diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-28 05:18:40 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-28 05:18:40 -0800 |
| commit | 30d0cbe1ffb4c27ac6427ef5d53e9f959769bc5f (patch) | |
| tree | ad79b753e9028b29f6b6b81d7bba0e022218f28e | |
| parent | 8fe045a70edea43113e39c7377a7c7cbf174da3d (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/61931-0.txt | 2722 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/61931-0.zip | bin | 63486 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/61931-h.zip | bin | 121982 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/61931-h/61931-h.htm | 3879 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/61931-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 55033 -> 0 bytes |
8 files changed, 17 insertions, 6601 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cd6a4a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #61931 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61931) diff --git a/old/61931-0.txt b/old/61931-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e6033d0..0000000 --- a/old/61931-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2722 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and -Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-ship, by Owen Chase - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-ship Essex, - of Nantucket; Which Was Attacked and Finally Destroyed by - a Large Spermaceti-whale, in the Pacific Ocean; With an - Account of the Unparalleled Sufferings of the Captain and - Crew During a Space of Ninety-three Days at Sea, in Open - Boats in the Years 1819 & 1820. - -Author: Owen Chase - -Release Date: April 25, 2020 [EBook #61931] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE--WHALE-SHIP ESSEX *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, Mary Glenn Krause, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - NARRATIVE - OF THE - MOST EXTRAORDINARY AND DISTRESSING - SHIPWRECK - OF THE - WHALE-SHIP ESSEX, - OF - NANTUCKET; - WHICH WAS ATTACKED AND FINALLY DESTROYED BY A LARGE - SPERMACETI-WHALE, - IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN; - WITH - AN ACCOUNT - OF THE - UNPARALLELED SUFFERINGS - OF THE CAPTAIN AND CREW - DURING A SPACE OF NINETY-THREE DAYS AT SEA, IN OPEN BOATS - IN THE YEARS 1819 & 1820. - - - BY - OWEN CHASE, - OF NANTUCKET, FIRST MATE OF SAID VESSEL. - - - _NEW-YORK_: - PUBLISHED BY W. B. GILLEY, 92 BROADWAY. - J. SEYMOUR, Printer. - - 1821. - - - - - _Southern District of New-York, ss._ - -Be it remembered, That on the thirty-first day of October, in the -forty-sixth year of the Independence of the United States of America, -JONATHAN SEYMOUR, of the said District, hath deposited in this office -the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the -words and figures following, to wit: - - “Narrative of the most extraordinary and distressing shipwreck of - the whale-ship Essex, of Nantucket; which was attacked and finally - destroyed by a large spermaceti-whale, in the Pacific ocean; with an - account of the unparalleled sufferings of the captain and crew - during a space of ninety-three days at sea, in open boats, in the - years 1819 and 1820. By Owen Chase of Nantucket, first mate of said - vessel.” - -In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled -“An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of -Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, -during the time therein mentioned.” And also to an Act, entitled “an -Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of -Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the -authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein -mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, -engraving, and etching historical and other prints.” - - JAMES DILL, - _Clerk of the Southern District of New-York_. - - - - - TO THE READER. - - -I am aware that the public mind has been already nearly sated with the -private stories of individuals, many of whom had few, if any, claims to -public attention; and the injuries which have resulted from the -promulgation of fictitious histories, and in many instances, of journals -entirely fabricated for the purpose, has had the effect to lessen the -public interest in works of this description, and very much to -undervalue the general cause of truth. It is, however, not the less -important and necessary, that narratives should continue to be furnished -that have their foundations in fact; and the subject of which embraces -new and interesting matter in any department of the arts or sciences. -When the motive is worthy, the subject and style interesting, affording -instruction, exciting a proper sympathy, and withal disclosing new and -astonishing traits of human character:—this kind of information becomes -of great value to the philanthropist and philosopher, and is fully -deserving of attention from every description of readers. - -On the subject of the facts contained in this little volume, they are -neither so extravagant as to require the exercise of any great credulity -to believe, nor, I trust, so unimportant or uninteresting, as to forbid -an attentive perusal. It was my misfortune to be a considerable, if not -a principal, sufferer, in the dreadful catastrophe that befel us; and in -it, I not only lost all the little I had ventured, but my situation and -the prospects of bettering it, that at one time seemed to smile upon me, -were all in one short moment destroyed with it. The hope of obtaining -something of remuneration, by giving a short history of my sufferings to -the world, must therefore constitute my claim to public attention. - - - - - PREFACE. - - -The increasing attention which is bestowed upon the whale fishery in the -United States, has lately caused a very considerable commercial -excitement; and no doubt it will become, if it be not at present, as -important and general a branch of commerce as any belonging to our -country. It is now principally confined to a very industrious and -enterprising portion of the population of the States, many individuals -of whom have amassed very rapid and considerable fortunes. It is a -business requiring that labour, economy, and enterprise, for which the -people of Nantucket are so eminently distinguished. It has enriched the -inhabitants without bringing with it the usual corruptions and luxuries -of a foreign trade; and those who are now most successful and -conspicuous in it, are remarkable for the primitive simplicity, -integrity, and hospitality of the island. This trade, if I may so call -it, took its rise amongst the earliest settlers, and has gradually -advanced to the extended, important, and lucrative state in which it now -is, without any material interruption, and with very little competition -until the present time. The late war temporally, but in a great degree -affected its prosperity, by subjecting numerous fine vessels with their -cargoes to capture and loss; but in its short continuance, it was not -sufficient to divert the enterprise of the whalemen, nor to subdue the -active energies of the capitalists embarked in it. At the conclusion of -peace, those energies burst out afresh; and our sails now almost whiten -the distant confines of the Pacific. The English have a few ships there; -and the advantages which they possess over ours, it may be feared will -materially affect our success, by producing in time a much more -extensive and powerful competition. They are enabled to realize a -greater profit from the demand and price of oil in their markets; and -the encouragement afforded by parliament, not only in permitting the -importation of it free of duty, but in granting a liberal bounty. It is -to be hoped that the wisdom of Congress will be extended to this -subject; and that our present decided supremacy will not be lost for the -want of a deserved government patronage. - -Recent events have shown that we require a competent naval force in the -Pacific, for the protection of this important and lucrative branch of -commerce; for the want of which, many serious injuries and insults have -been lately received, which have a tendency to retard its flourishing -progress, and which have proved of serious consequence to the parties -concerned. - -During the late war, the exertions and intrepidity of Capt. Porter, were -the means of saving a great deal of valuable property, which otherwise -must have fallen into the hands of the enemy. His skilful, spirited, and -patriotic conduct, on all occasions where he was called upon to act, -imparted a protection and confidence to our countrymen, which completely -fulfilled their expectations of him, and without doubt those of the -government in sending him there. - -Our ships usually occupy from two to three years in making a voyage. -Occasionally, necessity obliges them to go into port for provisions, -water, and repairs; in some cases, amongst mere savages, and in others, -inhospitable people, from whom they are liable to every species of -fraud, imposition, and force, which require some competent power to awe -and redress. As long as the struggle between the patriots and royalists -continues, or even should that speedily end—as long as young and -instable governments, as there naturally must be for many years to come, -exist there, our whalemen will continue to require that countenance and -support which the importance and prosperity of the trade to them, and to -the country, eminently entitle them. It is, undoubtedly, a most -hazardous business; involving many incidental and unavoidable -sacrifices, the severity of which it seems cruel to increase by the -neglect or refusal of a proper protection. - -The seamen employed in the fishery, and particularly those from -Nantucket, are composed of the sons and connexions of the most -respectable families on the island; and, unlike the majority of the -class or profession to which they belong, they labour not only for their -temporary subsistence, but they have an ambition and pride among them -which seeks after distinguishment and promotion. Almost all of them -enter the service with views of a future command; and submit cheerfully -to the hardships and drudgery of the intermediate stations, until they -become thoroughly acquainted with their business. - -There are common sailors, boat-steerers, and harpooners: the last of -these is the most honourable and important. It is in this station, that -all the capacity of the young sailor is elicited; on the dexterous -management of the harpoon, the line, and the lance, and in the -adventurous positions which he takes alongside of his enemy, depends -almost entirely the successful issue of his attack; and more real -chivalry is not often exhibited on the deck of a battle-ship, than is -displayed by these hardy sons of the ocean, in some of their gallant -exploits among the whales. Nursed in the dangers of their business, and -exposed to the continual hazards and hardships of all seasons, climates, -and weathers, it will not be surprising if they should become a fearless -set of people, and pre-eminent in all the requisites of good seamen. Two -voyages are generally considered sufficient to qualify an active and -intelligent young man for command; in which time, he learns from -experience, and the examples which are set him, all that is necessary to -be known. - -While on this subject, I may be allowed to observe that it would not be -an unprofitable task in a majority of our respectable shipmasters in the -merchant service, to look into the principles of conduct, and study the -economical management of the captains of our whale-ships. I am confident -many serviceable hints could be gathered from the admirable system by -which they regulate their concerns. They would learn, also, what respect -is due to the character and standing of a captain of a whale-ship, which -those of the merchant service affect so much to undervalue. If the post -of danger be the post of honour; and if merit emanates from exemplary -private character, uncommon intelligence, and professional gallantry, -then is it due to a great majority of the shipmasters of Nantucket, that -they should be held above the operations of an invidious and unjust -distinction. It is a curious fact that one does exist; and it is equally -an illiberal, as an undeserved reproach upon them, which time and an -acquaintance with their merits must speedily wipe away. - -The reader is requested to notice the following errors, which have -resulted from the haste in transcribing the original narrative. - - Page 23, line 2, for “one vows,” read _are now_. - 44, line 15, for “one,” read, _none_. - 57, line 11, for “keeled,” read, _heeled_. - 57, line 8, for “of,” read, _and_. - 65, line 9, for “momentous,” read _momentary_. - 102, line 6, for “Mather,” read _Matthew_. - 107, line 9, after “ourselves,” insert _it_. - - - - - NARRATIVE. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - -The town of Nantucket, in the State of Massachusetts, contains about -eight thousand inhabitants; nearly a third part of the population are -quakers, and they are, taken together, a very industrious and -enterprising people. On this island are owned about one hundred vessels, -of all descriptions, engaged in the whale trade, giving constant -employment and support to upwards of sixteen hundred hardy seamen, a -class of people proverbial for their intrepidity. This fishery is not -carried on to any extent from any other part of the United States, -except from the town of New-Bedford, directly opposite to Nantucket, -where are owned probably twenty sail. A voyage generally lasts about two -years and a half, and with an entire uncertainty of success. Sometimes -they are repaid with speedy voyages and profitable cargoes, and at -others they drag out a listless and disheartening cruise, without -scarcely making the expenses of an outfit. The business is considered a -very hazardous one, arising from unavoidable accidents, in carrying on -an exterminating warfare against those great leviathans of the deep; and -indeed a Nantucket man is on all occasions fully sensible of the honour -and merit of his profession; no doubt because he knows that his laurels, -like the soldier’s, are plucked from the brink of danger. Numerous -anecdotes are related of the whalemen of Nantucket; and stories of -hair-breadth ’scapes, and sudden and wonderful preservation, are handed -down amongst them, with the fidelity, and no doubt many of them with the -characteristic fictions of the ancient legendary tales. A spirit of -adventure amongst the sons of other relatives of those immediately -concerned in it, takes possession of their minds at a very early age; -captivated with the tough stories of the elder seamen, and seduced, as -well by the natural desire of seeing foreign countries, as by the hopes -of gain, they launch forth six or eight thousand miles from home, into -an almost untraversed ocean, and spend from two to three years of their -lives in scenes of constant peril, labour, and watchfulness. The -profession is one of great ambition, and full of honourable excitement: -a tame man is never known amongst them; and the coward is marked with -that peculiar aversion, that distinguishes our public naval service. -There are perhaps no people of superior corporeal powers; and it has -been truly said of them, that they possess a natural aptitude, which -seems rather the lineal spirit of their fathers, than the effects of any -experience. The town itself, during the war, was (naturally to have been -expected,) on the decline; but with the return of peace it took a fresh -start, and a spirit for carrying on the fishery received a renewed and -very considerable excitement. Large capitals are now embarked; and some -of the finest ships that our country can boast of are employed in it. -The increased demand, within a few years past, from the spermaceti -manufactories, has induced companies and individuals in different parts -of the Union to become engaged in the business; and if the future -consumption of the manufactured article bear any proportion to that of -the few past years, this species of commerce will bid fair to become the -most profitable and extensive that our country possesses. From the -accounts of those who were in the early stages of the fishery concerned -in it, it would appear, that the whales have been driven, like the -beasts of the forest, before the march of civilization, into remote and -more unfrequented seas, until now, they are followed by the enterprise -and perseverance of our seamen, even to the distant coasts of Japan. - -The ship Essex, commanded by captain George Pollard, junior, was fitted -out at Nantucket, and sailed on the 12th day of August, 1819, for the -Pacific Ocean, on a whaling voyage. Of this ship I was first mate. She -had lately undergone a thorough repair in her upper works, and was at -that time, in all respects, a sound, substantial vessel: she had a crew -of twenty-one men, and was victualled and provided for two years and a -half. We left the coast of America with a fine breeze, and steered for -the Western Islands. On the second day out, while sailing moderately on -our course in the Gulf Stream, a sudden squall of wind struck the ship -from the SW. and knocked her completely on her beam-ends, stove one of -our boats, entirely destroyed two others, and threw down the cambouse. -We distinctly saw the approach of this gust, but miscalculated -altogether as to the strength and violence of it. It struck the ship -about three points off the weather quarter, at the moment that the man -at the helm was in the act of putting her away to run before it. In an -instant she was knocked down with her yards in the water; and before -hardly a moment of time was allowed for reflection, she gradually came -to the wind, and righted. The squall was accompanied with vivid flashes -of lightning, and heavy and repeated claps of thunder. The whole ship’s -crew were, for a short time, thrown into the utmost consternation and -confusion; but fortunately the violence of the squall was all contained -in the first gust of the wind, and it soon gradually abated, and became -fine weather again. We repaired our damage with little difficulty, and -continued on our course, with the loss of the two boats. On the 30th of -August we made the island of Floros, one of the western group called the -Azores. We lay off and on the island for two days, during which time our -boats landed and obtained a supply of vegetables and a few hogs: from -this place we took the NE. trade-wind, and in sixteen days made the Isle -of May, one of the Cape de Verds. As we were sailing along the shore of -this island, we discovered a ship stranded on the beach, and from her -appearance took her to be a whaler. Having lost two of our boats, and -presuming that this vessel had probably some belonging to her that might -have been saved, we determined to ascertain the name of the ship, and -endeavour to supply if possible the loss of our boats from her. We -accordingly stood in towards the port, or landing place. After a short -time three men were discovered coming out to us in a whale boat. In a -few moments they were alongside, and informed us that the wreck was the -Archimedes of New-York, captain George B. Coffin, which vessel had -struck on a rock near the island about a fortnight previously; that all -hands were saved by running the ship on shore, and that the captain and -crew had gone home. We purchased the whale boat of these people, -obtained some few more pigs, and again set sail. Our passage thence to -Cape Horn was not distinguished for any incident worthy of note. We made -the longitude of the Cape about the 18th of December, having experienced -head winds for nearly the whole distance. We anticipated a moderate time -in passing this noted land, from the season of the year at which we were -there, being considered the most favourable; but instead of this, we -experienced heavy westerly gales, and a most tremendous sea, that -detained us off the Cape five weeks, before we had got sufficiently to -the westward to enable us to put away. Of the passage of this famous -Cape it may be observed, that strong westerly gales and a heavy sea are -its almost universal attendants: the prevalence and constancy of this -wind and sea necessarily produce a rapid current, by which vessels are -set to leeward; and it is not without some favourable slant of wind that -they can in many cases get round at all. The difficulties and dangers of -the passage are proverbial; but as far as my own observation extends, -(and which the numerous reports of the whalemen corroborate,) you can -always rely upon a long and regular sea; and although the gales may be -very strong and stubborn, as they undoubtedly are, they are not known to -blow with the destructive violence that characterizes some of the -tornadoes of the western Atlantic Ocean. On the 17th of January, 1820, -we arrived at the island of St. Mary’s, lying on the coast of Chili, in -latitude 36° 59′ S. longitude 73° 41′ W. This island is a sort of -rendezvous for whalers, from which they obtain their wood and water, and -between which and the main land (a distance of about ten miles) they -frequently cruise for a species of whale called the right whale. Our -object in going in there was merely to get the news. We sailed thence to -the island of Massafuera, where we got some wood and fish, and thence -for the cruising ground along the coast of Chili, in search of the -spermaceti-whale. We took there eight, which yielded us two hundred and -fifty barrels of oil; and the season having by this time expired, we -changed our cruising ground to the coast of Peru. We obtained there five -hundred and fifty barrels. After going into the small port of Decamas, -and replenishing our wood and water, on the 2d October we set sail for -the Gallipagos Islands. We came to anchor, and laid seven days off -Hood’s Island, one of the group; during which time we stopped a leak -which we had discovered, and obtained three hundred turtle. We then -visited Charles Island, where we procured sixty more. These turtle are a -most delicious food, and average in weight generally about one hundred -pounds, but many of them weigh upwards of eight hundred. With these, -ships usually supply themselves for a great length of time, and make a -great saving of other provisions. They neither eat nor drink, nor is the -least pains taken with them; they are strewed over the deck, thrown -under foot, or packed away in the hold, as it suits convenience. They -will live upwards of a year without food or water, but soon die in a -cold climate. We left Charles Island on the 23d of October, and steered -off to the westward, in search of whales. In latitude 1° 0′ S. longitude -118° W. on the 16th of November, in the afternoon, we lost a boat during -our work in a shoal of whales. I was in the boat myself, with five -others, and was standing in the fore part, with the harpoon in my hand, -well braced, expecting every instant to catch sight of one of the shoal -which we were in, that I might strike; but judge of my astonishment and -dismay, at finding myself suddenly thrown up in the air, my companions -scattered about me, and the boat fast filling with water. A whale had -come up directly under her, and with one dash of his tail, had stove her -bottom in, and strewed us in every direction around her. We, however, -with little difficulty, got safely on the wreck, and clung there until -one of the other boats which had been engaged in the shoal, came to our -assistance, and took us off. Strange to tell, not a man was injured by -this accident. Thus it happens very frequently in the whaling business, -that boats are stove; oars, harpoons, and lines broken; ancles and -wrists sprained; boats upset, and whole crews left for hours in the -water, without any of these accidents extending to the loss of life. We -are so much accustomed to the continual recurrence of such scenes as -these, that we become familiarized to them, and consequently always feel -that confidence and self-possession, which teaches us every expedient in -danger, and inures the body, as well as the mind, to fatigue, privation, -and peril, in frequent cases exceeding belief. It is this danger and -hardship that makes the sailor; indeed it is the distinguishing -qualification amongst us; and it is a common boast of the whaleman, that -he has escaped from sudden and apparently inevitable destruction oftener -than his fellow. He is accordingly valued on this account, without much -reference to other qualities. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - -I have not been able to recur to the scenes which are now to become the -subject of description, although a considerable time has elapsed, -without feeling a mingled emotion of horror and astonishment at the -almost incredible destiny that has preserved me and my surviving -companions from a terrible death. Frequently, in my reflections on the -subject, even after this lapse of time, I find myself shedding tears of -gratitude for our deliverance, and blessing God, by whose divine aid and -protection we were conducted through a series of unparalleled suffering -and distress, and restored to the bosoms of our families and friends. -There is no knowing what a stretch of pain and misery the human mind is -capable of contemplating, when it is wrought upon by the anxieties of -preservation; nor what pangs and weaknesses the body is able to endure, -until they are visited upon it; and when at last deliverance comes, when -the dream of hope is realized, unspeakable gratitude takes possession of -the soul, and tears of joy choke the utterance. We require to be taught -in the school of some signal suffering, privation, and despair, the -great lessons of constant dependence upon an almighty forbearance and -mercy. In the midst of the wide ocean, at night, when the sight of the -heavens was shut out, and the dark tempest came upon us; then it was, -that we felt ourselves ready to exclaim, “Heaven have mercy upon us, for -nought but that can save us now.” But I proceed to the recital.—On the -20th of November, (cruising in latitude 0° 40′ S. longitude 119° 0′ W.) -a shoal of whales was discovered off the lee-bow. The weather at this -time was extremely fine and clear, and it was about 8 o’clock in the -morning, that the man at the mast-head gave the usual cry of, “there she -blows.” The ship was immediately put away, and we ran down in the -direction for them. When we had got within half a mile of the place -where they were observed, all our boats were lowered down, manned, and -we started in pursuit of them. The ship, in the mean time, was brought -to the wind, and the main-top-sail hove aback, to wait for us. I had the -harpoon in the second boat; the captain preceded me in the first. When I -arrived at the spot where we calculated they were, nothing was at first -to be seen. We lay on our oars in anxious expectation of discovering -them come up somewhere near us. Presently one rose, and spouted a short -distance ahead of my boat; I made all speed towards it, came up with, -and struck it; feeling the harpoon in him, he threw himself, in an -agony, over towards the boat, (which at that time was up alongside of -him,) and giving a severe blow with his tail, struck the boat near the -edge of the water, amidships, and stove a hole in her. I immediately -took up the boat hatchet, and cut the line, to disengage the boat from -the whale, which by this time was running off with great velocity. I -succeeded in getting clear of him, with the loss of the harpoon and -line; and finding the water to pour fast in the boat, I hastily stuffed -three or four of our jackets in the hole, ordered one man to keep -constantly bailing, and the rest to pull immediately for the ship; we -succeeded in keeping the boat free, and shortly gained the ship. The -captain and the second mate, in the other two boats, kept up the -pursuit, and soon struck another whale. They being at this time a -considerable distance to leeward, I went forward, braced around the -mainyard, and put the ship off in a direction for them; the boat which -had been stove was immediately hoisted in, and after examining the hole, -I found that I could, by nailing a piece of canvass over it, get her -ready to join in a fresh pursuit, sooner than by lowering down the other -remaining boat which belonged to the ship. I accordingly turned her over -upon the quarter, and was in the act of nailing on the canvass, when I -observed a very large spermaceti whale, as well as I could judge, about -eighty-five feet in length; he broke water about twenty rods off our -weather-bow, and was lying quietly, with his head in a direction for the -ship. He spouted two or three times, and then disappeared. In less than -two or three seconds he came up again, about the length of the ship off, -and made directly for us, at the rate of about three knots. The ship was -then going with about the same velocity. His appearance and attitude -gave us at first no alarm; but while I stood watching his movements, and -observing him but a ship’s length off, coming down for us with great -celerity, I involuntarily ordered the boy at the helm to put it hard up; -intending to sheer off and avoid him. The words were scarcely out of my -mouth, before he came down upon us with full speed, and struck the ship -with his head, just forward of the fore-chains; he gave us such an -appalling and tremendous jar, as nearly threw us all on our faces. The -ship brought up as suddenly and violently as if she had struck a rock, -and trembled for a few seconds like a leaf. We looked at each other with -perfect amazement, deprived almost of the power of speech. Many minutes -elapsed before we were able to realize the dreadful accident; during -which time he passed under the ship, grazing her keel as he went along, -came up alongside of her to leeward, and lay on the top of the water, -(apparently stunned with the violence of the blow,) for the space of a -minute; he then suddenly started off, in a direction to leeward. After a -few moments’ reflection, and recovering, in some measure, from the -sudden consternation that had seized us, I of course concluded that he -had stove a hole in the ship, and that it would be necessary to set the -pumps going. Accordingly they were rigged, but had not been in operation -more than one minute, before I perceived the head of the ship to be -gradually settling down in the water; I then ordered the signal to be -set for the other boats, which, scarcely had I dispatched, before I -again discovered the whale, apparently in convulsions, on the top of the -water, about one hundred rods to leeward. He was enveloped in the foam -of the sea, that his continual and violent thrashing about in the water -had created around him, and I could distinctly see him smite his jaws -together, as if distracted with rage and fury. He remained a short time -in this situation, and then started off with great velocity, across the -bows of the ship, to windward. By this time the ship had settled down a -considerable distance in the water, and I gave her up as lost. I -however, ordered the pumps to be kept constantly going, and endeavoured -to collect my thoughts for the occasion. I turned to the boats, two of -which we then had with the ship, with an intention of clearing them -away, and getting all things ready to embark in them, if there should be -no other resource left; and while my attention was thus engaged for a -moment, I was aroused with the cry of a man at the hatchway, “here he -is—he is making for us again.” I turned around, and saw him about one -hundred rods directly ahead of us, coming down apparently with twice his -ordinary speed, and to me at that moment, it appeared with tenfold fury -and vengeance in his aspect. The surf flew in all directions about him, -and his course towards us was marked by a white foam of a rod in width, -which he made with the continual violent thrashing of his tail; his head -was about half out of water, and in that way he came upon, and again -struck the ship. I was in hopes when I descried him making for us, that -by a dexterous movement of putting the ship away immediately, I should -be able to cross the line of his approach, before he could get up to us, -and thus avoid, what I knew, if he should strike us again, would prove -our inevitable destruction. I bawled out to the helmsman, “hard up!” but -she had not fallen off more than a point, before we took the second -shock. I should judge the speed of the ship to have been at this time -about three knots, and that of the whale about six. He struck her to -windward, directly under the cathead, and completely stove in her bows. -He passed under the ship again, went off to leeward, and we saw no more -of him. Our situation at this juncture can be more readily imagined than -described. The shock to our feelings was such, as I am sure none can -have an adequate conception of, that were not there: the misfortune -befel us at a moment when we least dreamt of any accident; and from the -pleasing anticipations we had formed, of realizing the certain profits -of our labour, we were dejected by a sudden, most mysterious, and -overwhelming calamity. Not a moment, however, was to be lost in -endeavouring to provide for the extremity to which it was now certain we -were reduced. We were more than a thousand miles from the nearest land, -and with nothing but a light open boat, as the resource of safety for -myself and companions. I ordered the men