1897 — Martinique, 1897. Folio journal. French manuscript abstract of a French naval captain M. Vailhen. 55 pages in two parts. String-tied vellum boards, titled by the captain. Very slight chips to leaf edges, otherwise very good condition, a crisp and clean manuscript document with wide margins, 12 printed military diagrams pasted within, as well as several hand drawn diagrams by the captain. With the captain's signature in three places including front. Cours - Historique Succint de l'artillerie de côte et de l'artillerie navale. [Succint Dissertation on the History of Coastal Artillery and Naval Artillery] The captain's abstract on the history of naval artillery used at sea and on the coast, dated 1897, begins with the antiquitity of war as early as the thirteenth century, including the first use of gun powder and the alchemical work of Roger Bacon. A substantial portion of this work covers the progression of the canon, and its uses in several theatres of war, from the time of Louis XI, in which numerous models are named and described, and, several diagrams are discussed and annotated. Vailen's detailed study records dates of the first significant advances in the field of artillery, and continues describing structural and scientific advances to artillery employed the navy. The work comprises many specific calculations relating to gun powder, pressure, elements, fabrication, and the like. Furthermore, the captain frequently compares French and English advancements, indicative of the ongoing rivalry of the colonial period. Together with an official stamped and signed authorization for brief leave in the following year. 8vo. single leaf, dated Fort-de-France 3 August 1898. Signed and stamped by the Colonel, Senior Commander of the 6th Battery in Martinique. Also signed by the Chief Commander of Artillery, and the Commissioner. The authorization for leave, and order for transportation, indicates that a campaign had just ended, and that the captain was permitted to return to France for a vacation. He was assigned to embark a 'paquebot' or steamer which was departing the French colony of Martinique on the 10th of August 1898. The document further indicates that the officer had received his pay up to the 31st July 1898, but was evidently due remuneration up to the 24th of August upon his arrival in France. This document predates the Mount Pelé eruption of 1902 by only four years, a pivotal event which propelled Fort-de-France into commercial success. "Capitaine M. Vailhen... en second à la 6ème batterie de l'Artillerie de Marine, groupe d'Afrique et des Antilles... est ordonné... de rentrer en France pour y jouir d'un congé de fin de campagne" Cet officier s'embarquera sur le Paquebot transatlantique quittant la Colonie vers le 10 Août 1898..." Fascinating work on naval artillery with particular attention to cannons, by a knowledgeable nineteenth century French naval captain stationed in the Caribbean. All text in French.
