Vessel Log book - assistance in deciphering

[Grotto77]

I have obtained the Vessel Log book for the Ataka from the TNA.  It lists the belongings of my great grandfather that died aboard the ship in 1907.  I cannot make out the word between '2 sheath knives' and '1 pricker'.  It looks like 'scarfars' but I cannot find this when searching on the internet.

Also I cannot make out the nature of the voyage or employment.

Can anyone help?

[mckha489]

2 scrapers? 

[diplodicus]

I know it seems far-fetched but could the other image read "foreign""?

[Grotto77]

Mckha489 - it could well be scraper. Tthe Mariner's Dictionary - Scraper is an iron machine having two or three sharp edges. Used to scrape oil off the dirty surface of the planks on a ship' side or decks. thank you.

diplodicus - I too was thinking 'foreign' but unsure. Thank you.

[HMac]

I can confirm it is Foreign.

Regards
Hugh

[Grotto77]

HMac - thank you. I guess it means that its going on foreign travel i.e. many ports?

[HMac]

The ship would be either on the Home Trade run or Foreign Going. In this case it is Foreign [Going] basically you are correct it is on a foreign voyage away from the UK or northern european ports. The voyage could last for weeks, months or longer.

Regards
Hugh

[Grotto77]

Hi HMac - thanks again for the information. I can see from the vessel's log book it was in the Ukraine Constantinople, Antwerp.

[Grotto77]

 Henry Smith died 8 May.  He took ill on the 4 May. Below is example taken from the log book. The 'Date of the Occurrence' have dates from the 4th to the 8th yet all 'Date of Entry' are dated 8 May. Would I be right that the Master backdated the event on when Henry took ill to his death?

Date of the Occurrence entered with hour - 4 May 1907 8am, Place of the occurrence or situation by Latitude and Longitude at sea – Nicolaieff. Date of Entry – 8 May 1907.