_From 1800 to 1803—age, 27-30._
Second marriage; character of his wife.—Mr. Bowditch engages
in commerce for two years.—School committee.—East India
Marine Society; a description of the annual meeting of this
society.—Mr. Bowditch becomes part owner of ship Putnam, and
sails for India.—Anecdote, occurrence a few days after leaving
Salem.—Studies during the long voyage.—Begins to study and make
notes upon La Place’s “Mécanique Céleste.”—Arrival off Sumatra;
difficulties there.—Boarded by English man-of-war.—Revisits
Isle of France.—Journal extracts about modes of procuring
pepper; seasons for it, &c.—Incident on approaching Salem
harbor.—Decision of Mr. Bowditch.
[Sidenote: SECOND MARRIAGE.]
[Sidenote: CHARACTER OF HIS WIFE.]
On the 28th of October, 1800, Mr. Bowditch married his cousin, Mary
Ingersoll. She was destined to live with him thirty-four years, and
was the source of much of his happiness in life. She was a person in
some respects as remarkable as her husband. She was possessed of
excellent judgment, unwearying kindness and love. She had also an elastic
cheerfulness which scarcely anything could subdue, and very strong
religious feelings. She was constantly trying to aid him. Instead of
seeking for enjoyment in display, she preferred economical retirement,
and great but respectable frugality, in order that her husband might
pursue more thoroughly and easily his favorite studies, and might
purchase books of science. Instead of collecting beautiful furniture, she
called her visitors to see the new works of learning that her husband
had imported from foreign lands. Yet, with all this devoted love, with
all this reverence for his talents and virtues, she remained his true
friend, and never shrunk from fully expressing her own opinion upon every
matter of duty; and if, perchance, she differed from him, she maintained
her side of the question with the zeal of a saint. It has been often
said, that, had Mr. Bowditch been united with a woman of a different
temperament, he would have been an entirely different person. He loved
study, it was true; but none enjoyed more than he the delights of a
family circle. None needed more than he did the kindness of a wife and
children. She lived with him thirty-four years, and on the 17th of April,
1834, she died of consumption, after long and severe suffering.
[Sidenote: REPUTATION AT HOME.]
[Sidenote: EAST INDIA MARINE SOCIETY.]
But I am anticipating my story. For two years after his arrival from his
last voyage, Mr. Bowditch remained at home, and engaged as a merchant
in commerce. We find him generally, in connection with his old friend
Captain Prince, trying his fortunes by adventures of money sent to
different parts of the world. In 1802 he owned one sixth of a small
schooner and its cargo, valued at nine hundred and eleven dollars. During
this long residence in town, his fame had increased. He had become
known among his fellow-citizens as an “able mathematician.”[4] He was
therefore appointed to offices of honor and trust. He was a member of
the school committee of the town. This boy, who had been obliged to
leave school at the age of ten years and three months, was now, at the
age of twenty-five years, appointed to superintend the instruction of
others. He was secretary of the East India Marine Society of Salem.
This society had one of the most interesting collections of East Indian
curiosities that can be found in America. It is now in the possession
of the Essex Institute. The East India Marine Society was composed of
the most influential men in Salem. No one could be enrolled among their
number unless he had sailed, as captain or supercargo of a vessel,
around either Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope. It was intended as a
benevolent society, for the relief of the families of deceased members,
and also for the promotion of the art of navigation. Mr. Bowditch was
one of its most active members. In the early part of this century, the
society was accustomed, on the days of its annual meeting, to have a
public procession. A description of one of these processions may not
be uninteresting to you. I quote the words of an eye-witness[5] of a
celebration that occurred two years later than the period of which I am
speaking; but the date is unimportant, as the ceremony was the same.
“January 4, 1804. This day was the annual meeting of the East India
Marine Society. As the clergy attend in turn, this occasion afforded me
an opportunity to enjoy the day with them. After business, but before
dinner, they moved in procession, but the ice limited the distance.
