A detailed description of the voyage of the East India company vessel, the Swift, from 1794-1795, featuring visits to both Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Twelve pages of observations are dedicated to Jeddah alone, witnessed at the height of the influx of pilgrims during the Hajj, followed by a description of Mocha (also Mokha), in Yemen. Other ports visited include those of Brazil, South Africa, India, the Nicobar Islands, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.
Jeddah, the author says, "has a very pleasant appearance as you approach it from the sea [...]. The houses are all of stone of the coral kind." However, as the Swift had arrived in the midst of the Hajj, and its crew found provisions difficult to acquire as thousands of pilgrims poured into Jeddah: "It is astonishing the number of Mahometans arriving from all parts of the world to attend the yearly ceremony at Mecca called Hadgi, from thence to Medina." Several accounts are given of particular Muslim practices, through occasionally somewhat confused British eyes: "When near Geddah all the Pilgrims going their first journey altered their dress assuming what is called the Ihhram a piece of linnen [!] which is wrapped round the loins, leaving the rest of the body naked, in this state they proceed through the rest of the pilgrimage till they have visited the Kaaba at Mecca; the other garment they are then suffered to wear is a cloth of linen over their shoulders. [...] Some of them carry a trade of muslins, and some other little articles, which, if they are not robbed by the Bedouins (wild Arabs) they make out tolerably well [...]. The landing of the pilgrims with their wives, and household utensils, would have been an excellent view for the inimitable Hogarth."
The Swift appears to be one of the ships which accompanied the Suffolk (a 64-gun ship) to escort a convoy to India, under the command of Captain Peter Rainier (1741-1808, later Admiral of the Blue and namesake of Mount Rainier). This particular voyage was in itself notable as a trial for the implementation of a citrus diet for sailors to ward off scurvy, which was ultimately successful and became Admiralty policy the following year. On the first page of the account we find the following: "The beer being expended ordered the Company to be served wine mixed with 1oz of sugar and ?oz of lemon juice to every pint, it was very nice tipple."
The boards show mild traces of use. With a few small smudges on some of the leaves. Otherwise in excellent condition.