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[Illustration: NEW BEDFORD]
LIFE AND ADVENTURE
IN
THE SOUTH PACIFIC.
BY
A ROVING PRINTER.
NEW YORK:
HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,
FRANKLIN SQUARE.
1861.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand
eight hundred and sixty, by
HARPER & BROTHERS,
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the Southern District
of New York.
PREFACE.
The present volume lays no claim to literary merit. Two young men,
led to engage in the whale-fisheries, and spending five years in the
employment, have compiled from their log-books and their recollection
a plain, unvarnished narrative of this period. The work is placed
before the public as an account of localities few have visited, and
the detail of an employment of which little is generally known. The
chief effort in the way of style has been to give vivid descriptions,
and make the reader the companion of the traveler. Aside from the
information of the volume, it is enlivened by “life on shipboard.”
In these days of many books, in which “voyages” have no small
representation, it may seem almost presumptuous to put forth another
tale of travel. Yet every traveler has his own experiences; and the
sailors who offer here their narrative for the landsman’s inspection
believe that their _yarn_ is not an old one, and they have some
confidence that the reader will not say it is a _dull_ one.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
New Bedford.—Fitting out a Whaler.—Shipping A Crew.—Green
Hands.—Shippers.—Outfitters.—A Sailor’s Wardrobe.—All Hands
on board.—Good-by to Yankee Land.—The Pilot taking leave.—The
last Farewell.—Captain’s Speech.—Choosing Watches.—The _Modus
Operandi_ of Ships’ Watches.—Sea-sickness. Page 13
CHAPTER II.
Sick of the Sea.—Description of the Boats and Whaling
Apparatus.—Boat-headers.—Boat-steerers.—Mastheads.—The first
Whale.—“There she blows!”—All hands excited.—Lowering the
Boats.—“Pull, every man of you.”—A Fisherman’s Luck.—Whales
again.—Cape Verd Islands.—St. Antonio.—St. Jago.—Fogo, the
Island of Fire.—Going ashore.—A noisy Crowd.—Tom and the
Portugee Donkey.—Manuel.—Now for Cape Horn. 25
CHAPTER III.
Our Captain.—Officers.—Boat-steerers.—Foremast Hands.—Jo Bob.—
Sailor’s Fare.—The Cask of Pies.—Mackey.—Lawrence asleep. 35
CHAPTER IV.
Crossing the Equator.—Barney looking for the “Line.”—Spoke Ship
“Java.”—Spoke Ship “Ontario,” homeward bound.—Writing Letters
Home “under Difficulties.”—Sperm Whales again.—A Fast Boat.—
The Red Flag.—The Flurry.—The Fluke-chain passed. 41
CHAPTER V.
Description of the Sperm Whale.—Described externally.—
Difference between the Sperm and Right Whale. 49
CHAPTER VI.
“Cutting in”. 59
CHAPTER VII.
“Trying out.”—“Stowing down.”—“Cleaning up.”—Gale off the River
De la Plata.—Thunder and Lightning.—Narrow Escape of the
Ship. 62
CHAPTER VIII.
Preparing for Cape Horn.—Head Winds.—Staten Land.—Cape Horn.—
Heavy Gale.—Porpoises and Albatross.—Mackey and the Third
Mate.—Captured a Sperm Whale.—Preparing for Port.—The Anchor
down. 67
CHAPTER IX.
Talcahuana.—Its Streets.—Public Buildings.—Market.—Calaboose.—
The Harbor.—Churches.—Paulparees.—Inhabitants.—Manners and
Customs.—Getting off Water.—Mackey again in Trouble.—In the
Calaboose.—Californians.—Climate and Products of Chili.—
Horseback Riding.—Spanish Wake.—Desertion.—American Consul.—
Mackey’s Oration.—Swimming ashore.—Departure. 71
CHAPTER X.
Cruising.—Boat’s-crew Watches.—Deserters by wholesale.—A large
Reward.—Public Auction.—Juan Fernandez.—Peaches.—Robinson
Crusoe’s Cave.—Fishing.—Ship “Java.”—Masa Fuero.—St. Felix.—
St. Ambrose.—San Lorenzo.—Callao.—A Railroad. 78
CHAPTER XI.
