[Illustration: A WHALE BITING A BOAT IN TWO.]
THE
ARCTIC
WHALEMAN;
OR,
WINTER IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN:
BEING A NARRATIVE OF THE WRECK OF THE WHALE SHIP CITIZEN, OF NEW
BEDFORD, IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN, LAT. 68 deg. 10' N., LON. 180 deg. W.,
SEPT. 25, 1852, COMMANDED BY THOMAS HOWES NORTON, OF EDGARTOWN,
AND THE SUBSEQUENT SUFFERINGS OF HER OFFICERS AND CREW DURING
NINE MONTHS AMONG THE NATIVES.
TOGETHER WITH
A BRIEF HISTORY OF WHALING.
BY
REV. LEWIS HOLMES.
BOSTON:
WENTWORTH & COMPANY,
86 WASHINGTON STREET.
1857.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by
WENTWORTH & COMPANY,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District
of Massachusetts.
STEREOTYPED AT THE
BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY.
TO
WHALEMEN,
IN WHOSE EMPLOYMENT, DARING ADVENTURES,
AND MANY DEPRIVATIONS,
THE AUTHOR FEELS A DEEP INTEREST,
This Volume
IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.
PREFACE.
Of all classes of fishermen, the whaleman takes the precedence. This
front position will be readily conceded to him, whether we consider the
stupendous object of his pursuit, or the vast extent of waters over
which he roams to secure his prey, or the dangers and perils peculiar
to his avocation, or the immense pecuniary outlay with which the
enterprise is carried on.
Some of the reasons which induced the author to present to the public
this narrative containing an account of the wreck of the whale ship
_Citizen_, and the subsequent exposure and sufferings of her officers
and crew in the Arctic Ocean, are the following:--
1. The instance has never been recorded in the history of marine
disaster, in which a ship's company, consisting of _thirty-three_
persons, lived so many months among the natives in so high a latitude.
2. Being cast helpless and almost destitute upon such a desolate
coast, they had to depend principally upon the kindness and generosity
of the natives for protection, food, and clothing. 3. Considering
the unfavorable and forbidding circumstances of their condition, in
living as the natives lived, and their travels in the depths of winter
from one settlement to another in order to avoid starvation, it is
remarkable that so many of them, with so little sickness, should be
rescued the following year.
A plain statement of these facts the author felt was due to his
fellow-townsmen, and would probably be of some considerable interest to
all classes of readers, and therefore meriting a permanent record with
the varied experience of whalemen.
The limited time the author spent with Captain Norton,[A] who was then
preparing for sea, from whom he received the leading facts in the
narrative, after it was concluded to give it to the public, is his only
apology for not introducing more extended particulars.
Mr. Abram Osborn, Jr.,[B] Mr. John P. Fisher,[C] and Mr. John W.
Norton,[D] now absent at sea, confirmed the report of the captain,
besides having contributed important materials to the narrative
themselves.
Any information respecting the physical features of the arctic region,
and the character of its inhabitants, is not only deeply interesting,
but highly useful. The recent explorations of Dr. Kane, in the American
Arctic, has largely increased the bounds of knowledge respecting that
remarkable portion of the earth's surface.
Though less attention, perhaps, has been given to the exploration of
the Asiatic Arctic, through Behring's Straits, it is, however, a region
which is yearly visited by scores of American whalemen, and who have
become quite familiar both with its eastern and western coasts, even to
the impassable ice barrier, which forbids all further approaches to the
north.
The acquaintance which the officers and crew of the _Citizen_ formed
with the natives during the space of _nine months_ in which they lived
with them, and thus had so favorable an opportunity to learn their
characters and habits, has probably never been surpassed by any other
company of men within the present century.
The HISTORY OF WHALING will give the reader a succinct view of the
commencement, progress, and present state of the enterprise. The author
would here express his acknowledgments to whalemen who have readily
furnished him with many valuable incidents connected with the details
of their employment.
L. H.
EDGARTOWN, June, 1857.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
1. A WHALE BITING A BOAT IN TWO, FRONTISPIECE.
2. WALRUS AMONG ICEBERGS, 47
3. WRECK OF THE CITIZEN, 63
4. NATIVE COSTUME, 85
5. HUNTING THE POLAR BEAR, 105
6. POLAR BEARS, 125
7. A SHIP AFTER A GALE, 147
8. WHALES RAISED, 169
9. LOWERING FOR WHALES, 189
10. TWO SHIPS NEAR SHORE, 205
11. PERILOUS SITUATION OF WHALEMEN, 239
12. ENEMIES OF THE WHALE, 257
13. HARPOONING A WHALE, 269
14. CUTTING IN A WHALE, 277
15. BOILING OUT, 289
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Ship Citizen sails from New Bedford.--Captain, Officers, and
Crew.--Interest centred in a Whale Ship.--Accompanying Ships.
--Seasickness and Homesickness.--Arrival at Cape Verd Islands.
--An Agreement with Captain Sands, of the Ship Benjamin Tucker.
--Whales raised.--Christmas Supper on board of the Citizen.
--A Whale Scene.--"An ugly Customer."--A Whale Incident,
copied from the Vineyard Gazette.--Arrival at Hilo.--Sandwich
Islands 25
CHAPTER II.
