NEW YORK, NY.- An early 19th century ship’s log book transformed into an extraordinary artistic endeavour by its author will appear for sale at Swann Auction Galleries in New York on June 7.

The Astraea, a Royal Navy Apollo-class frigate launched in 1810 that served during the Napoleonic Wars, spent seven years ‘in ordinary’ as a merchant vessel before conversion to a hospital ship in 1823.

It was during this period that its captain, William Hodgson, undertook at least two voyages, recording their routine daily events under the titles Journal of a Voyage, from Bristol to the Mediterranean, Anno Domini 1819 and Log-Book Kept on board the Astraea On a Voyage from London to the Mediterranean, Anno-Domini 1821.

Content-wise they summarise matter-of-fact information such as direction, speed, weather and crew chores. However, Hodgson turned them into something altogether more striking with a series of accomplished watercolour drawings of his own ships and others interspersed throughout the log to create a much more engaging and unique portrayal of the trading vessels' voyages through the Mediterranean.

Beautifully detailed in both calm and turbulent waters, the 35 fine watercolours appear below records kept in a fine and decorative copperplate hand to complete an exceptional artistic presentation.

The bound volume of two manuscript logs encloses 28 leaves of ink calligraphy recto and verso on wove paper watermarked "Y&M 1814" and approximately 50 blank leaves of the same paper, with a presentation inscription from Hodgson dated 1822.