Payta.—Its Appearance.—Inhabitants.—Shipped three Spaniards.—
Gamming.—Exchanged Boat-steerers.—Gloomy Forebodings.—Whales
again.—Stove Boat.—Manuel overboard.—No Sunday off
Soundings.—Mackey and the Mate.—Star-gazing.—Reflections.—A
County Fair.—Lawrence in Trouble. 86
CHAPTER XII.
Marquesas Islands.—Dominica.—Its Appearance.—Visitors.—
Tattooing.—The Chief.—His costly Dress.—Delivers his Papers.—A
“Recommend.”—Society Islands.—Roratongo.—Its Appearance.—New
York.—New Bedford.—Too many Friends.—The universal Remedy.—
Fruit.—A thieving Set.—Missionaries.—Petty Tyrannies
practiced.—Rev. John Williams.—His Death.—The staple
Commodity.—The Desire for Sea.—Queen and Government.—
Desertion.—General Losses.—Jo Bob’s Choice.—A merry Time. 92
CHAPTER XIII.
Making Passage to King Mill Group.—Fourth of July.—Byron’s
Island.—Perote Island.—Drummond’s Island.—Sydenham’s Island.—
Visit from the Natives.—Their Canoes.—Themselves.—Trade.—
“Dittoes.”—Taking of the “Triton.”—A treacherous Portuguese.—A
bloody Massacre.—A just Retribution.—The Kanaka’s Stratagem.—
The Natives frightened.—Prisoners ashore.—A young Hero.—
Hostages.—The Prisoners released.—Proceed to the Sandwich
Islands.—Henderville’s Island.—Woodle’s Island.—Natives
again.—“Teka moi moi.”—Young Cocoanuts.—Decidedly Jewish.—
Easily satisfied.—Description of Natives.—The Females.—A
large Fleet.—Comparisons.—Simpson’s Island.—Ship
“Narragansett.”—Stove Boat.—Fisherman’s Luck.—Experiments in
Mesmerism.—Somebody “sold.” 99
CHAPTER XIV.
Pitt’s Island.—Knox and Charlotte’s Islands.—Base Conduct.—
Thieving.—Jack and Manuel.—Almost a “dead Nigger.”—Bark
“Belle.”—Ship “Boy.”—Wreck of the “Flying Fox.”—Plundered by
the Natives.—Hall’s Island.—Desertion.—My Man Friday.—A wet
Berth again.—Ship “Hector.”—Anxiety for Letters.—A Canoe in
distress.—A heart-rending Sight.—Gratitude of the Natives.—
Pleasant Island.—Its Natives.—Murder of white Men.—Brig
“Inga.”—Thieves again.—Search-warrant issued.—Property found,
Culprit tried and punished.—A heavy Squall.—Strong’s Island. 110
CHAPTER XV.
Strong’s Island.—King.—Canker.—Dress.—Chiefs.—Description of
the Island.—Large Island.—Small Island.—Productions.—Wild
Game.—Canals.—Stone Walls.—Who built them?—Ruins.—
Suppositions.—A Rebellion.—Customs.—Queen.—Princes and
Princesses.—Sekane.—Cæsar.—Natives.—Females.—“Strong’s Island
Trowsers.”—Employments.—Houses.—Marriages.—Sports.—Canoes.—
Carva.—Banyan-tree.—Religion.—“Blueskin.”—Traditions.—
Priests.—Rites and Ceremonies.—Funeral Ceremonies.—Rotumah
Tom.—Food of the Natives.—Blueskin and his Procession.—
Friday’s Opinion.—The Feast.—“Very good,” but think we won’t
indulge.—Choose our “Hotel.”—An unpleasant Surprise.—
“Planter.”—Mutiny and its Consequences.—Desertion.—One kind
of Navigation.—A Stroll to Large Island.—Friday and the
Taboo.—Incidents in Port.—Weighed Anchor.—“Mary Frazier.”—
Death and Burial of Mr. S.—A few random Thoughts. 120
CHAPTER XVI.
