The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-11-12

The dauntless energy and practical skill
of our hardy whalemen has bcen wisely ap-
preciated by the department of the navy in
its calling into its service many of this class,
who, besides being efficient in searnanship,
have become Injured to imminent peril, as
matter of course. As illus irating the char
acteristics of this class, we mention the fol-
lowing occurrence during the recent sue
cessful voyage of the ships George and Su
san, of this port, under the command of
Captain Nathaniel M. Jernegan of Edgar
town, s'a
While cruising for whales in the Atlantic
ocean, in March, 1854 in latitude 81 deg.
| 81 min. south, longitude 50 deg. 80 min.
west, the look out discovered whales in the
distance, and the boats were lowered-two
of them leading of in pursuit of large
sperm whale, promising yield of one hun
F; dred and twenty barrels of oil. The mates
boat overlook the whale and struck him
with lance, apparently with good chance
of capturing also another whale then in
sight. The wound from the lance, how
ever, did not prove effectual, and the cap
tsin's boat then approached and threw an
other lance into the whale. The monster
retreated short distance, then deliberate.
ly approached the boat, laying his ponde-
rous jaws over::her frail side, and, securing
| it fully in his mouth chewed the boat com
plstely in fragments, leaving her crew to
provide for themselves, which they were
not slow to do, escaping in safety to the
mates boat. ,.- ...
Captain Jsrnegan meantime took COM
mand of the third mates boat, and again
approached and lanced the whale, butappa-
rently with little effect. A third lance,
however, induced the monster to attack this
boat also, and with Q similar effect, reduc
ing 1t to fragments. Captain Jernegsn be-
came entapgled In the line attached to the
whale and In contact with the fus Of this
modern representation of the temporary so.
pulchre of Jonah, but with characteristic
presence of mind he managed to throw of
one of his boots, and thereby extricate
himself from this part of the dilemma. The
refreshing GOODNESS of the sea water and
the increased facility in the use Of his
limbs, prompted him also to throw of the
other boot, and he thus succeeded IN reach
ing the remaining boat in safety. d.
Nothing daunted by these two pnsuc-
cessful ate IL pts to secure the rich prize,
Captain Jernegan then ordered the mate to
cut the line and shoot the whale with
bomb lance, and receiving the fifth charge
from the whaling gun, the whrle threw
bis head high above the water, then sunk
immediatelo, thus disappointing his captors
Of their well earned booty, without even
the consolation of the unsuccessful Indian
coon hunter. that He be no so berry fat
coon after all "
It is little remarkable that in attack
ing six whales during the three months pre-
vious to the middle of April, 1854, Captain
Jsfnegan has FIVE times beer compelled to
tase refuge in the briny deep in lieu of his
boat, although throughout his previous ex.
perienee in assisting in taking more than
10 900 bbls. of oil, he had never encountered
similar disaster. he appears, neverthe-
less, not to have lost relish for the sport,
but now, in his prime Of life, retains fully as
keen zest for whale-cstchiog as the bird
or fox>hunter for their easy prey.-From
The Whalemen's Shipping Last.