Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-04-07
From Browns Whaling Cruise.
An Exciting W hale Chase.

s.
We were running down for the Ahadra
Islands with a fine steady breeze. The
morning was bright and clear, and the water
Of that peculiar color which whaIemen re-
gard as The lavorile resort for whales. had
the forenoon watch below, and was Just
congratulatIng myself upon getting through
with my double attitudes when the loud,
clear voice Of man at the mast head came
ringing down The iorecastIe.
There she blows!' was the thrilling cry
That's onct!' s. 'oued The Captain.
there she blows
THAT'S twice, by jingo.'
There she bows
Three timesi Where away Tabor2'
VII the weather bow, Sit, two points,
How far?'
"A mile and half There she blows
Sperm Whale! Call all hands!'
There was rush on deck, each man try
ing 10 get to the scu,lIe frst. Then half a
dozen loud knocks, and hoarse voice
shouting
'Larboard with, ahoy. Turn oul my lads
Sperm whale in sight. Eeave out Lash
and carry. Rise and Chime. Beor a hand,
my lively hearties!'
These who were turned in rolled out as
soon as possible, and buckeJ on their ducks
and In less than two minutes all were on
deck, ready Tor orders. The tubs were put
IN the boats and The main yard hauled
aback. We all now perchej ourselves in
the rigging, and kept sharp lockout on ey
cry slde Tor the whales next rising. Twen
" minutes had elapsed since tie spot was
first seen-twen'y tive passed, and The Cap
tain began 10 get into slate OF nervous
anxiety. We strained our eyes in all Gi
rec,lons 10 make spout Half an hour
flew by, and no spout was seen. II bryan
TO look like hopeless case, when Ia or
whose visular organs appeared 10 have the
power OF ub.quily, shouted out
'Ibere she blows, there she blows
'Whefe now' roared the Capiai'.
of the weather quarter. Two large
sperm whales sir. Go il boots
Clear away tie boats. Come down from
the mast head, all you tina, don't belong
there Bear hand; Well take them this
rislng,' shouted the Captain IN fierce sharp
voice.
'All ready, sir ....
Lower away them
The waist and larboard boats were in
stantly down, ready 10 'bound en- Capt
A and some Of his boats crew being
TO I'll 10 man the other buat, we struck oh
for the whales without them. pulled the
aft oar, as usual, and by this time was as
tough and muscular AS my comrades The
boat danced along the water IN fine style
Although The larboard boat was much easier
pulled, and had The oltss, and ssuu,est OF
The whole crew, we contrlved, by unusual
exerlions, 10 keep ahea:, of her I'll the tug
o! war cane. Then was our me,tle put to
the test. One of tine -wfr tiss- was fersuTciy
making 10 windward not more than half a
mile off.
Lay back, my lads cried P pale
with exciemenr Keep the laEboard boa,
aslern. Never say die-lhat's our whale
Oh, do spring, do spring-no nots.-sieady
and soft Is the word
We replied to this appeal by 'piiing up
boat, trembling and quivering as she darted
through the waves. She really seemed TO
,mbbe the general excI,emen. as she parted
the clear blue water, and dashed II flaming
from her bows. Onward we flew. The lar
board boat was hard upon our stern; the
whale rolling lazly in the trough OF the sea,
lew darts anead.
oh. lay back! lay back!' whispered P
lrembllug with eagerneSs not to be ouldone
by the mate. do spring. my boys, il you
love gin. Now's your tme-now Or never
Oh see him-see hm-how quiet he lies
-pu, the beef On your oars, every mothers
son OF you--piie on the beef-pIle 1t on
hars The way TO tell it, Our whale this
tlme.'
Stand up, Tabor said P in low
voice,
Peaking his oar, Tabor sprang to his feet
and grasred harpoon.
'Shall give him tvs o irons?'
Yes, he may be Wild
Another stroke or Two and we were hard
upon him. Tabor, with unerrng aim, lei
fly his irons, and buried them to the sockets
IN the huge carcass of the whale.
Stern all!' shouted P.
Stern ai.' echoed the crew; bu, il was
Too late. Our bows were high and dry on
the whales lead. Infuria,ed with pain pro
duced by the harpoons, and doubtless aston
i<hed TO find his head SO roughly used. he
rolled half over, lashing the sea with his
flukes, and in his struggles dashing IN two
the upper plaUks. Boat s,oye boat stove!'
was the g. neral cry.
.Sllence!' Numbered the second mate, as
he sprang 10 the bow, and changed places
with Tabor. 'Ai safe, my heart,es. Stern
hard-sern before he ge.s his tiukes 10 bear
Upon u.s.
Stern ALT shouted we, and in moment
more we were out OF danger. The whale
now turned fukes and dashed eff 10 wind
ward with the speed of locomotive. tow
ing US after him al gcilous rate. We oc-
casionaily stacked line in order TO give HIM
plenty, OF play. A stiff bre. ze bad sprung
up. causing a rough. choppng sea, and We
leaked badly in the bow ID; Ks. II fell 10
my lot 10 keep the water bailed out and the
line clear as the others hauled in--a GckilSh
lob The ias,--!or. as the second mate said. n
single turn would lake cit The shin 'as slick
as goose greese.'
Nutwnhs landing the rouehness Of the sea.
we sho, ahead with Incredible switrncss-
and The way we walked past the latb 'ard
boat, whose crew were tug9mg and iahorn2
with all their might. was surprising
sHur,ah for the waist boa'!' burst from
every lip. Three Eeariy cheers followed.
much 10 tie ANNOYANCE Of the other boats
crew and mate. We txullinsIy took of our
hats and waved them poll good bye re
guessing them, II they ha! any news to send
to windward purs TO be q1ick about II as l.
was j. convenient for us 10 stop JUS, then -
{ believe Soiouan s,ys II is not good 10 b.