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A NARRATIVE

OF THE MUTINY,

ON BOARD THE SHIP GLOBE, OF NANTUCKET,

IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN, JAN. 1824 AND THE JOURNAL

OF A RESIDENCE OF TWO YEARS ON THE MULGRAVE ISLANDS;

WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INHABITANTS.

BY WILLIAM LAY, OF SAYBROOK, CONN. AND CYRUS M. HUSSEY, OF NANTUCKET:

The only Survivors from the Massacre of the Ship's Company by the Natives.

NEW-LONDON: PUBLISHED BY WM. LAY, AND C. M. HUSSEY.

DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WIT

Be it remembered, that on the twenty-fourth day of October, A. D. 1827, in the fifty-second year of the independence of the United States of America, WILLIAM LAY and CYRUS M. HUSSEY, of the said District, have deposited in this Office, the title of a Book, the Right whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the words following, to wit:

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States entitled "an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies during the times therein mentioned:" and also to an act entitled "an act supplementary to an act, entitled an act, for the encouragement of learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of Designing, Engraving, and Etching Historical and other Prints."

TO JOHN PERCIVAL, ESQ.

OF THE U. S. NAVY,

Who, under the auspices of Government, visited the Mulgrave Islands, to release the survivors of the Ship Globe's crew, and extended to them every attention their unhappy situation required--the following Narrative is most respectfully dedicated, by

WILLIAM LAY, & CYRUS M. HUSSEY, The Authors.

INTRODUCTION.

In the earlier stages of the whale fishery, of which we are now treating, the ships were generally on the whaling waters, early in May, and whether successful or not, they were obliged to commence their return by the succeeding August, to avoid the early accumulation of ice in those seas. But it not unfrequently happened, that ships procured and returned with a cargo in the months of June and July, making a voyage only about three months, whereas, a voyage to the Pacific Ocean is now often protracted to three years!

In 1786, the number of British ships engaged in the whale fishery to Davis's Strait and the Greenland seas, was 139, besides 15 from Scotland. In 1787, notwithstanding the bounty had been diminished, the number of English ships was 217, and the following year 222.

Thus it will be seen that the commencement of whaling at Nantucket, was on a very small scale, and practised only along the shores of the Island;--whereas, at this time, our ships leave no seas unexplored in pursuit of these monsters of the deep. We might pursue the subject through the various stages of improvement up to this time, but it would swell this introduction beyond the limits designed. It is proper, however, to observe that the present number of ships employed in the whale fishery from Nantucket, is about 70, averaging about 350 tons each, and manned by about 1500 seamen.

NARRATIVE, &c.

The Ship Globe, on board of which vessel occurred the horrid transactions we are about to relate, belonged to the Island of Nantucket; she was owned by Messrs. C. Mitchell, & Co. and other merchants of that place; and commanded on this voyage by Thomas Worth, of Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard. William Beetle, John Lumbert, Nathaniel Fisher, Gilbert Smith, Samuel B. Comstock, do. Stephen Kidder, seaman, Peter C. Kidder, do. Columbus Worth, do. Rowland Jones, do. John Cleveland, do. Constant Lewis, do. Holden Henman, do. Jeremiah Ingham, do. Joseph Ignasius Prass, do. Cyrus M. Hussey, cooper, Rowland Coffin, do. George Comstock, seaman, and William Lay, do.

