Read Ebook: The Arctic Whaleman; or Winter in the Arctic Ocean by Holmes Lewis

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

The Whale.--Its Zo?logy.--The largest known Animal.--Sperm Whale.--Right Whale.--Finback.--Bowhead. 250

Whale Blubber.--Enemies of the Whale.--Affection of the Whale for its Young.--Instances. 256

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

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

Outfitting and Infitting.--"Runners."--Remedy.--Articles of Clothing.--Whaling Business.--Promotion.--Whale Killing.-- Dangers.--General Success of the Enterprise. 276

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.

THE WHALEMAN;

OR,

NINE MONTHS IN THE ARCTIC.

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.

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.

The Citizen was put on her course. We passed several ships--weather good. December 20, lat. 40? 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.

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