The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-01-21

tied SO Chewed up by a Whale" In which are de-
tailed, perhaps with a little coloring, the adven-
lures of Capt. Edmund Gardner, of New Bedford
Capt. G. is an old veteran in the whaling bust
ness, having attained to the age of 70 years. We
are indebted to G. D. Gilman, Esq, for the priv
ilege of copying the following letter from Capt.
g., who arrived at these islands on his first cruise
in 1918 or 1919, thirty nine or forty years ago,
and was one of the first whalers visiting this group.
Having been a pioneer in the business which has
given these islands such a fame, we place on
record with great pleasure his account of his
cruise, and call it the
Visit Of che frst w hale Ship Mt the Sandwich
Ialnnds.
NEW BEDFORD, Nov. 20, 1857.
Being on the coast Of California in the ship Balana,
of New Bedford, in company with the ship Equator.
Capt. Elisha Folger, of Nantucket, scurvy made its
appearances in my ships company, and 1 came to the
conclusion to put OF TO the Sandwich Islands for re-
freshuents. Left the coast Of California September 8,
and arrived at the islands the 18th Of the same month
ISIS or 1871. Came to anchor in Kealakekua
Bay, Owyhee, in seventeen tathoms water. While at
this place I heeled my ship to paint the bends, and
kept all the natives outside of the ship, having previ-
ously installed one as a ship-keeper, with a rattan
for his badge of Office. He had in his possession sew
eral recommendations from shipmasters of his eff
cheney for clearing the ship OF natives when trouble
some. One day, 1 think there must have been more
than two hundred on board, when they became much
excited, making great noise. L was somewhat alarm
ed, stamped on the deck and called on the ship-kecper
to clear the ship OF kanakas. He accordingly drove
them from the deck in Ave minutes into the sea. 1
then suffered but few to come at q time. The next
day O native that had been in Boston came on board;
he spoke very good English. / desired him to make
enquiry what was the difficulty with the natives the
day previous. He soon came aft, and informed Inc
that the natives Of the district where the ships lay
wanted to have all our trade, and would not suffer
others from other districts to interfere. -their inten-
ton was to monopolize all the trade with us. l then
found that the Sandwich Islanders possessed the same
feelings cs ourselves, and were ready to contend for
their supposed rights.
After being there q week, l was on deck early in
the morning when one of the kanakas called in an
animated manner, o moku /! a moku! In looking off
to the westward I saw 4 large sperm whale spouting.
L Immediately called to Capt. Folger of the Equator,
and told him there was a large sperm whale; that 1
would send two boats, if he would send two, and we
would divide what We obtained, he agreeing to the
same. Our boats left the ship at Z, 4. NJ, in pursuit,
and were soon out of sight north of the harbor. Ibid
not like to send all my boats, not having full conf
dence in the natives at that time. We saw nothing,
nor heard anything from them till 4, F. NJ, when two
canoes arrived in the bay, padding very fast, and
came to my ship. The kanakas wiped the perspira-
ton, and talked very fast, being much excited. 1
could understand nothing. One of them shut his eyes
and laid his head on one side in his hand. l then
called to Capt. Folger and told him our boats had
killed the whale (for We both remained on board our
ships in the absence of our boats). He asked me how
1 knew. I answered that the natives told me so. l
Immediately sent another boat to help them tow the
whale to the ship. In two hours they made their APP
pearance, with fifty canoes helping tow. Our boats
were absent the whole day, reaching the ship after
sun set. The next day We commenced cutting in our
fish. and 1 have no doubt there were as many natives
around our ships as Capt. Cook had around his when
he first visited the islands. All the canoes were called
into requisition from far and near, and hundreds
came swimming, not having any conveyance. While
cutting in we had to be careful to prevent cutting the
kanakas, for as soon as we had taken off the blubber
they commenced, with our leave, to finch off the lean
part from the carcass and fill their canoes with the
meat. AS soon az we had taken all the blubber of,
the carcass was let go from the ship. Seventeen
kanakas went of on it, filling their canoes as fast as
they could finch it Of. They had a great festival
from what they got from the whale.
After laying here till LIST of October, we left for
Rahina (Lahaiua) for water, where we found Butler,
4 resident, formerly from Martha's Vineyard. Also n
chef called Governor and sometimes John Adams.
He seemed TO be the principal man at Novice. After
taking in cur water we went to Woahoo to leave our
letters to be sent VIA Canton. The ship Paragon,
Wills, and ship Eagle, Meek, Of Boston, were nearly
ready 20 sail Sr China.
There was O little incident which occurred while at
Kealakckua when we we're boiling through the night,
which 1 viii relate. Both ships were making much
light from the t~ryworks, so as at times to light the
whole surface of the bay; twas a natural conclusion
with the natives that we must want fuel, and in the
morning canoes came to my ship bringing wood for
sale They were somewhat surprised to find we were
not IN wantof wood. The oil obtained from this whale
was one hundred and fico barrels. We left Woahoo
10Th October for the coast of California. 1 shipped
two kan1kas from Novice and had them the remainder
OF my voyage and took them to New Bedford. Their
names were Joe Bal and Jack Ana, the two names
comprising that of my ship Balena. Much notice
was taken Of them, they singing their national songs
and airs. They were the first ever brought to this
place. On q subsequent voyage l took them both
back to Novice and LEFT them there, they preferring to
stay at their own island. They were well fitted with
clothing for the voyage; I gave to them oil the clothing
that had been furnished them by the ship, which was
sufficient for three years;-we had been but six
months on our voyage passage home.
On 8 subsequent voyage 1 visited Kealakekua and
was visited by Comocow, (Kamakan) the principal
chief in that province or district. He came often and
dined with me. In the early part Of the day 1 went
ON shore to view the place where Capt. Cook was
killed. After examining the fatal spot I went to-
wards my boat, and on my way saw Comocow (Ka-
makau) and many others partakiug of some fresh
caught fish. The fish were in q large bowl. The
chief called for pakai (salt) which was put on the
live fish. when some jumped from tk5 bowl. After
they were fitted for eating, the chief invited me to
partake with them. 1 declined, giving him to under
stand that I had been eating on board my ship. He
looked me steadfast in the eyes and said plainly, you
lie. 1 could but smile, for this was the extent OF his
English. He had learned thus much from sailors. and