The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-11-19
Written for THE RECORD
"REMINISCENCES OF A VOYAGE TO
THE NORTHERN SEAS.
BY GEO. C. WESTON, N. Y
No. 8.

After pulling mile or so, during which
time several ''crabs'' were caught by the
green hands, and the men were practiced
in the art of managing boat, we return
ed to our vessel, and very welcome
thing it was to us to behold our noble
ship once more, the art of seamanship
producing considerable fatigue while be-
ing instilled into the breasts of our newly
fiedged crew. 1t was our daily custom
for awhile to row out from the vessel for
a distance and engage in this kind of
practice.
Having been drilled for several days in
this manner until we were considered pro-
ficient in our duties, the decks of the yes
sci were cleared and prepared for active
work in whaling, ana we then set sail for
Fox's Channel. Navigation was fairly
open at this time, there being scarcely any
ice in the channel, thus rendering it an
easy matter for us to work our way to the
upper part of it. We were then becalmed,
there not being enough wind to fill
saiD for period of nearly two weeks;
our discomfort was not little increased
by the presence of floating icebergs and
loose ice called foes. The latter are pieces
OF fiat ice, in extent sometimes measuring
an area of from one to twenty acres. The
crew not having any active duties to per-
form of any importance, amused them
selves by chasing each other over these
vast ice fields, playing like children; it
was hazardous game, as the spaces be-
tween the large masses of ice would often
increase to several feet. Base ball was
tried, but the ball often fell into the
water, giving the craftsman" fine
chance to make home run before it was
again recovered from its chilly bath.
While lying becalmed, we hoisted a
barrel-like arrangement to the top of the
fore-top gallant-mast, where it was made
fast by two iron clamps. This was called
the "Crows Nest" and was entered by
means of trap door, opening upwards,
which was shut. down by the party max
ing an entrance, thus affording stand
ing place. 1t was always occupied dur.
ing the day by some one whose business
it was to look out for whales. In the
present instance, it was used by our look
out as he searched the horizon for a
stretch of clear water, or .'lead,' by
which we might get out of our unpleasant
predicament if at all possible. After
waiting patiently for some time our pa
thence was rewarded with an opportunity
of this nature, and we succeeded in get
ting out, much to the entire satisfaction
of our ships company. Before doing so,
however, We made the discovery of two
islands, not laid down In the charts, thus
One we named after the vessel, the other
after the Captain. Having once cleared
the ice, ice bergs, foes, &c, we began tc
look about us for signs of whales, watch
ing anxiously for "blows," &C., and Other
indications of the presence of these mon.
sters of the deep we were in search of.
One afternoon we were delighted al
hearing a cry from the masthead, "Thert
she blows.n "Where away" cried thu
Captain. Every ear was now strained t.
catch the reply of the Lookout" as no
sign could be seen from the deck of oul
vessel. "Three points off the lee-bow
and about five miles off, SIR answered
the man. az think he is heading THU
way, sir, again he exclaimed. We al
r looked about us in our anxiety to Sc,
from whence came the signs Of the ex
pected whale, and were soon rewarded
f with seeing as it were, jets of vapor ris
ing vertically from the water, much re
, sembliDg steam. There were two o.
them, from ten to fifteen feet in height
They are formed by the hot air that il
expelled from the lungs of the whale
Though his "spout holes" These are
called by sailors, "blows,' and show the
locality Of the monster at a considerable
. distance. When we had approached to
orders were given to ''haul aft the main
sheet, "back the fore top-sail' and ''haul
the fore-stay.sa to windward," which
brought the vessel to stand still, or in
nautical language, ''layed her to-" Boats
were then lowered, three in NUMBER and
each manned by its respective crew and
helmsman. AS good breeze was blow
; ing as soon as they touched the water, we
hoisted our sails and headed for the place
where the elbows had last been seem
Arriving at the spot where the signs
had been observed, we awaited patiently
the temperance of the monster. The
crews standing in the boats, looked about
them in all directions. In short time
} "blows" were again seen and marked
! close to our boat. We at once set sal
and bore down upon the whale. Wher
within about ten feet of him, three or
ders were given in quick succession by
our helmsman, (the second mate of thu
vessel, to. the boatsteerer or "harpo
neer," as follows: First, "Stand up
which he instantly obeyed; second, ''Givt
it to him." upon which he plunged the
harpoons into the body of the whale
with all the force he could command
third, "Take down the SAIL" this wal
quickly done. The whale upon being
struck, quickly turned or "milled," pass
ing directly under the boat, giving us {
gentle tap from his tail or flukes, to re
mind us that he was lively corpse, rails
ing the boat little, and then he started
on a race which would make Goldsmith
Maid" or "Maud s." shake and quivel
with envy. Outspun the rope severa
, fathoms in length, which had been care
fully coiled in the line tubs, passing
around the ''logger head, !" or the post in
, the stern of the boat. The friction was
so great as to cause blaze, which wal