use of great guns. For this purpose the drum beats to quarters; when all
repair to their several stations, and, under the instruction of the
several officers, go through the ordinary operations attendant upon that
branch of discipline. No persons, of whatever description, females
excepted, are exempted from being appointed to some post, where their
services may be efficient. The military officers are allotted to
commands on the poop, fore-castle, waist, &c.; having under them such
cadets and recruits as may be on board; the whole acting as marines. The
surgeon, with his mates, those of the sick who are incapable of taking
an active part, together with all females, descend to the cock-pit;
which, being below the level of the water-line, is tolerably secure from
danger; though sometimes a shot, between wind and water, will find its
way to that retreat.
The crew are always portioned into two watches, except when very
numerous; in which case, as well as during the time a vessel is in port,
they divide them, including recruits, &c. into three watches. The chief
mate commands the starboard-watch; the second mate commands the
larboard-watch; and, when there are three, the other, called the
mid-watch, is commanded by the third mate. It is customary to relieve
the watch every four hours, except in the interval between four and
eight o’clock in the evening, which is divided into two reliefs, of two
hours each, called ’dog-watches.’ But for the intervention of these,
there would be no change in the times of coming upon duty; as each of
the starboard and larboard watches would, respectively, come on at the
same hours daily; and this would be the same, even if a mid-watch
existed: whereas, by dividing the evening-watch, it occasions an odd
number, and changes the tour, or series, every day.
Where supplies of provisions are not attainable, it necessarily follows
that each person on board can receive only a stipulated allowance of
meat, water, &c. This does not always affect those who are at the
captain’s table; though it is generally recommended to the passengers to
be economical in their expenditure of water for washing, shaving, &c. In
some ships they are restricted to a quart daily, and if the crew are
upon short allowance, which is understood to be the case when each man
receives less than two quarts, the passengers and officers have little
or no fresh water allowed for the above purposes; but their beverage at
table is rarely limited, except under the pressure of actual necessity.
All things considered, the privations experienced by passengers to India
are by no means so numerous, nor so severe in their operation, as might
at first view be apprehended. In many ships, ladies and gentlemen
skilled in music are adventitiously assembled, and, by their united
talents, afford a most pleasing recreation to all on board: few vessels
are totally destitute of some means to attract the parties towards the
quarter-deck; where, in the cool of the evening, during fair weather,
the merry dance for a while banishes _ennui_, and contributes to give a
wholesome impetus to the circulation.
Those ladies who are partial to music should be particularly careful
that the piano-fortes they may take with them, be constructed in such
manner as may exempt them from those wondrous effects produced by the
climate of India. I have had the pleasure of aiding several friends in
this instance, and found that the instruments made for exportation could
never be depended upon, unless clamped at every joint with plates of
brass, and secured, in the more delicate parts, by means of battens well
screwed and cemented to the sounding board. Experience has fully
satisfied me, that the pianos most appropriate for hot climates are made
by Clementi, Kirkman, and Tomkinson, at their respective manufactories
in London.
Ladies will derive considerable convenience and gratification from
having an exterior case made to enclose the piano-forte, leaving a space
of about an inch all around. This outward safe-guard should be of planed
deal, stained of a mahogany color, or painted; and it should open in
front, so as to admit of playing the instrument, while its lid should be
fixed upon hinges, that it may be thrown back at pleasure. The lower
part of the frame may be packed, and laid by; a spare frame of deal
being substituted during the voyage, with a set of shelves below to
contain music, books, &c.; all locked up by means of folding doors. Both
the exterior case, and the frame, ought to be furnished with lacquered
iron handles, whereby to lift them occasionally; but particularly
intended to secure them to the side of the ship, and to the deck:
without such a precaution the whole would be tumbled about, and shivered
to atoms, by the vessel’s motion.