to cease pumping, and every one -to provide for himself; seizing a hatchet at the same time, I cut away -the lashings of the spare boat, which lay bottom up, across two spars -directly over the quarter deck, and cried out to those near me, to take -her as she came down. They did so accordingly, and bore her on their -shoulders as far as the waist of the ship. The steward had in the mean -time gone down into the cabin twice, and saved two quadrants, two -practical navigators, and the captain’s trunk and mine; all which were -hastily thrown into the boat, as she lay on the deck, with the two -compasses which I snatched from the binnacle. He attempted to descend -again; but the water by this time had rushed in, and he returned without -being able to effect his purpose. By the time we had got the boat to the -waist, the ship had filled with water, and was going down on her -beam-ends: we shoved our boat as quickly as possible from the -plank-shear into the water, all hands jumping in her at the same time, -and launched off clear of the ship. We were scarcely two boat’s lengths -distant from her, when she fell over to windward, and settled down in -the water. - -Amazement and despair now wholly took possession of us. We contemplated -the frightful situation the ship lay in, and thought with horror upon -the sudden and dreadful calamity that had overtaken us. We looked upon -each other, as if to gather some consolatory sensation from an -interchange of sentiments, but every countenance was marked with the -paleness of despair. Not a word was spoken for several minutes by any of -us; all appeared to be bound in a spell of stupid consternation; and -from the time we were first attacked by the whale, to the period of the -fall of the ship, and of our leaving her in the boat, more than ten -minutes could not certainly have elapsed! God only knows in what way, or -by what means, we were enabled to accomplish in that short time what we -did; the cutting away and transporting the boat from where she was -deposited would of itself, in ordinary circumstances, have consumed as -much time as that, if the whole ship’s crew had been employed in it. My -companions had not saved a single article but what they had on their -backs; but to me it was a source of infinite satisfaction, if any such -could be gathered from the horrors of our gloomy situation, that we had -been fortunate enough to have preserved our compasses, navigators, and -quadrants. After the first shock of my feelings was over, I -enthusiastically contemplated them as the probable instruments of our -salvation; without them all would have been dark and hopeless. Gracious -God! what a picture of distress and suffering now presented itself to my -imagination. The crew of the ship were saved, consisting of twenty human -souls. All that remained to conduct these twenty beings through the -stormy terrors of the ocean, perhaps many thousand miles, were three -open light boats. The prospect of obtaining any provisions or water from -the ship, to subsist upon during the time, was at least now doubtful. -How many long and watchful nights, thought I, are to be passed? How many -tedious days of partial starvation are to be endured, before the least -relief or mitigation of our sufferings can be reasonably anticipated? We -lay at this time in our boat, about two ship’s lengths off from the -wreck, in perfect silence, calmly contemplating her situation, and -absorbed in our own melancholy reflections, when the other boats were -discovered rowing up to us. They had but shortly before discovered that -some accident had befallen us, but of the nature of which they were -entirely ignorant. The sudden and mysterious disappearance of the ship -was first discovered by the boat-steerer in the captain’s boat, and with -a horror-struck countenance and voice, he suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, my -God! where is the ship?” Their operations upon this were instantly -suspended, and a general cry of horror and despair burst from the lips -of every man, as their looks were directed for her, in vain, over every -part of the ocean. They immediately made all haste towards us. The -captain’s boat was the first that reached us. He stopped about a boat’s -length off, but had no power to utter a single syllable: he was so -completely overpowered with the spectacle before him, that he sat down -in his boat, pale and speechless. I could scarcely recognise his -countenance, he appeared to be so much altered, awed, and overcome, with -the oppression of his feelings, and the dreadful reality that lay before -him. He was in a short time however enabled to address the inquiry to -me, “My God, Mr. Chase, what is the matter?” I answered, “We have been -stove by a whale.” I then briefly told him the story. After a few -moment’s reflection he observed, that we must cut away her masts, and -endeavour to get something out of her to eat. Our thoughts were now all -accordingly bent on endeavours to save from the wreck whatever we might -possibly want, and for this purpose we rowed up and got on to her. -Search was made for every means of gaining access to her hold; and for -this purpose the lanyards were cut loose, and with our hatchets we -commenced to cut away the masts, that she might right up again, and -enable us to scuttle her decks. In doing which we were occupied about -three quarters of an hour, owing to our having no axes, nor indeed any -other instruments, but the small hatchets belonging to the boats. After -her masts were gone she came up about two-thirds of the way upon an even -keel. While we were employed about the masts the captain took his -quadrant, shoved off from the ship, and got an observation. We found -ourselves in latitude 0° 40′ S. longitude 119° W. We now commenced to -cut a hole through the planks, directly above two large casks of bread, -which most fortunately were between decks, in the waist of the ship, and -which being in the upper side, when she upset, we had strong hopes was -not wet. It turned out according to our wishes, and from these casks we -obtained six hundred pounds of hard bread. Other parts of the deck were -then scuttled, and we got without difficulty as much fresh water as we -dared to take in the boats, so that each was supplied with about -sixty-five gallons; we got also from one of the lockers a musket, a -small canister of powder, a couple of files, two rasps, about two pounds -of boat nails, and a few turtle. In the afternoon the wind came on to -blow a strong breeze; and having obtained every thing that occurred to -us could then be got out, we began to make arrangements for our safety -during the night. A boat’s line was made fast to the ship, and to the -other end of it one of the boats was moored, at about fifty fathoms to -leeward; another boat was then attached to the first one, about eight -fathoms astern; and the third boat, the like distance astern of her. -Night came on just as we had finished our operations; and such a night -as it was to us! so full of feverish and distracting inquietude, that we -were deprived entirely of rest. The wreck was constantly before my eyes. -I could not, by any effort, chase away the horrors of the preceding day -from my mind: they haunted me the live-long night. My companions—some of -them were like sick women; they had no idea of the extent of their -deplorable situation. One or two slept unconcernedly, while others -wasted the night in unavailing murmurs. I now had full leisure to -examine, with some degree of coolness, the dreadful circumstances of our -disaster. The scenes of yesterday passed in such quick succession in my -mind that it was not until after many hours of severe reflection that I -was able to discard the idea of the catastrophe as a dream. Alas! it was -one from which there was no awaking; it was too certainly true, that but -yesterday we had existed as it were, and in one short moment had been -cut off from all the hopes and prospects of the living! I have no -language to paint out the horrors of our situation. To shed tears was -indeed altogether unavailing, and withal unmanly; yet I was not able to -deny myself the relief they served to afford me. After several hours of -idle sorrow and repining I began to reflect upon the accident, and -endeavoured to realize by what unaccountable destiny or design, (which I -could not at first determine,) this sudden and most deadly attack had -been made upon us: by an animal, too, never before suspected of -premeditated violence, and proverbial for its insensibility and -inoffensiveness. Every fact seemed to warrant me in concluding that it -was any thing but chance which directed his operations; he made two -several attacks upon the ship, at a short interval between them, both of -which, according to their direction, were calculated to do us the most -injury, by being made ahead, and thereby combining the speed of the two -objects for the shock; to effect which, the exact manœuvres which he -made were necessary. His aspect was most horrible, and such as indicated -resentment and fury. He came directly from the shoal which we had just -before entered, and in which we had struck three of his companions, as -if fired with revenge for their sufferings. But to this it may be -observed, that the mode of fighting which they always adopt is either -with repeated strokes of their tails, or snapping of their jaws -together; and that a case, precisely similar to this one, has never been -heard of amongst the oldest and most experienced whalers. To this I -would answer, that the structure and strength of the whale’s head is -admirably designed for this mode of attack; the most prominent part of -which is almost as hard and as tough as iron; indeed, I can compare it -to nothing else but the inside of a horse’s hoof, upon which a lance or -harpoon would not make the slightest impression. The eyes and ears are -removed nearly one-third the length of the whole fish, from the front -part of the head, and are not in the least degree endangered in this -mode of attack. At all events, the whole circumstances taken together, -all happening before my own eyes, and producing, at the time, -impressions in my mind of decided, calculating mischief, on the part of -the whale, (many of which impressions I cannot now recall,) induce me to -be satisfied that I am correct in my opinion. It is certainly, in all -its bearings, a hitherto unheard of circumstance, and constitutes, -perhaps, the most extraordinary one in the annals of the fishery. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - -November 21st. The morning dawned upon our wretched company. The weather -was fine, but the wind blew a strong breeze from the SE. and the sea was -very rugged. Watches had been kept up during the night, in our -respective boats, to see that none of the spars or other articles (which -continued to float out of the wreck,) should be thrown by the surf -against, and injure the boats. At sunrise, we began to think of doing -something; what, we did not know: we cast loose our boats, and visited -the wreck, to see if any thing more of consequence could be preserved, -but every thing looked cheerless and desolate, and we made a long and -vain search for any useful article; nothing could be found but a few -turtle; of these we had enough already; or at least, as many as could be -safely stowed in the boats, and we wandered around in every part of the -ship in a sort of vacant idleness for the greater part of the morning. -We were presently aroused to a perfect sense of our destitute and -forlorn condition; by thoughts of the means which we had for our -subsistence, the necessity of not wasting our time, and of endeavouring -to seek some relief wherever God might direct us. Our thoughts, indeed, -hung about the ship, wrecked and sunken as she was, and we could -scarcely discard from our minds the idea of her continuing protection. -Some great efforts in our situation were necessary, and a great deal of -calculation important, as it concerned the means by which our existence -was to be supported during, perhaps, a very long period, and a provision -for our eventual deliverance. Accordingly, by agreement, all set to work -in stripping off the light sails of the ship, for sails to our boats; -and the day was consumed in making them up and fitting them. We -furnished ourselves with masts and other light spars that were -necessary, from the wreck. Each boat was rigged with two masts, to carry -a flying-jib and two sprit-sails; the sprit-sails were made so that two -reefs could be taken in them, in case of heavy blows. We continued to -watch the wreck for any serviceable articles that might float from her, -and kept one man during the day, on the stump of her foremast, on the -look out for vessels. Our work was very much impeded by the increase of -the wind and sea, and the surf breaking almost continually into the -boats, gave us many fears that we should not be able to prevent our -provisions from getting wet; and above all served to increase the -constant apprehensions that we had, of the insufficiency of the boats -themselves, during the rough weather that we should necessarily -experience. In order to provide as much as possible against this, and -withal to strengthen the slight materials of which the boats were -constructed, we procured from the wreck some light cedar boards, -(intended to repair boats in cases of accidents,) with which we built up -additional sides, about six inches above the gunwale; these, we -afterwards found, were of infinite service for the purpose for which -they were intended; in truth, I am satisfied we could never have been -preserved without them; the boats must otherwise have taken in so much -water that all the efforts of twenty such weak, starving men as we -afterwards came to be, would not have sufficed to keep her free; but -what appeared most immediately to concern us, and to command all our -anxieties, was the security of our provisions from the salt water. We -disposed of them under a covering of wood, that whale boats have at -either end of them, wrapping it up in several thicknesses of canvass. I -got an observation to-day, by which I found we were in latitude 0° 6′ S. -longitude 119° 30′ W. having been driven by the winds a distance of -forty-nine miles the last twenty-four hours; by this it would appear -that there must have been a strong current, setting us to the NW. during -the whole time. We were not able to finish our sails in one day; and -many little things preparatory to taking a final leave of the ship were -necessary to be attended to, but evening came and put an end to our -labours. We made the same arrangements for mooring the boats in safety, -and consigned ourselves to the horrors of another tempestuous night. The -wind continued to blow hard, keeping up a heavy sea, and veering around -from SE. to E. and E.SE. As the gloom of night approached, and obliged -us to desist from that employment, which cheated us out of some of the -realities of our situation, we all of us again became mute and -desponding: a considerable degree of alacrity had been manifested by -many the preceding day, as their attention had been wholly engaged in -scrutinizing the wreck, and in constructing the sails and spars for the -boats; but when they ceased to be occupied, they passed to a sudden fit -of melancholy, and the miseries of their situation came upon them with -such force, as to produce spells of extreme debility, approaching almost -to fainting. Our provisions were scarcely touched—the appetite was -entirely gone: but as we had a great abundance of water, we indulged in -frequent and copious draughts, which our parched mouths seemed -continually to need. None asked for bread. Our continued state of -anxiety during the night, excluded all hopes of sleep; still, (although -the solemn fact had been before me for nearly two days,) my mind -manifested the utmost repugnance to be reconciled to it; I laid down in -the bottom of the boat, and resigned myself to reflection; my silent -prayers were offered up to the God of mercy, for that protection which -we stood so much in need of. Sometimes, indeed, a light hope would dawn, -but then, to feel such an utter dependence on and consignment to chance -alone for aid and rescue, would chase it again from my mind. The -wreck—the mysterious and mortal attack of the animal—the sudden -prostration and sinking of the vessel—our escape from her, and our then -forlorn and almost hapless destiny, all passed in quick and perplexing -review in my imagination; wearied with the exertion of the body and -mind, I caught, near morning, an hour’s respite from my troubles, in -sleep. - -November 22d. The wind remained the same, and the weather continued -remarkably fine. At sunrise, we again hauled our boats up, and continued -our search for articles that might float out. About 7 o’clock, the deck -of the wreck began to give way, and every appearance indicated her -speedy dissolution; the oil had bilged in the hold, and kept the surface -of the sea all around us completely covered with it; the bulk-heads were -all washed down, and she worked in every part of her joints and seams, -with the violent and continual breaking of the surf over her. Seeing, at -last, that little or nothing further could be done by remaining with the -wreck, and as it was all important that while our provisions lasted, we -should make the best possible use of time, I rowed up to the captain’s -boat, and asked him what he intended to do. I informed him that the -ship’s decks had bursted up, and that in all probability she would soon -go to pieces; that no further purpose could be answered, by remaining -longer with her, since nothing more could be obtained from her; and that -it was my opinion, no time should be lost in making the best of our way -towards the nearest land. The captain observed, that he would go once -more to the wreck, and survey her, and after waiting until 12 o’clock -for the purpose of getting an observation, would immediately after -determine. In the mean time, before noon all our sails were completed, -and the boats otherwise got in readiness for our departure. Our -observation now proved us to be in latitude 0° 13′ N. longitude 120° 00′ -W. as near as we could determine it, having crossed the equator during -the night, and drifted nineteen miles. The wind had veered considerably -to the eastward, during the last twenty-four hours. Our nautical -calculations having been completed, the captain, after visiting the -wreck, called a council, consisting of himself and the first and second -mates, who all repaired to his boat, to interchange opinions, and devise -the best means for our security and preservation. There were, in all of -us, twenty men; six of whom were blacks, and we had three boats. We -examined our navigators, to ascertain the nearest land, and found it was -the Marquesas Islands. The Society Islands were next; these islands we -were entirely ignorant of; if inhabited, we presumed they were by -savages, from whom we had as much to fear, as from the elements, or even -death itself. We had no charts from which our calculations might be -aided, and were consequently obliged to govern ourselves by the -navigators alone; it was also the captain’s opinion, that this was the -season of the hurricanes which prevail in the vicinity of the Sandwich -Islands, and that consequently it would be unsafe to steer for them. The -issue of our deliberations was, that, taking all things into -consideration, it would be most adviseable to shape our course by the -wind, to the southward, as far as 25° or 26° S. latitude, fall in with -the variable winds, and then, endeavour to get eastward to the coast of -Chili or Peru. Accordingly, preparations were made for our immediate -departure; the boat which it was my fortune, or rather misfortune to -have, was the worst of the three; she was old and patched up, having -been stove a number of times, during the cruise. At best, a whale boat -is an extremely frail thing; the most so of any other kind of boat; they -are what is called clinker built, and constructed of the lightest -materials, for the purpose of being rowed with the greatest possible -celerity, according to the necessities of the business for which they -are intended. Of all species of vessels, they are the weakest, and most -fragile, and possess but one advantage over any other—that of lightness -and buoyancy, that enables them to keep above the dash of the sea, with -more facility than heavier ones. This qualification is, however, -preferable to that of any other, and, situated as we then were, I would -not have exchanged her, old and crazy as she was, for even a ship’s -launch. I am quite confident, that to this quality of our boats we most -especially owed our preservation, through the many days and nights of -heavy weather, that we afterwards encountered. In consideration of my -having the weakest boat, six men were allotted to it; while those of the -captain and second mate, took seven each, and at half past 12 we left -the wreck, steering our course, with nearly all sail set, S.SE. At four -o’clock in the afternoon we lost sight of her entirely. Many were the -lingering and sorrowful looks we cast behind us. - -It has appeared to me often since to have been, in the abstract, an -extreme weakness and folly, on our parts, to have looked upon our -shattered and sunken vessel with such an excessive fondness and regret; -but it seemed as if in abandoning her we had parted with all hope, and -were bending our course away from her, rather by some dictate of -despair. We agreed to keep together, in our boats, as nearly as -possible, to afford assistance in cases of accident, and to render our -reflections less melancholy by each other’s presence. I found it on this -occasion true, that misery does indeed love company; unaided, and -unencouraged by each other, there were with us many whose weak minds, I -am confident, would have sunk under the dismal retrospections of the -past catastrophe, and who did not possess either sense or firmness -enough to contemplate our approaching destiny, without the cheering of -some more determined countenance than their own. The wind was strong all -day; and the sea ran very high, our boat taking in water from her leaks -continually, so that we were obliged to keep one man constantly bailing. -During the night the weather became extremely rugged, and the sea every -now and then broke over us. By agreement, we were divided into two -watches; one of which was to be constantly awake, and doing the labours -of the boat, such as bailing; setting, taking in, and trimming the -sails. We kept our course very well together during this night, and had -many opportunities of conversation with the men in the other boats, -wherein the means and prospects of our deliverance were variously -considered; it appeared from the opinions of all, that we had most to -hope for in the meeting with some vessel, and most probably some whale -ship, the great majority of whom, in those seas, we imagined were -cruising about the latitude we were then steering for; but this was only -a hope, the realization of which did not in any degree depend on our own -exertions, but on chance alone. It was not, therefore, considered -prudent, by going out of our course, with the prospect of meeting them, -to lose sight, for one moment, of the strong probabilities which, under -Divine Providence, there were of our reaching land by the route we had -prescribed to ourselves; as that depended, most especially, on a -reasonable calculation, and on our own labours, we conceived that our -provision and water, on a small allowance, would last us sixty days; -that with the trade-wind, on the course we were then lying, we should be -able to average the distance of a degree a day, which, in 26 days, would -enable us to attain the region of the variable winds, and then, in -thirty more, at the very utmost, should there be any favour in the -elements, we might reach the coast. With these considerations we -commenced our voyage; the total failure of all which, and the subsequent -dismal distress and suffering, by which we were overtaken, will be shown -in the sequel. Our allowance of provision at first consisted of bread; -one biscuit, weighing about one pound three ounces, and half a pint of -water a day, for each man. This small quantity, (less than one third -which is required by an ordinary person,) small as it was, we however -took without murmuring, and, on many an occasion afterwards, blest God -that even this pittance was allowed to us in our misery. The darkness of -another night overtook us; and after having for the first time partook -of our allowance of bread and water, we laid our weary bodies down in -the boat, and endeavoured to get some repose. Nature became at last worn -out with the watchings and anxieties of the two preceding nights, and -sleep came insensibly upon us. No dreams could break the strong -fastenings of forgetfulness in which the mind was then locked up; but -for my own part, my thoughts so haunted me that this luxury was yet a -stranger to my eyes; every recollection was still fresh before me, and I -enjoyed but a few short and unsatisfactory slumbers, caught in the -intervals between my hopes and my fears. The dark ocean and swelling -waters were nothing; the fears of being swallowed up by some dreadful -tempest, or dashed upon hidden rocks, with all the other ordinary -subjects of fearful contemplation, seemed scarcely entitled to a -moment’s thought; the dismal looking wreck, and the horrid aspect and -revenge of the whale, wholly engrossed my reflections, until day again -made its appearance. - -November 23d. In my chest, which I was fortunate enough to preserve, I -had several small articles, which we found of great service to us; among -the rest, some eight or ten sheets of writing paper, a lead pencil, a -suit of clothes, three small fish-hooks, a jack-knife, a whetstone, and -a cake of soap. I commenced to keep a sort of journal with the little -paper and pencil which I had; and the knife, besides other useful -purposes, served us as a razor. It was with much difficulty, however, -that I could keep any sort of record, owing to the incessant rocking and -unsteadiness of the boat, and the continual dashing of the spray of the -sea over us. The boat contained, in addition to the articles enumerated, -a lantern, tinder-box, and two or three candles, which belonged to her, -and with which they are kept always supplied, while engaged in taking -whale. In addition to all which, the captain had saved a musket, two -pistols, and a canister, containing about two pounds of gunpowder; the -latter he distributed in equal proportions between the three boats, and -gave the second mate and myself each a pistol. When morning came we -found ourselves quite near together, and the wind had considerably -increased since the day before; we were consequently obliged to reef our -sails; and although we did not apprehend any very great danger from the -then violence of the wind, yet it grew to be very uncomfortable in the -boats, from the repeated dashing of the waves, that kept our bodies -constantly wet with the salt spray. We, however, stood along our course -until twelve o’clock, when we got an observation, as well as we were -able to obtain one, while the water flew all over us, and the sea kept -the boat extremely unsteady. We found ourselves this day in latitude 0° -58′ S. having repassed the equator. We abandoned the idea altogether of -keeping any correct longitudinal reckoning, having no glass, nor -log-line. The wind moderated in the course of the afternoon a little, -but at night came on to blow again almost a gale. We began now to -tremble for our little barque; she was so ill calculated, in point of -strength, to withstand the racking of the sea, while it required the -constant labours of one man to keep her free of water. We were -surrounded in the afternoon with porpoises that kept playing about us in -great numbers, and continued to follow us during the night. - -November 24th. The wind had not abated any since the preceding day, and -the sea had risen to be very large, and increased, if possible, the -extreme uncomfortableness of our situation. What added more than any -thing else to our misfortunes, was, that all our efforts for the -preservation of our provisions proved, in a great measure, ineffectual; -a heavy sea broke suddenly into the boat, and, before we could snatch it -up, damaged some part of it; by timely attention, however, and great -caution, we managed to make it eatable, and to preserve the rest from a -similar casualty. This was a subject of extreme anxiety to us; the -expectation, poor enough of itself indeed, upon which our final rescue -was founded, must change at once to utter hopelessness, deprived of our -provisions, the only means of continuing us in the exercise, not only of -our manual powers, but in those of reason itself; hence, above all other -things, this was the object of our utmost solicitude and pains. - -We ascertained, the next day, that some of the provisions in the -captain’s boat had shared a similar fate during the night; both which -accidents served to arouse us to a still stronger sense of our slender -reliance upon the human means at our command, and to show us our utter -dependence on that divine aid which we so much the more stood in need -of. - -November 25th. No change of wind had yet taken place, and we experienced -the last night the same wet and disagreeable weather of the preceding -one. About eight o’clock in the morning we discovered that the water -began to come fast in our boat, and in a few minutes the quantity -increased to such a degree as to alarm us considerably for our safety; -we commenced immediately a strict search in every part of her to -discover the leak, and, after tearing up the ceiling or floor of the -boat near the bows, we found it proceeded from one of the streaks or -outside boards having bursted off there; no time was to be lost in -devising some means to repair it. The great difficulty consisted in its -being in the bottom of the boat, about six inches from the surface of -the water; it was necessary, therefore, to have access to the outside, -to enable us to fasten it on again: the leak being to leeward, we hove -about, and lay to on the other tack, which brought it then nearly out of -water; the captain, who was at the time ahead of us, seeing us -manœuvring to get the boat about, shortened sail, and presently tacked, -and ran down to us. I informed him of our situation, and he came -immediately alongside to our assistance. After directing all the men in -the boat to get on one side, the other, by that means, heeled out of the -water a considerable distance, and, with a little difficulty, we then -managed to drive in a few nails, and secured it, much beyond our -expectations. Fears of no ordinary kind were excited by this seemingly -small accident. When it is recollected to what a slight vessel we had -committed ourselves; our means of safety alone consisting in her -capacity and endurance for many weeks, in all probability, yet to come, -it will not be considered strange that this little accident should not -only have damped our spirits considerably, but have thrown a great -gloominess over the natural prospects of our deliverance. On this -occasion, too, were we enabled to rescue ourselves from inevitable -destruction by the possession of a few nails, without which, (had it not -been our fortune to save some from the wreck,) we would, in all human -calculation, have been lost: we were still liable to a recurrence of the -same accident, perhaps to a still worse one, as, in the heavy and -repeated racking of the swell, the progress of our voyage would serve -but to increase the incapacity and weakness of our boat, and the -starting of a single nail in her bottom would most assuredly prove our -certain destruction. We wanted not this additional reflection, to add to -the miseries of our situation. - -November 26th. Our sufferings, heaven knows, were now sufficiently -increased, and we looked forward, not without an extreme dread, and -anxiety, to the gloomy and disheartening prospect before us. We -experienced a little abatement of wind and rough weather to-day, and -took the opportunity of drying the bread that had been wet the day -previously; to our great joy and satisfaction also, the wind hauled out -to E.NE. and enabled us to hold a much more favourable course; with -these exceptions, no circumstance of any considerable interest occurred -in the course of this day. - -The 27th of November was alike undistinguished for any incident worthy -of note; except that the wind again veered back to E. and destroyed the -fine prospect we had entertained, of making a good run for several days -to come. - -November 28th. The wind hauled still further to the southward, and -obliged us to fall off our course to S. and commenced to blow with such -violence, as to put us again under short sail; the night set in -extremely dark, and tempestuous, and we began to entertain fears that we -should be separated. We however, with great pains, managed to keep about -a ship’s length apart, so that the white sails of our boats could be -distinctly discernable. The captain’s boat was but a short distance -astern of mine, and that of the second mate a few rods to leeward of -his. At about 11 o’clock at night, having laid down to sleep, in the -bottom of the boat, I was suddenly awakened by one