cypher Lesson Books (Mathematics, Navigation, Banking)

A set of four c. 1808-1823 manuscript cypher books containing the lessons of a young sailor in training - likely from Belfast, Maine. The books offer unique insights into the education and training of gifted young sailors in the arts of mathematics and navigation. The voyage log and navigational studies suggest these works were compiled over several sea voyages. Points of coverage include navigation, trigonometry, general mathematics, calculation of duties and poundage, calculations of bank interest, winds and sailing guides, and more - all of the education a young man would need for a career as a sea captain.

A Closer Look

The collection consists of four volumes, likely the work of several years, as we can follow the penmanship's evolution from the unsteady hand of a child to the florid flowing script of an adult. The books feature:

• Mathematical problems
• Navigational and sailing studies
• Elegant illustrations of compass roses and navigational diagrams
• Instructions on calculating time at sea
• Bank and cargo studies
• The log of an 1808 voyage from Boston to Madeira
• Notes regarding loans received
• The dispersion of a widow's inheritance: the estate of Daniel Patch to Solman Bowen

Whose Cypher Books?

The author is, unfortunately, unclear. There are several clues and names scattered throughout the books, but nothing definite. Clues throughout point to Belfast, Maine, which is also where we acquired these. Named figures include:

• Tolmon Bowen (inheritor of Union, Maine)
• Daniel Patch (deceased, of Belfast)
• Samuel Leonard (on the back of one journal dated 1822) along with the place name 'Belfast'
• Ezra Bowen 1823