Each of the brethren bore some Indian curiosity, and the palanquin was
borne by negroes dressed nearly in the Indian manner. A person dressed
in Chinese habits, and masked, passed in front. The crowd of spectators
was great. Several gentlemen were invited to dine. Instrumental music
was provided in the town, for the first time, and consisted of a bass
drum, bassoon, clarinet, and flute (!), and was very acceptable. There
was no singing.” ... “It is a most happy arrangement,” continues this
writer, “to deliver all the papers of this company into the hands of Mr.
Nathaniel Bowditch, lately returned from his voyage to India, that they
may be prepared for public inspection.”
In July, 1802, Mr. Bowditch bought a part of a small vessel engaged in a
sealing voyage; but he lost, by this adventure, half of his investment.
In September of the same year, he, with three others, bought the new ship
Putnam, built a short time previously, at Danvers. This purchase probably
caused a change in his determination of never going to sea again.
[Sidenote: SAILS HIS LAST VOYAGE.]
[Sidenote: ANECDOTE.]
[Sidenote: STUDIES MÉCANIQUE CÉLESTE.]
On the 21st of November he sailed as master, and owner of one small
part of the whole ship and cargo, valued at fifty-six thousand dollars.
Though he went in the capacity of captain, he was determined to do
nothing more than direct the course of the ship. He meant to leave to
the officers under him all the labor usually expected of commanders. He
made an agreement with two skilful persons to take upon themselves these
duties. He did so in order that he might be able to pursue his studies
more uninterruptedly than would have been possible, had he been obliged
to watch every favorable breeze, or the first appearance of a gathering
storm. But, as we shall see, whenever real danger called him to duty, he
then stood firm, and gave his commands like one who was satisfied that
the time had come for him to do so. A few days after leaving the port of
Beverly, he was seen walking “fore and aft” the vessel, with rapid steps,
and deeply absorbed, apparently, in the solution of a problem. The wind
had been blowing freshly for some time; and, while he was meditating,
and forgetful of everything else, the mate of the vessel had been hoping
that he would see the severe squall which was threatening, and was, even
then, skimming fiercely over the troubled water. He feared to suggest to
Mr. Bowditch the importance of taking in sail, because the discipline
on board ship prevents an inferior officer from interfering with the
superior, when the latter is on deck. At length, aroused by the danger
of the vessel, he ventured the remark, “Captain, would it not be better
to take in the topgallant sails?” These words aroused Mr. Bowditch from
his reverie, and he instantly ordered all hands to duty, and fortunately,
by his activity and energy, was enabled to furl the extra sail before
the gust struck the vessel. But this event taught Mr. Bowditch a lesson;
and he gave strict orders to the two officers mentioned above to waive
all ceremony with him, and to take the command of the ship whether he
was on deck or not. This rule was afterwards always observed, except
on difficult occasions; and then Mr. Bowditch assumed the authority of
commanding officer. On these occasions, by his calmness and sagacity
he gained the respect and confidence of those in employment under him.
Before the termination of this voyage, we shall see a striking example
of this. But now let us proceed on our expedition with him, and again
cross the Atlantic, pass around the Cape of Good Hope to the islands
of the Indian Ocean. But I should premise, that, as he had become more
acquainted with mathematics and philosophy, he had imported from Europe
most of the great works on these subjects; and he now was prepared to
devote himself more closely than ever to the darling object of his
life—the attainment of a knowledge of the truths of science. He was
determined, on this voyage, to undertake the thorough study of one work
on the heavens—a book which he had understood was above anything ever
before written by man on that subject. Imagine, if you can, the zeal and
delight with which he must have approached this book upon a subject that
had interested him from earliest years. Doubtless he thought not, then,
of the fame he was to gain from it. The name of it you will like to know.
I shall speak of it again; but, meanwhile, I will merely mention that
it was called “A Treatise on the Mechanism of the Heavens,”—_Mécanique
Céleste_,—and was written, in French, by a mathematician named La Place,
the greatest scientific man, after Newton, of modern times. But this was
not the only work Mr. Bowditch took with him. He had many of the most
important works which had been published on the same subject, they having
been imported for him by a bookseller named Blunt, in payment of services
rendered.
[Sidenote: STUDIES AT SEA.]
These various studies of course influenced his Journal. He was an
observer of passing events; but he recorded less of them than on the
preceding voyages.
