File:The one ton brig Vision, Capt. Donovan, now on her way across the Atlantic - FL 1864.jpg

English: The one ton brig Vision, Capt. Donovan, now on her way across the Atlantic.

Captain J. C. Donovan and crew, Wm. Spencer of Providence N.I. and passenger a lively dog Toby. Page 235.
Illustration for Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, July 16, 1864.

Except from The Pebrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser 22 July 1864. https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3055576/3055580 A DARING VENTURE.—At the foot of Grand-street, East River, may be seen the brig Vision, Captain DonoVan, destined to cross the Atlantic. She is but 15 feet in length, 4 feet 6 inches beam, and 2 feet 10 inches depth of hold, and If ton register. She is hermaphrodite brig rigged, and spreads a large quantity of canvas. The crew of this little craft will consist ot Capt J. C. Donovan, mate, and all hands—Mr Wm Spencer, of Providence, R.I, and Toby, a pretty intelligent dog of the species • spaniel.' The crew will be divided into two watches, while Toby is at liberty to do as he pleases. He will, however, be expected to keep a bright look-out for approaching vessels, &c. The provisions and stores for this venturesome party will consist of 55 gallons of water, or an allowance of three pints per diem and 100 lb of bread, or i lb per day per man; a few pounds of coffee and a little sugar. The cooking apparatus will be a small lamp to make the coffee once a-day. A few currants and a few cans of preserved meats will make up the list of stores. The captain expects to make the pas-sage in six weeks, and upon his arrival in England will exhibit and then sell his craft. He is an old sailor, the storms of 50 winters having bronzed his face and nerved his heart to the perils of the sea. He has had several applications for parsengers, but he haa no room for them.

Spotted 24 days out by the Coronet

See the Currier and Ives litho of an early small boat Atlantic crossing attempt. Captain Donovan and his dog Toby attempted the feat in a 15-foot converted yawl. According to Frank Leslie’s Popular Monthly, she left New York on the 15th of June, reached Boston on July 5, leaking badly, “and having been repaired again set out. On the 20th she was supplied with provisions by the… steamer Peruvian. The little craft never has been heard of from that day to this.”

The "New York Times" of July 6, 1864 reports her putting into Provincetown, Cape Cod, with a leak due to a defect in the caulking of about two feet in length, which was repaired.

The "Ottowa Citizen" of May 9, 1866 reports "At mid-Atlantic, when she accomplished about half the voyage, the 'Vision' was spoken [SS Peruvian, 45°10'N 33°W, July 20], but since that time nothing has been heard of her. A Newfoundland paper received in Plymouth, mentions that an empty barrel, with the name 'Vision' painted on it, has been picked up between the coast of Africa and South America. There was little doubt that this belonged to the boat above referred to, whose hazardous voyage has, it is feared, ended in fatal disaster."