of my companions, who -cried out, that the captain was in distress, and was calling on us for -assistance. I immediately aroused myself, and listened a moment, to hear -if any thing further should be said, when the captain’s loud voice -arrested my attention. He was calling to the second mate, whose boat was -nearer to him than mine. I made all haste to put about, ran down to him, -and inquired what was the matter; he replied, “I have been attacked by -an unknown fish, and he has stove my boat.” It appeared, that some large -fish had accompanied the boat for a short distance, and had suddenly -made an unprovoked attack upon her, as nearly as they could determine, -with his jaws; the extreme darkness of the night prevented them from -distinguishing what kind of animal it was, but they judged it to be -about twelve feet in length, and one of the killer-fish species. After -having struck the boat once, he continued to play about her, on every -side, as if manifesting a disposition to renew the attack, and did a -second time strike the bows of the boat, and split her stem. They had no -other instrument of offence, but the sprit-pole, (a long slender piece -of wood, by which the peak of the sail is extended,) with which, after -repeated attempts to destroy the boat, they succeeded in beating him -off. I arrived, just as he had discontinued his operations, and -disappeared. He had made a considerable breach in the bows of the boat, -through which the water had began to pour fast; and the captain, -imagining matters to be considerably worse than they were, immediately -took measures to remove his provisions into the second mate’s boat and -mine, in order to lighten his own, and by that means, and constant -bailing, to keep her above water until daylight should enable him to -discover the extent of the damage, and to repair it. The night was -spissy darkness itself; the sky was completely overcast, and it seemed -to us as if fate was wholly relentless, in pursuing us with such a cruel -complication of disasters. We were not without our fears that the fish -might renew his attack, some time during the night, upon one of the -other boats, and unexpectedly destroy us; but they proved entirely -groundless, as he was never afterwards seen. When daylight came, the -wind again favoured us a little, and we all lay to, to repair the broken -boat; which was effected by nailing on thin strips of boards in the -inside; and having replaced the provisions, we proceeded again on our -course. Our allowance of water, which in the commencement, merely served -to administer to the positive demands of nature, became now to be -insufficient; and we began to experience violent thirst, from the -consumption of the provisions that had been wet with the salt water, and -dried in the sun; of these we were obliged to eat first, to prevent -their spoiling; and we could not, nay, we did not dare, to make any -encroachments on our stock of water. Our determination was, to suffer as -long as human patience and endurance would hold out, having only in -view, the relief that would be afforded us, when the quantity of wet -provisions should be exhausted. Our extreme sufferings here first -commenced. The privation of water is justly ranked among the most -dreadful of the miseries of our life; the violence of raving thirst has -no parallel in the catalogue of human calamities. It was our hard lot to -have felt this in its extremest force, when necessity subsequently -compelled us to seek resource from one of the offices of nature. We were -not, at first, aware of the consequences of eating this bread, and it -was not until the fatal effects of it had shown themselves to a degree -of oppression, that we could divine the cause of our extreme thirst. -But, alas! there was no relief. Ignorant, or instructed of the fact, it -was alike immaterial; it composed a part of our subsistence, and reason -imposed upon us the necessity of its immediate consumption, as otherwise -it would have been lost to us entirely. - -November 29th. Our boats appeared to be growing daily more frail and -insufficient; the continual flowing of the water into them, seemed -increased, without our being able to assign it to any thing else, than a -general weakness, arising from causes that must in a short time, without -some remedy or relief, produce their total failure. We did not neglect, -however, to patch up and mend them, according to our means, whenever we -could discover a broken or weak part. We this day found ourselves -surrounded by a shoal of dolphins; some, or one of which, we tried in -vain a long time to take. We made a small line from some rigging that -was in the boat, fastened on one of the fish-hooks, and tied to it a -small piece of white rag; they took not the least notice of it, but -continued playing around us, nearly all day, mocking both our miseries -and our efforts. - -November 30th. This was a remarkably fine day; the weather not exceeded -by any that we had experienced since we left the wreck. At one o’clock, -I proposed to our boat’s crew to kill one of the turtle; two of which we -had in our possession. I need not say, that the proposition was hailed -with the utmost enthusiasm; hunger had set its ravenous gnawings upon -our stomachs, and we waited with impatience to suck the warm flowing -blood of the animal. A small fire was kindled in the shell of the -turtle, and after dividing the blood, (of which there was about a gill,) -among those of us who felt disposed to drink it, we cooked the -remainder, entrails and all, and enjoyed from it an unspeakably fine -repast. The stomachs of two or three revolted at the sight of the blood, -and refused to partake of it; not even the outrageous thirst that was -upon them could induce them to taste it; for myself, I took it like a -medicine, to relieve the extreme dryness of my palate, and stopped not -to inquire whether it was any thing else than a liquid. After this, I -may say exquisite banquet, our bodies were considerably recruited, and I -felt my spirits now much higher than they had been at any time before. -By observation, this day we found ourselves in latitude 7° 53′ S. our -distance from the wreck, as nearly as we could calculate, was then about -four hundred and eighty miles. - -December 1st. From the 1st to the 3d of December, exclusive, there was -nothing transpired of any moment. Our boats as yet kept admirably well -together, and the weather was distinguished for its mildness and -salubrity. We gathered consolation too from a favourable slant which the -wind took to NE. and our situation was not at that moment, we thought, -so comfortless as we had been led at first to consider it; but, in our -extravagant felicitations upon the blessing of the wind and weather, we -forgot our leaks, our weak boats, our own debility, our immense distance -from land, the smallness of our stock of provisions; all which, when -brought to mind, with the force which they deserved, were too well -calculated to dishearten us, and cause us to sigh for the hardships of -our lot. Up to the 3d of December, the raging thirst of our mouths had -not been but in a small degree alleviated; had it not been for the pains -which that gave us, we should have tasted, during this spell of fine -weather, a species of enjoyment, derived from a momentary forgetfulness -of our actual situation. - -December 3d. With great joy we hailed the last crumb of our damaged -bread, and commenced this day to take our allowance of healthy -provisions. The salutary and agreeable effects of this change were felt -at first in so slight a degree, as to give us no great cause of comfort -or satisfaction; but gradually, as we partook of our small allowance of -water, the moisture began to collect in our mouths, and the parching -fever of the palate imperceptibly left it. An accident here happened to -us which gave us a great momentary spell of uneasiness. The night was -dark, and the sky was completely overcast, so that we could scarcely -discern each other’s boats, when at about ten o’clock, that of the -second mate was suddenly missing. I felt for a moment considerable alarm -at her unexpected disappearance; but after a little reflection I -immediately hove to, struck a light as expeditiously as possible, and -hoisted it at the mast-head, in a lantern. Our eyes were now directed -over every part of the ocean, in search of her, when, to our great joy, -we discerned an answering light, about a quarter of a mile to leeward of -us; we ran down to it, and it proved to be the lost boat. Strange as the -extraordinary interest which we felt in each other’s company may appear, -and much as our repugnance to separation may seem to imply of weakness, -it was the subject of our continual hopes and fears. It is truly -remarked, that misfortune more than any thing else serves to endear us -to our companions. So strongly was this sentiment engrafted upon our -feelings, and so closely were the destinies of all of us involuntarily -linked together, that, had one of the boats been wrecked, and wholly -lost, with all her provisions and water, we should have felt ourselves -constrained, by every tie of humanity, to have taken the surviving -sufferers into the other boats, and shared our bread and water with -them, while a crumb of one or a drop of the other remained. Hard, -indeed, would the case have been for all, and much as I have since -reflected on the subject, I have not been able to realize, had it so -happened, that a sense of our necessities would have allowed us to give -so magnanimous and devoted a character to our feelings. I can only speak -of the impressions which I recollect I had at the time. Subsequently, -however, as our situation became more straightened and desperate, our -conversation on this subject took a different turn; and it appeared to -be an universal sentiment, that such a course of conduct was calculated -to weaken the chances of a final deliverance for some, and might be the -only means of consigning every soul of us to a horrid death of -starvation. There is no question but that an immediate separation, -therefore, was the most politic measure that could be adopted, and that -every boat should take its own separate chance: while we remained -together, should any accident happen, of the nature alluded to, no other -course could be adopted, than that of taking the survivers into the -other boats, and giving up voluntarily, what we were satisfied could -alone prolong our hopes, and multiply the chances of our safety, or -unconcernedly witness their struggles in death, perhaps beat them from -our boats, with weapons, back into the ocean. The expectation of -reaching the land was founded upon a reasonable calculation of the -distance, the means, and the subsistence; all which were scanty enough, -God knows, and ill adapted to the probable exigences of the voyage. Any -addition to our own demands, in this respect, would not only injure, but -actually destroy the whole system which we had laid down, and reduce us -to a slight hope, derived either from the speedy death of some of our -crew, or the falling in with some vessel. With all this, however, there -was a desperate instinct that bound us together; we could not reason on -the subject with any degree of satisfaction to our minds, yet we -continued to cling to each other with a strong and involuntary impulse. -This, indeed, was a matter of no small difficulty, and it constituted, -more than any thing else, a source of continual watching and inquietude. -We would but turn our eyes away for a few moments, during some dark -nights, and presently, one of the boats would be missing. There was no -other remedy than to heave to immediately and set a light, by which the -missing boat might be directed to us. These proceedings necessarily -interfered very much with our speed, and consequently lessened our -hopes; but we preferred to submit to it, while the consequences were not -so immediately felt, rather than part with the consolation which each -other’s presence afforded. Nothing of importance took place on the 4th -of December; and on the 5th, at night, owing to the extreme darkness, -and a strong wind, I again separated from the other boats. Finding they -were not to be seen in any direction, I loaded my pistol and fired it -twice; soon after the second discharge they made their appearance a -short distance to windward, and we joined company, and again kept on our -course, in which we continued without any remarkable occurrence, through -the 6th and 7th of December. The wind during this period blew very -strong, and much more unfavourably. Our boats continued to leak, and to -take in a good deal of water over the gunwales. - -December 8th. In the afternoon of this day the wind set in E.SE. and -began to blow much harder than we had yet experienced it; by twelve -o’clock at night it had increased to a perfect gale, with heavy showers -of rain, and we now began, from these dreadful indications, to prepare -ourselves for destruction. We continued to take in sail by degrees, as -the tempest gradually increased, until at last we were obliged to take -down our masts. At this juncture we gave up entirely to the mercy of the -waves. The sea and rain had wet us to the skin, and we sat down, -silently, and with sullen resignation, awaiting our fate. We made an -effort to catch some fresh water by spreading one of the sails, but -after having spent a long time, and obtained but a small quantity in a -bucket, it proved to be quite as salt as that from the ocean: this we -attributed to its having passed through the sail which had been so often -wet by the sea, and upon which, after drying so frequently in the sun, -concretions of salt had been formed. It was a dreadful night—cut off -from any imaginary relief—nothing remained but to await the approaching -issue with firmness and resignation. The appearance of the heavens was -dark and dreary, and the blackness that was spread over the face of the -waters dismal beyond description. The heavy squalls, that followed each -other in quick succession, were preceded by sharp flashes of lightning, -that appeared to wrap our little barge in flames. The sea rose to a -fearful height, and every wave that came looked as if it must be the -last that would be necessary for our destruction. To an overruling -Providence alone must be attributed our salvation from the horrors of -that terrible night. It can be accounted for in no other way: that a -speck of substance, like that which we were, before the driving terrors -of the tempest, could have been conducted safely through it. At twelve -o’clock it began to abate a little in intervals of two or three minutes, -during which we would venture to raise up our heads and look to -windward. Our boat was completely unmanageable; without sails, mast, or -rudder, and had been driven, in the course of the afternoon and night, -we knew not whither, nor how far. When the gale had in some measure -subsided we made efforts to get a little sail upon her, and put her head -towards the course we had been steering. My companions had not slept any -during the whole night, and were dispirited and broken down to such a -degree as to appear to want some more powerful stimulus than the fears -of death to enable them to do their duty. By great exertions, however, -towards morning we again set a double-reefed mainsail and jib upon her, -and began to make tolerable progress on the voyage. An unaccountable -good fortune had kept the boats together during all the troubles of the -night: and the sun rose and showed the disconsolate faces of our -companions once more to each other. - -December 9th. By twelve o’clock this day we were enabled to set all sail -as usual; but there continued to be a very heavy sea running, which -opened the seams of the boats, and increased the leaks to an alarming -degree. There was, however, no remedy for this but continual bailing, -which had now become to be an extremely irksome and laborious task. By -observation we found ourselves in latitude 17° 40′ S. At eleven o’clock -at night, the captain’s boat was unexpectedly found to be missing. After -the last accident of this kind we had agreed, if the same should again -occur, that, in order to save our time, the other boats should not heave -to, as usual, but continue on their course until morning, and thereby -save the great detention that must arise from such repeated delays. We, -however, concluded on this occasion to make a small effort, which, if it -did not immediately prove the means of restoring the lost boat, we would -discontinue, and again make sail. Accordingly we hove to for an hour, -during which time I fired my pistol twice, and obtaining no tidings of -the boat, we stood on our course. When daylight appeared she was to -leeward of us, about two miles; upon observing her we immediately ran -down, and again joined company. - -December 10th. I have omitted to notice the gradual advances which -hunger and thirst, for the last six days, had made upon us. As the time -had lengthened since our departure from the wreck, and the allowance of -provision, making the demands of the appetite daily more and more -importunate, they had created in us an almost uncontrollable temptation -to violate our resolution, and satisfy, for once, the hard yearnings of -nature from our stock; but a little reflection served to convince us of -the imprudence and unmanliness of the measure, and it was abandoned with -a sort of melancholy effort of satisfaction. I had taken into custody, -by common consent, all the provisions and water belonging to the boat, -and was determined that no encroachments should be made upon it with my -consent; nay, I felt myself bound, by every consideration of duty, by -every dictate of sense, of prudence, and discretion, without which, in -my situation, all other exertions would have been folly itself, to -protect them, at the hazard of my life. For this purpose I locked up in -my chest the whole quantity, and never, for a single moment, closed my -eyes without placing some part of my person in contact with the chest; -and having loaded my pistol, kept it constantly about me. I should not -certainly have put any threats in execution as long as the most distant -hopes of reconciliation existed; and was determined, in case the least -refractory disposition should be manifested, (a thing which I -contemplated not unlikely to happen, with a set of starving wretches -like ourselves,) that I would immediately divide our subsistence into -equal proportions, and give each man’s share into his own keeping. Then, -should any attempt be made upon mine, which I intended to mete out to -myself, according to exigences, I was resolved to make the consequences -of it fatal. There was, however, the most upright and obedient behaviour -in this respect manifested by every man in the boat, and I never had the -least opportunity of proving what my conduct would have been on such an -occasion. While standing on our course this day we came across a small -shoal of flying fish: four of which, in their efforts to avoid us, flew -against the mainsail, and dropped into the boat; one, having fell near -me, I eagerly snatched up and devoured; the other three were immediately -taken by the rest, and eaten alive. For the first time I, on this -occasion, felt a disposition to laugh, upon witnessing the ludicrous and -almost desperate efforts of my five companions, who each sought to get a -fish. They were very small of the kind, and constituted but an extremely -delicate mouthful, scales, wings, and all, for hungry stomachs like -ours. From the eleventh to the thirteenth of December inclusive, our -progress was very slow, owing to light winds and calms; and nothing -transpired of any moment, except that on the eleventh we killed the only -remaining turtle, and enjoyed another luxuriant repast, that invigorated -our bodies, and gave a fresh flow to our spirits. The weather was -extremely hot, and we were exposed to the full force of a meridian sun, -without any covering to shield us from its burning influence, or the -least breath of air to cool its parching rays. On the thirteenth day of -December we were blessed with a change of wind to the northward, that -brought us a most welcome and unlooked for relief. We now, for the first -time, actually felt what might be deemed a reasonable hope of our -deliverance; and with hearts bounding with satisfaction, and bosoms -swelling with joy, we made all sail to the eastward. We imagined we had -run out of the tradewinds, and had got into the variables, and should, -in all probability, reach the land many days sooner than we expected. -But, alas! our anticipations were but a dream, from which we shortly -experienced a cruel awaking. The wind gradually died away, and at night -was succeeded by a perfect calm, more oppressive and disheartening to -us, from the bright prospects which had attended during the day. The -gloomy reflections that this hard fortune had given birth to, were -succeeded by others, of a no less cruel and discouraging nature, when we -found the calm continue during the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth -of December inclusive. The extreme oppression of the weather, the sudden -and unexpected prostration of our hopes, and the consequent dejection of -our spirits, set us again to thinking, and filled our souls with fearful -and melancholy forebodings. In this state of affairs, seeing no -alternative left us but to employ to the best advantage all human -expedients in our power, I proposed, on the fourteenth, to reduce our -allowance of provisions one-half. No objections were made to this -arrangement: all submitted, or seemed to do so, with an admirable -fortitude and forbearance. The proportion which our stock of water bore -to our bread was not large; and while the weather continued so -oppressive, we did not think it adviseable to diminish our scanty -pittance; indeed, it would have been scarcely possible to have done so, -with any regard to our necessities, as our thirst had become now -incessantly more intolerable than hunger, and the quantity then allowed -was barely sufficient to keep the mouth in a state of moisture, for -about one-third of the time. “Patience and long-suffering” was the -constant language of our lips: and a determination, strong as the -resolves of the soul could make it, to cling to existence as long as -hope and breath remained to us. In vain was every expedient tried to -relieve the raging fever of the throat by drinking salt water, and -holding small quantities of it in the mouth, until, by that means, the -thirst was increased to such a degree, as even to drive us to -despairing, and vain relief from our own urine. Our sufferings during -these calm days almost exceeded human belief. The hot rays of the sun -beat down upon us to such a degree, as to oblige us to hang over the -gunwale of the boat, into the sea, to cool our weak and fainting bodies. -This expedient afforded us, however, a grateful relief, and was -productive of a discovery of infinite importance to us. No sooner had -one of us got on the outside of the gunwale than he immediately observed -the bottom of the boat to be covered with a species of small clam, -which, upon being tasted, proved a most delicious and agreeable food. -This was no sooner announced to us, than we commenced to tear them off -and eat them, for a few minutes, like a set of gluttons; and, after -having satisfied the immediate craving of the stomach, we gathered large -quantities and laid them up in the boat; but hunger came upon us again -in less than half an hour afterwards, within which time they had all -disappeared. Upon attempting to get in again, we found ourselves so weak -as to require each other’s assistance; indeed, had it not been for three -of our crew, who could not swim, and who did not, therefore, get -overboard, I know not by what means we should have been able to have -resumed our situations in the boat. - -On the fifteenth our boat continued to take in water so fast from her -leaks, and the weather proving so moderate, we concluded to search out -the bad places, and endeavour to mend them as well as we should be able. -After a considerable search, and, removing the ceiling near the bows, we -found the principal opening was occasioned by the starting of a plank or -streak in the bottom of the boat, next to the keel. To remedy this, it -was now absolutely necessary to have access to the bottom. The means of -doing which did not immediately occur to our minds. After a moment’s -reflection, however, one of the crew, Benjamin Lawrence, offered to tie -a rope around his body, take a boat’s hatchet in his hand, and thus go -under the water, and hold the hatchet against a nail, to be driven -through from the inside, for the purpose of clenching it. This was, -accordingly, all effected, with some little trouble, and answered the -purpose much beyond our expectations. Our latitude was this day 21° 42′ -South. The oppression of the weather still continuing through the -sixteenth, bore upon our health and spirits with an amazing force and -severity. The most disagreeable excitements were produced by it, which, -added to the disconsolate endurance of the calm, called loudly for some -mitigating expedient,—some sort of relief to our prolonged sufferings. -By our observations to-day we found, in addition to our other -calamities, that we had been urged back from our progress, by the heave -of the sea, a distance of ten miles; and were still without any prospect -of wind. In this distressing posture of our affairs, the captain -proposed that we should commence rowing, which, being seconded by all, -we immediately concluded to take a double allowance of provision and -water for the day, and row, during the cool of the nights, until we -should get a breeze from some quarter or other. Accordingly, when night -came, we commenced our laborious operations: we made but a very sorry -progress. Hunger and thirst, and long inactivity, had so weakened us, -that in three hours every man gave out, and we abandoned the further -prosecution of the plan. With the sunrise the next morning, on the -seventeenth, a light breeze sprung up from the SE. and, although -directly ahead, it was welcomed with almost frenzied feelings of -gratitude and joy. - -December 18th. The wind had increased this day considerably, and by -twelve o’clock blew a gale; veering from SE. to E.SE. Again we were -compelled to take in all sail, and lie to for the principal part of the -day. At night, however, it died away, and the next day, the nineteenth, -proved very moderate and pleasant weather, and we again commenced to -make a little progress. - -December 20th. This was a day of great happiness and joy. After having -experienced one of the most distressing nights in the whole catalogue of -our sufferings, we awoke to a morning of comparative luxury and -pleasure. About 7 o’clock, while we were sitting dispirited, silent, and -dejected, in our boats, one of our companions suddenly and loudly called -out, “there is land!” We were all aroused in an instant, as if -electrified, and casting our eyes to leeward, there indeed, was the -blessed vision before us, “as plain and palpable” as could be wished -for. A new and extraordinary impulse now took possession of us. We shook -off the lethargy of our senses, and seemed to take another, and a fresh -existence. One or two of my companions, whose lagging spirits, and worn -out frames had begun to inspire them with an utter indifference to their -fate, now immediately brightened up, and manifested a surprising -alacrity and earnestness to gain, without delay, the much wished for -shore. It appeared at first a low, white, beach, and lay like a basking -paradise before our longing eyes. It was discovered nearly at the same -time by the other boats, and a general burst of joy and congratulation -now passed between us. It is not within the scope of human calculation, -by a mere listener to the story, to divine what the feelings of our -hearts were on this occasion. Alternate expectation, fear, gratitude, -surprise, and exultation, each swayed our minds, and quickened our -exertions. We ran down for it, and at 11 o’clock, A. M. we were within a -quarter of a mile of the shore. It was an island, to all appearance, as -nearly as we could determine it, about six miles long, and three broad; -with a very high, rugged shore, and surrounded by rocks; the sides of -the mountains were bare, but on the tops it looked fresh and green with -vegetation. Upon examining our navigators, we found it was Ducies -Island, lying in latitude 24° 40′ S. longitude 124° 40′ W. A short -moment sufficed for reflection, and we made immediate arrangements to -land. None of us knew whether the island was inhabited or not, nor what -it afforded, if any thing; if inhabited, it was uncertain whether by -beasts or savages; and a momentary suspense was created, by the dangers -which might possibly arise by proceeding without due preparation and -care. Hunger and thirst, however, soon determined us, and having taken -the musket and pistols, I, with three others, effected a landing upon -some sunken rocks, and waded thence to the shore. Upon arriving at the -beach, it was necessary to take a little breath, and we laid down for a -few minutes to rest our weak bodies, before we could proceed. Let the -reader judge, if he can, what must have been our feelings now! Bereft of -all comfortable hopes of life, for the space of thirty days of terrible -suffering; our bodies wasted to mere skeletons, by hunger and thirst, -and death itself staring us in the face; to be suddenly and unexpectedly -conducted to a rich banquet of food and drink, which subsequently we -enjoyed for a few days, to our full satisfaction; and he will have but a -faint idea of the happiness that here fell to our lot. We now, after a -few minutes, separated, and went different directions in search of -water; the want of which had been our principal privation, and called -for immediate relief. I had not proceeded far in my excursion, before I -discovered a fish, about a foot and a half in length, swimming along in -the water close to the shore. I commenced an attack upon him with the -breach of my gun, and struck him, I believe, once, and he ran under a -small rock, that lay near the shore, from whence I took him with the aid -of my ramrod, and brought him up on the beach, and immediately fell to -eating. My companions soon joined in the repast; and in less than ten -minutes, the whole was consumed, bones, and skin, and scales, and all. -With full stomachs, we imagined we could now attempt the mountains, -where, if in any part of the island, we considered water would be most -probably obtained. I accordingly clambered, with excessive labour, -suffering, and pain, up amongst the bushes, roots, and underwood, of one -of the crags, looking in all directions in vain, for every appearance of -water that might present itself. There was no indication of the least -moisture to be found, within the distance to which I had ascended, -although my strength did not enable me to get higher than about 20 feet. -I was sitting down at the height that I had attained, to gather a little -breath, and ruminating upon the fruitlessness of my search, and the -consequent evils and continuation of suffering that it necessarily -implied, when I perceived that the tide had risen considerably since our -landing, and threatened to cut off our retreat to the rocks, by which -alone we should be able to regain our boats. I therefore determined to -proceed again to the shore, and inform the captain and the rest of our -want of success in procuring water, and consult upon the propriety of -remaining at the island any longer. I never for one moment lost sight of -the main chance, which I conceived we still had, of either getting to -the coast, or of meeting with some vessel at sea; and felt that every -minute’s detention, without some equivalent object, was lessening those -chances, by a consumption of the means of our support. When I had got -down, one of my companions informed me, that he had found a place in a -rock some distance off, from which the water exuded in small drops, at -intervals of about five minutes; that he had, by applying his lips to -the rock, obtained a few of them, which only served to whet his -appetite, and from which nothing like the least satisfaction had -proceeded. I immediately resolved in my own mind, upon this information, -to advise remaining until morning, to endeavour to make a more thorough -search the next day, and with our hatchets to pick away the rock which -had been discovered, with the view of increasing, if possible, the run -of the water. We all repaired again to our boats, and there found that -the captain had the same impressions as to the propriety of our delay -until morning. We therefore landed; and having hauled our boats up on -the beach, laid down in them that night, free from all the anxieties of -watching and labour, and amid all our sufferings, gave ourselves up to -an unreserved forgetfulness and peace of mind, that seemed so well to -accord with the pleasing anticipations that this day had brought forth. -It was but a short space, however, until the morning broke upon us; and -sense, and feeling, and gnawing hunger, and the raging fever of thirst -then redoubled my wishes and efforts to explore the island again. We had -obtained, that night, a few crabs, by traversing the shore a -considerable distance, and a few very small