“A happy New-year to all.”—Rather poor Luck.—Pitt’s Island
again.—Description.—Natives.—King.—Religious Belief.—Funeral
Ceremonies.—“Jentsh.”—Houses.—Costume.—Food.—Language.—
Weapons of War.—Mode of Warfare.—Return to Strong’s Island.—
Improvements.—Singing-school.—The Royal Family to Dinner.—
Canker’s Guilt.—Poisoned Carva.—Return to our “Hotel.”—Our
Suspicions strengthened.—“Stop Thief!”—Gas.—New Zealand
Dance.—Grand Feast.—Tall Dancing.—“Cheers” by the Audience.—
“Go it, Cæsar!”—Grand Boat-race.—The Boasters beaten.—Another
great Feast.—Ball-Alley.—Narrow Escape of the Ship.—Departure
for Guam. 144
CHAPTER XVII.
Guam.—Invasion of the Ladrone Islands by the Spaniards
in 1554.—Getting off Recruits.—Fruit.—Climate.—Captain
Anderson.—Massacre of Captain Luce and Boat’s Crew.—Proceed
to Japan Cruising-ground.—Ship “Boy.”—Boat’s Crew taken down
by a Whale.—Albicore and Skipjack.—“Our Luck” again.—The
Spell broken.—Bark “Medina.”—Manuel and the Hog.—A slight
Tap. 154
CHAPTER XVIII.
Food of the Sperm Whale.—Manner of Feeding.—Swimming.—
Breathing.—Herding. 161
CHAPTER XIX.
Nature of Sperm Whales’ Food.—“Sepia Octopus.”—Nautilus. 178
CHAPTER XX.
Close of the first “Season” on Japan.—Making Passage to the
Group.—“Land ho!”—“Breathing-places for Sailors.”—Henderville’s
Island.—Unpleasant Prospect.—Narrow Escape from the Breakers.—A
large Whale.—An ugly Customer.—Ocean Island Dick.—Ocean
Island.—“Some Pumpkins.”—Bound for Strong’s Island.—Calms.—“Blow,
ye gentle Breezes.”—At our “Hotel” once more.—Hospitality of the
Natives.—A diabolical Scheme.—Anger of the King.—Narrow Escape
of all Hands from Poisoning.—Wilds and the Queen.—A sudden
Awakening.—Wild Boar.—Join in the Chase.—Brave Men.—The Boar
presented in great State to the King.—Bravery of the “White
Man.”—“Hog not Dog.”—At sea again. 187
CHAPTER XXI.
Blackfish.—Ship “Phocion.”—Ship “Ganges.”—Bark “Belle.”—“Chips”
in Prison.—Friday’s Departure.—Sorrowful Leave-taking.—Ship
“Bengal.”—Ship “Lion.”—Henderville’s Island once more.—Dick
Simpson.—Ship “John and Elizabeth.”—Another New Year.—“Music
by the Band.”—Variations.—An “Amateur” Concert.—Bark
“Alfred Tyler.”—Wreck of the “Ontario.”—Ocean Island
again.—Freshwater Cavern.—Superstitions.—Beachcombers.—
Rascally Operations.—Convicts.—Taboo.—Natives.—Climate.—
Houses.—Religious Belief.—Sharp Practice.—Characteristics.—
Whaling.—Pleasant Island.—Disturbance with the Natives.—Ship
“Mohawk.”—Pitcairn’s Island.—Mutiny of the “Bounty’s” Crew.—
Death of Mrs. P.—“To my Husband.”—Massacre at Covill’s
Island.—Whaling again.—A few stray Thoughts upon that
subject.—Heavy Gale.—A “Gemman ob Color.”—His splendid
Dress.—Passage to Guam. 198
CHAPTER XXII.
Island of Rota.—Appearance.—Streets and Houses.—Inhabitants.—
Governor.—Guam.—Umata Bay.—Procuring Water.—Marisa.—Its
Appearance.—Port of Apia.—Fort.—Liberty.—A splendid Ride.—
Boarding-houses.—Police.—Reflections.—Inhabitants.—Choppers.—
A cowardly Murder.—Bombardment of the Palace.—Attend Mass.—
Toddy.—Streets.—Houses.—Palace.—Calaboose.—Cock-fighting.—
Seminary.—Insurrection of Prisoners.—Females.—Take a Stroll.—
Ruins.—Reservoir.—Tobacco.—Betel Nut.—Captain Anderson.—
Rebellion.—Jollification.—A novel Mode of choosing a
Governor.—Congratulations.—Parade.—Aguadente.—Caroline
Islanders.—Last Day on Shore.—Arguing the Point.—Disarming
the Guard.—“Where is my Musket?”—Visit to the Fort.—Strange
Doings.—Ready for Sea. 222
CHAPTER XXIII.