On the 15th day of December, we sailed from Edgarton, on a whaling voyage, to the Pacific Ocean, but in working out, having carried away the cross-jack-yard, we returned to port, and after having refitted and sent aloft another, we sailed again on the 19th, and on the same day anchored in Holmes' Hole. On the following day a favourable opportunity offering to proceed to sea, we got under way, and after having cleared the land, discharged the pilot, made sail, and performed the necessary duties of stowing the anchors, unbending and coiling away the cables, &c.--On the 1st of January 1823, we experienced a heavy gale from N. W. which was but the first in the catalogue of difficulties we were fated to encounter.--As this was our first trial of a seaman's life, the scene presented to our view, "mid the howling storm," was one of terrific grandeur, as well as of real danger. But as the ship scudded well, and the wind was fair, she was kept before it, under a close reefed main-top-sail and fore-sail, although during the gale, which lasted forty-eight hours, the sea frequently threatened to board us, which was prevented by the skillful management of the helm. On the 9th of January we made the Cape Verd Islands, bearing S. W. twenty-five miles distant, and on the 17th, crossed the Equator. On the 29th of the same month we saw sperm whales, lowered our boats, and succeeded in taking one; the blubber of which, when boiled out, yielded us seventy-five barrels of oil. Pursuing our voyage, on the twenty-third of February we passed the Falkland Islands, and about the 5th of March, doubled the great promontory of South America, Cape Horn, and stood to the Northward.

We saw whales once only before we reached the Sandwich Islands, which we made on the first of May early in the morning. When drawing in with the Island of Hawaii about four in the afternoon, the man at the mast head gave notice that he saw a shoal of black fish on the lee bow; which we soon found to be canoes on their way to meet us. It falling calm at this time prevented their getting along side until night fall, which they did, at a distance of more than three leagues from the land. We received from them a very welcome supply of potatoes, sugar cane, yams, cocoanuts, bananas, fish, &c. for which we gave them in return, pieces of iron hoop, nails, and similar articles. We stood off and on during the next day, and after obtaining a sufficient supply of vegetables and fruit, we shaped our course for Oahu, at which place we arrived on the following day, and after lying there twenty hours, sailed for the coast of Japan, in company with the whaling ships Palladium of Boston, and Pocahontas of Falmouth; from which ships we parted company when two days out.--After cruising in the Japan seas several months, and obtaining five hundred and fifty barrels of oil, we again shaped our course for the Sandwich Islands, to obtain a supply of vegetables, &c.

While lying at Oahu, six of the men deserted in the night; two of them having been re-taken were put in irons, but one of them having found means to divest himself of his irons, set the other at liberty, and both escaped.

The second and third mates, fastened in their state rooms, lay in their births listening, fearing to speak, and being ignorant of the numerical strength of the mutineers, and unarmed, thought it best to wait the dreadful issue, hoping that their lives might yet be spared.

But the work of death was not yet finished. Comstock, took his light into the cabin, and made preparations for attacking the second and third mates, Mr. Fisher, and Mr. Lumbert. After loading two muskets, he fired one through the door, in the direction as near as he could judge of the officers, and then inquired if either was shot! Fisher replied, "yes, I am shot in the mouth!" Previous to his shooting Fisher, Lumbert asked if he was going to kill him? To which he answered with apparent unconcern, "Oh no, I guess not."

They now opened the door, and Comstock making a pass at Mr. Lumbert, missed him, and fell into the state room. Mr. Lumbert collared him, but he escaped from his hands. Mr. Fisher had got the gun, and actually presented the bayonet to the monster's heart! But Comstock assuring him that his life should be spared if he gave it up, he did so; when Comstock immediately ran Mr. Lumbert through the body several times!!

Thus it appears that this more than demon, murdered with his own hand, the whole! Gladly would we wash from "memory's waste" all remembrance of that bloody night. The compassionate reader, however, whose heart sickens within him, at the perusal, as does ours at the recital, of this tale of woe, will not, we hope, disapprove our publishing these melancholy facts to the world. As, through the boundless mercy of Providence, we have been restored, to the bosom of our families and homes, we deemed it a duty we owe to the world, to record our "unvarnished tale."

