The journal is entitled "The Cruise of the Breeze" dated 1863, describing a voyage by ship around Lake Ontario, undertaken by several British Army officers stationed at Cobourg, Ontario. The journal is interleaved with a map, drawings, and watercolours, and some drawings are also executed directly on the journal pages. The journal itself covers a journey from Cobourg to Toronto, Dundas, Consecou, Prince Edward County, Nicholas Island, Kingston, Cedar island, Presqu'ile, Black River, Picton, Wapoose Island, Cape Vesey, all in Ontario, and then to Oswego, Sackett's Harbour, Putneyville, Sodus Point, and the Genesee River in New York state, and then on to the Niagara River. The journal also includes views of various vessels, including the Breeze II, J.A. MacDonald, Zouave, Slug, Palivetto, the Auquila of Jersey, Glance, Aroow, Rivet, Wide-Awake, Kitten, Gorilla (at the Toronto Yacht Club) and a paddle-wheel steamer.