Recruited for the Arctic.--Departure.--Coast of Kamtschatka.--
Copper Island.--Going into the Ice with Captain Crosby.--Gale
of Wind.--Dangerous Sailing in the Ice.--Captain Thaddeus.
--Bay of the Holy Cross.--Plover Bay.--Dead Whale.--St.
Lawrence Bay.--Whales working north.--Loose, floating Ice.--
Ice covered with Walrus.--Fine Weather.--Striking an Iceberg.
--Ship leaking.--Return to St. Lawrence Bay.--Damage
repaired.--Arrival in the Arctic 43
CHAPTER III.
Northern Lights.--High Winds.--Spoke with Captain Clough.
--Ships seen in the Distance.--Storm increasing.--No
Observations.--Blowing heavily.--Scene awfully sublime.--
Ship struck by a Sea.--Shoal Water.--Rocks and Breakers.--
Ship unmanageable.--Fore and mizzen Topsails carried away.--
Ship striking astern, bow, and midships.--Foremast cut away.
--Narrow Escape of Captain Norton.--Mizzenmast gone by the
Board.--Sad Condition of the Seamen.--Land in Sight--Ship
drifting towards the Shore.--Undertow.--The Lantern Keg.
--Mainmast cut away, and falling towards the Shore.--Men
escaping on the Mast.--Trying Scene.--Captain washed ashore.
--Affecting Deaths.--Wreck piled up on Shore.--Fire made.--
Men perishing with Cold.--Five missing.--Prospects dark.--
Destitution.--Tent erected.--Merciful Circumstances connected
with the Wreck 53
CHAPTER IV.
First Night on Shore.--Sleeping in empty Casks.--Parties of
Exploration.--Dog Tracks.--Arrangements to leave the Wreck.
--Desire to reach East Cape.--Reflections upon our Condition.
--The dead Hog roasted.--The "pet Hog."--Company travel
towards the South and East.--Two Natives seen.--Parley.--
Directed to the Settlement.--The old Woman and her Ceremony.--
The second Settlement.--Head Man cordial.--Men distributed
among the Huts.--Not able to reach East Cape.--Company
entertained.--Motives for it.--Government should reward the
Natives 72
CHAPTER V.
No Prospect of reaching East Cape.--Painful Conviction.--
The Province of Christian Faith.--The Wreck visited.--The
Natives.--Hope unexpectedly revived.--Ship in Sight.--Comes
near.--Signals from the Land.--No Assistance offered.--
Sails down the Coast.--Indescribable State of our Minds.--
Card in The Polynesian 90
CHAPTER VI.
Our sad and desolate Feelings after the Departure of the Ship.
--What we should soon witness of Arctic Winter.--The
Wreck visited from Time to Time.--Provisions transported
to the Settlement.--The Weather.--Whales near Shore.--
Severe Gale of Wind.--Fall of Snow.--Ocean frozen over.
--Sudden Introduction of Winter, and its Dreariness.--Not
to be described.--The Sun falling, Nights lengthening.--
Disappearance of the Sun.--Long Night.--How we passed our
Time.--Confined to the Huts.--Singing.--Neither Book nor
Chart, nor Writing Materials, except Pieces of Copper.--Hope of
Liberation another Year.--Captain Norton's Method of keeping
Time.--The Razor.--Our Clothing.--Provisions getting low.
--Natives both eating and stealing ours.--A new Chapter.--
Commenced living on Blubber with the Natives.--Native Stock
diminishing.--Winters in the Arctic vary.--The native Manner
of capturing the Whale.--Preparing their Food.--Native Bread.
--Description of their Huts.--Their peculiar Locality.--
Their Method of lighting and warming them.--The Filthiness of
the Natives. 108
CHAPTER VII.
Health of the Natives.--Their Diseases.--Captain N. prescribes
a Remedy.--Their superstitious Notions.--Mr. Osborn
prescribes for the Sick.--A fatal Case.--They surround Mr.
O. with threatening Gestures.--Native Remedy for Nose Bleeding
and Sore Eyes.--Burial Ceremony.--Marriages.--General
Appearance of the Natives.--Their Character.--Their Habits
of Industry.--Property.--Language.--Icebergs.--Their
Formation.--The Distance to which Icebergs float.--Their
Magnitude.--Field Ice.--The sudden Disappearance of Ice.--
How accounted for.--Icy Vapor.--Poisoning. 127
CHAPTER VIII.
Provisions of the Natives getting low.--New Calamity threatened.
--Health and Strength failing.--Necessity of seeking other
Quarters.--The only Alternative.--Report of a Wreck.--
Parties leave.--Dreadful Traveling and Exposures.--Report by
the Natives that our Men were frozen to Death.--An Instance of
Treachery.--The Captain and his Party leave.--The Weather.--
Traveling.--Thoughts of Home.--Preservation.--One of the
Party unable to walk.--Left behind.--Found by the Natives.--
The Fate before us.--Division of the Biscuit.--Another fails,
sits down, and is frozen to Death.--Reflections.--Captain
Norton encourages his only remaining Companion.--Singular
Appearance upon the Ice.--Dog Teams.--Part of Mr. Fisher's
Company.--Encouragement to our Minds.--Natives unwilling to
help us.--The Danger of Riding.--Last Effort.--The Music of
Barking Dogs.--Our Manner of Traveling.--Dreadful Condition
of our Feet.--Captain Norton falls exhausted.--Native
Kindness. 149
CHAPTER IX.