fish; but waited until the -next day, for the labours of which, we considered a night of refreshing -and undisturbed repose would better qualify us. - -December 21st. We had still reserved our common allowance, but it was -entirely inadequate for the purpose of supplying the raging demands of -the palate; and such an excessive and cruel thirst was created, as -almost to deprive us of the power of speech. The lips became cracked and -swollen, and a sort of glutinous saliva collected in the mouth, -disagreeable to the taste, and intolerable beyond expression. Our bodies -had wasted away to almost skin and bone, and possessed so little -strength, as often to require each other’s assistance in performing some -of its weakest functions. Relief, we now felt, must come soon, or nature -would sink. The most perfect discipline was still maintained, in respect -to our provisions; and it now became our whole object, if we should not -be able to replenish our subsistence from the island, to obtain, by some -means or other, a sufficient refreshment to enable us to prosecute our -voyage. - -Our search for water accordingly again commenced with the morning; each -of us took a different direction, and prosecuted the examination of -every place where there was the least indication of it; the small leaves -of the shrubbery, affording a temporary alleviation, by being chewed in -the mouth, and but for the peculiarly bitter taste which those of the -island possessed, would have been an extremely grateful substitute. In -the course of our rambles too, along the sides of the mountain, we would -now and then meet with tropic birds, of a beautiful figure and plumage, -occupying small holes in the sides of it, from which we plucked them -without the least difficulty. Upon our approaching them they made no -attempts to fly, nor did they appear to notice us at all. These birds -served us for a fine repast; numbers of which were caught in the course -of the day, cooked by fires which we made on the shore, and eaten with -the utmost avidity. We found also a plant, in taste not unlike the -peppergrass, growing in considerable abundance in the crevices of the -rocks, and which proved to us a very agreeable food, by being chewed -with the meat of the birds. These, with birds’ nests, some of them full -of young, and others of eggs, a few of which we found in the course of -the day, served us for food, and supplied the place of our bread; from -the use of which, during our stay here, we had restricted ourselves. But -water, the great object of all our anxieties and exertions, was no where -to be found, and we began to despair of meeting with it on the island. -Our state of extreme weakness, and many of us without shoes or any -covering for the feet, prevented us from exploring any great distance; -lest by some sudden faintness, or over exertion, we should not be able -to return, and at night be exposed to attacks of wild beasts, which -might inhabit the island, and be alike incapable of resistance, as -beyond the reach of the feeble assistance that otherwise could be -afforded to each. The whole day was thus consumed in picking up whatever -had the least shape or quality of sustenance, and another night of -misery was before us, to be passed without a drop of water to cool our -parching tongues. In this state of affairs, we could not reconcile it to -ourselves to remain longer at this place; a day, an hour, lost to us -unnecessarily here, might cost us our preservation. A drop of the water -that we then had in our possession might prove, in the last stages of -our debility, the very cordial of life. I addressed the substance of -these few reflections to the captain, who agreed with me in opinion, -upon the necessity of taking some decisive steps in our present dilemma. -After some considerable conversation on this subject, it was finally -concluded, to spend the succeeding day in the further search for water, -and if none should be found, to quit the island the morning after. - -December 22d. We had been employed during the last night in various -occupations, according to the feelings or the wants of the men; some -continued to wander about the shore, and to short distances in the -mountains, still seeking for food and water; others hung about the -beach, near the edge of the sea, endeavouring to take the little fish -that came about them. Some slept, insensible to every feeling but rest; -while others spent the night in talking of their situation, and -reasoning upon the probabilities of their deliverance. The dawn of day -aroused us again to labour, and each of us pursued his own inclination, -as to the course taken over the island after water. My principal hope -was founded upon my success in picking the rocks where the moisture had -been discovered the day before, and thither I hastened as soon as my -strength would enable me to get there. It was about a quarter of a mile -from what I may call our encampment; and with two men, who had -accompanied me, I commenced my labours with a hatchet and an old chisel. -The rock proved to be very soft, and in a very short time I had obtained -a considerable hole, but, alas! without the least wished-for effect. I -watched it for some little time with great anxiety, hoping that, as I -increased the depth of the hole, the water would presently flow; but all -my hopes and efforts were unavailing, and at last I desisted from -further labour, and sat down near it in utter despair. As I turned my -eyes towards the beach I saw some of the men in the act of carrying a -keg along from the boats, with, I thought, an extraordinary spirit and -activity; and the idea suddenly darted across my mind that they had -found water, and were taking a keg to fill it. I quitted my seat in a -moment, made the best of my way towards them, with a palpitating heart, -and before I came up with them, they gave me the cheering news that they -had found a spring of water. I felt, at that moment, as if I could have -fallen down and thanked God for this signal act of his mercy. The -sensation that I experienced was indeed strange, and such as I shall -never forget. At one instant I felt an almost choking excess of joy, and -at the next I wanted the relief of a flood of tears. When I arrived at -the spot, whither I had hastened as fast as my weak legs would carry me, -I found my companions had all taken their fill, and with an extreme -degree of forbearance I then satisfied myself, by drinking in small -quantities, and at intervals of two or three minutes apart. Many had, -notwithstanding the remonstrances of prudence, and, in some cases, -force, laid down and thoughtlessly swallowed large quantities of it, -until they could drink no more. The effect of this was, however, neither -so sudden nor bad as we had imagined; it only served to make them a -little stupid and indolent for the remainder of the day. - -Upon examining the place from whence we had obtained this miraculous and -unexpected succour, we were equally astonished and delighted with the -discovery. It was on the shore, above which the sea flowed to the depth -of near six feet; and we could procure the water, therefore, from it -only when the tide was down. The crevice from which it rose was in a -flat rock, large surfaces of which were spread around, and composed the -face of the beach. We filled our two kegs before the tide rose, and went -back again to our boats. The remainder of this day was spent in seeking -for fish, crabs, birds, and any thing else that fell in our way, that -could contribute to satisfy our appetites; and we enjoyed, during that -night, a most comfortable and delicious sleep, unattended with those -violent cravings of hunger and thirst, that had poisoned our slumbers -for so many previous ones. Since the discovery of the water, too, we -began to entertain different notions altogether of our situation. There -was no doubt we might here depend upon a constant and ample supply of it -as long as we chose to remain, and, in all probability, we could manage -to obtain food, until the island should be visited by some vessel, or -time allowed to devise other means of leaving it. Our boats would still -remain to us: a stay here might enable us to mend, strengthen, and put -them in more perfect order for the sea, and get ourselves so far -recruited as to be able to endure, if necessary, a more protracted -voyage to the main land. I made a silent determination in my own mind -that I would myself pursue something like this plan, whatever might be -the opinion of the rest; but I found no difference in the views of any -of us as to this matter. We, therefore, concluded to remain at least -four or five days, within which time it could be sufficiently known -whether it would be adviseable to make any arrangements for a more -permanent abode. - -December 23d. At 11 o’clock, A. M. we again visited our spring: the tide -had fallen to about a foot below it, and we were able to procure, before -it rose again, about twenty gallons of water. It was at first a little -brackish, but soon became fresh, from the constant supply from the rock, -and the departure of the sea. Our observations this morning tended to -give us every confidence in its quantity and quality, and we, therefore, -rested perfectly easy in our minds on the subject, and commenced to make -further discoveries about the island. Each man sought for his own daily -living, on whatsoever the mountains, the shore, or the sea, could -furnish him with; and every day, during our stay there, the whole time -was employed in roving about for food. We found, however, on the -twenty-fourth, that we had picked up, on the island, every thing that -could be got at, in the way of sustenance; and, much to our surprise, -some of the men came in at night and complained of not having gotten -sufficient during the day to satisfy the cravings of their stomachs. -Every accessible part of the mountain, contiguous to us, or within the -reach of our weak enterprise, was already ransacked, for birds’ eggs and -grass, and was rifled of all that they contained: so that we began to -entertain serious apprehensions that we should not be able to live long -here; at any rate, with the view of being prepared, as well as possible, -should necessity at any time oblige us to quit it, we commenced, on the -twenty-fourth, to repair our boats, and continued to work upon them all -that and the succeeding day. We were enabled to do this, with much -facility, by drawing them up and turning them over on the beach, working -by spells of two or three hours at a time, and then leaving off to seek -for food. We procured our water daily, when the tide would leave the -shore: but on the evening of the twenty-fifth, found that a fruitless -search for nourishment had not repaid us for the labours of a whole day. -There was no one thing on the island upon which we could in the least -degree rely, except the peppergrass, and of that the supply was -precarious, and not much relished without some other food. Our situation -here, therefore, now became worse than it would have been in our boats -on the ocean; because, in the latter case, we should be still making -some progress towards the land, while our provisions lasted, and the -chance of falling in with some vessel be considerably increased. It was -certain that we ought not to remain here unless upon the strongest -assurances in our own minds, of sufficient sustenance, and that, too, in -regular supplies, that might be depended upon. After much conversation -amongst us on this subject, and again examining our navigators, it was -finally concluded to set sail for Easter Island, which we found to be -E.SE. from us in latitude 27° 9′ S. longitude 109° 35′ W. All we knew of -this island was, that it existed as laid down in the books; but of its -extent, productions, or inhabitants, if any, we were entirely ignorant; -at any rate, it was nearer by eight hundred and fifty miles to the -coast, and could not be worse in its productions than the one we were -about leaving. - -The twenty-sixth of December was wholly employed in preparations for our -departure; our boats were hauled down to the vicinity of the spring, and -our casks, and every thing else that would contain it, filled with -water. - -There had been considerable talk between three of our companions, about -their remaining on this island, and taking their chance both for a -living, and an escape from it; and as the time drew near at which we -were to leave, they made up their minds to stay behind. The rest of us -could make no objection to their plan, as it lessened the load of our -boats, allowed us their share of the provisions, and the probability of -their being able to sustain themselves on the island was much stronger -than that of our reaching the main land. Should we, however, ever arrive -safely, it would become our duty, and we so assured them, to give -information of their situation, and make every effort to procure their -removal from thence; which we accordingly afterwards did. - -Their names were William Wright of Barnstable, Massachusetts, Thomas -Chapple of Plymouth, England, and Seth Weeks of the former place. They -had begun, before we came away, to construct a sort of habitation, -composed of the branches of trees, and we left with them every little -article that could be spared from the boats. It was their intention to -build a considerable dwelling, that would protect them from the rains, -as soon as time and materials could be provided. The captain wrote -letters, to be left on the island, giving information of the fate of the -ship, and that of our own; and stating that we had set out to reach -Easter Island, with further particulars, intended to give notice (should -our fellow-sufferers die there, and the place be ever visited by any -vessel,) of our misfortunes. These letters were put in a tin case, -enclosed in a small wooden box, and nailed to a tree, on the west side -of the island, near our landing place. We had observed, some days -previously, the name of a ship, “The Elizabeth,” cut out in the bark of -this tree, which rendered it indubitable that one of that name had once -touched here. There was, however, no date to it, or any thing else, by -which any further particulars could be made out. - -December 27th. I went, before we set sail this morning, and procured for -each boat a flat stone, and two arms-full of wood, with which to make a -fire in our boats, should it become afterwards necessary in the further -prosecution of our voyage; as we calculated we might catch a fish, or a -bird, and in that case be provided with the means of cooking it; -otherwise, from the intense heat of the weather, we knew they could not -be preserved from spoiling. At ten o’clock, A. M. the tide having risen -far enough to allow our boats to float over the rocks, we made all sail, -and steered around the island, for the purpose of making a little -further observation, which would not detain us any time, and might be -productive of some unexpected good fortune. Before we started we missed -our three companions, and found they had not come down, either to assist -us to get off, nor to take any kind of leave of us. I walked up the -beach towards their rude dwelling, and informed them that we were then -about to set sail, and should probably never see them more. They seemed -to be very much affected, and one of them shed tears. They wished us to -write to their relations, should Providence safely direct us again to -our homes, and said but little else. They had every confidence in being -able to procure a subsistence there as long as they remained: and, -finding them ill at heart about taking any leave of us, I hastily bid -them “good-bye,” hoped they would do well, and came away. They followed -me with their eyes until I was out of sight, and I never saw more of -them. - -On the NW. side of the island we perceived a fine white beach, on which -we imagined we might land, and in a short time ascertain if any further -useful discoveries could be effected, or any addition made to our stock -of provisions; and having set ashore five or six of the men for this -purpose, the rest of us shoved off the boats and commenced fishing. We -saw a number of sharks, but all efforts to take them proved ineffectual; -and we got but a few small fish, about the size of a mackerel, which we -divided amongst us. In this business we were occupied for the remainder -of the day, until six o’clock in the afternoon, when the men, having -returned to the shore from their search in the mountains, brought a few -birds, and we again set sail and steered directly for Easter Island. -During that night, after we had got quite clear of the land, we had a -fine strong breeze from the NW.; we kept our fires going, and cooked our -fish and birds, and felt our situation as comfortable as could be -expected. We continued on our course, consuming our provisions and water -as sparingly as possible, without any material incident, until the -thirtieth, when the wind hauled out E.SE. directly ahead, and so -continued until the thirty-first, when it again came to the northward; -and we resumed our course. - -On the third of January we experienced heavy squalls from the W.SW. -accompanied with dreadful thunder and lightning, that threw a gloomy and -cheerless aspect over the ocean, and incited a recurrence of some of -those heavy and desponding moments that we had before experienced. We -commenced from Ducies Island to keep a regular reckoning, by which, on -the fourth of January, we found we had got to the southward of Easter -Island, and the wind prevailing E.NE. we should not be able to get on to -the eastward, so as to reach it. Our birds and fish were all now -consumed, and we had begun again upon our short allowance of bread. It -was necessary, in this state of things, to change our determination of -going to Easter Island, and shape our course in some other direction, -where the wind would allow of our going. We had but little hesitation in -concluding, therefore, to steer for the island of Juan Fernandez, which -lay about E.SE. from us, distant two thousand five hundred miles. We -bent our course accordingly towards it, having for the two succeeding -days very light winds, and suffering excessively from the intense heat -of the sun. The seventh brought us a change of wind to the northward, -and at twelve o’clock we found ourselves in latitude 30° 18′ S, -longitude 117° 29′ W. We continued to make what progress we could to the -eastward. - -January 10th. Matthew P. Joy, the second mate, had suffered from -debility, and the privations we had experienced, much beyond any of the -rest of us, and was on the eighth removed to the captain’s boat, under -the impression that he would be more comfortable there, and more -attention and pains be bestowed in nursing and endeavouring to comfort -him. This day being calm, he manifested a desire to be taken back again; -but at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, after having been, according to his -wishes, placed in his own boat, he died very suddenly after his removal. -On the eleventh, at six o’clock in the morning, we sewed him up in his -clothes, tied a large stone to his feet, and, having brought all the -boats to, consigned him in a solemn manner to the ocean. This man did -not die of absolute starvation, although his end was no doubt very much -hastened by his sufferings. He had a weak and sickly constitution, and -complained of being unwell the whole voyage. It was an incident, -however, which threw a gloom over our feelings for many days. In -consequence of his death, one man from the captain’s boat was placed in -that from which he died, to supply his place, and we stood away again on -our course. - -On the 12th of Jan. we had the wind from the NW. which commenced in the -morning, and came on to blow before night a perfect gale. We were -obliged to take in all sail and run before the wind. Flashes of -lightning were quick and vivid, and the rain came down in cataracts. As -however the gale blew us fairly on our course, and our speed being great -during the day, we derived, I may say, even pleasure from the -uncomfortableness and fury of the storm. We were apprehensive that in -the darkness of this night we should be separated, and made -arrangements, each boat to keep an E.SE. course all night. About eleven -o’clock my boat being ahead a short distance of the others, I turned my -head back, as I was in the habit of doing every minute, and neither of -the others were to be seen. It was blowing and raining at this time as -if the heavens were separating, and I knew not hardly at the moment what -to do. I hove my boat to the wind, and lay drifting about an hour, -expecting every moment that they would come up with me, but not seeing -any thing of them, I put away again, and stood on the course agreed -upon, with strong hopes that daylight would enable me to discover them -again. When the morning dawned, in vain did we look over every part of -the ocean for our companions; they were gone! and we saw no more of them -afterwards. It was folly to repine at the circumstance; it could neither -be remedied, nor could sorrow secure their return; but it was impossible -to prevent ourselves feeling all the poignancy and bitterness that -characterizes the separation of men who have long suffered in each -other’s company, and whose interests and feelings fate had so closely -linked together. By our observation, we separated in lat. 32° 16′ S. -long. 112° 20′ W. For many days after this accident, our progress was -attended with dull and melancholy reflections. We had lost the cheering -of each other’s faces, that, which strange as it is, we so much required -in both our mental and bodily distresses. The 14th January proved -another very squally and rainy day. We had now been nineteen days from -the island, and had only made a distance about 900 miles: necessity -began to whisper us, that a still further reduction of our allowance -must take place, or we must abandon altogether the hopes of reaching the -land, and rely wholly on the chance of being taken up by a vessel. But -how to reduce the daily quantity of food, with any regard to life -itself, was a question of the utmost consequence. Upon our first leaving -the wreck, the demands of the stomach had been circumscribed to the -smallest possible compass; and subsequently before reaching the island, -a diminution had taken place of nearly one-half; and it was now, from a -reasonable calculation, become necessary even to curtail that at least -one-half; which must, in a short time, reduce us to mere skeletons -again. We had a full allowance of water, but it only served to -contribute to our debility; our bodies deriving but the scanty support -which an ounce and a half of bread for each man afforded. It required a -great effort to bring matters to this dreadful alternative, either to -feed our bodies and our hopes a little longer, or in the agonies of -hunger to seize upon and devour our provisions, and coolly await the -approach of death. - -We were as yet, just able to move about in our boats, and slowly perform -the necessary labours appertaining to her; but we were fast wasting away -with the relaxing effects of the water, and we daily almost perished -under the torrid rays of a meridian sun; to escape which, we would lie -down in the bottom of the boat, cover ourselves over with the sails, and -abandon her to the mercy of the waves. Upon attempting to rise again, -the blood would rush into the head, and an intoxicating blindness come -over us, almost to occasion our suddenly falling down again. A slight -interest was still kept up in our minds by the distant hopes of yet -meeting with the other boats, but it was never realized. An accident -occurred at night, which gave me a great cause of uneasiness, and led me -to an unpleasant rumination upon the probable consequences of a -repetition of it. I had laid down in the boat without taking the usual -precaution of securing the lid of the provision-chest as I was -accustomed to do, when one of the white men awoke me, and informed me -that one of the blacks had taken some bread from it. I felt at the -moment the highest indignation and resentment at such conduct in any of -our crew, and immediately took my pistol in my hand, and charged him if -he had taken any, to give it up without the least hesitation, or I -should instantly shoot him!—He became at once very much alarmed, and, -trembling, confessed the fact, pleading the hard necessity that urged -him to it: he appeared to be very penitent for his crime, and earnestly -swore that he would never be guilty of it again. I could not find it in -my soul to extend towards him the least severity on this account, -however much, according to the strict imposition which we felt upon -ourselves it might demand it. This was the first infraction; and the -security of our lives, our hopes of redemption from our sufferings, -loudly called for a prompt and signal punishment; but every humane -feeling of nature plead in his behalf, and he was permitted to escape, -with the solemn injunction, that a repetition of the same offence would -cost him his life. - -I had almost determined upon this occurrence to divide our provisions, -and give to each man his share of the whole stock; and should have done -so in the height of my resentment, had it not been for the reflection -that some might, by imprudence, be tempted to go beyond the daily -allowance or consume it all at once, and bring on a premature weakness -or starvation: this would of course disable them for the duties of the -boat, and reduce our chances of safety and deliverance. - -On the 15th of January, at night, a very large shark was observed -swimming about us in a most ravenous manner, making attempts every now -and then upon different parts of the boat, as if he would devour the -very wood with hunger; he came several times and snapped at the steering -oar, and even the stern-post. We tried in vain to stab him with a lance, -but we were so weak as not to be able to make any impression upon his -hard skin; he was so much larger than an ordinary one, and manifested -such a fearless malignity, as to make us afraid of him; and our utmost -efforts, which were at first directed to kill him for prey, became in -the end self-defense. Baffled however in all his hungry attempts upon -us, he shortly made off. - -On the 16th of January, we were surrounded with porpoises in great -numbers, that followed us nearly an hour, and which also defied all -manœuvres to catch them. The 17th and 18th proved to be calm; and the -distresses of a cheerless prospect and a burning hot sun, were again -visited upon our devoted heads. - -We began to think that Divine Providence had abandoned us at last; and -it was but an unavailing effort to endeavour to prolong a now tedious -existence. Horrible were the feelings that took possession of us!—The -contemplation of a death of agony and torment, refined by the most -dreadful and distressing reflections, absolutely prostrated both body -and soul. There was not a hope now remaining to us but that which was -derived from a sense of the mercies of our Creator. The night of the -18th was a despairing era in our sufferings; our minds were wrought up -to the highest pitch of dread and apprehension for our fate, and all in -them was dark, gloomy, and confused. About 8 o’clock, the terrible noise -of whale-spouts near us sounded in our ears: we could distinctly hear -the furious thrashing of their tails in the water, and our weak minds -pictured out their appalling and hideous aspects. One of my companions, -the black man, took an immediate fright, and solicited me to take out -the oars, and endeavour to get away from them. I consented to his using -any means for that purpose; but alas! it was wholly out of our power to -raise a single arm in our own defence. Two or three of the whales came -down near us, and went swiftly off across our stern, blowing and -spouting at a terrible rate; they, however, after an hour or two -disappeared, and we saw no more of them. The next day, the 19th of -January, we had extremely boisterous weather, with rain, heavy thunder -and lightning, which reduced us again to the necessity of taking in all -sail and lying to. The wind blew from every point of the compass within -the twenty-four hours, and at last towards the next morning settled at -E.NE. a strong breeze. - -January 20. The black man, Richard Peterson, manifested to-day symptoms -of a speedy dissolution; he had been lying between the seats in the -boat, utterly dispirited and broken down, without being able to do the -least duty, or hardly to place his hand to his head for the last three -days, and had this morning made up his mind to die rather than endure -further misery: he refused his allowance; said he was sensible of his -approaching end, and was perfectly ready to die: in a few minutes he -became speechless, the breath appeared to be leaving his body without -producing the least pain, and at four o’clock he was gone. I had two -days previously, conversations with him on the subject of religion, on -which he reasoned very sensibly, and with much composure; and begged me -to let his wife know his fate, if ever I reached home in safety. The -next morning we committed him to the sea, in latitude 35° 07′ S. -longitude 105° 46′ W. The wind prevailed to the eastward until the 24th -of January, when it again fell calm. We were now in a most wretched and -sinking state of debility, hardly able to crawl around the boat, and -possessing but strength enough to convey our scanty morsel to our -mouths. When I perceived this morning that it was calm, my fortitude -almost forsook me. I thought to suffer another scorching day, like the -last we had experienced, would close before night the scene of our -miseries; and I felt many a despairing moment that day, that had well -nigh proved fatal. It required an effort to look calmly forward, and -contemplate what was yet in store for us, beyond what I felt I was -capable of making; and what it was that buoyed me above all the terrors -which surrounded us, God alone knows. Our ounce and a half of bread, -which was to serve us all day, was in some cases greedily devoured, as -if life was to continue but another moment; and at other times, it was -hoarded up and eaten crumb by crumb, at regular intervals during the -day, as if it was to last us for ever. To add to our calamities, biles -began to break out upon us, and our imaginations shortly became as -diseased as our bodies. I laid down at night to catch a few moments of -oblivious sleep, and immediately my starving fancy was at work. I dreamt -of being placed near a splendid and rich repast, where there was every -thing that the most dainty appetite could desire; and of contemplating -the moment in which we were to commence to eat with enraptured feelings -of delight; and just as I was about to partake of it, I suddenly awoke -to the cold realities of my miserable situation. Nothing could have -oppressed me so much. It set such a longing frenzy for victuals in my -mind, that I felt as if I could have wished the dream to continue for -ever, that I never might have awoke from it. I cast a sort of vacant -stare about the boat, until my eyes rested upon a bit of tough cow-hide, -which was fastened to one of the oars; I eagerly seized and commenced to -chew it, but there was no substance in it, and it only served to fatigue -my weak jaws, and add to my bodily pains. My fellow-sufferers murmured -very much the whole time, and continued to press me continually with -questions upon the probability of our reaching land again. I kept -constantly rallying my spirits to enable me to afford them comfort. I -encouraged them to bear up against all evils, and if we must perish, to -die in our own cause, and not weakly distrust the providence of the -Almighty, by giving ourselves up to despair. I reasoned with them, and -told them that we would not die sooner by keeping up our hopes; that the -dreadful sacrifices and privations we endured were to preserve us from -death, and were not to be put in competition with the price which we set -upon our lives, and their value to our families: it was, besides, -unmanly to repine at what neither admitted of alleviation nor cure; and -withal, that it was our solemn duty to recognise in our calamities an -overruling divinity, by whose mercy we might be suddenly snatched from -peril, and to rely upon him alone, “Who tempers the wind to the shorn -lamb.” - -The three following days, the 25th, 26th, and 27th, were not -distinguished by any particular circumstances. The wind still prevailed -to the eastward, and by its obduracy, almost tore the very hopes of our -hearts away: it was impossible to silence the rebellious repinings of -our nature, at witnessing such a succession of hard fortune against us. -It was our cruel lot not to have had one bright anticipation -realized—not one wish of our thirsting souls gratified. We had, at the -end of these three days, been urged to the southward as far as latitude -36° into a chilly region, where rains and squalls prevailed; and we now -calculated to tack and stand back to the northward: after much labour, -we got our boat about; and so great was the fatigue attending this small -exertion of our bodies, that we all gave up for a moment and abandoned -her to her own course.