By the first record, it appears that on “Sunday, November 21, 1802, at
one o’clock P. M., sailed from Captain Hill’s wharf, in Beverly. At two,
passed Baker’s Island lights, with fine and pleasant breeze.” This fair
weather lasted but a few days, and by far the greater part of the voyage
was uncomfortable, in consequence of the prevalence of rain and wind. On
January 25, 1803, he saw the islands of Tristan d’Acunha, and, whilst
coursing along under easy sail, took several observations of them, and
made a chart of their various positions.
[Sidenote: ARRIVAL AT SUMATRA.]
[Sidenote: VISIT TO ISLE OF FRANCE.]
[Sidenote: PEPPER ISLANDS.]
On the 2d of May he arrived among the Pepper Islands, near the coast of
Sumatra. He found several American captains there, all actively engaged
in loading their vessels with pepper. He had considerable difficulty
in making any arrangement with the Rajahs of different places; but at
length, having touched, without success, at several ports, he began
to load at Tally-Poo, on the 9th of May. There he continued until the
18th of July, when, by his Journal, it appears that, having wasted a
number of days, expecting that more pepper would be brought to the
shore, he at last was informed by the Rajah he would not be allowed any
more. Knowing that he should meet with equal trouble at every place
on the coast, he concluded to quit it, and call at the Isle of France
on his homeward passage. During their voyage, amid the various shoals
and islands which abound here, they met with no inconvenience and no
interruption, save that they anchored once or twice, towards night, and
on the 25th of July were obliged to heave to, under the fire of two
English ships of war, one named the Royal George, the commander of
which took the liberty of searching, for the purpose of seeing whether
there were any Englishmen on board.[6] The officer on this occasion was
very polite, and the Putnam soon resumed its course, and in seventy-two
hours more was on the open sea, under full sail, with the aid of the
steady trade-winds of that place and season. On the 24th of August the
vessel was in sight of the Isle of France. He there met his old friend
Bonnefoy, whom he had left there on his first voyage, in 1795, and
likewise many American friends. After purchasing some bags of pepper, and
taking on board some provisions, which employed his time for four days,
he sailed, for the last time from any foreign port, on Wednesday, August
31, 1803. The voyage homeward was very disagreeable, in consequence
of much severe weather. Nothing remarkable happened to enliven the
scene; but Mr. Bowditch disregarded the storms and waves. His mind
was calm and tranquil, for he was daily occupied with his “peaceful
mathematics.” He wrote in his Journal but seldom. There is, however,
the following account of the Pepper Islands. “There are several native
ports on the north-western coast of Sumatra, where the Americans trade
for pepper—Analaboo-Sooso, Tangar, Tally-Poo, Muckie, &c., and several
smaller ports, including about fifty miles of the coast. On your arrival
at any of these ports, you contract with the Datoo for the pepper, and
fix the price. If more than one vessel is at the port, the pepper which
daily comes to the scales is shared between them, as they can agree,
or they take it day by day, alternately. Sometimes the Datoo contracts
to load one vessel before any other one takes any, and he holds to his
agreement _as long as he finds it for his interest, and no longer_; for
a handsome present, or an increase in the price, will prevent any more
pepper from being brought in for several days; and the person who has
made the agreement must either quit the port or offer an additional price.
[Sidenote: PEPPER TRADE.]
“The pepper season commences in January, when they begin to take from the
vines the small kernels at the bottom. In March, April, and May is the
height of the crop, at which time the pepper taken from the top of the
vines is larger and more solid than that gathered at an earlier period.
Many suppose that the pepper is all gathered in May; but I was in some of
the gardens in July, and found at the top of the vines large quantities
which would be ripe in a few days. The young crop was in considerable
forwardness at the bottom of the vines. Some calculate on two crops, but
from the best information I could procure there is only one.
“The pepper is generally weighed with American scales and weights,
one hundred and thirty-three and a third pounds to a _peccul_. What
is weighed each day is paid for in the evening, the natives not being
willing to trust their property in the hands of those they deal with. And
they ought to be dealt with in the same manner, it not being prudent to
pay in advance to the Datoo, as it would be often difficult to get either
the pepper or the money again from him. Spanish dollars are the current
coin, but they do not take halves or quarters. They have a pang or piece,
of which we could get but eighty for a dollar at Tally-Poo, though at
other places they give one hundred or one hundred and twenty for the
same.”