Mr. Fisher's Party a short Distance from this Settlement.--Next
Day left for another Settlement.--Our Men arriving in small
Companies.--Health improving.--Cross the River.--No Signs
of Water.--Settlement.--Ham.--The Wreck of a New Bedford
Ship.--When lost, and the Circumstances.--Travel to another
Settlement.--The head Man a savage Fellow.--Traveling towards
East Cape.--Seaboard Route.--Natives kind.--Begging by the
Way.--The Whale Boat.--The Broadside of a Ship.--Ship in
the Ice.--Drift Stuff.--Sun's Reflection.--Sore Eyes.--
Snow Blindness.--The Blind led with Strings.--Partial Remedy.
--East Cape reached.--Cordially received by the Natives. 169
CHAPTER X.
East Cape, a Point of Observation.--The greater Part of our Men
gathered here.--The _Kanaka_.--Weather softening.--Ice
still firm.--Arctic Scenes.--Icequakes.--Migratory Fowl.
--A Whale discovered.--Gala Time among the Natives.--The
Natives thorough Drinkers.--A drunken "Spree."--Cruise into
the Country.--Birds-egging.--Incidents.--Native Manner of
killing Fowl.--Amusements of the Natives.--Vegetation.--
Face of the Country.--Fish.--Fowl.--The Ochotsk Sea and
Country. 179
CHAPTER XI.
The Ocean still frozen over on the 22d of June.--On the 24th
the Ice began to break up.--Whales appear.--Walrus follow
the Ice.--Daily looking for Ships.--Report of our Wreck
five hundred Miles below East Cape.--Method of sending News
by the Natives.--Ships notified of our Condition.--How.--
The Resolution of Captains Jernegan and Goosman.--Arrival of
two Ships off East Cape.--Natives first spy them.--Stir in
the Settlement.--Happy Day of Deliverance.--Words feeble to
express our Joy.--A fit Occasion for Gratitude and Thanks to
God.--Preparations to go on board.--The Welcome of Captain
Goosman.--Captain Norton with Captain Jernegan.--Crew
collected.--Changed our native for sailor Dress.--Liberality
of the Officers and Crews in furnishing Clothes.--A Review of
the Past.--The Settlement visited.--Dinner.--Arrival at the
Islands.--A Card. 197
CHAPTER XII.
A Whaling Community.--Interest felt for absent Ones.--The first
Intelligence from the Whaling Fleet.--California Mail.--
Further News from the Islands.--"Missing Ships."--No Report of
the Citizen.--No Letters.--Fears as to her Safety.--When
last spoken with.--Either lost or frozen up in the Arctic.
--Supposed Fate of Officers and Crew.--Distressing Suspense.
--Hoping against Hope.--Prayer answered.--The first
Intelligence from the Citizen.--Joy in Families.--Captain
Norton's Arrival at Home, and subsequently the Arrival of his
Officers belonging to this Place. 214
CHAPTER XIII.
The Ocean.--The Seaman's Home.--Confidence of the Mariner in
his Ship.--Shipwreck.--Moral and religious Claims of Seamen.
--The Spirit of the Age.--Interest in the Mariner's Meeting.
--Seaport Places.--Sudden Intelligence.--Seamen remembered
elsewhere.--Ships supplied with Books.--Bible and Tract
Societies.--Good Seed sown.--Field for Usefulness.--The
American Seaman.--Concert of Prayer.--All interested.--The
most important Reform for Seamen. 226
* * * * *
HISTORY AND DETAILS OF WHALING.
CHAPTER I.
Whale Fishery.--Its Origin.--Where first carried on.--By
whom.--Whaling in the Northern Ocean by the Dutch and English.
--Contentions between them.--The Success of the Dutch.--
Its Commencement in New England.--"London Documents."--The
first Whale Scene in Nantucket.--Boat Whaling.--The Number
of Whales taken in one Day.--The first Spermaceti Whale.--
The Interest it excited.--Its supposed Value.--The first
Sperm Whale captured.--New Life to the Business.--Whaling
in Massachusetts in 1771-75.--Burke's Eulogy on New England
Whalers.--Sperm Whaling in Great Britain.--Revived in
France.--The American and French Revolutions nearly destroyed
the Business.--Loss to Nantucket.--Its Commencement in New
Bedford.--Tabular View of the Number of Vessels engaged in
Whaling, and Places to which they belong. 241
CHAPTER II.
The Whale.--Its Zoology.--The largest known Animal.--Sperm
Whale.--Right Whale.--Finback.--Bowhead. 250
CHAPTER III.
Whale Blubber.--Enemies of the Whale.--Affection of the Whale
for its Young.--Instances. 256
CHAPTER IV.