—Not one of us had now strength sufficient to -steer, or indeed to make one single effort towards getting the sails -properly trimmed, to enable us to make any headway. After an hour or two -of relaxation, during which the horrors of our situation came upon us -with a despairing force and effect, we made a sudden effort and got our -sails into such a disposition, as that the boat would steer herself; and -we then threw ourselves down, awaiting the issue of time to bring us -relief, or to take us from the scene of our troubles. We could now do -nothing more; strength and spirits were totally gone; and what indeed -could have been the narrow hopes, that in our situation, then bound us -to life? - -January 28. Our spirits this morning were hardly sufficient to allow of -our enjoying a change of the wind, which took place to the westward.—It -had nearly become indifferent to us from what quarter it blew: nothing -but the slight chance of meeting with a vessel remained to us now: it -was this narrow comfort alone, that prevented me from lying down at once -to die. But fourteen days’ stinted allowance of provisions remained, and -it was absolutely necessary to increase the quantity to enable us to -live five days longer; we therefore partook of it, as pinching necessity -demanded, and gave ourselves wholly up to the guidance and disposal of -our Creator. - -The 29th and 30th of January, the wind continued west, and we made -considerable progress until the 31st, when it again came ahead, and -prostrated all our hopes. On the 1st of February, it changed again to -the westward, and on the 2d and 3d blew to the eastward; and we had it -light and variable until the 8th of February. Our sufferings were now -drawing to a close; a terrible death appeared shortly to await us; -hunger became violent and outrageous, and we prepared for a speedy -release from our troubles; our speech and reason were both considerably -impaired, and we were reduced to be at this time, certainly the most -helpless and wretched of the whole human race. Isaac Cole, one of our -crew, had the day before this, in a fit of despair, thrown himself down -in the boat, and was determined there calmly to wait for death. It was -obvious that he had no chance; all was dark he said in his mind, not a -single ray of hope was left for him to dwell upon; and it was folly and -madness to be struggling against what appeared so palpably to be our -fixed and settled destiny. I remonstrated with him as effectually as the -weakness both of my body and understanding would allow of; and what I -said appeared for a moment to have a considerable effect: he made a -powerful and sudden effort, half rose up, crawled forward and hoisted -the jib, and firmly and loudly cried that he would not give up; that he -would live as long as the rest of us—but alas! this effort was but the -hectic fever of the moment, and he shortly again relapsed into a state -of melancholy and despair. This day his reason was attacked, and he -became about 9 o’clock in the morning a most miserable spectacle of -madness: he spoke incoherently about every thing, calling loudly for a -napkin and water, and then lying stupidly and senselessly down in the -boat again, would close his hollow eyes, as if in death. About 10 -o’clock, we suddenly perceived that he became speechless; we got him as -well as we were able upon a board, placed on one of the seats of the -boat, and covering him up with some old clothes, left him to his fate. -He lay in the greatest pain and apparent misery, groaning piteously -until four o’clock, when he died, in the most horrid and frightful -convulsions I ever witnessed. We kept his corpse all night, and in the -morning my two companions began as of course to make preparations to -dispose of it in the sea; when after reflecting on the subject all -night, I addressed them on the painful subject of keeping the body for -food!! Our provisions could not possibly last us beyond three days, -within which time, it was not in any degree probable that we should find -relief from our present sufferings, and that hunger would at last drive -us to the necessity of casting lots. It was without any objection agreed -to, and we set to work as fast as we were able to prepare it so as to -prevent its spoiling. We separated his limbs from his body, and cut all -the flesh from the bones; after which, we opened the body, took out the -heart, and then closed it again—sewed it up as decently as we could, and -committed it to the sea. We now first commenced to satisfy the immediate -cravings of nature from the heart, which we eagerly devoured, and then -eat sparingly of a few pieces of the flesh; after which, we hung up the -remainder, cut in thin strips about the boat, to dry in the sun: we made -a fire and roasted some of it, to serve us during the next day. In this -manner did we dispose of our fellow-sufferer; the painful recollection -of which, brings to mind at this moment, some of the most disagreeable -and revolting ideas that it is capable of conceiving. We knew not then, -to whose lot it would fall next, either to die or be shot, and eaten -like the poor wretch we had just dispatched. Humanity must shudder at -the dreadful recital. I have no language to paint the anguish of our -souls in this dreadful dilemma. The next morning, the 10th of February, -we found that the flesh had become tainted, and had turned of a greenish -colour, upon which we concluded to make a fire and cook it at once, to -prevent its becoming so putrid as not to be eaten at all: we accordingly -did so, and by that means preserved it for six or seven days longer; our -bread during the time, remained untouched; as that would not be liable -to spoil, we placed it carefully aside for the last moments of our -trial. About three o’clock this afternoon a strong breeze set in from -the NW. and we made very good progress, considering that we were -compelled to steer the boat by management of the sails alone: this wind -continued until the thirteenth, when it changed again ahead. We -contrived to keep soul and body together by sparingly partaking of our -flesh, cut up in small pieces and eaten with salt water. By the -fourteenth, our bodies became so far recruited, as to enable us to make -a few attempts at guiding our boat again with the oar; by each taking -his turn, we managed to effect it, and to make a tolerable good course. -On the fifteenth, our flesh was all consumed, and we were driven to the -last morsel of bread, consisting of two cakes; our limbs had for the -last two days swelled very much, and now began to pain us most -excessively. We were still, as near as we could judge, three hundred -miles from the land, and but three days of our allowance on hand. The -hope of a continuation of the wind, which came out at west this morning, -was the only comfort and solace that remained to us: so strong had our -desires at last reached in this respect, that a high fever had set in, -in our veins, and a longing that nothing but its continuation could -satisfy. Matters were now with us at their height; all hope was cast -upon the breeze; and we tremblingly and fearfully awaited its progress, -and the dreadful development of our destiny. On the sixteenth, at night, -full of the horrible reflections of our situation, and panting with -weakness, I laid down to sleep, almost indifferent whether I should ever -see the light again. I had not lain long, before I dreamt I saw a ship -at some distance off from us, and strained every nerve to get to her, -but could not. I awoke almost overpowered with the frenzy I had caught -in my slumbers, and stung with the cruelties of a diseased and -disappointed imagination. On the seventeenth, in the afternoon, a heavy -cloud appeared to be settling down in an E. by N. direction from us, -which in my view, indicated the vicinity of some land, which I took for -the island of Massafuera. I concluded it could be no other; and -immediately upon this reflection, the life blood began to flow again -briskly in my veins. I told my companions that I was well convinced it -was land, and if so, in all probability we should reach it before two -days more. My words appeared to comfort them much; and by repeated -assurances of the favourable appearance of things, their spirits -acquired even a degree of elasticity that was truly astonishing. The -dark features of our distress began now to diminish a little, and the -countenance, even amid the gloomy bodings of our hard lot, to assume a -much fresher hue. We directed our course for the cloud, and our progress -that night was extremely good. The next morning, before daylight, Thomas -Nicholson, a boy about seventeen years of age, one of my two companions -who had thus far survived with me, after having bailed the boat, laid -down, drew a piece of canvass over him, and cried out, that he then -wished to die immediately. I saw that he had given up, and I attempted -to speak a few words of comfort and encouragement to him, and -endeavoured to persuade him that it was a great weakness and even -wickedness to abandon a reliance upon the Almighty, while the least -hope, and a breath of life remained; but he felt unwilling to listen to -any of the consolatory suggestions which I made to him; and, -notwithstanding the extreme probability which I stated there was of our -gaining the land before the end of two days more, he insisted upon lying -down and giving himself up to despair. A fixed look of settled and -forsaken despondency came over his face: he lay for some time silent, -sullen, and sorrowful—and I felt at once satisfied, that the coldness of -death was fast gathering upon him: there was a sudden and unaccountable -earnestness in his manner, that alarmed me, and made me fear that I -myself might unexpectedly be overtaken by a like weakness, or dizziness -of nature, that would bereave me at once of both reason and life; but -Providence willed it otherwise. - -At about seven o’clock this morning, while I was lying asleep, my -companion who was steering, suddenly and loudly called out “_There’s a -Sail!_” I know not what was the first movement I made upon hearing such -an unexpected cry: the earliest of my recollections are, that -immediately I stood up, gazing in a state of abstraction and ecstasy -upon the blessed vision of a vessel about seven miles off from us; she -was standing in the same direction with us, and the only sensation I -felt at the moment was, that of a violent and unaccountable impulse to -fly directly towards her. I do not believe it is possible to form a just -conception of the pure, strong feelings, and the unmingled emotions of -joy and gratitude, that took possession of my mind on this occasion: the -boy, too, took a sudden and animated start from his despondency, and -stood up to witness the probable instrument of his salvation. Our only -fear was now, that she would not discover us, or that we might not be -able to intercept her course: we, however, put our boat immediately, as -well as we were able, in a direction to cut her off; and found, to our -great joy, that we sailed faster than she did. Upon observing us, she -shortened sail, and allowed us to come up to her. The captain hailed us, -and asked who we were. I told him we were from a wreck, and he cried out -immediately for us to come alongside the ship. I made an effort to -assist myself along to the side, for the purpose of getting up, but -strength failed me altogether, and I found it impossible to move a step -further without help. We must have formed at that moment, in the eyes of -the captain and his crew, a most deplorable and affecting picture of -suffering and misery. Our cadaverous countenances, sunken eyes, and -bones just starting through the skin, with the ragged remnants of -clothes stuck about our sun-burnt bodies, must have produced an -appearance to him affecting and revolting in the highest degree. The -sailors commenced to remove us from our boat, and we were taken to the -cabin, and comfortably provided for in every respect. In a few minutes -we were permitted to taste of a little thin food, made from tapioca, and -in a few days, with prudent management, we were considerably recruited. -This vessel proved to be the brig Indian, captain William Crozier, of -London; to whom we are indebted for every polite, friendly, and -attentive disposition towards us, that can possibly characterize a man -of humanity and feeling. We were taken up in latitude 33° 45′ S. -longitude 81° 03′ W. At twelve o’clock this day we saw the island of -Massafuera, and on the 25th of February, we arrived at Valparaiso in -utter distress and poverty. Our wants were promptly relieved there. - -The captain and the survivers of his boat’s crew, were taken up by the -American whale-ship, the Dauphin, Captain Zimri Coffin, of Nantucket, -and arrived at Valparaiso on the seventeenth of March following: he was -taken up in latitude 37° S. off the island of St. Mary. The third boat -got separated from him on the 28th of January, and has not been heard of -since. The names of all the survivers, are as follows:—Captain George -Pollard, junr., Charles Ramsdale, Owen Chase, Benjamin Lawrence, and -Thomas Nicholson, all of Nantucket. There died in the captain’s boat, -the following: Brazilla Ray of Nantucket, Owen Coffin of the same place, -who was shot, and Samuel Reed, a black. - -The captain relates, that after being separated, as herein before -stated, they continued to make what progress they could towards the -island of Juan Fernandez, as was agreed upon; but contrary winds and the -extreme debility of the crew prevailed against their united exertions. -He was with us equally surprised and concerned at the separation that -took place between us; but continued on his course, almost confident of -meeting with us again. On the fourteenth, the whole stock of provisions -belonging to the second mate’s boat, was entirely exhausted, and on the -twenty-fifth, the black man, Lawson Thomas, died, and was eaten by his -surviving companions. On the twenty-first, the captain and his crew were -in the like dreadful situation with respect to their provisions; and on -the twenty-third, another coloured man, Charles Shorter, died out of the -same boat, and his body was shared for food between the crews of both -boats. On the twenty-seventh, another, Isaac Shepherd, (a black man,) -died in the third boat; and on the twenty-eighth, another black, named -Samuel Reed, died out of the captain’s boat. The bodies of these men -constituted their only food while it lasted; and on the twenty-ninth, -owing to the darkness of the night and want of sufficient power to -manage their boats, those of the captain and second mate separated in -latitude 35° S. longitude 100° W. On the 1st of February, having -consumed the last morsel, the captain and the three other men that -remained with him, were reduced to the necessity of casting lots. It -fell upon Owen Coffin to die, who with great fortitude and resignation -submitted to his fate. They drew lots to see who should shoot him: he -placed himself firmly to receive his death, and was immediately shot by -Charles Ramsdale, whose hard fortune it was to become his executioner. -On the 11th Brazilla Ray died; and on these two bodies the captain and -Charles Ramsdale, the only two that were then left, subsisted until the -morning of the twenty-third, when they fell in with the ship Dauphin, as -before stated, and were snatched from impending destruction. Every -assistance and attentive humanity, was bestowed upon them by Capt. -Coffin to whom Capt. Pollard acknowledged every grateful obligation. -Upon making known the fact, that three of our companions had been left -at Ducies Island, to the captain of the U. S. frigate Constellation, -which lay at Valparaiso when we arrived, he said he should immediately -take measures to have them taken off. - -On the 11th of June following I arrived at Nantucket in the whale-ship -the Eagle, Capt. William H. Coffin. My family had received the most -distressing account of our shipwreck, and had given me up for lost. My -unexpected appearance was welcomed with the most grateful obligations -and acknowledgments to a beneficent Creator, who had guided me through -darkness, trouble, and death, once more to the bosom of my country and -friends. - - - - - SUPPLEMENT. - - - The following is a list of the whole crew of the ship, with their - arrangements into the three several boats upon starting from the - wreck: the names of those who died, were left on the island, or - shot—with those also who survived, and who were in the third or - second mate’s boat at the time of separation—and whose fate is yet - uncertain:— - - Capt. James Pollard, jun. 1st boat survived - Obed Hendricks, do. put in 3d boat - Brazilla Ray, do. died - Owen Coffin, do. shot - Samuel Reed, (black) do. died - Charles Ramsdale, do. survived - Seth Weeks, do. left on the island - Owen Chase, 2d boat survived - Benjamin Lawrence, do. do. - Thomas Nicholson, do. do. - Isaac Cole, do. died - Richard Peterson, (black) do. do. - William Wright, do. left on the island - Matthew P. Joy, 3d boat died - Thomas Chapple, do. left on the island - Joseph West, do. missing - Lawson Thomas, (black) do. died - Charles Shorter, (black) do. do. - Isaiah Shepherd, (black) do. do. - William Bond, (black.) do. missing - - - FINIS. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES - - - 1. The errors on p. 12 have been corrected in the text. - 2. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. - 3. Archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed. - 4. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of the Most Extraordinary -and Distressing Shipwreck of the Wh, by Owen Chase - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE--WHALE-SHIP ESSEX *** - -***** This file should be named 61931-0.txt or 61931-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/1/9/3/61931/ - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, Mary Glenn Krause, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/61931-0.zip b/old/61931-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 5938f2a..0000000 --- a/old/61931-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/61931-h.zip b/old/61931-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d818b26..0000000 --- a/old/61931-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/61931-h/61931-h.htm b/old/61931-h/61931-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index f83a076..0000000 --- a/old/61931-h/61931-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3879 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> - <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Shipwreck of the Whale-ship Essex, by Owen Chase</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; } - .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; - text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; - border: thin solid silver; padding: .1em .2em; font-style: normal; - font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } - .large { font-size: large; } - .xlarge { font-size: x-large; } - .small { font-size: small; } - .xsmall { font-size: x-small; } - .lg-container-l { text-align: left; } - @media handheld { .lg-container-l { clear: both; } } - .lg-container-r { text-align: right; } - @media handheld { .lg-container-r { clear: both; } } - .linegroup { display: inline-block; text-align: left; } - @media handheld { .linegroup { display: block; margin-left: 1.5em; } } - .linegroup .group { margin: 1em auto; } - .linegroup .line { text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em; } - div.linegroup > :first-child { margin-top: 0; } - .linegroup .in20 { padding-left: 13.0em; } - .ol_1 li {padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; } - ol.ol_1 {padding-left: 0; margin-left: 2.78%; margin-top: .5em; - margin-bottom: .5em; list-style-type: decimal; } - div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } - hr.pb { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 1em; } - @media handheld { hr.pb { display: none; } } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .table0 { margin: auto; } - .nf-center { text-align: center; } - .nf-center-c0 { text-align: left; margin: 0.5em 0; } - .c000 { margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c001 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em; } - .c002 { margin-top: 2em; } - .c003 { margin-top: 1em; } - .c004 { margin-top: 4em; } - .c005 { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c006 { font-size: .9em; text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.25em; - margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c007 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } - .c008 { margin-top: 2em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c009 { vertical-align: top; text-align: right; padding-right: 1em; } - .c010 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; } - .c011 { margin-top: 2em; font-size: .9em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; - } - .c012 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding-right: 1em; } - .c013 { vertical-align: top; text-align: center; padding-right: 1em; } - .c014 { vertical-align: top; text-align: right; } - div.tnotes { padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;background-color:#E3E4FA; - border:1px solid silver; margin:2em 10% 0 10%; font-family: Georgia, serif; - } - .covernote { visibility: hidden; display: none; } - div.tnotes p { text-align:left; } - @media handheld { .covernote { visibility: visible; display: block;} } - .section { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .ol_1 li {font-size: .9em; } - @media handheld {.ol_1 li {padding-left: 1em; text-indent: 0em; } } - body {font-family: 'DejaVu Serif', Georgia, serif; text-align: justify; } - table {font-size: .9em; margin-top: 1.5em; page-break-inside: avoid; clear: both; } - div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; } - div.titlepage p {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 3em; } - .ph1 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; - margin: .67em auto; page-break-before: always; } - .ph2 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; - page-break-before: always; } - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and -Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-ship, by Owen Chase - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-ship Essex, - of Nantucket; Which Was Attacked and Finally Destroyed by - a Large Spermaceti-whale, in the Pacific Ocean; With an - Account of the Unparalleled Sufferings of the Captain and - Crew During a Space of Ninety-three Days at Sea, in Open - Boats in the Years 1819 & 1820. - -Author: Owen Chase - -Release Date: April 25, 2020 [EBook #61931] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE--WHALE-SHIP ESSEX *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, Mary Glenn Krause, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='tnotes covernote'> - -<p class='c000'><b>Transcriber’s Note:</b></p> - -<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='titlepage'> - -<div> - <h1 class='c001'>NARRATIVE<br /> <span class='xsmall'>OF THE</span><br /> <span class='large'>MOST EXTRAORDINARY AND DISTRESSING</span><br /> <span class='xlarge'>SHIPWRECK</span><br /> <span class='small'>OF THE</span><br /> WHALE-SHIP ESSEX,<br /> <span class='small'>OF</span><br /> <span class='large'>NANTUCKET;</span><br /> <span class='xsmall'>WHICH WAS ATTACKED AND FINALLY DESTROYED BY A LARGE</span><br /> <span class='xlarge'>SPERMACETI-WHALE,</span><br /> <span class='large'>IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN;</span><br /> <span class='small'>WITH</span><br /> <span class='large'>AN ACCOUNT</span><br /> <span class='xsmall'>OF THE</span><br /> <span class='xlarge'>UNPARALLELED SUFFERINGS</span><br /> <span class='large'>OF THE CAPTAIN AND CREW</span><br /> <span class='xsmall'>DURING A SPACE OF NINETY-THREE DAYS AT SEA, IN OPEN BOATS</span><br /> <span class='large'>IN THE YEARS 1819 & 1820.</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>BY</div> - <div><span class='xlarge'>OWEN CHASE,</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>OF NANTUCKET, FIRST MATE OF SAID VESSEL.</span></div> - <div class='c002'><span class='large'><i>NEW-YORK</i>:</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>PUBLISHED BY W. B. GILLEY, 92 BROADWAY.</span></div> - <div><span class='xsmall'><span class='sc'>J. Seymour</span>, Printer.</span></div> - <div class='c003'><span class='large'>1821.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c004'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Southern District of New-York, ss.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Be it remembered, That on the thirty-first day of October, in -the forty-sixth year of the Independence of the United States of America, -<span class='sc'>Jonathan Seymour</span>, of the said District, hath deposited in this office -the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words -and figures following, to wit:</p> - -<p class='c006'>“Narrative of the most extraordinary and distressing shipwreck of the -whale-ship Essex, of Nantucket; which was attacked and finally destroyed -by a large spermaceti-whale, in the Pacific ocean; with an account of -the unparalleled sufferings of the captain and crew during a space of ninety-three -days at sea, in open boats, in the years 1819 and 1820. By Owen -Chase of Nantucket, first mate of said vessel.”</p> - -<p class='c005'>In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled -“An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies -of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such -copies, during the time therein mentioned.” And also to an Act, entitled -“an Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement -of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, -to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein -mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, -engraving, and etching historical and other prints.”</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in20'>JAMES DILL,</div> - <div class='line'><i>Clerk of the Southern District of New-York</i>.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span> - <h2 class='c007'>TO THE READER.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>I am aware that the public mind has -been already nearly sated with the private -stories of individuals, many of whom had -few, if any, claims to public attention; and -the injuries which have resulted from the -promulgation of fictitious histories, and in -many instances, of journals entirely fabricated -for the purpose, has had the effect to -lessen the public interest in works of this -description, and very much to undervalue -the general cause of truth. It is, however, -not the less important and necessary, that -narratives should continue to be furnished -that have their foundations in fact; and the -subject of which embraces new and interesting -matter in any department of the arts -or sciences. When the motive is worthy, -the subject and style interesting, affording -instruction, exciting a proper sympathy, -and withal disclosing new and astonishing -traits of human character:—this kind of information -<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>becomes of great value to the -philanthropist and philosopher, and is fully -deserving of attention from every description -of readers.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the subject of the facts contained in -this little volume, they are neither so extravagant -as to require the exercise of any -great credulity to believe, nor, I trust, so unimportant -or uninteresting, as to forbid an -attentive perusal. It was my misfortune to -be a considerable, if not a principal, sufferer, -in the dreadful catastrophe that befel -us; and in it, I not only lost all the little I -had ventured, but my situation and the -prospects of bettering it, that at one time -seemed to smile upon me, were all in one -short moment destroyed with it. The hope -of obtaining something of remuneration, by -giving a short history of my sufferings to the -world, must therefore constitute my claim -to public attention.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span> - <h2 class='c007'>PREFACE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>The increasing attention which is bestowed -upon the whale fishery in the -United States, has lately caused a very -considerable commercial excitement; and -no doubt it will become, if it be not at present, -as important and general a branch of -commerce as any belonging to our country. -It is now principally confined to a very industrious -and enterprising portion of the -population of the States, many individuals -of whom have amassed very rapid and -considerable fortunes. It is a business requiring -that labour, economy, and enterprise, -for which the people of Nantucket -are so eminently distinguished. It has enriched -the inhabitants without bringing with -it the usual corruptions and luxuries of a foreign -trade; and those who are now most -successful and conspicuous in it, are remarkable -for the primitive simplicity, integrity, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>and hospitality of the island. This -trade, if I may so call it, took its rise -amongst the earliest settlers, and has gradually -advanced to the extended, important, -and lucrative state in which it now is, without -any material interruption, and with very -little competition until the present time. -The late war temporally, but in a great degree -affected its prosperity, by subjecting -numerous fine vessels with their cargoes to -capture and loss; but in its short continuance, -it was not sufficient to divert the enterprise -of the whalemen, nor to subdue the -active energies of the capitalists embarked -in it. At the conclusion of peace, those -energies burst out afresh; and our sails now -almost whiten the distant confines of the -Pacific. The English have a few ships -there; and the advantages which they possess -over ours, it may be feared will materially -affect our success, by producing in -time a much more extensive and powerful -competition. They are enabled to realize -a greater profit from the demand and price -of oil in their markets; and the encouragement -afforded by parliament, not only in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>permitting the importation of it free of duty, -but in granting a liberal bounty. It is -to be hoped that the wisdom of Congress -will be extended to this subject; and that -our present decided supremacy will not be -lost for the want of a deserved government -patronage.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Recent events have shown that we require -a competent naval force in the Pacific, -for the protection of this important and -lucrative branch of commerce; for the want -of which, many serious injuries and insults -have been lately received, which have a -tendency to retard its flourishing progress, -and which have proved of serious consequence -to the parties concerned.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During the late war, the exertions and -intrepidity of Capt. Porter, were the means -of saving a great deal of valuable property, -which otherwise must have fallen into the -hands of the enemy. His skilful, spirited, -and patriotic conduct, on all occasions -where he was called upon to act, imparted -a protection and confidence to our countrymen, -which completely fulfilled their expectations -of him, and without doubt those -of the government in sending him there.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>Our ships usually occupy from two to -three years in making a voyage. Occasionally, -necessity obliges them to go into port -for provisions, water, and repairs; in some -cases, amongst mere savages, and in others, -inhospitable people, from whom they are liable -to every species of fraud, imposition, -and force, which require some competent -power to awe and redress. As long as the -struggle between the patriots and royalists -continues, or even should that speedily end—as -long as young and instable governments, -as there naturally must be for many -years to come, exist there, our whalemen -will continue to require that countenance -and support which the importance and -prosperity of the trade to them, and to the -country, eminently entitle them. It is, undoubtedly, -a most hazardous business; involving -many incidental and unavoidable -sacrifices, the severity of which it seems -cruel to increase by the neglect or refusal -of a proper protection.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The seamen employed in the fishery, and -particularly those from Nantucket, are -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>composed of the sons and connexions of the -most respectable families on the island; -and, unlike the majority of the class or profession -to which they belong, they labour -not only for their temporary subsistence, -but they have an ambition and pride among -them which seeks after distinguishment -and promotion. Almost all of them enter -the service with views of a future command; -and submit cheerfully to the hardships -and drudgery of the intermediate stations, -until they become thoroughly acquainted -with their business.