Gentlemen who perform on stringed instruments, should be careful to
provide an ample supply of strings, firsts and fourths especially; they
being not only very dear, and perhaps damaged, when procurable, but at
times not procurable, in any part of India, for love or money! Reeds for
oboes, clarionets, bassoons, &c. are similarly circumstanced. Nor would
it be superfluous for a lady to take with her several sets of wires for
her piano; they being very scarce. At all events, she ought to qualify
herself to tune the instrument; which may be effected in the course of a
month, or six weeks, by attention to the instructions of a regular
tuner, who would feel himself well satisfied under a moderate
compensation. This is a point whereon I dwell rather particularly;
knowing that, even in Calcutta, Madras, or Bombay, a good tuner is not
always to be had; and that, in all other situations, throughout the
interior scarce a professional person can be found. Besides, in a
country whose climate deranges the most skilful adjustment of the wires,
often in a few minutes, merely by a slight exposure to heat, or to damp,
the expence attendant upon such frequent tunings, as are indispensably
requisite, would speedily absorb the full value of the instrument
itself; the ordinary rates being a guinea for a grand-piano, and twelve
shillings for a square one. Therefore, whether considered as a
convenience, or as a matter of economy, too much cannot be said in
recommendation of every lady’s learning to tune her piano before she
embarks.
It being impossible to say how soon rough weather may be experienced
after leaving port, (indeed, sometimes ships get under weigh while it is
blowing very fresh,) it is usual to lash the dinner tables to the deck,
placing their feet in mortices cut into small blocks, called cleats,
which, being firmly nailed down, generally keep the whole sufficiently
firm. It is not easy to render the chairs equally secure; but they are
tolerably steadied by nailing two rows of battens on each side of the
table, so as to embrace the legs of the chairs, which, in this mode of
securing them, ought all to be of equal compass from front to rear. It
requires, after all, some management to preserve an equilibrium when a
ship rolls much; which it does chiefly in a calm, or in a gale of wind.
In the former instance, the transitions of reclination from starboard to
larboard, and _vice versâ_, are often very great, owing to the heavy
swell which alternately raises the ship, and again sinks her into the
trough made by two successive waves. However curious it may seem to
persons unacquainted with sea affairs, it is nevertheless certain, that
more masts are lost by rolling in a calm, than by stress of weather.
In regard to that most distressing malady, sea-sickness, it is not
possible to lay down any specific mode of precaution, or of remedy: it
ordinarily commences with that agitation occasioned in the vessel’s
motion, by either the wind’s force, or the water’s undulation. Few
experience more than a few qualms, while the water is smooth; such as is
the case in going through the Needles with a leading wind, in fine
weather; but when upon a wind, with a chopping sea, and sudden, or
forcible, gusts, all who are not accustomed to the motion, become most
oppressively sick. However much they may be affected by this customary
derangement, those suffering under its influence are more frequently
objects of derisive merriment, than of compassion. The prevalent opinion
is, that, in a few days, the complaint will disappear; hence it is
regarded as a matter of course, and as a seasoning, which, by its mode
of operation, rather conduces to health, than to a dangerous issue. That
such is the usual result, cannot be denied; but there are some
constitutions which cannot stand so forcible an attack: women, in
general, are most severely oppressed by it, and some few fall victims
thereto.
It would be endless to enumerate all the recipes, which those who fancy
themselves qualified to prescribe, tender on this occasion to the
unhappy sufferers. I believe that acids and laudanum, in repeated small
doses, are most successfully administered; though I have seen them fail.
That unfeeling advice given to the unwary, ‘to drink a glass of
spirits,’ invariably tends to aggravate all the symptoms, and, with
those not habituated to such strong remedies, produces all those
inconveniences attendant upon super-added irritation. The fresh air upon
deck will be found considerably to diminish the force of the complaint;
but the eyes should be kept shut, and the attention be withdrawn from
the sea, and from the rigging; of both which the motion is peculiarly
calculated to increase that swimming in the head inseparably attendant
on sea-sickness. If, notwithstanding these precautions, the nausea and
derangement should continue, it will be proper to retire to bed;
observing the precaution of lying on one side, and keeping the eyes
closed.
