Chapter I: 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