Whale Grounds.--Whaling Seasons, and where Species of Whales
are found.--Sperm Whale Grounds.--Right Whale Grounds.--
Humpbacks and Bowheads, where found.--Right Whale not crossing
the Equator.--Arctic Passage for Whales.--Maury's Opinion of
the Haunts of the Whale in the Polar Sea.--Confirmed by Dr.
Kane.--Vessels fitted for Whaling.--Several Classes.--Time
of Sailing.--Arrival at Home.--Length of Voyages.--Seasons
and between Seasons. 262
CHAPTER V.
Increased Length of Whaling Voyages.--Capital.--Value of Oils
and Bone.--Value of several Classes of Whaling Vessels.--"Lay."
--Boat's Crew.--Whaleboats.--Approaching a Whale.--
Harpooning.--Whale Warp.--Danger when the Line runs out.--
Locomotive Power of the Whale.--Lancing.--Flurry.--Cutting
in.--Boiling out.--The "Case and Junk."--The Rapidity with
which Oil may be taken. 268
CHAPTER VI.
Outfitting and Infitting.--"Runners."--Remedy.--Articles of
Clothing.--Whaling Business.--Promotion.--Whale Killing.--
Dangers.--General Success of the Enterprise. 276
CHAPTER VII.
The Manufacture of Oil. 288
INTRODUCTION.
A father once said to his son, respecting books, "Read first the
introduction; if that be good, try a few pages of the volume; if they
are excellent, then, but not else, read on." But I do not wish this
criterion to be applied in the present instance. For if the reader find
the introduction uninteresting, he will be compensated by a careful
perusal of the narrative itself. It may be relied on as stating matters
of fact. The information it contains respecting the adventurous and
exciting business of the whale fishery is derived from authentic
sources. The volume presents matters of deep and general interest to
every reader. It will remind him of some of the scenes so vividly
portrayed by the late Dr. Kane in his arctic explorations.
Many "that go down to the sea in ships, and do business in the
great waters," come from remote parts of the country. Here is the
information which will convey to relatives at home some just idea of
the toils and privations of those loved ones who are ploughing the
trackless ocean. The young men, who are looking forward to a life on
the ocean wave, will read the following narrative with eagerness and
delight. Their ardent temperament and roving disposition have pictured
in fancy's halls bright scenes on the briny deep. Such will find in
this work a true view of a mariner's life, accompanied with valuable
counsels.
It is neither, as I judge, the tendency nor the design of the book, to
deter any from a seafaring life that love adventure, and believe there
is no royal road to fortune. To employ a nautical phrase, "None need
expect to creep in by the cabin windows; all must crawl through the
hawser hole." He must endure hardship and privation before he can enjoy
promotion. Young men of sound health, steady purpose, moral courage,
and trustworthiness, will, by the blessing of Providence, be sure of
promotion. If, however, these qualities are lacking in a young man, the
discovery is generally made during his first voyage. His reputation,
good or bad, will reach home long before the ship returns to port.
Owners and agents know what is in him, and what may be expected from
him in future. If he stands the test, if he is faithful and prompt
in the discharge of duty, all who have an interest in the success of
voyages will want his services.
This book gives valuable information to parents whose sons are inclined
to go to sea. Resistance should not be carried to such a degree as
to drive the young man to expedients in order to get away from home
clandestinely. This course always throws him into the hands, and places
him under the power, of those who have no ultimate object but to make
all possible profit out of his toil. Many young men, in consequence
of obstacles thrown in their way, never divulge at home their longing
desire to try the sea. Hence, some, who are physically unfit to bear
the fatigue, have taken their first step by running off to some
seaport; and after being involved in expense, although they may have
changed their mind, they cannot retrace their steps. Once shipped, they
will have one life-long regret. Let parents do all they possibly can to
render their would-be sailor sons independent of the "landsharks."
Clergymen and Sabbath school teachers are in a position to know
something of the tendencies and aptitudes of their respective charges.
They may, by availing themselves of the contents of this volume,
prevent many mistakes and unavailing regrets. The object to be sought
is, to secure those who will go to sea from doing so under false
apprehensions of the kind of life, and the essential qualifications for
success in the sailor's avocation.
Seamen are in demand, and if commerce continues to extend, many more
able-bodied sailors will be required to man our ships. When the extent
and value of the interests involved are thought of, it seems surprising
that efforts are not made to improve the character and condition of
the sailor. Millions of property are intrusted to his care. Thousands
of precious lives are in his hands for weeks and months; yet many
sailors are the refuse of jails, penitentiaries, and state prisons.
The sentiment too often prevails that the worse man makes the better
sailor. Hence we may easily account for many shipwrecks, vessels cast
away, sunk, and burned. This is becoming too expensive. As total
abstinence on board ship has reduced the rates of insurance, so will
greater security to life and property be experienced at sea, when more
attention shall be paid to the character and condition of sailors. The
profit may be proportionally divided between the owners and the crew.
Combined and earnest efforts should be made by parties, especially by
those more immediately concerned. A beginning must be made somewhere.
Individual effort has done something, but these attempts are limited by
others who have it in their power to hinder the operation of beneficial
changes. Difficulties can be overcome effectually when all combine to
remove them. The temporal and spiritual welfare of so many thousands of
our fellow-men afloat on the great deep demand much at our hands.