There may, perhaps, be no harm in taking a small case of spirits on
board; but such is by no means indispensable: they do not come within
the scope of a gentleman’s expenditure; and, unless preserved with
uncommon vigilance, will probably be drawn off by some adventuring
fellow, provided with a pick-lock, while the owner is either asleep or
absent. I cannot too strongly inculcate, that every thing should be
under lock and key: ships, of every description, are infested with petty
pilferers, and sometimes with more expert and daring thieves; who will
not fail to purloin whatever can be turned to use, in such manner as may
not lead to discovery. The effects of passengers, especially, are
considered to be fair booty. Blankets, sheets, &c. will all disappear
towards the close of a voyage, or when in a port where they can be sold,
or bartered away, if their owners confide too much in the honesty of
their neighbours.
The third mate generally has a mess, in the expences of which the
fourth, fifth, and sixth mates sometimes partake; the purser and surgeon
being invariably at the captain’s table. The captain’s clerk, who is
usually a midshipman, the surgeon’s mate, when there is one, and the
second class of passengers, all mess with the third mate, who is allowed
a certain space before the officers’ cabins; which, being enclosed with
canvas, makes a very tolerable berth, wherein the table is laid. Those
of the mess who belong to the ship, subscribe to lay in such articles of
provision, chandlery, &c. as may suffice for their own consumption; the
sums paid by passengers, who associate with them, being applied in due
proportion towards the maintenance of the latter; any balances arising
therein becoming the perquisite of the third mate. I have heard, that,
with the exception of so large a proportion of live stock as is destined
for the captain’s table, the mate’s mess, in some ships, claims the palm
in many respects. When so many passengers are ordered on board, as to
render it impracticable for the captain to accommodate the whole at his
table, the later applicants are consigned to the mate’s mess during
meals; but are admitted, so far as convenience can be extended, to a
participation of the amusements and society of the round-house. On some
occasions the mate’s mess has, from the above cause, been able to boast
of rather eminent characters.
Those who are fond of fishing, may sometimes derive much amusement from
the possession of a stock of tackle suited to the occasion. In warm
weather, especially towards the Line, when moderate weather and calms
prevail, many sharks may be taken. The hook for this purpose ought to be
about a foot long in the shank (the other parts bearing a just
proportion) which should be firmly attached to a stout piece of chain,
from two to four feet in length, having at its other extremity a loop
and swivel, to which the rope (such as is called inch and half rope, and
ought to be full a hundred yards long) is tied; the bait, a piece of fat
pork, of about three or four pounds weight. The weight of the chain and
hook will suffice to sink the bait to about thirty feet below the
surface, where it will soon be discerned by the sharks, which generally
keep under the vessel’s bottom, or play around her at a considerable
depth; though they will occasionally range along the ship’s side, or
bask under the stern, so as to be easily shot with a musquet ball, or
struck with a harpoon.
Even at the depth of fifty feet, the shark may be distinguished as he
approaches the bait, by a luminous appearance, extending in an oval
form, in that direction in which he swims. He generally seizes with
avidity, turning on his side at the moment; without which he could not
get it into his mouth, owing to the excessive length of his upper jaw.
So soon as the bait is in his mouth, the fish, on feeling the resistance
of the rope, makes a sudden plunge downward, at the same moment
recovering his former position. The hook, being extremely sharp, rarely
fails to pierce the jaw, when, in an instant, the whole length of line
will be run out. As no human force could properly be relied on to check
the fish’s course, the end of the rope is either fastened to some
timber-head, or to a tackle fall: the latter is preferable, because it
adds to the length of the line, and does not check the fish so suddenly:
without the latter precaution, the rope may be snapped, or the hook torn
away from the shark’s jaw. The quantity of heavy line, added to the
weight of the hooks and chain, soon bring the fish under command, when
he is towed up to the gang-way, and there, by means of a slip-knot
passed over his fins, hoisted into the waist.
Few persons will taste of a blue shark, it being considered unwholesome;
but of the brown shark, which rarely exceeds five feet in length, (while
the former has been known to measure near thirty,) most of the seamen
will solicit a steak. The average sizes of sharks may be from six to
twelve feet in length: it is very common to collect a pailful of young
ones, each about a foot long, that take refuge in the parent’s maw.
