Uncatalogued: Logs and other volumes from the G.A. Foot collection

Collection of logs and other manuscript volumes from the library of George Alfred Foot (1899-1969) of Islington, London.

The logs relate to pleasure cruises undertaken by the Rolls family on private yachts during summer months in the period 1847-1894. Some of the logs include names of the crew and passengers on board. The yachts were owned by John Etherington Welch Rolls (1807-1870) and his only son John Allan Rolls, 1st Baron Langattock (1837-1912). The next generation of the family included John Stewart Rolls (1877-1910), the co-founder of the Rolls Royce company. Two of the logs from 1893-1894 appear to have been kept by him.

Box 1
Eight manuscript volumes:

Three volumes of logs of the schooner ESMERALDA, Royal Yacht Squadron, 1847-1849. Covering the periods 21 April 1847 to 4 September 1847; 1 May 1848 to 2 September 1848; and 7 May 1849 to 3 September 1849.

Two volumes of logs of the schooner BEATRICE, Royal Yacht Squadron, 1860-1861. Covering the periods 18 June 1860 to 7 September 1860; and 22 June 1861 to 7 September 1861.

Volume entitled ‘Library List’ containing notes on the large collection of maritime books, bric-a-brac, pictures, objet d’art, ship models, etc., owned by George Alfred Foot, circa 1950-1965.

Post Office record book of George Alfred Foot containing notes relating to modelmaking, including sketches of sailing vessels, dimensions of sails, and details of colours.

Workbook entitled ‘Practical Torpedo’ used by Lieutenant Richard Lindsay Nicholson, circa 1909-1910. Containing notes, diagrams, graphs, plans, etc. relating to electronic circuits and equipment used in torpedo warfare. There are some typescript sheets, including programme and particulars for a demonstration of the Brennan mono-rail system of transport held at Gillingham on 25 February 1910.

Box 2

Six volumes of logs of the steam yacht SANTA MARIA (1883) in the period 1885-1893. Covering the periods 19 June 1885 to 9 September 1885; January to April 1886 (blank); 10 July 1886 to 20 September 1886; 11 June 1887 to 14 July 1887; 12 July 1889 to 3 September 1889; 5 July 1890 to 1 September 1890; 26 June 1891 to 5 September 1891 (two logs); 1 July 1893 to 30 August 1893. The last log includes a loose photographic print showing a deck view and a sheet with diagrams of steam engine pressure in August 1891.

Package 1
Five manuscript volumes:

Three volumes of logs of the schooner CAMILLA, Royal Yacht Squadron, 1852-1854. Covering the periods 31 May 1852 to 4 September 1852; 30 May 1853 to 17 September 1853; and 5 June 1854 to 2 September 1854. The first volume includes a newspaper cutting about a gale along the south coast of England in August 1852. Also a loose printed card advertising photographic collodion portraits by Charles Barker, chemical lecturer at the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth.

One volume containing a log of the steam yacht SANTA MARIA (1883), covering the period 15 July 1893 to 28 August 1893.

One volume containing a log of the GARONNE, covering the period 13 June 1894 to 15 August 1894.

Package 2
Large printed volume concerning salvage of the cargo steamer BANNOCKBURN (1908), beached at Dover following a collision with the JAMES WESTOLL (1884), off Dungeness on 2 March 1911, issued by Hogg & Heath, average adjusters, London and Glasgow. Including details of the apportionment of recovered cargo and special charges.

Administrative / biographical background
George Alfred Foot was a maritime enthusiast and modelmaker who lived at 76 Cloudesley Road, Islington, London. His library included some manuscripts relating to yachting and naval history. In later life he was employed as a postman in the Goswell Road area.