The moral and religious element must lie at the foundation of all
physical and social reforms. When, therefore, owners, captains, agents,
officers, and crews will agree not to lower their boats, even if a
fish is seen, on Sabbath, an important step will be taken in the right
direction. For while all are systematically violating the law of God,
there can be no law on board ship but brute force. Why should any one
feel at liberty to prosecute his daily employment at sea, when he
would be ashamed to do so on land? Is the sailor less dependent on the
blessing of a gracious God than the husbandman? He is a very godless
farmer who will plough or sow on Sabbath because it rained on Saturday,
or may rain on Monday. The difficulties are not insuperable. Meet them
at the outset. The responsibility must not be wholly devolved on the
captain, to do what he thinks best after he has gone to sea. Let the
owners distinctly and unequivocally express their will in the case.
Then captain, officers, and crew will be shipped with this stipulation:
No fishing on Sabbath.
Many captains and others now engaged in the whaling fleet will welcome
such an arrangement. The effect of it on the whole ship's company will
be salutary. As the business is now conducted, there are doubtless many
uneasy consciences. Some are glad when no fish is seen on Sabbath.
But when the cry is raised, "There she blows!" what a struggle takes
place in the mind of the pious and God-fearing men! But the rest think,
if the boats are not lowered, that their rights and interests are
infringed; and even the owners might afterwards complain that, when
fish were seen, they were not taken. So the order is given, "Lower away
the boats." But this does not settle the question, for the captain
feels his moral power diminished. He cannot next day with a clear
conscience read and pray with his officers, nor call all hands together
next Sabbath to hear the word of God read.
Thus nearly all that is done for the moral improvement of sailors in
port is neutralized by one act of disobedience to God.
In New Bedford, something is attempted for the good of the sailor.
"The Sailor's Home" is well conducted. The Port Society sustains the
Bethel and its indefatigable minister. All the Bibles needed for the
ships come from the New Bedford Bible Society. But something further is
required to induce habits of Bible reading on board ship. Let owners
and others think of some of the hints given above.
If this volume, now presented to the public, containing a narrative
of so much interest, will improve the condition of the weather-beaten
sailor, and promote the honor of God, our desire is accomplished.
J. GIRDWOOD.
NEW BEDFORD, MASS., _June, 1857_.
[Illustration: THE POLAR BEAR.]
THE WHALEMAN;
OR,
NINE MONTHS IN THE ARCTIC.
CHAPTER I.
Ship Citizen sails from New Bedford.--Captain, Officers, and
Crew.--Interest centred in a Whale Ship.--Accompanying Ships.
--Seasickness and Homesickness.--Arrival at Cape Verd Islands.
--An Agreement with Captain Sands, of the Ship Benjamin Tucker.
--Whales raised.--Christmas Supper on board of the Citizen.
--A Whale Scene.--"An ugly Customer."--A Whale Incident,
copied from the Vineyard Gazette.--Arrival at Hilo.--Sandwich
Islands.
The whale ship Citizen, of New Bedford, owned by J. Howland & Co.,
fitted for three or four years, and bound to the North Pacific on
a whaling voyage, sailed from the port of New Bedford, October 29,
1851. She was commanded by Thomas Howes Norton, of Edgartown, Martha's
Vineyard.
Her officers were the following, namely: first mate, Lewis H. Roey, of
New Bedford; second mate, John P. Fisher, of Edgartown; third mate,
Walter Smith, of New Bedford; fourth mate, William Collins, of New
Bedford. Four boat steerers, namely: Abram Osborn, Jr., and John W.
Norton, of Edgartown, John Blackadore and James W. Wentworth, of New
Bedford.
The following were nearly all the names of her crew: Charles T. Heath,
William E. Smith, Christopher Simmons, George W. Borth, Darius Aping,
William Nye, Manuel Jose, Jose Joahim, Charles C. Dyer, Charles Noyes,
Edmund Clifford, George Long, Charles Adams, Bernard Mitchell, Nicholas
Powers, William H. May, Alpheus Townshend, Barney R. Kehoe, Joseph E.
Mears, James Dougherty, and Peter M. Cox. The whole number on board
when she sailed was thirty-three persons. In addition to the above,
five seamen were shipped at the Verd Islands, which made thirty-eight,
all told.
As is generally the case, the majority of these were strangers, and
perhaps had never seen each other's countenances until they appeared on
the deck of the ship, henceforth to be their new home for months, and
it may be for years.
Besides, in this number there were representatives from different and
distant sections of the country, and not unfrequently an assortment of
nations, and even races.
Here were gathered for the first time many a wandering youth, attracted
to the seaboard by the spirit of romantic adventure, to see the world
of waters, and to share in the excitement of new scenes. His wayward
history, in breaking away from the wholesome restraints and watchcare
of home, may be found written, perhaps, in many sorrowful hearts which
he has left behind. Years may pass away before either parents or
relatives shall hear again from the absent one, and it may be never.
Such instances are not uncommon.
How much interest there is centred in a whale ship, as she is about
to leave port! It is felt not only by those who embark their property
and lives in her, but there are other attractions towards the ship.
