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Log of the Centurion: Based on the original papers of Captain Philip Saumarez on board HMS Centurion, Lord Anson's flagship during his circumnavigation, 1740-1744 (The Age of Sail) Kindle Edition

by Leo Heaps (Author), Philip Saumarez (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 414 ratings

Fascinated by the expeditions of Sir Francis Drake and Captain James Cook?



Then you’ll love this account of the Centurion’s circumnavigation of the globe, one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of maritime exploration and naval warfare.

In 1740, George Anson and his fleet set off to harass Spanish commerce in the Pacific and attack towns on the coasts of Chile and Peru.

Four years later, over half the men had died and of the seven ships which left Portsmouth only the Centurion had completed its objective of attacking Spanish possessions around the globe.

Although this journey came at the cost of numerous lives and ships, the Centurion had succeeded in capturing the biggest prize of all time, the Acapulco galleon.

Captain Philip Saumarez kept a daily record of the voyage around the world in his four log books, which along with a wealth of letters and documents give brilliant insight into life aboard these ships.

Leo Heaps has compiled and edited these manuscripts to provide a complete chronicle of the expedition which saw men decimated by scurvy, mutinies among marooned sailors, ships battered by mountainous waves around Cape Horn and eventual glory in the capture of the gold-laden Nuestra Señora de la Covadonga.

Log of the Centurion is a unique account of a daring maritime expedition across the high seas of the globe in the mid-eighteenth century.

“It is a tribute to her officers that she not only captured the greatest prize at sea, but that she returned at all.” Christopher Lloyd, former Professor of History at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich

“It is an absorbing tale … The merit of this book lies in its realistic evocation of the mid-18th century. We have fine descriptions of China and the delicate negotiations conducted with the Manchus for supplies and repairs. Patagonia, Juan Fernandez (Crusoe’s island), Madeira, and other exotic places are vividly described.” Regis A. Courtemanche, History: Reviews of New Books
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  1. Part of series
    The Age of Sail
  2. Print length
    261 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    March 18, 2020
  6. File size
    1.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B082X9DGDF
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 18, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 261 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1913518028
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ The Age of Sail
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 414 ratings

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  1. Leo Heaps

    Leo Heaps

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  2. Philip Saumarez

    Philip Saumarez

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
414 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's storyline engaging, with one review noting it's well told through original logs. They also appreciate its value for money, with one customer mentioning it's worth the effort to read.

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StorylineValue for money
5 customers mention "Storyline"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyline engaging, with one mentioning it is well told through original logs, while another notes it goes into considerable detail.

"...The book goes into considerable detail About the lives of the ship's crew, life on board the vessel , early commerce with China And the cat and..." Read more

"Thoroughly enjoyed this Historical Novel. The bravery of these men is just amazing...." Read more

"...Her story is well told through original logs and the author’s dialogue." Read more

"Twas worth the effort to read this four hundred and,what, sixty years old saga. I'm proud to be descendents from such men." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth the effort to read, with one mentioning it was well worth the 10 days spent reading it.

"...Experience the hardships as well as the rewards with the crew. Well worth the 10 days taken to go through each page of this book." Read more

"Great book. Really gives you the feeling of the hardships the crews of that era faced." Read more

"Twas worth the effort to read this four hundred and,what, sixty years old saga. I'm proud to be descendents from such men." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • John Monaghan
    5.0 out of 5 stars An lightening look at life award of British men of war In 1740
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    In This book, Mr. Heaps Presents Mr. some more as Telling all the long and perilous voyage of the Centurion, the voyage around the world in search of The Spanish ships and the gold. The book goes into considerable detail About the lives of the ship's crew, life on board the vessel , early commerce with China And the cat and mouse game played with the Spanish.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Superior.Shores
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sailing in the 1700’s
    Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    As a sailor, i am always amazed how anyone could have survived an extended sea voyage, and yet over three years men on the Centurion. The actual journal entries are sort of hard to decipher, however there is a glossary of terms in the back which may help a little.
    Experience the hardships as well as the rewards with the crew. Well worth the 10 days taken to go through each page of this book.
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  • hudunit333
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Great book. Really gives you the feeling of the hardships the crews of that era faced.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • chuck
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2020
    Format: Kindle
    It boggles the mind that people could endure such hardships.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Paul Magana
    4.0 out of 5 stars Early Circumnavigation.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyed this Historical Novel. The bravery of these men is just amazing. To leave your home and security to sail the open seas with only wind and tide to rely on is utterly unimaginable. The description of their food, clothing, weapons and navigation aides is only surpassed by those of the ships themselves.
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  • Eric
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wooden ships and Iron men
    Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2012
    Format: Hardcover
    This book, based on Phillip Saumarez personal diary, tells what being a sailor was really like in the 1700's. Actual events, battles and shipwrecks all tell of the courage and seamanship of these early explorers and sailors. A must read for anybody interested in the sea.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • green
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting true story of an early circumnavigation
    Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The HMS Centurian circumnavigated the globe in 3 plus years, captured the largest treasure ship ever captured. Her story is well told through original logs and the author’s dialogue.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mary Judernatz
    2.0 out of 5 stars Way Too Much Detail
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I never could get interested in the book because of the amount - and sameness - of the detail in the ship's log. Perhaps it got more interesting when the ship reached the Pacific, but I couldn't get around Tierra del Fuego. Incredibly boring.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Spookylabrador
    5.0 out of 5 stars This was the original Fantastic Voyage.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 12, 2025
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Absolutely amazing reading the real life events of this expedition, all I will say on the subject matter is that when ships were made of wood our men were made of steel. The adventure and hardships experienced by these men absolutely humbles me. I highly recommend thi book.
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  • Ausmholz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Für Interessierte der Seefahrt ein Muss
    Reviewed in Germany on February 28, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Absolut lesenswert auf englisch
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  • Jack Cooper
    5.0 out of 5 stars A superb account of a little known but important historical voyage.
    Reviewed in Australia on May 23, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This revealed the conditions that sailors in the 18th century endured and the actions of government at that time. Brilliantly written it combined the actual records of captain Saumarez with a great narrative. A must read for any history or sailing enthusiast.
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  • gary preece
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
    Reviewed in Australia on July 21, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed the read , if you like history
    This is a very interesting book👍
    Report
  • Pensioner 43
    4.0 out of 5 stars Factual history
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 25, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I found it difficult to read for any length of time as the story is more like a diary
    Report

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