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There are common sailors, boat-steerers, -and harpooners: the last of these is the -most honourable and important. It is in -this station, that all the capacity of the -young sailor is elicited; on the dexterous -management of the harpoon, the line, and -the lance, and in the adventurous positions -which he takes alongside of his enemy, depends -almost entirely the successful issue -of his attack; and more real chivalry is not -often exhibited on the deck of a battle-ship, -than is displayed by these hardy sons of -the ocean, in some of their gallant exploits -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>among the whales. Nursed in the dangers -of their business, and exposed to the continual -hazards and hardships of all seasons, -climates, and weathers, it will not be surprising -if they should become a fearless set -of people, and pre-eminent in all the requisites -of good seamen. Two voyages are -generally considered sufficient to qualify an -active and intelligent young man for command; -in which time, he learns from experience, -and the examples which are set him, -all that is necessary to be known.</p> - -<p class='c005'>While on this subject, I may be allowed -to observe that it would not be an unprofitable -task in a majority of our respectable -shipmasters in the merchant service, to look -into the principles of conduct, and study -the economical management of the captains -of our whale-ships. I am confident many -serviceable hints could be gathered from -the admirable system by which they regulate -their concerns. They would learn, -also, what respect is due to the character -and standing of a captain of a whale-ship, -which those of the merchant service affect -so much to undervalue. If the post of danger -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>be the post of honour; and if merit -emanates from exemplary private character, -uncommon intelligence, and professional -gallantry, then is it due to a great majority -of the shipmasters of Nantucket, that -they should be held above the operations -of an invidious and unjust distinction. It is -a curious fact that one does exist; and it is -equally an illiberal, as an undeserved reproach -upon them, which time and an acquaintance -with their merits must speedily -wipe away.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>The reader is requested to notice the following -errors, which have resulted from the haste in transcribing -the original narrative.</p> - -<table class='table0' summary='' id='errors'> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Page <a href='#Page_23'>23</a>,</td> - <td class='c010'>line 2, for “one vows,” read <i>are now</i>.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_44'>44</a>,</td> - <td class='c010'>line 15, for “one,” read, <i>none</i>.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_57'>57</a>,</td> - <td class='c010'>line 11, for “keeled,” read, <i>heeled</i>.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_57'>57</a>,</td> - <td class='c010'>line 8, for “of,” read, <i>and</i>.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_65'>65</a>,</td> - <td class='c010'>line 9, for “momentous,” read <i>momentary</i>.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_102'>102</a>,</td> - <td class='c010'>line 6, for “Mather,” read <i>Matthew</i>.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_107'>107</a>,</td> - <td class='c010'>line 9, after “ourselves,” insert <i>it</i>.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span></div> -<div class='section ph1'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>NARRATIVE.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>The town of Nantucket, in the State of Massachusetts, -contains about eight thousand inhabitants; -nearly a third part of the population are quakers, -and they are, taken together, a very industrious -and enterprising people. On this island are owned -about one hundred vessels, of all descriptions, engaged -in the whale trade, giving constant employment -and support to upwards of sixteen hundred -hardy seamen, a class of people proverbial for -their intrepidity. This fishery is not carried on to -any extent from any other part of the United -States, except from the town of New-Bedford, directly -opposite to Nantucket, where are owned -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>probably twenty sail. A voyage generally lasts -about two years and a half, and with an entire uncertainty -of success. Sometimes they are repaid -with speedy voyages and profitable cargoes, and -at others they drag out a listless and disheartening -cruise, without scarcely making the expenses of an -outfit. The business is considered a very hazardous -one, arising from unavoidable accidents, in -carrying on an exterminating warfare against those -great leviathans of the deep; and indeed a Nantucket -man is on all occasions fully sensible of the -honour and merit of his profession; no doubt because -he knows that his laurels, like the soldier’s, -are plucked from the brink of danger. Numerous -anecdotes are related of the whalemen of Nantucket; -and stories of hair-breadth ’scapes, and -sudden and wonderful preservation, are handed -down amongst them, with the fidelity, and no doubt -many of them with the characteristic fictions of the -ancient legendary tales. A spirit of adventure -amongst the sons of other relatives of those immediately -concerned in it, takes possession of their minds -at a very early age; captivated with the tough stories -of the elder seamen, and seduced, as well by the -natural desire of seeing foreign countries, as by the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>hopes of gain, they launch forth six or eight thousand -miles from home, into an almost untraversed -ocean, and spend from two to three years of their -lives in scenes of constant peril, labour, and watchfulness. -The profession is one of great ambition, -and full of honourable excitement: a tame man is -never known amongst them; and the coward is -marked with that peculiar aversion, that distinguishes -our public naval service. There are perhaps -no people of superior corporeal powers; and -it has been truly said of them, that they possess a -natural aptitude, which seems rather the lineal -spirit of their fathers, than the effects of any experience. -The town itself, during the war, was -(naturally to have been expected,) on the decline; -but with the return of peace it took a fresh start, -and a spirit for carrying on the fishery received a -renewed and very considerable excitement. Large -capitals are now embarked; and some of the finest -ships that our country can boast of are employed -in it. The increased demand, within a few years -past, from the spermaceti manufactories, has induced -companies and individuals in different parts of -the Union to become engaged in the business; and -if the future consumption of the manufactured article -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>bear any proportion to that of the few past -years, this species of commerce will bid fair to become -the most profitable and extensive that our -country possesses. From the accounts of those -who were in the early stages of the fishery concerned -in it, it would appear, that the whales have -been driven, like the beasts of the forest, before -the march of civilization, into remote and more -unfrequented seas, until now, they are followed by -the enterprise and perseverance of our seamen, -even to the distant coasts of Japan.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The ship Essex, commanded by captain George -Pollard, junior, was fitted out at Nantucket, and -sailed on the 12th day of August, 1819, for the -Pacific Ocean, on a whaling voyage. Of this ship -I was first mate. She had lately undergone a thorough -repair in her upper works, and was at that -time, in all respects, a sound, substantial vessel: -she had a crew of twenty-one men, and was victualled -and provided for two years and a half. We -left the coast of America with a fine breeze, and -steered for the Western Islands. On the second -day out, while sailing moderately on our course in -the Gulf Stream, a sudden squall of wind struck -the ship from the SW. and knocked her completely -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>on her beam-ends, stove one of our boats, entirely -destroyed two others, and threw down the -cambouse. We distinctly saw the approach of this -gust, but miscalculated altogether as to the strength -and violence of it. It struck the ship about three -points off the weather quarter, at the moment that -the man at the helm was in the act of putting her -away to run before it. In an instant she was -knocked down with her yards in the water; and -before hardly a moment of time was allowed for -reflection, she gradually came to the wind, and -righted. The squall was accompanied with vivid -flashes of lightning, and heavy and repeated claps -of thunder. The whole ship’s crew were, for a -short time, thrown into the utmost consternation -and confusion; but fortunately the violence of the -squall was all contained in the first gust of the -wind, and it soon gradually abated, and became -fine weather again. We repaired our damage -with little difficulty, and continued on our course, -with the loss of the two boats. On the 30th of -August we made the island of Floros, one of the -western group called the Azores. We lay off and -on the island for two days, during which time our -boats landed and obtained a supply of vegetables -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>and a few hogs: from this place we took the NE. -trade-wind, and in sixteen days made the Isle of -May, one of the Cape de Verds. As we were sailing -along the shore of this island, we discovered a ship -stranded on the beach, and from her appearance -took her to be a whaler. Having lost two of our -boats, and presuming that this vessel had probably -some belonging to her that might have been saved, -we determined to ascertain the name of the ship, -and endeavour to supply if possible the loss of our -boats from her. We accordingly stood in towards -the port, or landing place. After a short time three -men were discovered coming out to us in a whale -boat. In a few moments they were alongside, and -informed us that the wreck was the Archimedes of -New-York, captain George B. Coffin, which vessel -had struck on a rock near the island about a fortnight -previously; that all hands were saved by -running the ship on shore, and that the captain and -crew had gone home. We purchased the whale -boat of these people, obtained some few more pigs, -and again set sail. Our passage thence to Cape -Horn was not distinguished for any incident worthy -of note. We made the longitude of the Cape -about the 18th of December, having experienced -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>head winds for nearly the whole distance. We -anticipated a moderate time in passing this noted -land, from the season of the year at which we were -there, being considered the most favourable; but -instead of this, we experienced heavy westerly -gales, and a most tremendous sea, that detained -us off the Cape five weeks, before we had got sufficiently -to the westward to enable us to put away. -Of the passage of this famous Cape it may be observed, -that strong westerly gales and a heavy sea -are its almost universal attendants: the prevalence -and constancy of this wind and sea necessarily -produce a rapid current, by which vessels are -set to leeward; and it is not without some favourable -slant of wind that they can in many cases get -round at all. The difficulties and dangers of the -passage are proverbial; but as far as my own observation -extends, (and which the numerous reports -of the whalemen corroborate,) you can always -rely upon a long and regular sea; and although -the gales may be very strong and stubborn, as they -undoubtedly are, they are not known to blow with -the destructive violence that characterizes some -of the tornadoes of the western Atlantic Ocean. -On the 17th of January, 1820, we arrived at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>island of St. Mary’s, lying on the coast of Chili, in -latitude 36° 59′ S. longitude 73° 41′ W. This -island is a sort of rendezvous for whalers, from -which they obtain their wood and water, and -between which and the main land (a distance of -about ten miles) they frequently cruise for a species -of whale called the right whale. Our object -in going in there was merely to get the news. We -sailed thence to the island of Massafuera, where -we got some wood and fish, and thence for the -cruising ground along the coast of Chili, in search -of the spermaceti-whale. We took there eight, -which yielded us two hundred and fifty barrels of -oil; and the season having by this time expired, -we changed our cruising ground to the coast of -Peru. We obtained there five hundred and fifty -barrels. After going into the small port of Decamas, -and replenishing our wood and water, on the -2d October we set sail for the Gallipagos Islands. -We came to anchor, and laid seven days off Hood’s -Island, one of the group; during which time we -stopped a leak which we had discovered, and obtained -three hundred turtle. We then visited -Charles Island, where we procured sixty more. -These turtle are a most delicious food, and average -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>in weight generally about one hundred pounds, -but many of them weigh upwards of eight hundred. -With these, ships usually supply themselves for a -great length of time, and make a great saving of -other provisions. They neither eat nor drink, nor -is the least pains taken with them; they are strewed -over the deck, thrown under foot, or packed -away in the hold, as it suits convenience. They -will live upwards of a year without food or water, -but soon die in a cold climate. We left Charles -Island on the 23d of October, and steered off to -the westward, in search of whales. In latitude -1° 0′ S. longitude 118° W. on the 16th of November, -in the afternoon, we lost a boat during -our work in a shoal of whales. I was in the -boat myself, with five others, and was standing in -the fore part, with the harpoon in my hand, well -braced, expecting every instant to catch sight of -one of the shoal which we were in, that I might -strike; but judge of my astonishment and dismay, -at finding myself suddenly thrown up in the air, -my companions scattered about me, and the boat -fast filling with water. A whale had come up directly -under her, and with one dash of his tail, had -stove her bottom in, and strewed us in every direction -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>around her. We, however, with little -difficulty, got safely on the wreck, and clung there -until one of the other boats which had been engaged -in the shoal, came to our assistance, and -took us off. Strange to tell, not a man was injured -by this accident. Thus it happens very frequently -in the whaling business, that boats are -stove; oars, harpoons, and lines broken; ancles and -wrists sprained; boats upset, and whole crews left -for hours in the water, without any of these accidents -extending to the loss of life. We are so -much accustomed to the continual recurrence of -such scenes as these, that we become familiarized -to them, and consequently always feel that confidence -and self-possession, which teaches us every -expedient in danger, and inures the body, as -well as the mind, to fatigue, privation, and peril, -in frequent cases exceeding belief. It is this danger -and hardship that makes the sailor; indeed it -is the distinguishing qualification amongst us; and -it is a common boast of the whaleman, that he has -escaped from sudden and apparently inevitable -destruction oftener than his fellow. He is accordingly -valued on this account, without much reference -to other qualities.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>I have not been able to recur to the scenes -which are now to become the subject of description, -although a considerable time has elapsed, -without feeling a mingled emotion of horror and -astonishment at the almost incredible destiny that -has preserved me and my surviving companions -from a terrible death. Frequently, in my reflections -on the subject, even after this lapse of time, -I find myself shedding tears of gratitude for our -deliverance, and blessing God, by whose divine aid -and protection we were conducted through a series -of unparalleled suffering and distress, and restored -to the bosoms of our families and friends. -There is no knowing what a stretch of pain and -misery the human mind is capable of contemplating, -when it is wrought upon by the anxieties of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>preservation; nor what pangs and weaknesses the -body is able to endure, until they are visited upon -it; and when at last deliverance comes, when the -dream of hope is realized, unspeakable gratitude -takes possession of the soul, and tears of joy choke -the utterance. We require to be taught in the -school of some signal suffering, privation, and despair, -the great lessons of constant dependence upon -an almighty forbearance and mercy. In the midst -of the wide ocean, at night, when the sight of the -heavens was shut out, and the dark tempest came -upon us; then it was, that we felt ourselves ready -to exclaim, “Heaven have mercy upon us, for -nought but that can save us now.” But I proceed -to the recital.—On the 20th of November, (cruising -in latitude 0° 40′ S. longitude 119° 0′ W.) a -shoal of whales was discovered off the lee-bow. -The weather at this time was extremely fine and -clear, and it was about 8 o’clock in the morning, -that the man at the mast-head gave the usual cry -of, “there she blows.” The ship was immediately -put away, and we ran down in the direction for -them. When we had got within half a mile of the -place where they were observed, all our boats -were lowered down, manned, and we started in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>pursuit of them. The ship, in the mean time, was -brought to the wind, and the main-top-sail hove -aback, to wait for us. I had the harpoon in the -second boat; the captain preceded me in the -first. When I arrived at the spot where we calculated -they were, nothing was at first to be seen. -We lay on our oars in anxious expectation of discovering -them come up somewhere near us. -Presently one rose, and spouted a short distance -ahead of my boat; I made all speed towards it, -came up with, and struck it; feeling the harpoon -in him, he threw himself, in an agony, over towards -the boat, (which at that time was up alongside of -him,) and giving a severe blow with his tail, -struck the boat near the edge of the water, amidships, -and stove a hole in her. I immediately -took up the boat hatchet, and cut the line, to disengage -the boat from the whale, which by this -time was running off with great velocity. I succeeded -in getting clear of him, with the loss of the -harpoon and line; and finding the water to pour -fast in the boat, I hastily stuffed three or four of -our jackets in the hole, ordered one man to keep -constantly bailing, and the rest to pull immediately -for the ship; we succeeded in keeping the boat -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>free, and shortly gained the ship. The captain -and the second mate, in the other two boats, kept -up the pursuit, and soon struck another whale. -They being at this time a considerable distance to -leeward, I went forward, braced around the mainyard, -and put the ship off in a direction for them; the -boat which had been stove was immediately hoisted -in, and after examining the hole, I found that I could, -by nailing a piece of canvass over it, get her ready -to join in a fresh pursuit, sooner than by lowering -down the other remaining boat which belonged to -the ship. I accordingly turned her over upon the -quarter, and was in the act of nailing on the canvass, -when I observed a very large spermaceti -whale, as well as I could judge, about eighty-five -feet in length; he broke water about twenty rods -off our weather-bow, and was lying quietly, with -his head in a direction for the ship. He spouted -two or three times, and then disappeared. In less -than two or three seconds he came up again, about -the length of the ship off, and made directly for -us, at the rate of about three knots. The ship -was then going with about the same velocity. -His appearance and attitude gave us at first no -alarm; but while I stood watching his movements, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>and observing him but a ship’s length off, coming -down for us with great celerity, I involuntarily ordered -the boy at the helm to put it hard up; intending -to sheer off and avoid him. The words -were scarcely out of my mouth, before he came -down upon us with full speed, and struck the ship -with his head, just forward of the fore-chains; he -gave us such an appalling and tremendous jar, as -nearly threw us all on our faces. The ship brought -up as suddenly and violently as if she had struck a -rock, and trembled for a few seconds like a leaf. -We looked at each other with perfect amazement, -deprived almost of the power of speech. Many -minutes elapsed before we were able to realize the -dreadful accident; during which time he passed -under the ship, grazing her keel as he went along, -came up alongside of her to leeward, and lay on -the top of the water, (apparently stunned with the -violence of the blow,) for the space of a minute; he -then suddenly started off, in a direction to leeward. -After a few moments’ reflection, and recovering, in -some measure, from the sudden consternation that -had seized us, I of course concluded that he had -stove a hole in the ship, and that it would be necessary -to set the pumps going. Accordingly they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>were rigged, but had not been in operation more -than one minute, before I perceived the head of -the ship to be gradually settling down in the water; -I then ordered the signal to be set for the other -boats, which, scarcely had I dispatched, before I -again discovered the whale, apparently in convulsions, -on the top of the water, about one hundred -rods to leeward. He was enveloped in the foam -of the sea, that his continual and violent thrashing -about in the water had created around him, and I -could distinctly see him smite his jaws together, as -if distracted with rage and fury. He remained a -short time in this situation, and then started off -with great velocity, across the bows of the ship, -to windward. By this time the ship had settled -down a considerable distance in the water, and I -gave her up as lost. I however, ordered the -pumps to be kept constantly going, and endeavoured -to collect my thoughts for the occasion. I -turned to the boats, two of which we then had with -the ship, with an intention of clearing them away, -and getting all things ready to embark in them, if -there should be no other resource left; and while -my attention was thus engaged for a moment, I -was aroused with the cry of a man at the hatchway, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>“here he is—he is making for us again.” I -turned around, and saw him about one hundred -rods directly ahead of us, coming down apparently -with twice his ordinary speed, and to me at that -moment, it appeared with tenfold fury and vengeance -in his aspect. The surf flew in all directions -about him, and his course towards us was -marked by a white foam of a rod in width, which -he made with the continual violent thrashing of -his tail; his head was about half out of water, and -in that way he came upon, and again struck the -ship. I was in hopes when I descried him making -for us, that by a dexterous movement of putting -the ship away immediately, I should be able to -cross the line of his approach, before he could get -up to us, and thus avoid, what I knew, if he should -strike us again, would prove our inevitable destruction. -I bawled out to the helmsman, “hard -up!” but she had not fallen off more than a point, -before we took the second shock. I should judge -the speed of the ship to have been at this time -about three knots, and that of the whale about six. -He struck her to windward, directly under the cathead, -and completely stove in her bows. He -passed under the ship again, went off to leeward, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>and we saw no more of him. Our situation at this -juncture can be more readily imagined than described. -The shock to our feelings was such, as -I am sure none can have an adequate conception -of, that were not there: the misfortune befel us -at a moment when we least dreamt of any accident; -and from the pleasing anticipations we had -formed, of realizing the certain profits of our labour, -we were dejected by a sudden, most mysterious, -and overwhelming calamity. Not a moment, -however, was to be lost in endeavouring -to provide for the extremity to which it was now -certain we were reduced. We were more than a -thousand miles from the nearest land, and with -nothing but a light open boat, as the resource of -safety for myself and companions. I ordered the -men to cease pumping, and every one to provide -for himself; seizing a hatchet at the same time, I -cut away the lashings of the spare boat, which lay -bottom up, across two spars directly over the quarter -deck, and cried out to those near me, to take -her as she came down. They did so accordingly, -and bore her on their shoulders as far as the waist -of the ship. The steward had in the mean time -gone down into the cabin twice, and saved two -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>quadrants, two practical navigators, and the captain’s -trunk and mine; all which were hastily -thrown into the boat, as she lay on the deck, with -the two compasses which I snatched from the binnacle. -He attempted to descend again; but the -water by this time had rushed in, and he returned -without being able to effect his purpose. By the -time we had got the boat to the waist, the ship -had filled with water, and was going down on her -beam-ends: we shoved our boat as quickly as -possible from the plank-shear into the water, all -hands jumping in her at the same time, and launched -off clear of the ship. We were scarcely two -boat’s lengths distant from her, when she fell over -to windward, and settled down in the water.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Amazement and despair now wholly took possession -of us. We contemplated the frightful situation -the ship lay in, and thought with horror -upon the sudden and dreadful calamity that had -overtaken us. We looked upon each other, as if -to gather some consolatory sensation from an interchange -of sentiments, but every countenance -was marked with the paleness of despair. Not a -word was spoken for several minutes by any of us; -all appeared to be bound in a spell of stupid consternation; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>and from the time we were first attacked -by the whale, to the period of the fall of -the ship, and of our leaving her in the boat, more -than ten minutes could not certainly have elapsed! -God only knows in what way, or by what means, -we were enabled to accomplish in that short time -what we did; the cutting away and transporting the -boat from where she was deposited would of itself, -in ordinary circumstances, have consumed as much -time as that, if the whole ship’s crew had been -employed in it. My companions had not saved a -single article but what they had on their backs; -but to me it was a source of infinite satisfaction, if -any such could be gathered from the horrors of -our gloomy situation, that we had been fortunate -enough to have preserved our compasses, navigators, -and quadrants. After the first shock of my -feelings was over, I enthusiastically contemplated -them as the probable instruments of our salvation; -without them all would have been dark and hopeless. -Gracious God! what a picture of distress -and suffering now presented itself to my imagination. -The crew of the ship were saved, consisting -of twenty human souls. All that remained to conduct -these twenty beings through the stormy terrors -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>of the ocean, perhaps many thousand miles, -were three open light boats. The prospect of obtaining -any provisions or water from the ship, -to subsist upon during the time, was at least -now doubtful. How many long and watchful -nights, thought I, are to be passed? How many -tedious days of partial starvation are to be endured, -before the least relief or mitigation of -our sufferings can be reasonably anticipated? -We lay at this time in our boat, about two ship’s -lengths off from the wreck, in perfect silence, -calmly contemplating her situation, and absorbed -in our own melancholy reflections, when the other -boats were discovered rowing up to us. They had -but shortly before discovered that some accident -had befallen us, but of the nature of which they -were entirely ignorant. The sudden and mysterious -disappearance of the ship was first discovered -by the boat-steerer in the captain’s boat, and with -a horror-struck countenance and voice, he suddenly -exclaimed, “Oh, my God! where is the -ship?” Their operations upon this were instantly -suspended, and a general cry of horror and despair -burst from the lips of every man, as their -looks were directed for her, in vain, over every -part of the ocean. They immediately made all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>haste towards us. The captain’s boat was the -first that reached us. He stopped about a boat’s -length off, but had no power to utter a single syllable: -he was so completely overpowered with -the spectacle before him, that he sat down in his -boat, pale and speechless. I could scarcely recognise -his countenance, he appeared to be so -much altered, awed, and overcome, with the oppression -of his feelings, and the dreadful reality -that lay before him. He was in a short time however -enabled to address the inquiry to me, “My -God, Mr. Chase, what is the matter?” I answered, -“We have been stove by a whale.” I then briefly -told him the story. After a few moment’s reflection -he observed, that we must cut away her masts, -and endeavour to get something out of her to eat. -Our thoughts were now all accordingly bent on -endeavours to save from the wreck whatever we -might possibly want, and for this purpose we rowed -up and got on to her. Search was made for every -means of gaining access to her hold; and for this -purpose the lanyards were cut loose, and with our -hatchets we commenced to cut away the masts, -that she might right up again, and enable us to -scuttle her decks. In doing which we were occupied -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>about three quarters of an hour, owing to -our having no axes, nor indeed any other instruments, -but the small hatchets belonging to the -boats. After her masts were gone she came up -about two-thirds of the way upon an even keel. -While we were employed about the masts the captain -took his quadrant, shoved off from the ship, -and got an observation. We found ourselves in -latitude 0° 40′ S. longitude 119° W. We now -commenced to cut a hole through the planks, directly -above two large casks of bread, which most -fortunately were between decks, in the waist of -the ship, and which being in the upper side, when -she upset, we had strong hopes was not wet. It -turned out according to our wishes, and from -these casks we obtained six hundred pounds of -hard bread. Other parts of the deck were then -scuttled, and we got without difficulty as much -fresh water as we dared to take in the boats, so that -each was supplied with about sixty-five gallons; we -got also from one of the lockers a musket, a small -canister of powder, a couple of files, two rasps, -about two pounds of boat nails, and a few turtle. -In the afternoon the wind came on to blow a -strong breeze; and having obtained every thing -that occurred to us could then be got out, we began -<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>to make arrangements for our safety during -the night. A boat’s line was made fast to the -ship, and to the other end of it one of the boats -was moored, at about fifty fathoms to leeward; another -boat was then attached to the first one, -about eight fathoms astern; and the third boat, the -like distance astern of her. Night came on just -as we had finished our operations; and such a -night as it was to us! so full of feverish and distracting -inquietude, that we were deprived entirely -of rest. The wreck was constantly before my -eyes. I could not, by any effort, chase away the -horrors of the preceding day from my mind: they -haunted me the live-long night. My companions—some -of them were like sick women; they had no -idea of the extent of their deplorable situation. -One or two slept unconcernedly, while others -wasted the night in unavailing murmurs. I now -had full leisure to examine, with some degree of -coolness, the dreadful circumstances of our disaster. -The scenes of yesterday passed in such quick succession -in my mind that it was not until after many -hours of severe reflection that I was able to discard -the idea of the catastrophe as a dream. Alas! it -was one from which there was no awaking; it was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>too certainly true, that but yesterday we had existed -as it were, and in one short moment had been -cut off from all the hopes and prospects of the living! -I have no language to paint out the horrors of -our situation. To shed tears was indeed altogether -unavailing, and withal unmanly; yet I was -not able to deny myself the relief they served to -afford me. After several hours of idle sorrow and -repining I began to reflect upon the accident, and endeavoured -to realize by what unaccountable destiny -or design, (which I could not at first determine,) -this sudden and most deadly attack had been made -upon us: by an animal, too, never before suspected -of premeditated violence, and proverbial for its -insensibility and inoffensiveness. Every fact -seemed to warrant me in concluding that it was -any thing but chance which directed his operations; -he made two several attacks upon the ship, -at a short interval between them, both of which, -according to their direction, were calculated to do -us the most injury, by being made ahead, and -thereby combining the speed of the two objects -for the shock; to effect which, the exact manœuvres -which he made were necessary. His aspect -was most horrible, and such as indicated resentment -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>and fury. He came directly from the shoal -which we had just before entered, and in which -we had struck three of his companions, as if fired -with revenge for their sufferings. But to this it -may be observed, that the mode of fighting which -they always adopt is either with repeated strokes -of their tails, or snapping of their jaws together; -and that a case, precisely similar to this one, has -never been heard of amongst the oldest and most experienced -whalers. To this I would answer, that -the structure and strength of the whale’s head is admirably -designed for this mode of attack; the most -prominent part of which is almost as hard and as -tough as iron; indeed, I can compare it to nothing -else but the inside of a horse’s hoof, upon which a -lance or harpoon would not make the slightest impression. -The eyes and ears are removed nearly -one-third the length of the whole fish, from the front -part of the head, and are not in the least degree -endangered in this mode of attack. At all events, -the whole circumstances taken together, all happening -before my own eyes, and producing, at the -time, impressions in my mind of decided, calculating -mischief, on the part of the whale, (many of -which impressions I cannot now recall,) induce -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>me to be satisfied that I am correct in my opinion. -It is certainly, in all its bearings, a hitherto unheard -of circumstance, and constitutes, perhaps, -the most extraordinary one in the annals of the -fishery.