Smith, the other boat-steerer, who had been marked as one of the victims, on hearing the noise in the cabin, went aft, apprehending an altercation between the Captain and some of the other officers, little dreaming that innocent blood was flowing in torrents. But what was his astonishment, when he beheld Comstock, brandishing the boarding knife, and heard him exclaim, "I am the bloody man, and will have revenge!" Horror struck, he hurried forward, and asked the crew in the forecastle, what he should do. Some urged him to secrete himself in the hold, others to go aloft until Comstock's rage should be abated; but alas! the reflection that the ship afforded no secure hiding place, determined him to confront the ringleader, and if he could not save his life by fair means, to sell it dearly! He was soon called for by Comstock, who upon meeting him, threw his bloody arms around his neck, and embracing him, said, "you are going to be with us, are you not?" The reader will discover the good policy of Smith when he unhesitatingly answered, "Oh, yes, I will do any thing you require."

All hands were now called to make sail, and a light at the same time was set as a signal for the Lyra to tack;--while the Globe was kept upon the same tack, which very soon caused a separation of the two ships. All the reefs were turned out, top-gallant-sails set, and all sail made on the ship, the wind being quite light.

Orders were next given to have the bodies of Mr. Fisher, and Mr. Lumbert brought up. A rope was fastened to Fisher's neck, by which he was hauled upon deck. A rope was made fast to Mr. Lumbert's feet, and in this way was he got upon deck, but when in the act of being thrown from the ship, he caught the plank-shear; and appealed to Comstock, reminding him of his promise to save him, but in vain; for the monster forced him from his hold, and he fell into the sea! As he appeared to be yet capable of swimming, a boat was ordered to be lowered, to pursue and finish him, fearing he might be picked up by the Lyra; which order was as soon countermanded as given, fearing, no doubt, a desertion of his murderous companions.

We will now present the reader, with a journal of our passage to the Mulgrave Islands, for which groupe we shaped our course.

Lat. 5? 50' N. Long. 159? 13' W.

Jan. 27th. These twenty-four hours commenced with moderate breezes from the eastward. Middle and latter part calm. Employed in cleaning the small arms which were fifteen in number, and making cartridge boxes.

Lat. 3? 45' N. Long. 160? 45' W.

Jan. 28. This day experienced fine weather, and light breezes from N. by W. The black steward was hung for the following crime.

George Comstock who was appointed steward after the mutiny, and business calling him into the cabin, he saw the former steward, now called the purser, engaged in loading a pistol. He asked him what he was doing that for. His reply was, "I have heard something very strange, and I'm going to be ready for it." This information was immediately carried to Comstock, who called to Payne, now mate, and bid him follow him.

On entering the cabin they saw Humphreys, still standing with the pistol in his hand. On being demanded what he was going to do with it, he said he had heard something which made him afraid of his life!

Comstock told him if he had heard any thing, that he ought to have come to him, and let him know, before he began loading pistols. He then demanded to know, what he had heard. Humphreys answered at first in a very suspicious and ambiguous manner, but at length said, that Gilbert Smith, the boat-steerer who was saved, and Peter Kidder, were going to re-take the ship. This appeared highly improbable, but they were summoned to attend a council at which Comstock presided, and asked if they had entertained any such intentions. They positively denied ever having had conversation upon muksenne pani minut ajattelemaan. Haluan kertoa teille jotakin itsest?ni. On jo tarpeeksi katkeraa surra jotakin, jota on rakastanut, kuten te nyt surette, mutta k?rsi? unettomana ikuisia tunnontuskia rakastamansa olennon perikadon vuoksi, kuten min? olen k?rsinyt, on helvetillist? kidutusta. Kuulkaahan. Nuoruuteni p?ivin? -- siit? tuntuu olevan jo pitk? aika, vaikka siit? ei viel? niin monta vuotta olekaan -- olin hurjap?inen. Loukkasin suloisinta ja rakastettavinta tytt??, mink? milloinkaan olen tuntenut. Poistuin paikkakunnalta aavistamatta ollenkaan saattaneeni h?net h?pe??n. Siihen aikaan alkoi minussa tapahtua suuria muutoksia -- tulin kuin toiseksi ihmiseksi -- ja huomasin todellakin rakastavani h?nt?. Sitten sain kirjeen, jonka minun olisi pit?nyt saada jo kuukausia aikaisemmin. Se kertoi h?nen huolistaan, kehoittaen minua nopeasti kiiruhtamaan h?nen avukseen. Puoleksi mielett?m?n? h?pe?st? ja pelosta hankin heti naimisiinmenoluvan ja matkustin nopeasti takaisin h?nen kotikaupunkiinsa. Mutta h?n oli jo poistunut paikkakunnalta -- l?htenyt jo monta viikkoa sitten ja h?nen h?pe?ns? tunnettiin. Yst?v?t varoittivat minua k?skien minun karttaa h?nen is??ns?. Matkustin tyt?n j?lkeen ja l?ysin h?net. Menin h?nen kanssaan naimisiin. Mutta liian my?h??n! H?n ei tahtonut el?? kanssani, vaan poistui luotani. Seurasin h?nt? l?nteen, mutta en voinut l?yt?? h?nt?."

