THE LOG OF THE SAVANNAH. 631 



with the powers of the Old World, nor permitting the Old World to 

 interfere with the New, was the foundation of what has gone into his- 

 tory as the " Monroe Doctrine." To a statesman of such broad views, 

 the establishment of a Transatlantic steamship line between Savannah 

 and Liverpool, by an American company, was indeed an important mat- 

 ter, and the success of the trial trip to Tybee Light and return must to 

 him have been gratifying in the extreme. 



The President was greatly pleased with the machinery of the Savan- 

 nah, and expressed the desire that when the vessel returned from foreigu 

 ports she be brought to Washington for the inspection of Government 

 officials and Congressmen, with a view to her purchase for coasting- 

 service off the coast of Florida, where Cuban pirates were giving great 

 annoyance to American shipping. 



The President seems to have had a namesake ou board, for the next 

 day while the crew was taking in wood, the "log" tells us that 

 " Daniel Claypit cut his left thumb off, the doctor done it up, and then 

 bled James Monroe;" as the sailing master spelled the President's 

 name Muuroe, it was probably not a relative of his excellency who was 

 bled. 



On Saturday, May 15, we find that " a heavy thunder squall rose 

 from the N.W. and broke the Savannah and two other ships adrift: 

 Broke the paddles adrift and beat the arms." 



After cutting one man's thumb off; bleeding another, and bending 

 the ship's arms, by a storm, it was to be hoped that no further record 

 of accidents would bo found in the "log" while in port. But, alas, 

 such was not the case. On Thursday, May 20, we find, " about 2 a. 

 in., John Weston, coming on board from the shore, fell off the plauk 

 and was drowned; at 10 a. m. caught John Weston with a boat hook 

 and jury was held over him; braught in axcerdentaldeth; took him on 

 board and put him in a coffin." 



Thus the first seaman of a Transatlantic steamer that was drowned 

 lost his life by falling from a plank while the vessel was in port. 



This accident caused a delay in the date of sailing, for the "Georgian" 

 of Wednesday, May 19, 1819, states : "We are requested to state that 

 the steamship Savannah, Captain Rogers, will, without fail, proceed 

 direct to Liverpool to-morrow, 20th inst. Passengers, if any offer, can be 

 well accommodated." Notwithstanding this notice the vessel remained 

 in port during unlucky Friday, " all hands employed in ship's duty." 



III. — Voyage krom Savannah to Liverpool. 



Under date Saturday, May 22, 1819, Sailing Master Rogers writes, 

 at " 7 a. m. got steam up, winded ship, and hove up the anchor, and at 

 9 a. m. started with the steam from Savannah." Feeling satisfied with 

 what the ship had accomplished during a nine days' voyage along the 

 shore, Capt. Moses Rogers was willing to risk his own fortunes and the 



