Journal of Captain John Hudson for the year 1821, in command of the TARTAR when serving off the West coast of Africa in the suppression of the Slave Trade; journal of John Hudson, PHILOMEL, 1 September 1829 - 5 July 1830. Journals kept by Thomas Keith Hudson include those kept while a midshipman in the SYBILLE, 1856-1857, China Station, Prince Alfred was a midshipman with him during these years; journals when serving in the EURYALUS as Lieutenant, 1858-1860; in the IMMORTALITE between 1861 and 1864 as lieutenant; in boys training brig SQUIRREL at Plymouth in 1866; journals when serving in the CLIO, 1871-1873, Australia Station. Copies of letters to his wife, 1858-1860 and 1871-1873. A child's caul kept within an envelope. With a note to explain that caul's were precious to seafarer's, a sort of magical talisman giving good fortune at sea. Sale catalogue entitled 'China Trade Pictures', Sotheby Parke Bernet (Hong Kong) Ltd; includes photographs: two of the SEAFLOWER, 1888; a sketch of DAUNTLESS in the Bay of Biscay and includes three watercolour sketches in the China Station, circa 1859-1860.

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Administrative / biographical background
John Hudson was born at Warkworth in 1795, the second son of the Reverend Joseph Hudson and his wife Rachel Hudson née Monkhouse. He entered the Navy as a first class volunteer in 1811, serving on the AMERICA, and soon afterwards on the ROYAL ALFRED, employed at the siege of Cadiz. He was mate on board the MOSQUITO in 1818; then continued as mate, appointed to the TARTAR and PHEASANT, 1820-1821. He was promoted lieutenant on 26 August 1822, appointed to the RAMILLIES, previously acting lieutenant MYRMIDON and IPHIGENIA. He entered into service on 16 June 1829 to the PHILOMEL. He became commander on 5 December 1831 and captain on 7 March 1833, serving as a commander in the coastguard service between 1833 and 1838. He was governor of the Queen's Bench Prison between 1843 and his death at Redhill in Surrey in 1869. His service record can be found under the reference ADM 196/225 at The National Archives. Thomas Keith Hudson was born at Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1836, the third son of Captain John Hudson and his wife Emily Hudson née Keith. He entered the Navy as mate on the SYBILLE in 1856; then served as a lieutenant in the EURYALUS between 1858 and 1860. He continued to served as lieutenant, being appointed to the IMMORTALITE, 1861-1864; the IMPREGNABLE, 1864-1866; the SQUIRREL, 1867-1868. He was promoted to commander serving on the CLIO, 1871-1874. He retired with the rank of captain in 1873 and died in 1922. His service record can be found under the reference ADM 196/14/128 and ADM 196/70/400 at The National Archives.