Warren nojautui v?h?n eteenp?in ja katseli Cameronia silmiin kuin hakeakseen niist? katumusta merkiksi, ettei h?nen tuntemansa ylenkatse ollut t?ysin oikeutettu.

Cameron kohtasi katseen s?ik?ht?m?tt? alkaen j?lleen puhua:

"Kuten luonnollisesti tied?tte, luopuvat monet ihmiset joskus entisist? nimist??n. Ette kai siis h?mm?sty, vaikka ilmoitankin teille, ettei minun oikea nimeni olekaan Cameron, kuten kerran teille sanoin?"

Warren nousi seisoalleen. N?ytti silt? kuin h?nen kiinte??n mielenkiintoonsa ja outoon mielialaansa olisi liittynyt joku aukko, joku kasvava ep?luulo.

Cameron tunsi syd?mens? sykkiv?n ja jyskytt?v?n kovasti, ja koko h?nen ruumiinsa tuntui kangistuvan kuin kylm?st?. H?n sai ponnistella hirve?sti saadakseen huulensa tottelemaan.

"Warren, olen tuo etsim?nne mies. Nimeni on Burton. Olen Nellin rakastaja!"

Vanhus nousi, tuli Cameronia kohti ja hy?kk?si h?nen kimppuunsa tarttuen h?nen kurkkuunsa peloittavasti tukahduttavin ottein. Ankara puristus ja hirmuinen tuska panivat Cameronin huomaamaan vaaran ennenkuin se oli liian my?h?ist?. Toivoton taistelu suojeli h?nt? kaatumasta maahan tallattavaksi ja muserrettavaksi. Warren n?ytti h?nen silmiss??n raivostuneelta j?ttil?iselt?. Ennenkuin vanhus alkoi v?sy?, taisteltiin siin? hoiperrellen, horjuen ja kiristellen. Lopultakin Cameron piestyn?, veriss??n ja miltei puolipy?rryksiss? sai sanoneeksi jonkun sanan:

"Warren -- hellitt?k??! Antakaa minulle -- yksi minuutti! Min?h?n n?in Nellin, tied?tte kai sen?... Pelastin lapsen!"

Cameron tunsi s?ps?hdyksen, joka v?risytti Warrenia. H?n toisti nuo sanat yht?mittaa. Jonkun vastustamattoman voiman vaikutuksesta Warren vihdoin p??sti irti Cameronin ja horjuen taaksep?in seisahtui vihdoin yl?sp?in ojennetuin vapisevin k?sivarsin. H?nen kasvonsa n?yttiv?t hirve?n synkilt?.

"Warren! Odottakaa ja kuunnelkaa!" l??h?tti Cameron. "Minullahan on avioliittotodistus, minulla on se ollut aina mukanani n?in? vuosina. Olen s?ilytt?nyt sit? voidakseni kuvitella menetelleeni oikein."

Vanhus huudahti vain katkonaisesti.

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