[Sidenote: NEARING THE COAST.]
[Sidenote: DANGERS OF THE COAST.]
[Sidenote: SKILL IN NAVIGATION.]
[Sidenote: ENTHUSIASM OF THE SAILORS.]
[Sidenote: HOME.]
During the whole voyage, as I have already stated, the weather had been
very uncomfortable. The approach to the American coast is at all times
hazardous during the winter. The bold and rocky shore, the intense cold
and severe snow-storms, which make the day shorter even than common,
are so many terrors for the sailor. You may judge of the anxiety of the
crew of the Putnam, when, after a tedious absence of more than a year,
they at length, towards the middle of December, 1803, after a long
period of stormy weather, came upon the shoal grounds off Massachusetts
near Nantucket. The sleet and rain had been driving over the ocean
for many days. No sun appeared to guide them by day; no star lighted
up the night. Groping, as it were, in darkness, they coasted along up
the shore, yet not within sight of it, now throwing their sounding-line
upon Nantucket, and soon afterwards upon George’s Shoal. There seemed
no end to the storm. At length, on the 25th of December, they had
approached, according to Mr. Bowditch’s reckoning, from observation
made two days before, near to the outer part of Salem harbor. The night
was fast closing in. Mr. Bowditch was observed to be on deck, anxiously
looking towards the bow of the vessel, as if trying to see something
that would enable him to know more exactly the position of the vessel
and the precise course it was running. With clear and decided tones,
he gave his orders. The seamen heard him, and obeyed promptly. “There
is something in the wind,” whispered one; “the _old man_[7] is above.”
“Stand every man at his post,” is the command; “and look out for land
ahead.” Fierce gusts of wind swept over Massachusetts Bay, bearing the
vessel irresistibly onwards. The snow-storm beat heavily, and at every
moment the darkness increased. At length, for a moment, the clouds of
drifting snow-flakes parted, and Mr. Bowditch and his mate, who were
watching, saw distinctly the light of Baker’s Island. “Light, ho! on
the larboard bow,” was passed from one to the other on board that ship,
in which were many almost breathless with suspense. It was but for a
moment, and again all was obscured. “I am right,” said Mr. Bowditch; “the
direction in which we are now steering will carry us soon into Salem
harbor.” His prediction was fulfilled, and it was an extraordinary proof
of his skill in navigation. He had had no opportunity for observing the
sun or moon for two or three days; yet, so accurately had he marked his
position in the ocean at the last time of observing, that, by steering
in the direction pointed out by the chart, and observing the rate at
which the vessel moved, he had been able to calculate so exactly, that,
after seventy-two hours of darkness, as it were, he came up within sight
of the light-house almost as easily as if he had been steering in open
day, with the object distinctly in view. The old tars could not restrain
their expressions of admiration; and as, at nine o’clock in the evening,
they dropped anchor in safety from the gale that was now beating with
tenfold violence outside of the island, they whispered with one another,
so that he overheard them, “The _old man_ has done well to-night.” It was
the 25th of December, and throughout Christendom the Christmas festival
in commemoration of the birth of the Saviour had been celebrated, and
friends had all been gathered. Sadness marked their countenances at one
home, from which the husband and friend was absent, though long expected.
As the blasts beat through the streets, and as the family clustered
around the bright, shining fire upon the hearth-stone, as the wind
whistled through the casement, the thoughts of the wife were turned from
the fireside to the rough ocean on which her husband was tempest-tossed.
Many weary weeks had she watched; but day after day had the sun gone
down, and, like Rachel, she could not be comforted. She feared that he
was lost. One after another of her friends had left her late at night,
and finally she was alone. Suddenly she springs up from her seat, aroused
by the sound of quick knocking at the street door. She recognizes the
tap, and in a few moments she is hanging on his neck from whom she was
destined never to be long separated, until death removed her from him for
four years, at the end of which time he was placed by death in quietness
at her side.