The Log of the Flûte Rhinocéros, 1752

This work is a complete English translation of the log of the French stores ship (flûte) Rhinocéros during the period March 24 to December 30, 1752 under the command of Jean-François Le Large. Recorded is the ship’s daily progress on the outbound and return voyages between Rochefort on the coast of France and New Orleans, then capital of the French province of Louisiana. Among the details in the log are those of the ship’s difficult entry into the Mississippi River through East Pass, her transit of the lower river between the Balize Post and New Orleans, and observations made while anchored before New Orleans. Also included is a description of the ship’s experience with a hurricane off the coast of Florida. Other aspects of the log, including the recording of depth soundings, weather observations, navigational data, and sailing techniques, provide an interesting and technically rich perspective on eighteenth-century sailing. An introduction, glossary, and index augment the translation.