The Role of the Log

            Though Haswell’s log is filled with biases and untruths he has provided future voyages with many types of valuable information.  Throughout the log Haswell documents the different types of edible vegetation and animal populations; in first the Columbia and then the Washington’s stops.  Haswell details where good water can be obtained and which harbors compliment various sized ships.  Along with the disposition of the various natives the Washington encounters, Haswell’s log proves to be a document full of beneficial information for approaching American voyages to the Northwest.

            Haswell’s log begins with the Columbia’s departure from the Northeast.  As Haswell found it unfit to document much of the journey due to the plethora of knowledge surrounding that leg, I’ll treat that portion of the log with the same attention.  As the Columbia nears Cape Horn, Haswell’s log begins to provide the reader with constructive information.  For example Haswell describes Bretts Harbour as “far inferior” (pg.15) to Port Egmont, Port Egmont being the other choice of harbors for future travelers.  Haswell goes on to say that while there is plenty of water available the bottom is so rocky and overgrown with kelp that anchors are likely to drag.  Before leaving Bretts Harbour Haswell walks to Port Egmont, where he describes in length abundance and variety of victuals and also that there are numerous places for anchor within Egmont.  Haswell has provided future voyages with a clear choice of which harbor is best. 

            Haswell, being one of the first Americans in the Northwest, is also charged with cataloging the native peoples he encounters.  Though many of his accounts are of extreme bias, Haswell does provide much information that would have been new to Americans at the time of the Washington’s travels.  Haswell’s log abounds with details of native’s customs, clothing, housing, fishing gear, and other information in pages 60-65.  On page 61 Haswell states “Their ornaments are necklaces of beads coper bresselets and earing”.  Knowing what types of metals, beads and jewelry were of value to the natives could only prove useful to future captains when outfitting their ship for a Northwest trade mission.   

            Haswell’s log is satiated with useful information for future American voyages.  Haswell has written in such detail that it would behoove the author of this essay to try and cover it all.  Throughout the document Haswell has detailed down to the minutia each and every stop the Washington makes.  Besides detailing the stops, Haswell has pointed out many navigational aids and also provided information on where there is good trading.  These logs would have proved to be priceless in the early days of the Northwest American fur trade.