Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-04-17
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Incident of a Whaling Voyage.
ny AN EYE WITNESS.

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ny AN EYE WITNESS
Perhaps there is no voyage attempted by man
where there is so much danger attending as
whaling. The hardy mariners engaged in this
business, have not only the elements to contend
with, but also the great leviathan of the deep.
Many ships cruise in ATTITUDES but little known,
and encounter severe gales, and suffer many
privations which are unknoyn to those engaged
in the merchant aetti tiQey II was once my lot to
be engaged ID this service. There ore sevsyal
persous on The island Of Nantucket who can
vouoh for the authenticity Of the following
Early one pleasant morning while cruising
near the equator, the man on the main-top-
gallant cross trees sung out, There she blows ,
which is the usual intelligence to the officers on
deck that whale is in sight.
-.9' Where away!' Justify inquired the first
mate.
Three points to the lee bow, sir. There she
blows looks like sperm whale, sir, again
sung out the man.
The mate had already assembled the rigging,
as high as the topmost crosstrees, when he ar
ranged his spy-glass and looked in the direction
in which the whale was blowing.
There she blows-thats sperm whale ex-
claimed the confident mate. Mr.. Emmons,'
continued he, addressing the second mate, who
was on deck, call the captain.
But this was unnecessary; the captain had al
ready turned out of his berth and rushed upon
deck where he was finishing his toilet
.Mr. Fisher, what is it! A fin back in
quired he of his mate.
'Oh, no, sir; sperm whale-I could see its
hump very distinctly with the glass-but he
has gone down now
What time is it, steward' inquired the
captain after ascertaining which, he addressed
the second mate, telling him to finish washing at
once, and the boat steerers to get their boats in
readiness. The captain was eager for the
fray he assembled the rigging, till having
reached the fore top gallant yard, (the sail be-
ing furled } he seated himself, and inquired of
the mate, how far off the whale was when last
seen.'
About four or five miles.
Which way was he heading
TO leeward, sir, as near as l could judge
'On deck, there hailed the captain.
Halo, sir
Keep her off two points, and square in the
yards bit'
'Ay, ay, sir, replied the second mate.
The yards were squared in, and the good ship
Cyrus, of Nantucket, began to move little fas-
ter through the water. The mate hinted to the
captain that probably the ship might run over
the whale and asked him if the fore-sail should
not be hauled down.
Yes, yes, Mr.. Fisher, have the foresail hauled
down; and clew up the main-top gallant sail
These orders were soon executed, and tht
crew, being released from immediate duty, as
cended the rigging to look after the whale
which would soon make his appearance. 1t wal
then about four months since we had captured
the last whale, hence the anxiety of the men
they could not endure the idea of returning
home without full ship.
There never was vessel better appointed fol
voyage than ours The captain was acknowl
edged to be as good whaeman as ever dartet
lance. The first mate, Mr. Fisher, and tn
second mate, Mr.. Emmons, were half whale
themselves, and feared no fish with 1ukes ath
wart ships. In short, the ship and crew wer
considered A. No. /.
What is somewhat remarkable, we brough
home every man, with the exception of tw
who were discharged during the first part @
the voyage, on account of sickness contracted a
home,) that we carried away. This is proc
sufficient that there was good management o
board.
Many of the noble ships engaged in the whal
fishery are commanded by men whose only rec
ommendation is that they can kill whale
Their knowledge extends no further general
speaking, they are better navigators than tn
captains of merchant ships but as they usual
commence their arduous business at an earl
age, they consequently have no opportunity
acquiring good education, although many in
prove their minds while upon their lengthy voy
ages. sss
Capt. Hussey, however, was man who ha
received good education; he had good stoc
of books, which he literally loaned to the crey
and in return would borrow such as they hal
pened to have Every thing was agreeable ar
pleasant we lived together as happy as if
one family,
Many of our crew formed themselves into
musical band, and every pleasant evening
had a fore and after on the main deck, nut
to the enjoyment of the captain, who said
would drive the scurvey out of their bones "
were. in short, all uuited, and if our ship W
not filled with sperm oil, it was not the fault.
either officers or men. ....
Nearly forty-fve minutes had now elaps
since the whale disappeared and every e.
was strained in looking for him.
There she blows shouted halfa dozen yoic
ut once.
Il see him my lads said Captain Husse
There he is, Mr.. Fisher, about mile off,
will lay down and lower away
The boats were Immediately lowered from
dayits into the water, and every man was so
in his respective place.
Use your paddles, instead OF oars; 40
hear in he other boats , exclaimed the eaptd
at the top Of bis voice.
.Ay, ay, SIR was the reply.
I belonged to this boat, and had the honor
steering. It was soon perceptible that our be
was the nearest to the whale, which we w
approaching rapidly.
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