Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1891-03-09
The Midnight Sun.


devious.
In midsummer there is period of
a few weeks when little or no whal-
ing can be done on account of the
ice. During this period offender"
arrives from San Francisco with sup
plies of fresh provisions, the mail,
etc.. and carries back whatever
whalebone and oil the whalers may
have secured.
The arrival of the tender is the
most important and most looked
forward to of any event of the sea-
son, as she is the only link that con-
meets the whalemen to the outside
world during a period of eight or
nine months.
This midsummer period is during
the time of the midnight sun, and
there of continuous daylight for about
six weeks.
In 1887, twenty-three whale-ships
lay at anchor off these mines. Shifts
of men were working during the
twenty-four hours of continuous day
light, laying in coal for the coming
cold days and nights Of autumn. Ev-
ery one of the eight hundred and tif-
ty, or more, men frequently scanned
the horizon, eager for the appearance
of tie tender; for it was the middle
of July, and not a word had been
heard from home since the middle OF
March Day after day the sun had
coursed around the horizon, but not
dipped below it. One vessel after an
other laid in its supply of coal, and
was anxious to be off, but still no
tender came She was due the first
week in July, but the 18th, 18th,
18th and 10Th of the month came,
and yet no news from her.
Regular watches were kept on
board the vessels as if the sun rose
at five o'clock in the morning and set
at six at night. Even our rooster
chung to his old habits and slept thro'
the night of daylight, not deigning
to crow until between four and five
O. clock in the morning. The various
masters, anxious to be off, met first
on this vessel, then on that, to dis
cuss the delay in the arrival of the
tender and to decide on united
course of action in case she did not
appear soon.
Toward noon on the 10th, faint
mirage was seen off the Cape. Very
little air was stirring, and the mirage
grew more and more distinct until
the tender was seen in every spar
and sail, as clearly outlined in the
smooth sea as if drawn on glass
But she was keel up!
Three hours later, the vessels hui
was in full view above the horizon
She was under full sail with flags anC
coIors at the mastheads, bearing the
joyous signal of news from home.
1t was nearly eleven o'clock before
she reached her anchorage. Not tC
, waste any time, the captain had
boat lowered. and before the tender
: anchor was let go, we were along
side.
No words can describe the situation
or our feelings as we reached tn
deck. Hands were shaken, a few
. anxious inquiries hurriedly made
: and then each man betoOk himsel
a to some quiet corner with his letters
to read the messages from the loveC
J ones at home.
AS sat on the rail, looking asterl
of the vessel, dreamily picturln!
scenes at home, l looked out owe
:, the vast expanse of ocean. Her
: and there foated cake of ice. Al
was SO SGlll, 81 oOlCLhh3 JNO IL O'A
: with my thoughts. The short, chop
u by sea kept the rudder creaking. Th
{ sun, far above the horizon, cast
clear, yellow light-so clear that tn
:, distant hills on shore were distinct /
q every contOur-and the rigging Q
every vessel riding at anchor on tn
< short, rolling sea was sharp in out
e line.
ie With my camera resting on M
knee. [ took an instantaneous photo
graph as the sun came out from bt
= hind veil of clouds and cast its Ion
sheen over the sea from the hOrlzO
a almost to the very stern of the vesse
); Entirely wrapped in my reverie,
rs sat watching the ceaseless sea, an
e. the glow of the sunlight, thlnkir
lie only of the world so many Thousand
- of miles away. Four months
4 hardship and danger were yet ahef
> of rs this little craft would carry o.
he messages home, but with her wou
to 90 all communication with the wor
IS until we ourselves entered port. VIII
or changes might these months bril-
;" forth
~ "Man the 'Lucretia's' boat" w
the rude intrusion upon my reverb
n and five strong oars were soon carr
to ing US to our vessel.
IN As the captain and | came ov
is the rail, the man at the wheel stru
eight bells.
Sc eJust midnight" said the capital
: "And here is the midnight sun
ON I added Suiting ny action to
words, took another picture ioo
cut ing off toward the vessels that
-he straining gently at their anchor
Inc bles.
me Yellow as the light was, both p