Volumes, loose papers and sketches from the naval career of Thomas Boteler including: Volume entitled 'Narrative of the Voyage of H.M. Vessels Leven and Barracouta' with related loose ink and watercolour drawings of indigenous people, artifacts and scenes in Tenerife, Delgoa Bay, Madagascar and other places on the coast of Africa, 1821-1826. Letterbook kept as Commander between 1826 and 1829, including his voyage on the survey vessel HMS HECLA.
Oversize folder: Loose charts, drawings, watercolours and prints, circa 1822-1829, Charts of the west coast of Africa surveyed by HMS HECLA.

Administrative / biographical background
Thomas Boteler was the fifth son of William Boteler of Eastry. After leaving school in 1810 he joined the hulk HMS PRINCE OF ORANGE, guardship in the Downs, and then the sloop HMS KANGAROO on a voyage to Jamaica. He obtained the rank of lieutenant in 1816 and commander in 1826. His appointments included the survey vessels HMS BARRACOUTA and HMS HECLA off the west coast of Africa. He lost most of his crew to yellow fever while in command of the latter vessel in 1829. He became a victim of the fever himself and died off the Calabar River in the same year. A coat of arms to his memory can be found in the Church of St Mary the Virgin at Eastry.