1884-1887 The USS Lancaster traveled around Africa having a printer and printing press My Great Great Grandfather was the printer he has left me a book and newspapers that was printed on the ship I have not found anyone else as yet with the day to day story of the Lancaster I am now working on a rewriting of his materials.If you would like to know more email me Bill Canell
Wm. J. McCarthy the USS Lancaster,s ship printer had in 1887 printed a book for the crew. They would have the history of the 1884-1887 cruise in book form to take home.The crews family at home would beable to read of the weeks and months and years of sailing on the seas of the world. The Lancaster had sailed on the African coast in 1885 coming to the Congo River on April 26th ,we will be here for just a few days . On the 4th of May we will arrive at st. Paul de Loando The USS Lancaster was the second US ship at the mouth of the Congo River ,The USS Kearsarge had been almost two months at the small port at Banana Point with its three trading posts.On the 30th Sir Francis De Winton, Administrator- General of the International Association of the Congo Free State made an Official call on our Admiral Upon his leaving he was saluted with seventeen guns, our band playing Hail to the Chief At noon the Congo Flag a blue field,in the centre of which is a large five-pointed gold star, it was hoisted at our fore and saluted with twenty-one guns. This was the first salute by any nation to this flag. At 10 a.m. May 2nd,Lieut. E.H. Taunt, our Admiral,s aid left the ship in a small iron steamboat named the Ville de Brest for a trip up the river his mission being to study the natural resources of the country. A better man could not have been chosen for such a hazardous trip.His achievements in the polar seas have gained for him a reputation of a firm and determined character.The Congo and America now were trying to gain a good understanding between each other and the hopes of a free Congo State were now at their beginning with Lieut Taunt,s reporting on the Congo's people and the rich rivers and lands that he was able to learn about.
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