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>November 21st. The morning dawned upon -our wretched company. The weather was fine, -but the wind blew a strong breeze from the SE. -and the sea was very rugged. Watches had been -kept up during the night, in our respective boats, -to see that none of the spars or other articles -(which continued to float out of the wreck,) should -be thrown by the surf against, and injure the boats. -At sunrise, we began to think of doing something; -what, we did not know: we cast loose our boats, -and visited the wreck, to see if any thing more of -consequence could be preserved, but every thing -looked cheerless and desolate, and we made a long -and vain search for any useful article; nothing -could be found but a few turtle; of these we had -enough already; or at least, as many as could be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>safely stowed in the boats, and we wandered -around in every part of the ship in a sort of vacant -idleness for the greater part of the morning. We -were presently aroused to a perfect sense of our -destitute and forlorn condition; by thoughts of the -means which we had for our subsistence, the necessity -of not wasting our time, and of endeavouring -to seek some relief wherever God might direct -us. Our thoughts, indeed, hung about the ship, -wrecked and sunken as she was, and we could -scarcely discard from our minds the idea of her -continuing protection. Some great efforts in our -situation were necessary, and a great deal of calculation -important, as it concerned the means by -which our existence was to be supported during, -perhaps, a very long period, and a provision for -our eventual deliverance. Accordingly, by agreement, -all set to work in stripping off the light sails -of the ship, for sails to our boats; and the day was -consumed in making them up and fitting them. -We furnished ourselves with masts and other light -spars that were necessary, from the wreck. Each -boat was rigged with two masts, to carry a flying-jib -and two sprit-sails; the sprit-sails were made -so that two reefs could be taken in them, in case -<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>of heavy blows. We continued to watch the -wreck for any serviceable articles that might float -from her, and kept one man during the day, on -the stump of her foremast, on the look out for vessels. -Our work was very much impeded by the -increase of the wind and sea, and the surf breaking -almost continually into the boats, gave us many -fears that we should not be able to prevent our -provisions from getting wet; and above all served -to increase the constant apprehensions that we -had, of the insufficiency of the boats themselves, -during the rough weather that we should necessarily -experience. In order to provide as much as -possible against this, and withal to strengthen the -slight materials of which the boats were constructed, -we procured from the wreck some light cedar -boards, (intended to repair boats in cases of accidents,) -with which we built up additional sides, -about six inches above the gunwale; these, we afterwards -found, were of infinite service for the -purpose for which they were intended; in truth, -I am satisfied we could never have been preserved -without them; the boats must otherwise have -taken in so much water that all the efforts of -twenty such weak, starving men as we afterwards -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>came to be, would not have sufficed to keep her -free; but what appeared most immediately to -concern us, and to command all our anxieties, -was the security of our provisions from the salt -water. We disposed of them under a covering of -wood, that whale boats have at either end of them, -wrapping it up in several thicknesses of canvass. -I got an observation to-day, by which I found we -were in latitude 0° 6′ S. longitude 119° 30′ W. -having been driven by the winds a distance of -forty-nine miles the last twenty-four hours; by -this it would appear that there must have been a -strong current, setting us to the NW. during the -whole time. We were not able to finish our sails -in one day; and many little things preparatory to -taking a final leave of the ship were necessary to -be attended to, but evening came and put an end -to our labours. We made the same arrangements -for mooring the boats in safety, and consigned -ourselves to the horrors of another tempestuous -night. The wind continued to blow hard, keeping -up a heavy sea, and veering around from SE. -to E. and E.SE. As the gloom of night approached, -and obliged us to desist from that employment, -which cheated us out of some of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>realities of our situation, we all of us again became -mute and desponding: a considerable degree of -alacrity had been manifested by many the preceding -day, as their attention had been wholly engaged -in scrutinizing the wreck, and in constructing -the sails and spars for the boats; but when -they ceased to be occupied, they passed to a sudden -fit of melancholy, and the miseries of their -situation came upon them with such force, as to -produce spells of extreme debility, approaching -almost to fainting. Our provisions were scarcely -touched—the appetite was entirely gone: but as -we had a great abundance of water, we indulged -in frequent and copious draughts, which our parched -mouths seemed continually to need. None asked -for bread. Our continued state of anxiety during -the night, excluded all hopes of sleep; still, -(although the solemn fact had been before me for -nearly two days,) my mind manifested the utmost -repugnance to be reconciled to it; I laid down in -the bottom of the boat, and resigned myself to reflection; -my silent prayers were offered up to the -God of mercy, for that protection which we stood -so much in need of. Sometimes, indeed, a light -hope would dawn, but then, to feel such an utter -<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>dependence on and consignment to chance alone -for aid and rescue, would chase it again from my -mind. The wreck—the mysterious and mortal -attack of the animal—the sudden prostration and -sinking of the vessel—our escape from her, and -our then forlorn and almost hapless destiny, all -passed in quick and perplexing review in my imagination; -wearied with the exertion of the body -and mind, I caught, near morning, an hour’s respite -from my troubles, in sleep.</p> - -<p class='c005'>November 22d. The wind remained the same, -and the weather continued remarkably fine. At -sunrise, we again hauled our boats up, and continued -our search for articles that might float out. -About 7 o’clock, the deck of the wreck began to -give way, and every appearance indicated her -speedy dissolution; the oil had bilged in the hold, -and kept the surface of the sea all around us completely -covered with it; the bulk-heads were all -washed down, and she worked in every part of her -joints and seams, with the violent and continual -breaking of the surf over her. Seeing, at last, -that little or nothing further could be done by remaining -with the wreck, and as it was all important -that while our provisions lasted, we should -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>make the best possible use of time, I rowed up to -the captain’s boat, and asked him what he intended -to do. I informed him that the ship’s decks -had bursted up, and that in all probability she would -soon go to pieces; that no further purpose could be -answered, by remaining longer with her, since nothing -more could be obtained from her; and that -it was my opinion, no time should be lost in making -the best of our way towards the nearest land. -The captain observed, that he would go once more -to the wreck, and survey her, and after waiting -until 12 o’clock for the purpose of getting an observation, -would immediately after determine. In -the mean time, before noon all our sails were completed, -and the boats otherwise got in readiness -for our departure. Our observation now proved -us to be in latitude 0° 13′ N. longitude 120° 00′ -W. as near as we could determine it, having crossed -the equator during the night, and drifted nineteen -miles. The wind had veered considerably -to the eastward, during the last twenty-four hours. -Our nautical calculations having been completed, -the captain, after visiting the wreck, called a council, -consisting of himself and the first and second -mates, who all repaired to his boat, to interchange -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>opinions, and devise the best means for our security -and preservation. There were, in all of us, -twenty men; six of whom were blacks, and we -had three boats. We examined our navigators, to -ascertain the nearest land, and found it was the -Marquesas Islands. The Society Islands were -next; these islands we were entirely ignorant of; -if inhabited, we presumed they were by savages, -from whom we had as much to fear, as from the -elements, or even death itself. We had no charts -from which our calculations might be aided, and -were consequently obliged to govern ourselves by -the navigators alone; it was also the captain’s -opinion, that this was the season of the hurricanes -which prevail in the vicinity of the Sandwich Islands, -and that consequently it would be unsafe to -steer for them. The issue of our deliberations -was, that, taking all things into consideration, it -would be most adviseable to shape our course by -the wind, to the southward, as far as 25° or 26° S. -latitude, fall in with the variable winds, and then, -endeavour to get eastward to the coast of Chili or -Peru. Accordingly, preparations were made for -our immediate departure; the boat which it was -my fortune, or rather misfortune to have, was the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>worst of the three; she was old and patched up, -having been stove a number of times, during the -cruise. At best, a whale boat is an extremely frail -thing; the most so of any other kind of boat; they -are what is called clinker built, and constructed of -the lightest materials, for the purpose of being -rowed with the greatest possible celerity, according -to the necessities of the business for which they -are intended. Of all species of vessels, they are -the weakest, and most fragile, and possess but one -advantage over any other—that of lightness and -buoyancy, that enables them to keep above the -dash of the sea, with more facility than heavier -ones. This qualification is, however, preferable -to that of any other, and, situated as we then were, -I would not have exchanged her, old and crazy as -she was, for even a ship’s launch. I am quite confident, -that to this quality of our boats we most -especially owed our preservation, through the -many days and nights of heavy weather, that we afterwards -encountered. In consideration of my -having the weakest boat, six men were allotted to -it; while those of the captain and second mate, -took seven each, and at half past 12 we left the -wreck, steering our course, with nearly all sail -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>set, S.SE. At four o’clock in the afternoon we -lost sight of her entirely. Many were the lingering -and sorrowful looks we cast behind us.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It has appeared to me often since to have been, -in the abstract, an extreme weakness and folly, -on our parts, to have looked upon our shattered -and sunken vessel with such an excessive fondness -and regret; but it seemed as if in abandoning her -we had parted with all hope, and were bending -our course away from her, rather by some dictate -of despair. We agreed to keep together, in our -boats, as nearly as possible, to afford assistance in -cases of accident, and to render our reflections -less melancholy by each other’s presence. I found -it on this occasion true, that misery does indeed -love company; unaided, and unencouraged by -each other, there were with us many whose weak -minds, I am confident, would have sunk under the -dismal retrospections of the past catastrophe, and -who did not possess either sense or firmness enough -to contemplate our approaching destiny, without -the cheering of some more determined countenance -than their own. The wind was strong all day; -and the sea ran very high, our boat taking in water -from her leaks continually, so that we were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>obliged to keep one man constantly bailing. During -the night the weather became extremely rugged, -and the sea every now and then broke over -us. By agreement, we were divided into two -watches; one of which was to be constantly -awake, and doing the labours of the boat, such as -bailing; setting, taking in, and trimming the sails. -We kept our course very well together during this -night, and had many opportunities of conversation -with the men in the other boats, wherein the -means and prospects of our deliverance were -variously considered; it appeared from the opinions -of all, that we had most to hope for in the -meeting with some vessel, and most probably -some whale ship, the great majority of whom, in -those seas, we imagined were cruising about the -latitude we were then steering for; but this was -only a hope, the realization of which did not in -any degree depend on our own exertions, but -on chance alone. It was not, therefore, considered -prudent, by going out of our course, with the -prospect of meeting them, to lose sight, for one -moment, of the strong probabilities which, under -Divine Providence, there were of our reaching -land by the route we had prescribed to ourselves; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>as that depended, most especially, on a reasonable -calculation, and on our own labours, we conceived -that our provision and water, on a small -allowance, would last us sixty days; that with the -trade-wind, on the course we were then lying, we -should be able to average the distance of a degree -a day, which, in 26 days, would enable us to attain -the region of the variable winds, and then, in thirty -more, at the very utmost, should there be any -favour in the elements, we might reach the coast. -With these considerations we commenced our voyage; -the total failure of all which, and the subsequent -dismal distress and suffering, by which we -were overtaken, will be shown in the sequel. Our -allowance of provision at first consisted of bread; -one biscuit, weighing about one pound three -ounces, and half a pint of water a day, for each -man. This small quantity, (less than one third -which is required by an ordinary person,) small -as it was, we however took without murmuring, -and, on many an occasion afterwards, blest God -that even this pittance was allowed to us in our misery. -The darkness of another night overtook us; -and after having for the first time partook of our allowance -of bread and water, we laid our weary bodies -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>down in the boat, and endeavoured to get -some repose. Nature became at last worn out -with the watchings and anxieties of the two preceding -nights, and sleep came insensibly upon -us. No dreams could break the strong fastenings -of forgetfulness in which the mind was then locked -up; but for my own part, my thoughts so haunted -me that this luxury was yet a stranger to my -eyes; every recollection was still fresh before me, -and I enjoyed but a few short and unsatisfactory -slumbers, caught in the intervals between my -hopes and my fears. The dark ocean and swelling -waters were nothing; the fears of being swallowed -up by some dreadful tempest, or dashed -upon hidden rocks, with all the other ordinary -subjects of fearful contemplation, seemed scarcely -entitled to a moment’s thought; the dismal looking -wreck, and the horrid aspect and revenge of -the whale, wholly engrossed my reflections, until -day again made its appearance.</p> - -<p class='c005'>November 23d. In my chest, which I was fortunate -enough to preserve, I had several small articles, -which we found of great service to us; -among the rest, some eight or ten sheets of writing -paper, a lead pencil, a suit of clothes, three small -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>fish-hooks, a jack-knife, a whetstone, and a cake -of soap. I commenced to keep a sort of journal -with the little paper and pencil which I had; -and the knife, besides other useful purposes, -served us as a razor. It was with much difficulty, -however, that I could keep any sort of record, -owing to the incessant rocking and unsteadiness -of the boat, and the continual dashing of the -spray of the sea over us. The boat contained, in -addition to the articles enumerated, a lantern, tinder-box, -and two or three candles, which belonged -to her, and with which they are kept always supplied, -while engaged in taking whale. In addition -to all which, the captain had saved a musket, -two pistols, and a canister, containing about two -pounds of gunpowder; the latter he distributed in -equal proportions between the three boats, and -gave the second mate and myself each a pistol. -When morning came we found ourselves quite near -together, and the wind had considerably increased -since the day before; we were consequently -obliged to reef our sails; and although we did not -apprehend any very great danger from the then -violence of the wind, yet it grew to be very uncomfortable -in the boats, from the repeated dashing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>of the waves, that kept our bodies constantly -wet with the salt spray. We, however, stood -along our course until twelve o’clock, when we -got an observation, as well as we were able to obtain -one, while the water flew all over us, and the -sea kept the boat extremely unsteady. We found -ourselves this day in latitude 0° 58′ S. having repassed -the equator. We abandoned the idea altogether -of keeping any correct longitudinal reckoning, -having no glass, nor log-line. The wind -moderated in the course of the afternoon a little, -but at night came on to blow again almost a gale. -We began now to tremble for our little barque; -she was so ill calculated, in point of strength, to -withstand the racking of the sea, while it required -the constant labours of one man to keep her free -of water. We were surrounded in the afternoon -with porpoises that kept playing about us in great -numbers, and continued to follow us during the -night.</p> - -<p class='c005'>November 24th. The wind had not abated -any since the preceding day, and the sea had risen -to be very large, and increased, if possible, the -extreme uncomfortableness of our situation. What -added more than any thing else to our misfortunes, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>was, that all our efforts for the preservation -of our provisions proved, in a great measure, -ineffectual; a heavy sea broke suddenly into the -boat, and, before we could snatch it up, damaged -some part of it; by timely attention, however, and -great caution, we managed to make it eatable, and -to preserve the rest from a similar casualty. This -was a subject of extreme anxiety to us; the expectation, -poor enough of itself indeed, upon -which our final rescue was founded, must change -at once to utter hopelessness, deprived of our provisions, -the only means of continuing us in the exercise, -not only of our manual powers, but in those -of reason itself; hence, above all other things, this -was the object of our utmost solicitude and pains.</p> - -<p class='c005'>We ascertained, the next day, that some of the -provisions in the captain’s boat had shared a similar -fate during the night; both which accidents -served to arouse us to a still stronger sense of our -slender reliance upon the human means at our -command, and to show us our utter dependence -on that divine aid which we so much the more -stood in need of.</p> - -<p class='c005'>November 25th. No change of wind had yet -taken place, and we experienced the last night -<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>the same wet and disagreeable weather of the -preceding one. About eight o’clock in the morning -we discovered that the water began to come -fast in our boat, and in a few minutes the quantity -increased to such a degree as to alarm us considerably -for our safety; we commenced immediately -a strict search in every part of her to discover -the leak, and, after tearing up the ceiling or -floor of the boat near the bows, we found it proceeded -from one of the streaks or outside boards -having bursted off there; no time was to be lost -in devising some means to repair it. The great -difficulty consisted in its being in the bottom of -the boat, about six inches from the surface of the -water; it was necessary, therefore, to have access -to the outside, to enable us to fasten it on again: -the leak being to leeward, we hove about, and lay -to on the other tack, which brought it then nearly -out of water; the captain, who was at the time -ahead of us, seeing us manœuvring to get the -boat about, shortened sail, and presently tacked, -and ran down to us. I informed him of our situation, -and he came immediately alongside to our -assistance. After directing all the men in the -boat to get on one side, the other, by that means, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>heeled out of the water a considerable distance, -and, with a little difficulty, we then managed to -drive in a few nails, and secured it, much beyond -our expectations. Fears of no ordinary kind were -excited by this seemingly small accident. When -it is recollected to what a slight vessel we had -committed ourselves; our means of safety alone -consisting in her capacity and endurance for many -weeks, in all probability, yet to come, it will not -be considered strange that this little accident -should not only have damped our spirits considerably, -but have thrown a great gloominess over the -natural prospects of our deliverance. On this -occasion, too, were we enabled to rescue ourselves -from inevitable destruction by the possession -of a few nails, without which, (had it not -been our fortune to save some from the wreck,) -we would, in all human calculation, have been -lost: we were still liable to a recurrence of the -same accident, perhaps to a still worse one, as, in -the heavy and repeated racking of the swell, the -progress of our voyage would serve but to increase -the incapacity and weakness of our boat, and the -starting of a single nail in her bottom would most -assuredly prove our certain destruction. We -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>wanted not this additional reflection, to add to the -miseries of our situation.</p> - -<p class='c005'>November 26th. Our sufferings, heaven knows, -were now sufficiently increased, and we looked -forward, not without an extreme dread, and anxiety, -to the gloomy and disheartening prospect before -us. We experienced a little abatement of -wind and rough weather to-day, and took the opportunity -of drying the bread that had been wet -the day previously; to our great joy and satisfaction -also, the wind hauled out to E.NE. and enabled -us to hold a much more favourable course; -with these exceptions, no circumstance of any -considerable interest occurred in the course of this -day.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The 27th of November was alike undistinguished -for any incident worthy of note; except that -the wind again veered back to E. and destroyed -the fine prospect we had entertained, of making -a good run for several days to come.</p> - -<p class='c005'>November 28th. The wind hauled still further -to the southward, and obliged us to fall off our -course to S. and commenced to blow with such -violence, as to put us again under short sail; the -night set in extremely dark, and tempestuous, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>we began to entertain fears that we should be separated. -We however, with great pains, managed -to keep about a ship’s length apart, so that the -white sails of our boats could be distinctly discernable. -The captain’s boat was but a short distance -astern of mine, and that of the second mate a few -rods to leeward of his. At about 11 o’clock at -night, having laid down to sleep, in the bottom of -the boat, I was suddenly awakened by one of my -companions, who cried out, that the captain was -in distress, and was calling on us for assistance. -I immediately aroused myself, and listened a moment, -to hear if any thing further should be said, -when the captain’s loud voice arrested my attention. -He was calling to the second mate, whose -boat was nearer to him than mine. I made all -haste to put about, ran down to him, and inquired -what was the matter; he replied, “I have been -attacked by an unknown fish, and he has stove my -boat.” It appeared, that some large fish had accompanied -the boat for a short distance, and -had suddenly made an unprovoked attack upon -her, as nearly as they could determine, with his -jaws; the extreme darkness of the night prevented -them from distinguishing what kind of animal it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>was, but they judged it to be about twelve feet in -length, and one of the killer-fish species. After -having struck the boat once, he continued to play -about her, on every side, as if manifesting a disposition -to renew the attack, and did a second time -strike the bows of the boat, and split her stem. -They had no other instrument of offence, but the -sprit-pole, (a long slender piece of wood, by which -the peak of the sail is extended,) with which, after -repeated attempts to destroy the boat, they succeeded -in beating him off. I arrived, just as he -had discontinued his operations, and disappeared. -He had made a considerable breach in the bows -of the boat, through which the water had began -to pour fast; and the captain, imagining matters to -be considerably worse than they were, immediately -took measures to remove his provisions into the -second mate’s boat and mine, in order to lighten -his own, and by that means, and constant bailing, -to keep her above water until daylight should enable -him to discover the extent of the damage, and -to repair it. The night was spissy darkness itself; -the sky was completely overcast, and it seemed to -us as if fate was wholly relentless, in pursuing us -with such a cruel complication of disasters. We -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>were not without our fears that the fish might renew -his attack, some time during the night, upon -one of the other boats, and unexpectedly destroy -us; but they proved entirely groundless, as he was -never afterwards seen. When daylight came, -the wind again favoured us a little, and we all lay -to, to repair the broken boat; which was effected -by nailing on thin strips of boards in the inside; -and having replaced the provisions, we proceeded -again on our course. Our allowance of water, -which in the commencement, merely served to administer -to the positive demands of nature, became -now to be insufficient; and we began to experience -violent thirst, from the consumption of the provisions -that had been wet with the salt water, and -dried in the sun; of these we were obliged to eat -first, to prevent their spoiling; and we could not, -nay, we did not dare, to make any encroachments -on our stock of water. Our determination was, -to suffer as long as human patience and endurance -would hold out, having only in view, the relief that -would be afforded us, when the quantity of wet -provisions should be exhausted. Our extreme -sufferings here first commenced. The privation of -water is justly ranked among the most dreadful of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>the miseries of our life; the violence of raving -thirst has no parallel in the catalogue of human -calamities. It was our hard lot to have felt this -in its extremest force, when necessity subsequently -compelled us to seek resource from one -of the offices of nature. We were not, at first, -aware of the consequences of eating this bread, -and it was not until the fatal effects of it had shown -themselves to a degree of oppression, that we could -divine the cause of our extreme thirst. But, alas! -there was no relief. Ignorant, or instructed of the -fact, it was alike immaterial; it composed a part -of our subsistence, and reason imposed upon us the -necessity of its immediate consumption, as otherwise -it would have been lost to us entirely.</p> - -<p class='c005'>November 29th. Our boats appeared to be -growing daily more frail and insufficient; the continual -flowing of the water into them, seemed increased, -without our being able to assign it to any -thing else, than a general weakness, arising from -causes that must in a short time, without some -remedy or relief, produce their total failure. We -did not neglect, however, to patch up and mend -them, according to our means, whenever we could -discover a broken or weak part. We this day -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>found ourselves surrounded by a shoal of dolphins; -some, or one of which, we tried in vain a long -time to take. We made a small line from some -rigging that was in the boat, fastened on one of the -fish-hooks, and tied to it a small piece of white -rag; they took not the least notice of it, but continued -playing around us, nearly all day, mocking -both our miseries and our efforts.</p> - -<p class='c005'>November 30th. This was a remarkably fine -day; the weather not exceeded by any that we -had experienced since we left the wreck. At one -o’clock, I proposed to our boat’s crew to kill one -of the turtle; two of which we had in our possession. -I need not say, that the proposition was -hailed with the utmost enthusiasm; hunger had -set its ravenous gnawings upon our stomachs, and -we waited with impatience to suck the warm flowing -blood of the animal. A small fire was kindled -in the shell of the turtle, and after dividing -the blood, (of which there was about a gill,) among -those of us who felt disposed to drink it, we cooked -the remainder, entrails and all, and enjoyed -from it an unspeakably fine repast. The stomachs -of two or three revolted at the sight of the blood, -and refused to partake of it; not even the outrageous -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>thirst that was upon them could induce them -to taste it; for myself, I took it like a medicine, to -relieve the extreme dryness of my palate, and -stopped not to inquire whether it was any thing -else than a liquid. After this, I may say exquisite -banquet, our bodies were considerably recruited, -and I felt my spirits now much higher than they -had been at any time before. By observation, -this day we found ourselves in latitude 7° 53′ S. -our distance from the wreck, as nearly as we could -calculate, was then about four hundred and eighty -miles.