Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-12-04
From the N. II. Courier.
A SAILORS LIFE.

A SAILORS LIFE.
An interesting book, just published, is Da-
mas 1.-Two Years before the mast" 1t is
matter of fact, though as romantic as
many sea novels. A young man in college,
delicately educated belonging to rcspecta-
bic family, is comp .cd to quit study on ac-
count of an affection of the eyes, and pro-
cccds on two years voyage, as "cOmmon
sailor before the mast, round Cape Horn, to
the western coast of North America, collect
ing hides. This is most laborous and ia
tguing voyage; the sailors, on the coast,
working like slaves, exposed to much greater
hardships than slaves usually are, and treated
with as much severity and indignity. Any
is, should read this book. Let all parents,
who have sons, tcazing them for permission
no 90 to sea, put this book into their hands.
If this does not cure them, there will be no
tcn,edy but woful experience.
Sailors are kept constantly at hard work all
day, and are at duty on deck half the night,
and frequently more, rain or shine. IF they
are allowed part of Sunday, it is to wash and
mend their clothes. The duty of sailor,
says this writer, is comprised in the words
of what is called tho philadelphia Cate
cllism: -
Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thou art able
And on the seventh, holy the decks and scrapc
the cable"
To holy-stonc the decks is to scour them
every morning, by moving a large fiat stone
backward and forward over them, after
throwing sand and water upon them; and to
scrape the cable, is to displacc the rust from
the chain cables. This is not done from me-
ccssity, or even for any use, frequently; but
only to crafty the Immature or malice of the
captain. The crew are often purposely ex-
posed to hardships and sullerings. "All
hands (says this writcr) were called to come
up and see 1t rain, and were kept on deck
hour after hour, in drencl,ing rain. This
was often done, too, when we were lying in
port with two anchors down, and no necess-
ty for more than one man on deck as a look
out. This is what is called "hazing crew.
and working their old iron up" THIS sea-
term, haze, is thus explained in note: sit
is word of frequent use on board ship, and
never, believe used elsewhere. 1t is very
expressive to sailor, and means, to punish
ny hard work. Let an officer once say, "l'll
haze you," and your fate is fixed. You will
be worked up, if you are not better man
than nc isl
We shall quote characteristic speech of
the captains, made to the crew soon after
the commencement Of the voyage. They
had request to make concerning their al
lowance of bread, and went aft in a body,
with the oldest and best sailor for spokes-
man. "Capt. T. was walking the quarter
deck, and seeing us coming aft, stopped short
in his walk, and with voice and look nten-
dcd to annlhilate US, called out, well, what
the ID do you want now?' We stated our
grievances, but he became angry, clenched
his fist, stamped and swore, and sent us all
forward, every one Of you. Ill haze you
III work you up! You don't have enough
to do! lfyou ant careful, III make a hell
of the ship! You have mistaken your man
I'm F. p, all the way from
down east !! I've been through the mill,
ground and boltrd, and come out a regular
built dorm cast .jOnny-cake, good when it's
hot, but when it's cold, sour and indlgestlble ;
and you'll find me so
When good sailed provisions are put on
board shin. il is usually SllDDOSCd tina the Ga
ors have the full adyan,apc of ,hem Th;,
is mot H.. case" Whcneyer = harroi of hoa1
Is oncned. before anv If il Is nm, into ,l,e
harncss-cask. the steward comes IN and n;cL.
# all over. and takes ont tho bost n;ecos
Ghose that have anv fat on thom( for tLo
cabin. Nv mi, arrangcment ,hc hard Jry
njeccs. Which tbc sailors cali old borso con,y
to their share. There is a singular n;ece 81
rhymc. traditional amonp sailors which ,b,,v
saw over such pieces of beef When seatcd
round the kid. Uhe wooden dish or tnb con.
tanning il after il is cooked) If a nart;c,larl,
bad niece is found. one If them ,aLos !, 49,,
and ADDRESSING il renco,s those l;ncs 'p
COLI %, ,,,,'
Fo S oa morse &C. u5GGn. you here
I've carted stone this many year;
III, killed by blows and sore abuse,
The y sailors , tn, D do me ,o de ess o'e
They turn Inc Ger, and damn my eyes;
t .ud on PIN my IN meat and PICK my bones
~, O ''''' 1851 - lawn 'o"''
whenever pig IS Killed on ooard' the
sailors nave ono mess OF II; the rest goes &c
inc cap'n' nc small i've s'ock' poultry NC