Behind the fins are usually several sucking-fishes, adhering to the
shark’s sides: these are supposed to live upon its blood; but some
doubts may be entertained, at least whether that is its sole
subsistence, when I state, that in Madras Roads I caught, by means of a
hook and line put out for ground fishes, a sucking-fish that measured
rather more than two feet.
Sharks are in general attended by what are called pilot-fishes: these
are beautifully striped blue and white; in form they much resemble the
chub, and may measure from ten to fifteen inches in length. When the
shark displays himself, the pilot-fishes may be seen playing about his
head and sides; but when the ship is going fast, and the shark keeps
under the bottom, or stern, at a considerable depth, the pilot-fishes
often rise to the surface, assembling in the eddy about the stern-post.
I never could entice one of them to touch a bait.
In the higher latitudes, the albacore, boneta, dolphin, &c. may often be
seen playing about the ship in great numbers; sometimes as though intent
on keeping company for scores of miles. Porpoises are yet more familiar,
and delight in preceding the ship, at a few yards distance; affording,
to those who are expert, excellent opportunities for striking them with
harpoons. The liver of the porpoise is esteemed by many to be as good as
that of a pig; to which it bears some resemblance; the body of the fish
is by no means palatable. The flesh of the dolphin is extremely dry, as
is that of the boneta, which is commonly replete with small white
animalculæ, not unlike short fat maggots. The albacore is inconceivably
rapacious; often springing several yards out of the water after the
flying-fishes, as they skim above the surface; which they sometimes do
for full two hundred yards; their great enemy darting along under their
course with incredible velocity, and rarely failing to make a prey of
one, or more, as they fall into the water in an exhausted state.
While bonetas, and dolphins, may be taken by almost any bait, the
albacore rarely can be attracted by any device wherein there is not some
resemblance to the flying-fish. I have seen numbers taken, when the ship
has been going fast through the water, by securing a three-inch hook to
a slip of bacon fat, cut into the form of a fish, and further disguised
by a long white feather, taken from a goose’s wing, stuck on each side.
The line for such a purpose should be stout laid-cord; for, though
bonetas rarely exceed twenty, and dolphins forty pounds, albacores will
often be taken weighing from one to two hundred: I have, indeed, heard
of their reaching to three hundred weight. Their flesh may be compared
with carrion; it being coarse, tough, and very strong tasted; but,
though not pleasing to the human palate, it is a very choice bait,
attracting all fishes of prey. Albacores sometimes snap at the log;
which is a small piece of triangular board, loaded at one corner with
lead, and fastened to a long line wound on a reel. The log being lowered
into the sea, will remain stationary; drawing the line off the reel in
proportion to the velocity with which the ship is then passing through
the water: the number of yards run off, while a minute glass is
emptying, shews the number of knots, _i.e._ miles, sailed within the
hour.
It is not uncommon, when in the vicinity of islands, to see turtles
lying on the surface of the sea, fast asleep; these can sometimes be
taken, if two or three careful men proceed in the jolly-boat, paddling
her along with an oar out at her stern. The turtle should be secured by
one of the crew dropping gently into the water, and swimming very
cautiously until he can pass a slip-knot over the hind fin, generally
called the _fipper_; the other end of the line being fast to some part
of the boat.
Touching at Ascension on our way from India, for the express purpose of
obtaining a supply of turtles, I had an opportunity of witnessing the
facility with which they may be taken at certain seasons, when in the
act of copulation; as happened while we were there, in January. The
turtles floated in pairs, in a state approaching to lethargy; allowing
our whale boats to run along-side of them, without, in general, being
alarmed. The first object was to pass a boat-hook over each shoulder of
the male, to prevent his escape; for, on being touched, these invariably
quitted their mates, and endeavored to strike downwards. The instant the
boat-hooks, were placed, their inverted points acting as curbs, a third
hand dexterously passed the noose over the fipper, and left the turtle
in charge of a second or third boat, to which the other end of the noose
line was fastened. In that manner we took about a dozen one morning, in
less than two hours; but were not equally successful in our operations
on shore. There we hid ourselves, about night-fall, behind the masses of
rock every where scattered on the beach, and, allowing the females to
pass us, with the intention of depositing their eggs in the dry sand,
beyond the reach of the surf, endeavored to intercept them in their way
back to the water. Not a doubt was entertained that we should turn them
over by scores; but, with the exception of one unfortunate female, which
by chance ran headlong against a crag, our hopes proved to be visionary.
