The day to day life of a surgeon on a privateering ship which set sail from Bristol in 1757 is the subject of an intriguing new online project which starts today.
The journal of the anonymous surgeon on the Dreadnought during the Seven Years War is being serialised on:
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/bristolro
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bristolrecordoffice
- Storify: www.storify.com/BristolRO/dreadnought
Documenting attacks on French vessels intended to disrupt trade and steal prizes, the surgeon also described disputes and drinking on board and the dangers of life at sea.
The serialisation of the journal coincides with Bristol Record Office’s Explore Your Archive campaign, which includes maritime-themed behind-the-scenes tours of Bristol Record Office in the Create Centre near the Cumberland Basin.
Tours on November 20 and 26, and December 4 and 5, will include being able to see the diary, which was in private hands until being recently donated in a will and transcribed by volunteer Nigel Sommerville.
