Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-07-22
ETCHINGS OF A WHALING
CRUISE.
A WHALE CHASE.

for the Albadra Islands with fine steady
breeze. The morning was bright and clear,
and the water of that peculiar color which
whalemen regard as the favorite 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 the man at
the mast came ringing down the forecastle.
There she blows ! was the thrilling cry.
That's once = shouted the captain.
There she blowsp
That's twice, by jingop
There she blows!
Three times Where away, Tabor 4?
Of the weather bow, sir, two points,
How far 2
"A mile and a half There she blows ?
Sperm whale Call all hands
There was rush on deck, each man try
ing to get to the scuule first. Then came
half dozen loud knocks, and hoarse
voice shouting
Larboard watch ahoy Turn out, my
lads Sperm whale in sight Heave out
Lash and carry Rise and chime Bear
a hand, my lively heartesp
Those who were rolled in rolled out
as quick as possible, and buckled on their
ducks, and in less than two minutes were
all on deck ready for orders. The tubs
were put in the boats, and the main yard
hauled aback. We all now perched our
selves in the rigging and kept sharp look
out on every side for the whales next rising.
Twenty minutes elapsed since the spout was
first seen; twenty-five passed and the cap
tain began to get into state of nervous anx-
iety. We strained our eyes in all directions
to make spout Half an hour flew by,
and no spout was seen. 1t began to look
like hopeless case, when Tabor, whose
visual organs appeared to have the power of
ubiquity, sang out:
'There she blows there she blows ?
Where now 2 roared the captain
OFF the weather quarter Two large
sperm whales, sir. Go it, boats =
Clear away the boats Come down from
the mast head, all you that don't belong
there Bear hand we'll take them this
rising !'-shouted the captain, in fierce,
sharp voice.
All ready, sir
Lower away, then p
The waist and larboard boats were instant
ly down, ready to bend on Capt. A.
ard some of his boats crew being too ill to
man the other boat, we struck off for the
whales without them. pulled the aft oar,
as usual and as, 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 east
err pulled, and had the oldest and the stout
est of the whole crew, we contrived by un-
usual exertions, to keep ahead of her, till
the real tug of war come Then was our
mettle put to the test One of the whales
was leisurely making to windward not more
than half mile off.
Lay back, my lads = cried P, pale
with excitement. Keep the larboard boa,
astern !-spring-do spring No noise =
Steady and soft's the word
We replied to this appeal by 'piing uE
the agony on our oars. Away sprang oul
boat, trembling and quivering as she dartet
through the waves She really seemed tt
imbbe the general excitement as she parted
the clear blue water, and dashed it foamina
from her bows. Onward we flew! The
larboard bow was hard upon our stern; the
whale rolling lazily in the trough of the sea
few darts ahead.
Oh, lay back lay back = whispered
P, trembling with eagerness not to b,
outdone by the mate. Do spring, my boys
if you love gin Now's your time! Nov
or never Oh, see him how quiet he lies
Put the beef on your oars, every mother
son of you Pile it on pile it OH F! That
the way to tell it Our whale this time =
Stand up, Taborp cried P, in Low
voice.
; Peaking his oar, Tabor sprang to his feet
and grasped harpoon,
, Shall give him two irons ?
Yes; he may be Wild
Another stroke or two, and we were har,
upon him. Tabor, with unerring aim, lie
, fly his irons, and buried them to the socket
in the huge carcass of the whale.
Stern all = Numbered p.
Stern all 7 echoed the crew; but it wa
too late. Our bows were high and dry OF
} the whales head. Infuriated by the pai
I produced by the harpoons, and doubles
l much astonished to find his head so roughl
, used, he rolled half over, lashing the Sc
: with his fukes, and in his struggles dashe,
f in two of the upper planks. Boat stove
t boat stove was the general cry.
OllcHCc! tnuuucIcu tne second mate, Il
r he sprang to the bow, and exchanged place
: with Tabor, 'All safe, my heartes 4! Sterl
hard stern, stern, before he gets his huke
to bear upon u.s.
Stern all ! shouted we, and in amomen
more we were out of danger. The whal
now turned hukes, and dashed off to wind
ward with the speed of locomotive, town,
us after him at a glorious rate. We occa
sionally Stacked line in order to give hin
I plenty of play. A stiff breeze had sprun,
: up, causing rough, choppng sea; and W
leaked badly in the bow planks 1t fell t.
: my lot to keep the water baied out and III
line clear as the others hauled in a ticklls
job, the last for, as the second mate said
| a single turn would whip off a shin as slic
as goose grease
: Notwithstanding the roughness of the sea
we shot ahead with incredible swiftness am
: the way we walked past the larboard boat
= whose crew were tugging and laboring wit
S all their might, was surprising
Hoora for the waist boat burst fort
from every lip. Three hearty cheers fol
. lowed, much to the annoyance of the othe
boats crew and mate We exultingly tool
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