Bailey’s Island.—Turtle.—Whaling.—Ship “James Allen.”—
Water-spouts.—A heavy Gale.—Monotony.—A Swimming Adventure.—
Ship “Atkins Adams.”—Spanish Jack again.—Tow-line Tea.—
Captain’s stump Speech.—A large Whale.—Bark “Antelope.”—
Strange Incident.—Passage to the Group.—Pitt’s Island.—Bark
“Smyrna.”—A rummy Set.—Ship “Susan.”—Fearful Tragedy.—
Passage to Strong’s Island.—Ship “Atlantic.”—Ship “Charles W.
Morgan.”—“At home” once more.—Rev. Mr. Snow.—Characteristic
Meanness.—Rotumah Dance.—Feast and Dance.—Sickness of Mr. L.—
Divine Service on Board.—New Zealand Native.—Farewell to
Strong’s Island. 240
CHAPTER XXIV.
Success of the “Mohawk.”—Ship “Napoleon.”—Whaling.—Bound to the
southward.—Sickness and Death of Mr. L.—Ship “Roscoe.”—
Pleasant Island.—Massacre of the “Inga’s” Crew.—Narrow
Escape.—Ship “Hannibal.”—Christmas and New-Year.—Ship
“William Tell.”—Ship “John Wells.”—Violent Death of Captain
Hussey.—Bound for Hong Kong.—H. B. M.’s Brig “Serpent.”—
Island of Rota.—Wild Boar.—A general Stampede.—“All Hands and
the Cook.”—Man the Victor.—Heavy Gales.—Gad’s Rock.—Formosa.—
Bashee Islands. 255
CHAPTER XXV.
Chinese Fishermen.—Pedro Blanca.—Preparing for Port.—Chinese
Pilots.—Beating up the Passage.—Hong Kong.—“Hail Columbia.”—
The “Susquehanna.”—Stars and Stripes.—Chinese Merchants.—
Washerwomen.—Bumboats.—Dick Simpson and John Chinaman.—
Chinese mode of Trading.—Sanpan.—A floating Community.—Boston
Jack.—Victoria, its Situation, Streets, etc.—Chinese
Barbers.—Fortune-tellers.—Policemen.—Chinese New-year.—A busy
Time.—Firing a Salute.—Arrival of Governor BONHAM.—English
Barracks.—Churches.—Hotels.—Dog or Horse?—Visit from
Men-of-war’s-men.—Tom and the Lieutenant.—Commodore Perry.—
Midshipmen.—Visit to the Barracks.—Theatre.—Fort.—Make some
Purchases.—Counterfeit Money.—Tricks of the Chinese
Merchants.—Females.—Gambling.—Cut-throats.—Short-tailed
Gentlemen.—Chinese Funeral.—Marriages.—Education.—Ouang Ouci
Yuen.—Infanticide.—Twenty-second of February.—Chinese
Artists.—Their Powers of Imitation.—Sam Shu.—Domestic Life of
the Chinese.—Food.—Temple, or Joss House.—Worship of Idols.—
Joss Sticks.—Tom as a Yankee Naval Officer.—Chinese
Men-of-war.—Pirates.—Chinese Theatre.—Masonic Temple.—The
Bethel.—Chinaman and his Shoes.—The Arrest, Trial, and
Acquittal.—Departure for Sea. 265
CHAPTER XXVI.