They are found in the desolateness which is felt in many home circles,
in bidding adieu to husbands, sons, and brothers. When the anchor is
weighed, and the sails are spread to the faithful breeze, sadness
reigns in many households and in many hearts. The thoughts are not only
painfully busy concerning _present_ separations, but they bound forward
to the future, and anticipate what may be the experience of a few years
to come. Changes! one hardly dares think of them! Amid the perils and
dangers of the deep, how long will the ship's company remain unbroken?
Will the _ship_ ever return, and reenter her port again? Will those
who have just released themselves from the embraces of friends, and
wiped away the falling tear, and barred their hearts to the separation,
will _they_ ever return? or, if they should, will they ever see again
those whom they are now leaving? These inquiries and reflections find
expression only in painful emotions, sadness, and sorrow. Time will
make changes, and leave its ineffaceable footprints with every passing
year.
The land was lost sight of in the evening of the day upon which we
sailed, with a strong south-west wind. We were accompanied out of
the bay by two other outward bound whale ships--the Columbus, of
Fairhaven, Captain Crowell, and the Hunter, of New Bedford, Captain
Holt.
After the usual passage, with variable winds, and no particular
incident of marked importance, except the ordinary and certain amount
of seasickness on board, which generally attends the uninitiated in
their first interviews with "old Neptune," Cape Verd Islands were made
on the 4th of December.
With seasickness, homesickness follows; and then it is that many of the
inexperienced, having left good homes and quiet life, wish a thousand
times that they had never "learned the trade." But all such wishes
are now in vain. With a new life on shipboard and in the forecastle,
romance passes away, and leaves in its place the stern outlines of a
living reality. Seasickness, however, is only a temporary affair; in
most cases, indeed, it soon subsides, and then spirits and hope revive
with recruited and invigorated health.
We took our departure from the islands on the 6th, in company with the
ship Benjamin Tucker, Captain Sands; strong breezes, north-east trades.
The first whales were seen about lat. 30 deg. S., lon. 31 deg. 41' W., distant
about seven miles--light winds. We set signal for the Benjamin
Tucker, four or five miles distant, to notify Captain Sands that whales
were in sight--an agreement we made while sailing in company. Boats
were lowered; the mate fastened to a whale, which brought the shoal to.
The second mate was less successful; his boat was stoven by a whale,
and his men were floating about upon scattered and broken pieces of
the wreck. Other boats soon came up and rescued their companions. The
ship now ran down to the boat which was fastened to the whale. The
whale, however, was lost, in consequence of cutting the line in the act
of lancing him. After a pursuit of an hour or more, the mate fastened
to another whale, and finally secured it, though it proved to be of
but little pecuniary value. At the same time the boats of the Benjamin
Tucker captured a whale, but they could not boast of much superiority.
It made them _three_ barrels. Thus ended the first whaling scene on the
voyage, and certainly not a very profitable day's work.
The Citizen was put on her course. We passed several ships--weather
good. December 20, lat. 40 deg. S., whales were raised again, but took
no oil. Still in company with the Benjamin Tucker. On Christmas Eve,
Captain Sands and his wife took tea on board of our ship, thus reviving
remembrances of home and friends, though thousands of miles distant
from our native port.
The next incident of more than ordinary interest was another whale
scene, of sufficient excitement and peril to satisfy the most ardent
and aspiring.
The Benjamin Tucker had luffed to, headed to the westward, with signal
to the Citizen that whales were in sight. The ship Columbus was then
in company. The three ships were in full pursuit of the monsters of the
deep. The school was overtaken in course of an hour or two working to
the leeward. At first, one of the boats was lowered from the Citizen,
and then another, and another, until four boats were bounding over the
waves, each seeking to be laid alongside of his victim, and join in
the uncertain conflict. From the three ships there were twelve boats
pressing forward with the utmost celerity to share in the encounter,
and each emulous to bear off his prize. The fourth boat despatched from
the Citizen fastened to a whale. He was shortly lanced, and spouted
blood--a sure indication that he had received his death wound.
In mortal agony, he plunged, and floundered, and mingled the warm
current of his own life with the foaming waters around him. Conscious,
apparently, of the authors of his sufferings, with rage and madness he
at once attacked the boat, and with his ponderous jaws seized it, and
in a moment bit it in two in the centre. Nor was there any time to be
lost by the humble occupants of the boat. The rules of courtesy and
ordinary politeness in entertaining a superior were for the time being
laid entirely aside. Each seaman fled for his life--some from the
stern, and others from the bow, while the cracking boards around and
beneath them convinced them that the whale had every thing in his own
way. Besides, the sensation was any thing but pleasant in expecting
every moment to become fodder to the enraged leviathan of the deep. In
quick succession those enormous jaws fell, accompanied with a deep,
hollow moan or groan, which evinced intense pain, that sent a chill of
terror to the stoutest hearts. They felt the feebleness of man when the
monster arose in his fury and strength. A boat was soon sent to the
rescue of their companions, who were swimming in every direction, to
avoid contact with the enraged whale, which seemed bent on destroying
every thing within his reach. He really asserted his original lordship
in his own native element, and was determined to drive out all
intruders. He therefore attacked the second boat, and would probably
have ground it to atoms, had not a fortunate circumstance of two
objects perhaps somewhat disconcerting him, and dividing his attention,
turned him off from his purpose.
