The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-04-17


extracts from this new book of ad.
venture by Mr.. Melville. Thi.
modern Crusoe, it will be rcmem.
bered, found his way to the Canni.
bal valleys of the Marquesas by de,
serting whale ship. Here is ;
sketch of one ofthe intolcrablc griev.
ances which led him to this dcspcr-
ate measure ~. Y. .NtmS.
long Voyages and Slip Fare in q
Whaker.
But, after all, these things could
have been endured while, had we
entertained the hope of being spec
Oily delivered from them by the due
completion of the term of our servi.
tude. But what dismal prospect
awaited us in this quarter. The
longevity of Cape Horn whaling
voyages is proverbial, frequently ex-
tending over a period of or ) years,
Some long-haired, barc-nccl,ed
youths, who forced by the united in
fuences Of Capt. Maryatt and hard
times, embark at Nantucket for a
pleasure excursion to the Pacific.
and whose anxious mothers provide
them bottled milk for the occasion.
oitentimes return very respectable
mid lie aged gentlemen.
The very preparations made for
one of these expeditions are enough
to brighten one. As the vessel car
HieS out no cargo, her hold is filed
with provisions for her own conSump.
ton. The owners who oiliciatc as
caterers for the voyage, supply the
lardcr with an abundance of dainties.
Delicate morsels Of beef and pork.
cut on scientific principles from ev-
cry part of the animal, and of all
conceivable shapes and sizes are
carefully packed in salt, and stored
away in barrels adording a never
ending variety in their different de.
grees OF toughness, and in the pecu-
llarities of their saline properties.
Choice old water too, decanted into
stout six barrel casks, and to which
is allowed every day to each soul on
board; together with ample store of
sea bread, previously reduced to a
state of petrifaction, with view to
preserve it either from decay or COM
sumption in the ordinary mode, are
likewise provided for the nourish-
ment and gastronomic enjoyment of
the crew.
But not to speak of the quality oil
these articles of sailors fare, the
abundance in which they are put on
board whaling vessel is almost in
credible. Oftentimcs, when he had
occasion TO break out in the hold,
and | beheld the successive tiers of
casks and barrels, whose contents
were all destined to be consumed in
due course by the ships company,
my heart sank within me.
Although, as a general case, ship
unlucky in falling in with whales
continues to cruize after them until
she has barely sufficient provisions
remaining to take her home, turning
round then quietly and making the
best OF her way to her friends, vet
there are instances when even this
natural obstacle to the further pros
ecution of the voyage is overcome
by headstrong captains who, barter
ing the fruits Of their hard earned
tolls for new supply of provisions
IN some OF the ports of Chill or Peru,
begin the voyage afresh with unaba-
ted zeal and perseverance. 1t is in
vain that the owners write urgent
letters to him to sail for home, and
for their sake to bring back the ship,
since it appears he can put nothing
in her. Not he. He has registered
q vow; he will fill his vessel with
good sperm oil, or failing to do so,
never again strike Yankee sound
ings.
heard Of one whaler, which az