Fishing Junks.—New Companions.—Stove Boat, yet good Luck.—Heavy
Gales.—Bashee Islands.—Loo Choos.—The “Reaper” again.—Whaling
Ship “Jireh Perry.”—Ship “Alabama.”—“Gamming.”—Ship
“Roscoe.”—A Cure for “Bruisers.”—Ship “E. L. B. Jenney.”—Bark
“Empress.”—Ormsby’s Peak.—Bonin Islands.—Turtles.—Peel’s
Island.—A narrow Escape.—Bonin Island Inhabitants.—Japan
Expedition.—An old Shipmate.—Another Runaway.—Fourth of July
Celebration.—Ship “Rambler.”—Ship “Hope.”—Parting with an old
Friend.—Fishing.—The last Lowering.—Bound for the Sandwich
Islands.—Maui and Molokai.—Lahaina.—Anchor down.—Description
of Lahaina.—King’s Palace.—Lahainaluna.—Rules and
Regulations.—Sports and Pastimes.—Letters from Home.—
Productions of Maui.—Captain M‘Culloch.—Sad News.—Death of
Stoddard.—Voracity of the Shark.—Kanaka Church.—Small-pox. 301
CHAPTER XXVII.
Legend of Kinau and Tuanoa: a Tale of the Sandwich Islands. 332
CHAPTER XXVIII.
“Homeward bound” at last.—The prevailing Feeling.—Wauhoo and
Atoowi.—“Stowaways.”—Farewell to the Sandwich Islands.—Ship
“Uncas.”—On the Equator.—Whytootucke.—Roratongo.—Meeting of
old Friends.—Interesting Missionary Incidents.—A good
Reason.—Good-by to Roratongo.—Preparing for Cape Horn.—
Christmas.—A heavy Gale.—Off Cape Horn.—New Experiences.—In
the Atlantic again.—Ship “Betsey Williams.”—Brazilian Coast.—
North of the Line.—Hurra for Yankee Land.—Brig “Alpha.”—
Try-works overboard.—Scudding off Bermuda.—Gulf Stream.—
Soundings.—Old “Hard-a-lee.”—The old Adage.—“Home at last!”—
Conclusion. 344
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
NEW BEDFORD _Frontispiece._
NEW BEDFORD FROM A WHALEMAN’S POINT OF VIEW Page 15
THE PILOT 19
THE MATE 22
DRUG 26
WHALING IMPLEMENTS 27
THE MASTHEADMAN 30
“GIVE IT TO HIM!” 45
TOWING A DEAD WHALE 47
SPERM WHALE 49, 51
RIGHT WHALE 53
RIGHT WHALE BONE 55
CUTTING IN 58
TRYING OUT 63
JUAN FERNANDEZ, FROM THE SEA 80
PEAK OF YONKA 82
CRUSOE’S CAVE 83
SYDENHAM ISLAND CANOE 100
STRONG’S ISLAND 121
STRONG’S ISLAND HOUSES 128
STRONG’S ISLAND CANOE 129
STOVE 159
SPOUTS OF THE SPERM AND RIGHT WHALE 165
HEAD OUT 169
BREACHING 173
A SCHOOL 175
USING HIS JAW 208
GOING DOWN ON A SCHOOL 210
TRADING AT PLEASANT ISLAND 211
A RACE FOR A WHALE 217
THE “OLD MAN” TALKS 246
ORMSBY’S PEAK 309
“THERE SHE BLOWS!” 315
CHART OF SANDWICH ISLANDS 317
LAHAINA 320
HOMEWARD BOUND 346
A LANDSHARK 356
JUST LANDED 359
LIFE AND ADVENTURE
IN
THE SOUTH PACIFIC.
CHAPTER I.
New Bedford.—Fitting out a Whaler.—Shipping a Crew.—Green Hands.—
Shippers.—Outfitters.—A Sailor’s Wardrobe.—All Hands on board.—
Good-by to Yankee Land.—The Pilot taking leave.—The last
Farewell.—Captain’s Speech.—Choosing Watches.—The _Modus Operandi_
of Ships’ Watches.—Sea-sickness.
The city of New Bedford, Mass., has for many years been the principal
whaling-port of the United States. From there hundreds of young men
have annually gone to different parts of the world to battle with
the monsters of the deep, and, after a long and weary absence from
home and friends, returned with ships “laden with the spoils.” It
is not our purpose to give a description of this far-famed (among
whalemen) place, but we trust it will prove interesting to the reader
if we briefly sketch the _modus operandi_ of fitting out a whaler,
and “shipping a crew,” that if any one shall be tempted to see the
world in a whaler, he may be put upon his guard against some of the
impositions practiced upon “green hands” by the “shippers,” as they
style themselves, of whaling-ports.
