John Thompson papers

1877-1881

Papers consist of a diary and correspondence belonging to American seaman John Thompson. Diary was kept from Sept. 1879-1880 on board the U.S.S. Alaska on a trip from Panama to Peru, where the ship docked at Arica, Coquimbo, Callao, Ancud, Mollendo, Pisco, and Chimbote. Mentions blockade and some battles of the Tacna Arica dispute between Chile and Peru. From Peru, the ship sailed to Ave Maria Bay (Nu Khiva) [sic], Marquesas Islands; and Samoa, where the ship docked at Pago Pago and Apia. From there, the ship traveled to Honolulu, San Francisco, and Mare Island, California. Also included are sketches; a letter to Thompson dated Sept. 20, 1881; and letters dated 1877 from "Warren" (perhaps a relative), who served as a sailor on the ship Independence on a trip from Boston to Valparaiso and Iquique, Chile.