Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1890-02-08

Lower Californian coast by acceptance
as cook was based on the production Of an
Irish stew which | cooked for the cap
tain and mate while the Henry was
"hovc down" on the boacl, at North point,
and undergoing the process of cleaning
her bottom of barnucles. can't recol-
icct at this lapse of time where learned
to cook All Irish stew. will add that it
was all could cook-positiyely all-and
with this astounding capital of culinary
ignorance l ventured down upon the
great deep to do the maritime house
work for twenty great men.
When we were fairly afloat and the
Fara!lones were out of sight, my fearful
incapacity for the duties of the position
became apparent. Besides was dread
fully seasick, and SO remained for two
weeks. Yet cooked. 1t was purgatory,
not only for myself, but all hands.
There was general howl of eXecration
forward and aft ut my bread, my lob
scouse. my tea, my coffee. my beef, my
beans. my cake, my pies. Why the cap
tain continued me in the position, why
they didn't throw me overheard. why
was not beaten to a jelly for my contin-
ued culinary failures, is for me to this
day ono of tho great mysteries Of my ex-
istence. We were away nearly ten
months. was three months learning
my trade. The sufrerings of the crew
during those three months were fearful.
They had to eat my failures or starve.
Several times it was intimated to me by
the under officers that l had better re-
sign and go "forard" as one Of the crew.
| would not. perscvered at the ex-
pense of many pound of good flour. l
conquered and returned second class
sea cook.
The Henry was small vessel-the
deck was a clutter Of whaling gear.
Where my galley or sea kitchen should
have been stood the try works for boil
ing blubber. They showed me around
anywhere Sometimes was moved to
the starboard side sometimes to the lar
board, sometimes when cutting in a
whale way astern. expected eventu
ally to be hoisted into one of the tops and
cook aloit. Any well regulated galley is
placed ani,lshins, where there is the
least motion. This is an important con
often obliged to maze his soup like an
acrobat. half on his head and half on h;t
heels. and with the roof of his unsteady
kitchen trying to become the floor My
stove was not u marine stove. 1t had nc
rail around the ed!.es to guard the pots
and kettles from falling off during extra
lurches.
The Henry was a most uneasy craft.
and always getting up extra Inrchrs or
else trying to stand on her head or stern
Therefore. as she flew up high astern
when was located in that quarter. she
has in more than one instance flung me
lNiilv, in an un-nar,!eu moment. out of
that galley door and over that quarter
deck, while IL host Of kettles. covers ana
other culinary utensils rushed with clano
and clatIer out after me and with me as
their commander ut their head We ak
eventually terminated in the scuppcrs.
| will not. as usual. say lee scl,ppers.
Any s"vp:er was a lee scupper on that
Internal vessel | cnlravorrd to remedy
the lack of a rail about this stove by a
system of wires attaching both pots and
lids t0 the galley ceiling "guyed
my chief culinary utensils Still durins
furious oscillations Of the boat the pot;
would roll off their holes and. Though
prevented from falling. some of them u;
suspended by these wires wonid swing
like So many pens!u,uns, around and to
and fro over the area of that stove.
That was the busiest year of my life
was the first one up in the morning.
and the last. save the watch, to turn in
at night. In this dry goods box of
kitchen had daily to prepare break
fast for seven men in the cabin. and
another for eleven in the forecastlr.
dinner for the cabin and another for the
forecastle: likewise supper for the same
1t was my business to set the aristcr.tir
cabin table. clear it off and wash the
dishes three times daily had TO serve
out the tea and coffee to the eleven men
forward The cabin expected hot bis
Gu. for breakfast. and frequently Pie
and pudding for dinner. Above all men
must the S2a cook not only have Il pIti,.s'
tor everything and everything in is
place, bat he must have ever, ching
chos.tl AID ".esl,.,eJ IN Us kE.ce Ia,'