A collection of journals and watercolours by Henry James, from the early part of his career, between 1819 and 1829. The series of journals was kept while James was serving on board HMS REVOLUTIONNAIRE, HMS FAIRY, HMS TARTAR and HMS WELLESLEY. There is a folder of 22 watercolours, with view of various ports and anchorages, including Malta, Cape St Vincent, Port Mahon and the Ionian islands, circa 1820. Also included is a volume of press cuttings, mainly obituaries following James's death in January 1898.

Administrative / biographical background
Henry James entered the Navy in 1812 as a volunteer and joined the former French 74, HMS POMPEE. He saw active service off Toulon and later joined Duckworth's flagship HMS BERWICK and subsequently Exmouth's flagship IMPREGNABLE. He was later on the REVOLUNTIONAIRE involved in surveying the entrances to the Dardanelles. James passed his examination for lieutenant in 1829 and was appointed to the MERSEY. In 1835 he was 1st Lieutenant of HM sloop WOLF and saw action against Malaccan pirates. He was invalided out of active service in 1838 but remained on the Navy List until 1860 when he retired with the rank of Commander. For many years he was the oldest senior officer on the retired Navy List. He died in 1898, aged 99, often fondly referred to as 'the father of the Navy' and one of the last who had fought against Napoleon and could clearly recall Nelson's funeral .