In fitting out a whaler for a voyage, every thing is usually done as
cheaply as possible, and often on the “penny-wise and pound-foolish”
plan. With some owners, however, we are happy to say, it is
different. They have a regard for the health and comfort of the
ship’s company, and their ships are generally well fitted, with good
provisions, good whaling material, and every thing necessary to make
the voyage one of pleasure and comfort to the crew as well as profit
to themselves. In nine cases out of ten such ships get good crews,
and make profitable voyages. But there are others who are actuated
by a niggardly disposition in fitting and provisioning their ships,
and the result of the voyage, as far as profit is concerned, is a
corresponding one.
After a ship has her provisions, water, and every thing necessary
for the voyage on board except her crew, she is “hauled into the
stream,” ready for sea as soon as the ship’s company can be got on
board, which generally occupies a day or two, as many of them are
having their last “spree,” spending their “advance,” and often coming
on board half intoxicated. Some of them, when they ship, are in
that condition, and hardly know, until they are at sea, their true
situation and how they came there. The majority of a whaler’s crew
(foremast hands) are “greenies,” hardly any of them ever having smelt
salt water, and knowing nothing of a seaman’s life, its hardships,
its exposures, its joys, or its sorrows. But the poor fellows soon
learn, and many of them, before they have been clear of the land a
week, vainly wish themselves at home. Many of them are picked up by
“shipping agents” throughout the country, who send them on to their
respective shipping-houses in New Bedford. They are then furnished
by the shippers with second or third rate boarding-houses, the board
to be paid out of their advance. It is a common practice for the
shippers to make contracts with owners to furnish them with so many
“green hands” at so much per head; the shipper receiving his price
from the owner, and then, in addition, charging poor “greeny” ten
dollars for “getting him a ship.”
[Illustration: NEW BEDFORD FROM A WHALEMAN’S POINT OF VIEW.]
He is then, after being shipped in a vessel of whose captain,
officers, destination, etc., he is entirely ignorant, consigned
to the tender mercies of the “outfitter,” who is to furnish his
wardrobe for a five years’ voyage. The poor fellow is here sadly
taken in. The outfitter will spin him a nice yarn, and promise him
a splendid outfit, “enough to last him the whole voyage,” which he
manages to postpone giving him until the ship is just ready to sail,
when he will “fit him out” with a wooden box, made of pine boards,
which he calls a chest, size about seven by nine, with perhaps a
broken lock, and “stowed” with his five years’ clothing. As a general
thing, this clothing is made in such a manner and of such material
that it gives out before the ship gets into the Pacific, and the
“slop-chest” is resorted to for a new supply. It is a common remark
among whalemen who have been “bit,” that the cloth is “made of bull’s
wool and dog’s hair, woven together by thunder and lightning.” The
“five years’ supply” generally consists of two red or blue woolen
shirts, two under-shirts, two pairs of drawers, one pair of woolen
pants, one round-jacket, one monkey-jacket, two pairs of thin
pants, two “hickory” shirts, a sou’wester or tarpaulin, two pairs
of stockings, one pair of shoes, a jack-knife, comb, looking-glass,
paper of needles, one quarter-pound of thread, five pounds of
tobacco, a keg of oil soap, a tin cup, pan, and spoon, mattress,
pillow, and blankets. For this lot of _stuff_ the outfitter charges
the _moderate_ sum of seventy-five dollars, draws an order for that
amount upon the owners, and, just as the ship is to sail, tells the
“greeny” he must sign it, or he can’t go in the ship. Many times he
is urged to, and often does, sign an order, the amount of which is
left blank; and, after the ship sails, the outfitter fills the blank
to suit himself. The poor victim is thus completely in their power,
and they know it, and act accordingly. There are exceptions, of
course; some men are engaged in the business who would scorn to do
a mean action, but, generally, the outfitters of New Bedford are,
politely speaking, gentlemen robbers.
Our ship was to sail on the 23d of October, 18—. Accordingly, on the
morning of that day, every thing on board was in a glorious state
of confusion. Chests, bundles, bedding, etc., were strewn about the
decks until the lawful owners should take charge of them.
