The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-11-05
Written for The RECORD.
"REMINISCENCES OF A VOYAGE TO
THE NORTHERN SEAS.
by GEO. c. WESTON, N.
No. l..


The whaling interests of our country, al
though not deemed of as much import
ance as in days gone by, yet the opera
tions in this class of our maritime occupa-
tions, are of great value, both in a COM
mercial and manufacturing point of view.
The whaling ports are at present, those
at New Bedford, New London, Conn. +;
Nantucket, Provincetown, Mass, and
San Francisco, Cal. 1t was OH pleasant
day in June, in the year 1879, that we
concluded to embark upon voy-
age, promising such field of interesting
sights and rare opportunity of obtain
ing information in a practical way. HAY.
ing made my application to the shipping
masters, Messrs. Morrison and Brown, of
New York City, for berth upon the
handsome aud we'll equipped schooner
ezra, then lying in port at New London,
Conn.,, and getting in readiness for her
intended cruise to the artic regions, /
was rejolced to find that was accepted,
and was at once informed that might
begin my preparations at once and report
for duty as soon as possible. AS there
was no time too lose, Immediately, in
company with several others who were to
be my shipmates, started out to take the
steamer Falmouth of the Norwich line,
lying at the foot of Vestry street, New
York, which was to bear us to our destina-
ton, the port of New London, Conn,
where we were to purchase clothing, &c.,
for our eighteen months voyage to Hud-
son Bay and Fox's Channel. We arrived
at New London about A, NJ, of the fol-
lowing day, after passing pleasant night
in slumber, varied by dreams of ice
bergs and sea lions, seals and Esquimaux.
At daybreak we marched through the
quaint old town in search Of something
to refresh the thinner man," and for
tunately came upon restaurant, in which
we were treated to comfortable meal of
doughnuts and coffee, and such dough-
nutsP We had read of the famous Yankee
pastry, but these were certainly realiza-
tion of our fondest dreams, so delicious,
and only 81 for a good square meal, which
in our own city, would have Melted us
but one-fourth that sum. However We
were not grumblers and ate the dough-
nuts, and pocketed our discomforture
with the rest of our small change.
After our repast, we went to an tout
filter, - in order to procure supply of
clothing, consisting of beds, blankets,
boots, &C., together with from box to
box and one-half, of prime plug tobacco;
the latter being of great use as means
of legal tender among the native tribes
we were about to visit, and from whom
we would have to procure our supply Of
clothing suitable to the frozen regions of
the far North. The prices charged for
these articles, were rather high, 81 for
instance, for a canvas bag, in which to
keep them. Having completed our out
fit, We repaired to the wharf where we
found two boats in readiness to convey
us to the schooner era" then lying at
anchor in the river Thames, at this port.
OF our party, all were green hands with
the exception of one, who was veteran,
and was one of our boatsteerers Arriv-
ing on board the vessel, We looked around
us for some place in which to deposit our
"togging.a The first one we came in
contact with, proved to be an old "sea
dog who had been asleep on n pile of
rope in reply TO our question, he in
formed us that we should stow our goods
in the "forecastle" This was certainly
not very inviting spot, dark and dingy
and rather oily, but we were sin for it, F."
and at once made use of the receptacles
for sailors wardrobe.
The forecastle on vessel is located
usually below deck and in the bow of the
vessel. 1t contained ''bunks' for fifteen
men, the sleeping berths being ranged in
tiers, one above the other. We found
therein three men, who were swearing
gently at being awakened at such an I'M
seasonable hour. We, however, tried to
make as little noise as possible in deposit
ing our Craps" and after removing our
''shore clothes, as sailors term citizens
dress and downing our ''sea toggery,'
we repaired again to the deck to look
around. e.s
Soon boat came from shore, containing
the boatsmen and our shipping master Mr..
Brown, of Messrs. Morrison & Brown, of
New York. The latter after having had a
friendly chat with the boys in the fore
castle, took his departure. The balance
Of our crew then came aboard, some of
whom had shipped at the last moment,
performing what is known in nautical lam
guage as the "pierhead jump" or a hasty
embarkment on long voyage.
We were to have had an additional
boatsteerer, but that individual having
received clothing and money in advance,
Jumped his bounty" rather than taste
the icy breezes of old Neptune's northern
realms. These were followed by the ar
rival of the captain, steward and cook,
the latter always an important 'fac
toterp' in ships supply. The vessel
was then cleared for active work, in max
ing ready for departure. No sails were
set, as the "tng" soon came alongside
and towing us about 20 miles outwards,
left us and returned to the town. A
breeze then springing up, all sails were
set aloft, and we were soon speeding our
way toward the Northern seas.
Our captain, it seems, thought we'll
enough of his newly fledged crew to call
them "aft," and gave them words Of
kindly advice and welcome. The crew
at this time numbered fifteen men in all,
part of whom were taking probably their
first trip on the ocean. Watches were
then set; the starboard and larboard, or
port watches were selected, composed of
an even number of both good and expert