The awkward gait of these unwieldy animals, added to the clouds of light
sand they threw up, completely defeated our most zealous exertions. We
had recourse to our oars, placing them in the way of the turtle, and
using them as levers wherewith to overturn the shuffling animals; but in
every attempt the turtle only slipped a little to one side: therefore,
after breaking several oars, we found it expedient to desist.
While we were on shore, the gulls hovered about us like so many gnats;
absolutely darkening the air, and perching familiarly on our heads and
shoulders. These subsist chiefly on the shoals of mackarel cast ashore
by every surf. I am confident that many a heave of the sea threw up a
cart load of those fishes; some of which were drawn off by the next
heave, but thousands lay along the beach time enough to be carried off
by the gulls. Sharks were to be seen in every direction, and of all
sizes; the large ones generally swimming near the surface, with their
back-fins exposed to view, and the lesser ones at about two or three
fathoms deep, on every side of the ship. I was desirous to catch one of
them for the sake of its skin, but we were so environed by shoals of the
_chætodon plectorhenchus_, or pleat-nose chætodon, which took their
station much nearer the surface, and intercepted my baits, though they
were tied down to the hooks with worsted yarn, (some indeed being
enveloped in cloth, and secured in a similar manner), that not one hook
was allowed to descend to the level where the sharks abounded. Many
hundreds of the _chætodon_ were taken, and, after being stripped of
their skins, which make a beautiful black shagreen, though in the water
they appear to be chiefly blue and yellow, were thrown to their greedy
brethren, by whom they were speedily devoured.
It should be noticed, for the benefit of those who may touch at
Ascension, either on their way to St. Helena outward-bound, or in coming
homeward from that rendezvous, that we hooked several very fine fishes,
especially the much-admired Bull’s-eye, by trailing a bait, about fifty
or sixty yards astern, as we sailed partly round the island. Close in
shore, among the crags, just beyond reach of the surf, we caught half a
boat load of old-maids in very little time.
The modern course of ships proceeding to India, ordinarily carries them
near the Cape de Verde, and Canary islands; where, if wine is to be
taken in, a detention of ten or twelve days may happen. This being, in
all probability, the first opportunity that may offer of going on shore,
after leaving England, it may be proper to caution the young adventurer
not to ridicule, nor in any way to shew disrespect towards, the
religious ceremonies of the Roman Catholics who possess those islands.
Under the exercise of prudence and discretion, all persons landing among
the Portuguese are certain of receiving every civility and attention;
but, when insulted, no race of men are more irascible or vindictive: the
offender is sure to fall a victim to their unrelenting vengeance! At
either of these islands, but especially at St. Jago, abundance of fresh
provisions may be obtained: in all of them the tropical fruits abound,
but should not be eaten to excess; lest a dysentery, which, in those
latitudes, proceeds with hasty strides towards death’s portal, should
ensue.
Many vessels, after proceeding down the Atlantic in a mid direction,
between the Azores and the Canaries, until they catch the trade-winds,
which in that part blow constantly from the north-east, or nearly so,
stretch over to the coast of Brazil, along which they run, to about 30°
south, for the purpose of avoiding the south-east trade-wind prevailing
to the southward of the Line; then being in the way of variable winds,
they shape their course towards the Cape of Good Hope. Few quit this
coast without putting into some port for a supply of wood, water, fresh
provision of sorts, &c. Rio Janiero is the most frequented by British
Indiamen, both on account of its safe harbour, and the abundance of
supplies it can afford. Being in latitude 23°, it will be requisite to
guard against the great heats incident thereto, and to be careful not to
encounter the nightly dews, which are here extremely heavy, and give
birth to the most dangerous species of fever.
The customs of the inhabitants throughout this coast being nearly alike,
a description of one portion may suffice for the whole.