As soon as the crew were all on board, orders were given to “man
the windlass,” and in a few moments the anchor was on the bow, and
our last hold on American soil broken. Many an hour must pass, and
many a mile of the blue wave be plowed, ere we could again drop our
anchor in this port. The captain now came on board, accompanied by
his wife and son, the huge sails were loosed, and we left the city of
New Bedford with fine breezes and pleasant weather; many of us with
gloomy forebodings, vainly endeavoring to penetrate the dim veil of
the future and conjecture as to whether we should be spared again to
tread our native shores; again to clasp in our embrace those dear
friends we were leaving behind us sorrowing. But the future was all
shrouded in mystery, and we could but sigh farewell, and place our
trust in Him who “doeth all things well.”
As we are now at sea, the pilot takes his leave, with those who have
come off to bid adieu to their brothers, sons, friends, etc.; and
now the weather-beaten tar as well as the green hand brushes away a
tear, as they bid a long farewell to happy homes; and as their native
shores gradually sink behind the wave, all appear to be suddenly
impressed with the loneliness of their situation, and the dangers
they have to encounter and overcome ere they again behold the dear
ones at home.
[Illustration: THE PILOT.]
[Illustration: THE MATE.]
At about 6 P.M. the captain came on deck, called all hands aft,
and made a short speech, the substance of which was that, “as long
as they behaved themselves, they should receive good treatment,
should have plenty to eat and drink, and a regular watch below;
that they were to go when told, come when called, and that without
grumbling; and if any of them should act contrary to this, they would
find they had come to the wrong place; that there were some thirty of
the crew, and he but one, and it was utterly impossible for him to do
every thing to please so many different minds, yet it was perfectly
easy for them to so conduct themselves as to suit him; and,” he adds,
“let every person sweep his own door clean and mind his own affairs,
and there will be no difficulty; but if not, look out for ‘breakers:’
in fine, he hopes there will no trouble, and in forty months to be
sailing up Buzzard’s Bay with a full ship.”
The captain and chief mate then proceeded to choose watches. Of
the _modus operandi_ of ships’ “watches” we presume a great many
are conversant; but, for the benefit of those who are not, we will
here relate it. The ship’s company is first divided into two equal
portions, called the larboard, or mate’s watch, and the starboard,
or captain’s watch, which is commanded, or, technically speaking,
“headed” by the second mate. At 8 P.M. the “watch is set,” one watch
remaining on deck, and the other going below until twelve. They then
change, those on deck going below, and remaining until 4 A.M., when
they again change for four hours more, until eight. At that time
they are again changed, the watch that had “eight hours out” having
the “forenoon watch below,” from 8 till 12 M.; and in the afternoon
the watch that had but “four hours out” the night before have the
afternoon watch below, from 12 to 4 P.M. The time from 4 to 8 P.M. is
divided into two short watches, called “dog-watches,” for the purpose
of regulating or keeping them in proper succession. For instance: the
larboard watch is on deck from 8 P.M. to 12; the starboard from 12
to 4 A.M.; the larboard from 4 to 8 A.M.; the starboard from 8 A.M.
to 12 M.; the larboard from 12 to 4 P.M.; the starboard from 4 to 6
P.M., and the larboard from 6 to 8 P.M., when the watch is set. They
are thus changed every night, one having eight hours on deck and four
below one night, and the next _vice versa_, continuing thus for the
voyage.
It being 8 o’clock, eight bells were struck, and one watch was sent
below. About this time the majority of us landlubbers were paying
tribute to old Father Neptune—casting up our accounts—and it mattered
very little to some of us whether the ship went up or down.
Of all the miserable beings in the world, the sea-sick “greeny” is
the most miserable. Those who have been sea-sick can appreciate
his situation when we tell them that, in addition to the feeling
produced by the sickness, he is made the butt and laughing-stock of
those around him who escape the infliction. Those who have never
experienced this sickness can not appreciate the blessing of having
escaped it, and we will not attempt, therefore, to describe it.
However, to use a homely expression, when one is really sea-sick,
good and strong, he “doesn’t care whether school keeps or not!”