1828 HANDWRITTEN LETTER (ALS) REGARDING STORM DAMAGE & REPAIRS TO THE SS "BENJAMIN RUSH," TO N. & W.W. BILLINGS, NEW LONDON [CT]. DATELINED: BALTIMORE, 29 JAN 1828 by Rogers, Jonathan - 1828

Baltimore, 1828. Original manuscript. Very Good. One page, quarto, integral address leaf. In part: "...the Benj Rush is undergoing repairs having returned from an intended voyage round Cape Horn. had been 12 days in a constant gale of wind. she is said to be in excellent condition, much better than she has been for 12 years...not near as bad as expected....It is the intention of her owners to load and prosecute her intended voyage & be ready to sail within three weeks, tho they would sell her for a fair price....[signed] Jon'a Rogers." Postmarked on address leaf, Baltimore Jan 29. [The home port of the SS Benjamin Rush was Warren, Rhode Island.] [N&WW Billings Company "was established in 1823 and ceased operations in 1851. During this period the company managed at least twelve whaling vessels which, by the end of business, had made it one of the most successful whaling agencies in New London....In addition, the company operated a soap and candle making business that used oil and spermaceti, etc. taken by their whale ships" (from Mystic Seaport records).].