Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-03-23
scribbIIngs by the way. No. z.
From our Correspondent.


Sept. 3. 1852.
MEssRs Our Sailing Master tells me he has
been making calculation as to when we shall
reach Rio. He thinks if the weather continues
favorable we shall make Cape FRO about the
10th, and come to anchor next day in Rio har-
Dor. We shall see. To-day about IL o'clock
had the first sight of whale. He was discov-
cred and our attention called to it from mast
head. He lay considerable distance off, lit
tie on our weather bow Quite sea was rum
ming at the time, and all hands were straining
their eyes to catch the first glimpse of the mon
ster Presently huge column of water shot
into the air some twenty-five feet, and revealed
the whereabouts of his whaeship. His blow"
makes a most ndescribable noise, in character
somewhere between the whistle of Locomotives
and the roar of Niagara or peal of seven thun-
ders. can give you no better idea of it. As
the whale always does after spoutipg, he sank
Immediately, and remained below some two or
three minutes. When he arose he was directly
abreast of us, and seemed not more than 10 or
l5 feet off. We had fair view Of him, and his
size astonished me. thought could drive a
buggy and two horses, tandan-tandem on his
back from tail to shoulders, where there was
room enough to turn around, and drive back
again. He was what is called n" right whale"
the species whose mouth furnishes the whale
bone of commerce and is quite different from the
Spermaceti whale
Sept. 5. The weather has been very rough to-
day-black clouds looming up-now in the west
now in the south, and again in the north. 1t
seems as if Boreas, Auster, and the zephyrs are
either playing boo-peep with each other, or
threatening war, and we have looked all day at
their angry countenances, expecting our where
abouts to be the theatre Of the conflict. We
have run under shortened sail all day. 1t is the
Sabbath, but we have been unable to have any
religious services, in consequence of the bad
weather. The officers on the Uatch 6eloU slept
with one eye open, and some of the old tars, if
they went below would peep up every few min
utes to see the shape of things All these pre-
partitions, and precautions this watchfulness'
and aertness, was sufficient to keep wide open
the eyes of q raw landsman like myself Yet af-
ter all we had nothing very bad The night and
the west, brought us a sun set as clear and as
brilliant as the eyes of the pretty maiden you'll
think of when you read this. He who takes
care of the sparrows took care Of us.
Sept. 6. Slept as soundly after the apxetes
of the day, as if there had been none. Wind
about S. Il. and as bland as become the tropics.
We are sailing about six knots, several dolphins
were around us to-day, their size surprised me.
had no thought of their being so large, sho'ld
Judge that they were from 8 to IL feet in length.
Sept. g. For two days we have had brisk
winds, and fine sailing, and made rapid progress.
Capt Chandler says we are now about $50 miles
L. N. Z. from Rio, am inclined to think it will
be pleasant to set foot on land once more. |
am getting to be quite sailor, so much, at least,
that can submit to the necessities of the case,
because cannot helpit. But you know have
rather an active temperament, and feel on ship
board somewhat like the Yankee in England
Being asked how he liked the country, he repli-
ed, " 1t is nice little country, but never dare
take walk before breakfast, for fear Of walking
off the edges"
Sept. 10. AT day break, the man at the main
top sung out, land ho!" In about York min
ute every body was on deck, and a-tip-toe to
catch glimpse of Mother Earth. 1t proved to
be cape Frio nearly a-benm. We soon left il