The captain of the Citizen, observing the affray from the beginning,
was soon convinced that matters were taking rather a serious direction,
and that not only the boats but the lives of his men were greatly
imperilled. He therefore ordered the fifth boat to be instantly
lowered, manned with "green hands," the command of which he himself
assumed, and directed in pursuit of the whale. Five boats were now
engaged in the contest, with the exception of the one stoven, and all
the available crew and officers, including the captain, concentrated
their efforts and energies in order to capture this "ugly customer."
Just at the moment he was attacking or had already attacked the
second boat, the captain's boat appeared on the ground, and from some
cause best known to himself, the whale immediately left the former
and assailed the latter. What the whale had already done, and what
he appeared determined still to do, were by no means very flattering
antecedents, and would very naturally impress the minds of "green
hands," especially, that whaling, after all, was a reality, and not an
imaginary affair or ordinary pastime.
On, therefore, the whale came to the captain's boat, ploughing the
sea before him, jaws extended, with the fell purpose of destroying
whatever he might chance to meet. As he approached near, the lance was
thrust into his head and held in that position by the captain, and by
this means he was kept at bay, while the boat was driven astern nearly
half a mile. In this manner he was prevented from coming any nearer to
the boat, the boat moving through the water as fast and as long as
he pressed his head against the point of the lance. This was the only
means of their defence. It was a most fortunate circumstance in a most
trying situation. If the handle of the lance had broken, they would
have been at the mercy of a desperate antagonist. The countenances of
the boys were pallid with fear, and doubtless the very hair upon their
heads stood erect. It was a struggle for life. It was death presented
to them under one of the most frightful forms. They were, however, as
singularly and as suddenly relieved as they were unexpectedly attacked.
The whale caught sight of the ship, as was supposed, which was running
down towards the boats, and suddenly started for the new and larger
object of attack. This was observed by the captain, who immediately
made signal to keep the ship off the wind, which would give her more
headway, and thus, if possible, escape a concussion which appeared at
first sight inevitable. The whale started on his new course towards the
ship with the utmost velocity, with the intention of running into her.
The consequences no one could predict; more than likely he would have
either greatly disabled the ship, or even sunk her, had he struck her
midships. To prevent such a catastrophe--the injury of the ship, and
perhaps the ruin of the voyage--every thing now seemed to depend upon
the direction of the ship and a favoring wind. Every eye was turned
towards the ship; oars were resting over the gunwale of the boats, and
each seaman instinctively fixed in his place, while anticipating a new
encounter upon a larger scale, the results of which were fearfully
problematical. A good and merciful Providence, however, whose traces
are easily discernible in the affairs of men both upon the ocean and
upon the land, opportunely interfered. The ship was making considerable
headway. The whale started on a bee line for the ship, but when he came
up with her, in consequence of her increased speed before the wind,
he fell short some ten or twelve feet from the stern. The crisis was
passed. On he sped his way, dragging half of the boat still attached
to the lines connected with the irons that were in his body. His death
struggle was long and violent. In about half an hour he went into his
"flurry, and turned up." Colors were set for the boats to return to the
ship; the dead whale was brought alongside, cut in, boiled out, and
seventy-five barrels of sperm oil were stowed away.
We copy the following whale incident from the _Vineyard Gazette_ of
October 14, 1853. The editor says,--
"We are indebted to Captain Thomas A. Norton, of this town, one of the
early commanders of the whale ship Hector, of New Bedford, for the
following interesting particulars relative to an attack upon and final
capture of an ugly whale. Captain Norton was chief mate of the Hector
at the time.
"'In October, 1832, when in lat. 12 deg. S., lon. 80 deg. W., the ship ninety
days from port, we raised a whale. The joyful cry was given of "There
she blows!" and every thing on board at once assumed an aspect of
busy preparation for the capture. The boats were lowered, and chase
commenced. When we got within about three ships' lengths of him, he
turned and rushed furiously upon us. He struck us at the same moment we
fastened to him. He stove the boat badly; but with the assistance of
sails which were placed under her bottom, and constant bailing, she was
kept above water. The captain, John O. Morse, came to our assistance.
I told him he had better keep clear of the whale; but he said he had a
very long lance, and wanted to try it upon the rascal. Captain Morse
went up to the whale, when all at once he turned upon the boat, which
he took in his mouth, and held it "right up on end," out of the water,
and shook it all to pieces in a moment. The men were thrown in every
direction, and Captain Morse fell from a height of at least thirty
feet into the water. Not being satisfied with the total destruction
of the boat, he set to work and "chewed up" the boat kegs and lantern
kegs, and whatever fragments of the boat he could find floating on the
water. At this stage of the "fight," I told Captain Morse that if he
would give me the choice of the ship's company, I would try him again.
It was desperate work, to all appearance, and up to this time the
vicious fellow had had it all his own way. The captain was in favor of
trying him from the ship, but finally consented for us to attack him
again from a boat. With a picked crew, we again approached the whale,
now lying perfectly still, apparently ready for another attack, as
the event proved. Seeing our approach, he darted towards us with his
mouth wide open, his ponderous jaws coming together every moment with
tremendous energy. We gave the word to "stern all," which was obeyed
in good earnest. As we passed the ship, I heard the captain exclaim,
"There goes another boat!" She did go, to be sure, through the water
with all speed, but fortunately not to destruction. The monster chased
us in this way for half a mile or more, during most of which time his
jaws were within six or eight inches of the head of the boat. Every
time he brought them together, the concussion could be heard at the
distance of at least a mile. I intended to jump overboard if he caught
the boat. I told Mr. Mayhew, the third mate, who held the steering
oar, that the whale would turn over soon to spout, and that then would
be our time to kill him. After becoming exhausted, he turned over to
spout, and at the same instant we stopped the boat, and buried our
lances deep in "his life." One tremendous convulsion of his frame
followed, and all was still. He never troubled us more. We towed him to
the ship, tried him out, and took ninety barrels of sperm oil from him.
"'When we were cutting him in, we found two irons in his body, marked
with the name of the ship Barclay, and belonging to the mate's boat. We
afterwards learned that three months before, when the same whale was
in lat. 5 deg. S., lon. 105 deg. W., he was attacked by the mate of the ship
Barclay, who had a desperate struggle with him, in which he lost his
life.'
"Captain Norton, at the time of the adventure with this whale, had
'seen some service,' but he freely confesses that he never before nor
since (though he has had his buttons bitten off his shirt by a whale)
has come in contact with such an ugly customer as 'the rogue whale,' as
he was termed in sailor parlance. He seemed to possess the spirit of a
demon, and looked as savage as a hungry hyena. Our readers may imagine
the effect such an encounter would have upon a crew of 'green hands.'
During the frightful chase of the boat by the whale, their faces were
of a livid whiteness, and their hair stood erect. On their arrival at
the first port, they all took to the mountains, and few, if any of
them, have ever been seen since."
The Citizen was put on her course again, with strong breezes and
fair wind. About five days after, we spoke with the Benjamin Tucker,
but Captain Sands had taken no oil. In lat. 47 deg. S. another whale was
raised; three boats were lowered in pursuit, but before he could be
reached by the irons, he turned flukes, and was seen no more. Lost
sight of the Benjamin Tucker. We shaped our course for Statan Land. In
lat. 48 deg. S. we experienced a very heavy gale from the south-west, which
continued with great severity for twenty-four hours. We spoke with the
bark Oscar, Captain Dexter, bound round the cape.
Statan Land in sight, passed seventeen ships, all bound for the cape.
The Citizen was eleven days in doubling the cape, and experienced very
heavy weather. In lat. 54 deg. S. we raised the first right whale, but,
blowing hard, could not lower. Whales were in sight several days in
succession, but we could not lower, on account of rugged weather. In
lat. 47 deg. S. a ship was discovered with her boats down in pursuit of
whales; came up with her; lowered for right whales, and chased them for
an hour or more, but took none. At this time we spoke with the ship
Columbus again, with one of her boats fastened to a whale. She had one
boat stoven.
Passed St. Felix Islands, on the coast of Chili, and sighted the
Gallipagos. In crossing the equator, it was calm for twenty-seven days,
and but little progress was made during that time. On the 20th of
April, 1852, after a passage of more than five months from New Bedford,
we entered the port of Hilo.
Hilo is a port on the Island of Hawaii, one of the cluster of islands
in the North Pacific Ocean called Sandwich Islands. They were
discovered by Captains Cook and King in 1778, who gave them their
present name, in honor of the first lord of the admiralty. The group
consists of ten islands, but all of them are not inhabited; they extend
from lat. 18 deg. 50' to 22 deg. 20' N., and from lon. 154 deg. 53' to 160 deg. 15' W.,
lying about one third of the distance from the western coast of Mexico
to the eastern coast of China. By the census of 1849, the population
of seven of the islands is given as follows: Hawaii, 27,204; Oahu,
23,145; Maui, 18,671; Kauhai, 6,941; Molokai, 3,429; Nuhua, 723; Lanai,
523; amounting to 80,641.
Most of these islands are volcanic and mountainous. In several places
the volcanoes are in activity. Some of the mountains are of great
height, being estimated at fifteen thousand feet.
The climate is warm, but not unhealthy, the winter being marked
only by the prevalence of heavy rains between December and March. A
meteorological table gives as the greatest heat during the year, 88 deg. of
Fahrenheit; as the least, 61 deg.. Some of these islands are distinguished
for the cultivation of the yam, which affords quite a valuable supply
for ships.
The situation of the Sandwich Islands renders them important to vessels
navigating the Northern Pacific, and especially so to whalemen. The
ports of Hilo, Lahaina, Honolulu, and a few others, are the resort of
a large number of whale ships, for the purpose of obtaining recruits.
They may be considered as a central point, where ships meet both in
the fall and spring, and from whence all matters of intelligence are
transmitted to San Francisco, and from the latter place to the Atlantic
States.
Formerly all ship news and letters were brought from the islands to
the Atlantic States by homeward bound ships around the Horn, which
required for their passages from three and a half to five months. But
now, in consequence of mail communications across the isthmus to San
Francisco, and from thence to the islands, letters and other public
intelligence from the last-named place reach us in six weeks or two
months from date.