</p> - -<p class='c005'>December 1st. From the 1st to the 3d of December, -exclusive, there was nothing transpired -of any moment. Our boats as yet kept admirably -well together, and the weather was distinguished -for its mildness and salubrity. We gathered -consolation too from a favourable slant which the -wind took to NE. and our situation was not at that -moment, we thought, so comfortless as we had -been led at first to consider it; but, in our extravagant -felicitations upon the blessing of the wind -and weather, we forgot our leaks, our weak boats, -our own debility, our immense distance from land, -the smallness of our stock of provisions; all which, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>when brought to mind, with the force which they -deserved, were too well calculated to dishearten -us, and cause us to sigh for the hardships of our lot. -Up to the 3d of December, the raging thirst of our -mouths had not been but in a small degree alleviated; -had it not been for the pains which that -gave us, we should have tasted, during this spell of -fine weather, a species of enjoyment, derived -from a momentary forgetfulness of our actual situation.</p> - -<p class='c005'>December 3d. With great joy we hailed the -last crumb of our damaged bread, and commenced -this day to take our allowance of healthy provisions. -The salutary and agreeable effects of this -change were felt at first in so slight a degree, as -to give us no great cause of comfort or satisfaction; -but gradually, as we partook of our small allowance -of water, the moisture began to collect in our -mouths, and the parching fever of the palate imperceptibly -left it. An accident here happened -to us which gave us a great momentary spell of -uneasiness. The night was dark, and the sky was -completely overcast, so that we could scarcely -discern each other’s boats, when at about ten -o’clock, that of the second mate was suddenly missing. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>I felt for a moment considerable alarm at -her unexpected disappearance; but after a little -reflection I immediately hove to, struck a light -as expeditiously as possible, and hoisted it at the -mast-head, in a lantern. Our eyes were now directed -over every part of the ocean, in search of -her, when, to our great joy, we discerned an answering -light, about a quarter of a mile to leeward -of us; we ran down to it, and it proved to be the -lost boat. Strange as the extraordinary interest -which we felt in each other’s company may appear, -and much as our repugnance to separation -may seem to imply of weakness, it was the subject -of our continual hopes and fears. It is truly remarked, -that misfortune more than any thing else serves -to endear us to our companions. So strongly was -this sentiment engrafted upon our feelings, and so -closely were the destinies of all of us involuntarily -linked together, that, had one of the boats been -wrecked, and wholly lost, with all her provisions -and water, we should have felt ourselves constrained, -by every tie of humanity, to have taken the -surviving sufferers into the other boats, and shared -our bread and water with them, while a crumb of -one or a drop of the other remained. Hard, indeed, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>would the case have been for all, and much -as I have since reflected on the subject, I have not -been able to realize, had it so happened, that a -sense of our necessities would have allowed us to -give so magnanimous and devoted a character to -our feelings. I can only speak of the impressions -which I recollect I had at the time. Subsequently, -however, as our situation became more straightened -and desperate, our conversation on this subject -took a different turn; and it appeared to be -an universal sentiment, that such a course of conduct -was calculated to weaken the chances of a -final deliverance for some, and might be the only -means of consigning every soul of us to a horrid -death of starvation. There is no question but that -an immediate separation, therefore, was the most -politic measure that could be adopted, and that -every boat should take its own separate chance: -while we remained together, should any accident -happen, of the nature alluded to, no other course -could be adopted, than that of taking the survivers -into the other boats, and giving up voluntarily, what -we were satisfied could alone prolong our hopes, and -multiply the chances of our safety, or unconcernedly -witness their struggles in death, perhaps beat -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>them from our boats, with weapons, back into the -ocean. The expectation of reaching the land -was founded upon a reasonable calculation of the -distance, the means, and the subsistence; all which -were scanty enough, God knows, and ill adapted -to the probable exigences of the voyage. Any -addition to our own demands, in this respect, -would not only injure, but actually destroy the -whole system which we had laid down, and reduce -us to a slight hope, derived either from the speedy -death of some of our crew, or the falling in with -some vessel. With all this, however, there was a -desperate instinct that bound us together; we -could not reason on the subject with any degree -of satisfaction to our minds, yet we continued to -cling to each other with a strong and involuntary -impulse. This, indeed, was a matter of no small -difficulty, and it constituted, more than any thing -else, a source of continual watching and inquietude. -We would but turn our eyes away for a few -moments, during some dark nights, and presently, -one of the boats would be missing. There was no -other remedy than to heave to immediately and -set a light, by which the missing boat might be directed -to us. These proceedings necessarily interfered -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>very much with our speed, and consequently -lessened our hopes; but we preferred to -submit to it, while the consequences were not so -immediately felt, rather than part with the consolation -which each other’s presence afforded. -Nothing of importance took place on the 4th of -December; and on the 5th, at night, owing to the -extreme darkness, and a strong wind, I again separated -from the other boats. Finding they were -not to be seen in any direction, I loaded my pistol -and fired it twice; soon after the second discharge -they made their appearance a short distance to -windward, and we joined company, and again kept -on our course, in which we continued without any -remarkable occurrence, through the 6th and 7th -of December. The wind during this period blew -very strong, and much more unfavourably. Our -boats continued to leak, and to take in a good deal -of water over the gunwales.</p> - -<p class='c005'>December 8th. In the afternoon of this day -the wind set in E.SE. and began to blow much -harder than we had yet experienced it; by -twelve o’clock at night it had increased to a perfect -gale, with heavy showers of rain, and we now -began, from these dreadful indications, to prepare -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>ourselves for destruction. We continued to take -in sail by degrees, as the tempest gradually increased, -until at last we were obliged to take down -our masts. At this juncture we gave up entirely -to the mercy of the waves. The sea and rain -had wet us to the skin, and we sat down, silently, -and with sullen resignation, awaiting our fate. -We made an effort to catch some fresh water by -spreading one of the sails, but after having spent -a long time, and obtained but a small quantity in a -bucket, it proved to be quite as salt as that from -the ocean: this we attributed to its having passed -through the sail which had been so often wet by -the sea, and upon which, after drying so frequently -in the sun, concretions of salt had been formed. -It was a dreadful night—cut off from any imaginary -relief—nothing remained but to await the approaching -issue with firmness and resignation. -The appearance of the heavens was dark and -dreary, and the blackness that was spread over -the face of the waters dismal beyond description. -The heavy squalls, that followed each other in -quick succession, were preceded by sharp flashes -of lightning, that appeared to wrap our little barge -in flames. The sea rose to a fearful height, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>every wave that came looked as if it must be the -last that would be necessary for our destruction. -To an overruling Providence alone must be attributed -our salvation from the horrors of that terrible -night. It can be accounted for in no other -way: that a speck of substance, like that which -we were, before the driving terrors of the tempest, -could have been conducted safely through it. -At twelve o’clock it began to abate a little in intervals -of two or three minutes, during which we -would venture to raise up our heads and look to -windward. Our boat was completely unmanageable; -without sails, mast, or rudder, and had been -driven, in the course of the afternoon and night, -we knew not whither, nor how far. When the gale -had in some measure subsided we made efforts to -get a little sail upon her, and put her head towards -the course we had been steering. My companions -had not slept any during the whole night, and were -dispirited and broken down to such a degree as to -appear to want some more powerful stimulus than -the fears of death to enable them to do their duty. -By great exertions, however, towards morning -we again set a double-reefed mainsail and jib -upon her, and began to make tolerable progress -<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>on the voyage. An unaccountable good fortune -had kept the boats together during all the troubles -of the night: and the sun rose and showed the disconsolate -faces of our companions once more to -each other.</p> - -<p class='c005'>December 9th. By twelve o’clock this day we -were enabled to set all sail as usual; but there -continued to be a very heavy sea running, which -opened the seams of the boats, and increased the -leaks to an alarming degree. There was, however, -no remedy for this but continual bailing, -which had now become to be an extremely irksome -and laborious task. By observation we -found ourselves in latitude 17° 40′ S. At eleven -o’clock at night, the captain’s boat was unexpectedly -found to be missing. After the last accident of -this kind we had agreed, if the same should again -occur, that, in order to save our time, the other -boats should not heave to, as usual, but continue -on their course until morning, and thereby save -the great detention that must arise from such repeated -delays. We, however, concluded on this -occasion to make a small effort, which, if it did -not immediately prove the means of restoring the -lost boat, we would discontinue, and again make -<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>sail. Accordingly we hove to for an hour, during -which time I fired my pistol twice, and obtaining -no tidings of the boat, we stood on our course. -When daylight appeared she was to leeward of us, -about two miles; upon observing her we immediately -ran down, and again joined company.</p> - -<p class='c005'>December 10th. I have omitted to notice the -gradual advances which hunger and thirst, for the -last six days, had made upon us. As the time had -lengthened since our departure from the wreck, -and the allowance of provision, making the demands -of the appetite daily more and more importunate, -they had created in us an almost uncontrollable -temptation to violate our resolution, -and satisfy, for once, the hard yearnings of nature -from our stock; but a little reflection served to -convince us of the imprudence and unmanliness of -the measure, and it was abandoned with a sort of -melancholy effort of satisfaction. I had taken into -custody, by common consent, all the provisions -and water belonging to the boat, and was determined -that no encroachments should be made upon -it with my consent; nay, I felt myself bound, by -every consideration of duty, by every dictate of -sense, of prudence, and discretion, without which, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>in my situation, all other exertions would have -been folly itself, to protect them, at the hazard -of my life. For this purpose I locked up in -my chest the whole quantity, and never, for a -single moment, closed my eyes without placing -some part of my person in contact with the chest; -and having loaded my pistol, kept it constantly -about me. I should not certainly have put any -threats in execution as long as the most distant -hopes of reconciliation existed; and was determined, -in case the least refractory disposition should -be manifested, (a thing which I contemplated not -unlikely to happen, with a set of starving wretches -like ourselves,) that I would immediately divide -our subsistence into equal proportions, and give -each man’s share into his own keeping. Then, -should any attempt be made upon mine, which I -intended to mete out to myself, according to exigences, -I was resolved to make the consequences -of it fatal. There was, however, the most upright -and obedient behaviour in this respect manifested -by every man in the boat, and I never had -the least opportunity of proving what my conduct -would have been on such an occasion. While -standing on our course this day we came across -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>a small shoal of flying fish: four of which, in their -efforts to avoid us, flew against the mainsail, and -dropped into the boat; one, having fell near me, -I eagerly snatched up and devoured; the other -three were immediately taken by the rest, and eaten -alive. For the first time I, on this occasion, -felt a disposition to laugh, upon witnessing the ludicrous -and almost desperate efforts of my five -companions, who each sought to get a fish. They -were very small of the kind, and constituted but -an extremely delicate mouthful, scales, wings, and -all, for hungry stomachs like ours. From the -eleventh to the thirteenth of December inclusive, -our progress was very slow, owing to light winds -and calms; and nothing transpired of any moment, -except that on the eleventh we killed the -only remaining turtle, and enjoyed another luxuriant -repast, that invigorated our bodies, and gave -a fresh flow to our spirits. The weather was extremely -hot, and we were exposed to the full force -of a meridian sun, without any covering to shield us -from its burning influence, or the least breath of -air to cool its parching rays. On the thirteenth -day of December we were blessed with a change -of wind to the northward, that brought us a most -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>welcome and unlooked for relief. We now, for -the first time, actually felt what might be deemed -a reasonable hope of our deliverance; and with -hearts bounding with satisfaction, and bosoms -swelling with joy, we made all sail to the eastward. -We imagined we had run out of the tradewinds, -and had got into the variables, and should, -in all probability, reach the land many days sooner -than we expected. But, alas! our anticipations -were but a dream, from which we shortly -experienced a cruel awaking. The wind gradually -died away, and at night was succeeded by a -perfect calm, more oppressive and disheartening -to us, from the bright prospects which had attended -during the day. The gloomy reflections that -this hard fortune had given birth to, were succeeded -by others, of a no less cruel and discouraging -nature, when we found the calm continue during -the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth of December -inclusive. The extreme oppression of the -weather, the sudden and unexpected prostration -of our hopes, and the consequent dejection of our -spirits, set us again to thinking, and filled our souls -with fearful and melancholy forebodings. In this -state of affairs, seeing no alternative left us but to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>employ to the best advantage all human expedients -in our power, I proposed, on the fourteenth, -to reduce our allowance of provisions one-half. No objections were made to this arrangement: -all submitted, or seemed to do so, with an -admirable fortitude and forbearance. The proportion -which our stock of water bore to our -bread was not large; and while the weather continued -so oppressive, we did not think it adviseable -to diminish our scanty pittance; indeed, it would -have been scarcely possible to have done so, with -any regard to our necessities, as our thirst had -become now incessantly more intolerable than -hunger, and the quantity then allowed was barely -sufficient to keep the mouth in a state of moisture, -for about one-third of the time. “Patience -and long-suffering” was the constant language of -our lips: and a determination, strong as the resolves -of the soul could make it, to cling to existence -as long as hope and breath remained to us. -In vain was every expedient tried to relieve the raging -fever of the throat by drinking salt water, and -holding small quantities of it in the mouth, until, by -that means, the thirst was increased to such a degree, -as even to drive us to despairing, and vain relief -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>from our own urine. Our sufferings during these -calm days almost exceeded human belief. The hot -rays of the sun beat down upon us to such a degree, -as to oblige us to hang over the gunwale of -the boat, into the sea, to cool our weak and fainting -bodies. This expedient afforded us, however, -a grateful relief, and was productive of a discovery -of infinite importance to us. No sooner had one -of us got on the outside of the gunwale than he -immediately observed the bottom of the boat to -be covered with a species of small clam, which, -upon being tasted, proved a most delicious and -agreeable food. This was no sooner announced -to us, than we commenced to tear them off and -eat them, for a few minutes, like a set of gluttons; -and, after having satisfied the immediate craving -of the stomach, we gathered large quantities and -laid them up in the boat; but hunger came upon -us again in less than half an hour afterwards, within -which time they had all disappeared. Upon -attempting to get in again, we found ourselves so -weak as to require each other’s assistance; indeed, -had it not been for three of our crew, who -could not swim, and who did not, therefore, get -overboard, I know not by what means we should -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>have been able to have resumed our situations -in the boat.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the fifteenth our boat continued to take in -water so fast from her leaks, and the weather -proving so moderate, we concluded to search out -the bad places, and endeavour to mend them as -well as we should be able. After a considerable -search, and, removing the ceiling near the bows, -we found the principal opening was occasioned -by the starting of a plank or streak in the bottom -of the boat, next to the keel. To remedy this, it -was now absolutely necessary to have access to the -bottom. The means of doing which did not immediately -occur to our minds. After a moment’s reflection, -however, one of the crew, Benjamin Lawrence, -offered to tie a rope around his body, take -a boat’s hatchet in his hand, and thus go under the -water, and hold the hatchet against a nail, to be -driven through from the inside, for the purpose of -clenching it. This was, accordingly, all effected, -with some little trouble, and answered the purpose -much beyond our expectations. Our latitude -was this day 21° 42′ South. The oppression -of the weather still continuing through the -sixteenth, bore upon our health and spirits with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>an amazing force and severity. The most disagreeable -excitements were produced by it, which, -added to the disconsolate endurance of the calm, -called loudly for some mitigating expedient,—some -sort of relief to our prolonged sufferings. -By our observations to-day we found, in addition -to our other calamities, that we had been urged -back from our progress, by the heave of the sea, a -distance of ten miles; and were still without any -prospect of wind. In this distressing posture of -our affairs, the captain proposed that we should -commence rowing, which, being seconded by all, -we immediately concluded to take a double allowance -of provision and water for the day, and row, -during the cool of the nights, until we should get -a breeze from some quarter or other. Accordingly, -when night came, we commenced our laborious -operations: we made but a very sorry -progress. Hunger and thirst, and long inactivity, -had so weakened us, that in three hours every -man gave out, and we abandoned the further prosecution -of the plan. With the sunrise the next -morning, on the seventeenth, a light breeze sprung -up from the SE. and, although directly ahead, it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>was welcomed with almost frenzied feelings of -gratitude and joy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>December 18th. The wind had increased this -day considerably, and by twelve o’clock blew a -gale; veering from SE. to E.SE. Again we were -compelled to take in all sail, and lie to for the principal -part of the day. At night, however, it -died away, and the next day, the nineteenth, -proved very moderate and pleasant weather, and -we again commenced to make a little progress.</p> - -<p class='c005'>December 20th. This was a day of great happiness -and joy. After having experienced one of -the most distressing nights in the whole catalogue -of our sufferings, we awoke to a morning of comparative -luxury and pleasure. About 7 o’clock, -while we were sitting dispirited, silent, and dejected, -in our boats, one of our companions suddenly -and loudly called out, “there is land!” We were -all aroused in an instant, as if electrified, and casting -our eyes to leeward, there indeed, was the -blessed vision before us, “as plain and palpable” -as could be wished for. A new and extraordinary -impulse now took possession of us. We shook off -the lethargy of our senses, and seemed to take -another, and a fresh existence. One or two of my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>companions, whose lagging spirits, and worn out -frames had begun to inspire them with an utter indifference -to their fate, now immediately brightened -up, and manifested a surprising alacrity and earnestness -to gain, without delay, the much wished -for shore. It appeared at first a low, white, beach, -and lay like a basking paradise before our longing -eyes. It was discovered nearly at the same time -by the other boats, and a general burst of joy and -congratulation now passed between us. It is not -within the scope of human calculation, by a mere -listener to the story, to divine what the feelings of -our hearts were on this occasion. Alternate expectation, -fear, gratitude, surprise, and exultation, -each swayed our minds, and quickened our -exertions. We ran down for it, and at 11 o’clock, -A. M. we were within a quarter of a mile of the -shore. It was an island, to all appearance, as -nearly as we could determine it, about six miles -long, and three broad; with a very high, rugged -shore, and surrounded by rocks; the sides of the -mountains were bare, but on the tops it looked -fresh and green with vegetation. Upon examining -our navigators, we found it was Ducies Island, -lying in latitude 24° 40′ S. longitude 124° 40′ -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>W. A short moment sufficed for reflection, and -we made immediate arrangements to land. None -of us knew whether the island was inhabited or -not, nor what it afforded, if any thing; if inhabited, -it was uncertain whether by beasts or savages; and -a momentary suspense was created, by the dangers -which might possibly arise by proceeding -without due preparation and care. Hunger and -thirst, however, soon determined us, and having -taken the musket and pistols, I, with three others, -effected a landing upon some sunken rocks, and -waded thence to the shore. Upon arriving at the -beach, it was necessary to take a little breath, and -we laid down for a few minutes to rest our weak -bodies, before we could proceed. Let the reader -judge, if he can, what must have been our feelings -now! Bereft of all comfortable hopes of life, for the -space of thirty days of terrible suffering; our bodies -wasted to mere skeletons, by hunger and thirst, -and death itself staring us in the face; to be suddenly -and unexpectedly conducted to a rich banquet -of food and drink, which subsequently we enjoyed -for a few days, to our full satisfaction; and he will -have but a faint idea of the happiness that here -fell to our lot. We now, after a few minutes, separated, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>and went different directions in search of -water; the want of which had been our principal -privation, and called for immediate relief. I had -not proceeded far in my excursion, before I discovered -a fish, about a foot and a half in length, -swimming along in the water close to the shore. -I commenced an attack upon him with the breach -of my gun, and struck him, I believe, once, and he -ran under a small rock, that lay near the shore, -from whence I took him with the aid of my ramrod, -and brought him up on the beach, and immediately -fell to eating. My companions soon joined in -the repast; and in less than ten minutes, the whole -was consumed, bones, and skin, and scales, and -all. With full stomachs, we imagined we could -now attempt the mountains, where, if in any part -of the island, we considered water would be most -probably obtained. I accordingly clambered, with -excessive labour, suffering, and pain, up amongst -the bushes, roots, and underwood, of one of the -crags, looking in all directions in vain, for every -appearance of water that might present itself. -There was no indication of the least moisture to be -found, within the distance to which I had ascended, -although my strength did not enable me to get -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>higher than about 20 feet. I was sitting down at -the height that I had attained, to gather a little -breath, and ruminating upon the fruitlessness of my -search, and the consequent evils and continuation -of suffering that it necessarily implied, when I perceived -that the tide had risen considerably since -our landing, and threatened to cut off our retreat -to the rocks, by which alone we should be able -to regain our boats. I therefore determined to -proceed again to the shore, and inform the captain -and the rest of our want of success in procuring -water, and consult upon the propriety of remaining -at the island any longer. I never for one moment -lost sight of the main chance, which I conceived -we still had, of either getting to the coast, or of -meeting with some vessel at sea; and felt that every -minute’s detention, without some equivalent -object, was lessening those chances, by a consumption -of the means of our support. When I had -got down, one of my companions informed me, -that he had found a place in a rock some distance -off, from which the water exuded in small drops, -at intervals of about five minutes; that he had, by -applying his lips to the rock, obtained a few of -them, which only served to whet his appetite, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>from which nothing like the least satisfaction had -proceeded. I immediately resolved in my own -mind, upon this information, to advise remaining -until morning, to endeavour to make a more thorough -search the next day, and with our hatchets -to pick away the rock which had been discovered, -with the view of increasing, if possible, the run -of the water. We all repaired again to our boats, -and there found that the captain had the same impressions -as to the propriety of our delay until -morning. We therefore landed; and having hauled -our boats up on the beach, laid down in them -that night, free from all the anxieties of watching -and labour, and amid all our sufferings, gave ourselves -up to an unreserved forgetfulness and peace -of mind, that seemed so well to accord with the -pleasing anticipations that this day had brought -forth. It was but a short space, however, until the -morning broke upon us; and sense, and feeling, -and gnawing hunger, and the raging fever of thirst -then redoubled my wishes and efforts to explore -the island again. We had obtained, that night, a -few crabs, by traversing the shore a considerable -distance, and a few very small fish; but waited -until the next day, for the labours of which, we -<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>considered a night of refreshing and undisturbed -repose would better qualify us.</p> - -<p class='c005'>December 21st. We had still reserved our -common allowance, but it was entirely inadequate -for the purpose of supplying the raging demands of -the palate; and such an excessive and cruel thirst -was created, as almost to deprive us of the power -of speech. The lips became cracked and swollen, -and a sort of glutinous saliva collected in the -mouth, disagreeable to the taste, and intolerable -beyond expression. Our bodies had wasted away -to almost skin and bone, and possessed so little -strength, as often to require each other’s assistance -in performing some of its weakest functions. Relief, -we now felt, must come soon, or nature would -sink. The most perfect discipline was still maintained, -in respect to our provisions; and it now became -our whole object, if we should not be able -to replenish our subsistence from the island, to obtain, -by some means or other, a sufficient refreshment -to enable us to prosecute our voyage.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Our search for water accordingly again commenced -with the morning; each of us took a different -direction, and prosecuted the examination -of every place where there was the least indication -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>of it; the small leaves of the shrubbery, affording -a temporary alleviation, by being chewed -in the mouth, and but for the peculiarly bitter -taste which those of the island possessed, would -have been an extremely grateful substitute. In -the course of our rambles too, along the sides of -the mountain, we would now and then meet with -tropic birds, of a beautiful figure and plumage, occupying -small holes in the sides of it, from which -we plucked them without the least difficulty. -Upon our approaching them they made no attempts -to fly, nor did they appear to notice us at -all. These birds served us for a fine repast; numbers -of which were caught in the course of the -day, cooked by fires which we made on the shore, -and eaten with the utmost avidity. We found also -a plant, in taste not unlike the peppergrass, growing -in considerable abundance in the crevices of -the rocks, and which proved to us a very agreeable -food, by being chewed with the meat of the birds. -These, with birds’ nests, some of them full of young, -and others of eggs, a few of which we found in the -course of the day, served us for food, and supplied -the place of our bread; from the use of -which, during our stay here, we had restricted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>ourselves. But water, the great object of all our -anxieties and exertions, was no where to be found, -and we began to despair of meeting with it on the -island. Our state of extreme weakness, and many -of us without shoes or any covering for the feet, -prevented us from exploring any great distance; -lest by some sudden faintness, or over exertion, we -should not be able to return, and at night be exposed -to attacks of wild beasts, which might inhabit the -island, and be alike incapable of resistance, as beyond -the reach of the feeble assistance that otherwise -could be afforded to each. The whole day -was thus consumed in picking up whatever had the -least shape or quality of sustenance, and another -night of misery was before us, to be passed without -a drop of water to cool our parching tongues. -In this state of affairs, we could not reconcile it to -ourselves to remain longer at this place; a day, an -hour, lost to us unnecessarily here, might cost us -our preservation. A drop of the water that we -then had in our possession might prove, in the last -stages of our debility, the very cordial of life. I -addressed the substance of these few reflections to -the captain, who agreed with me in opinion, upon -the necessity of taking some decisive steps in our -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>present dilemma. After some considerable conversation -on this subject, it was finally concluded, -to spend the succeeding day in the further search -for water, and if none should be found, to quit the -island the morning after.</p> - -<p class='c005'>December 22d. We had been employed during -the last night in various occupations, according to -the feelings or the wants of the men; some continued -to wander about the shore, and to short distances -in the mountains, still seeking for food and -water; others hung about the beach, near the -edge of the sea, endeavouring to take the little -fish that came about them. Some slept, insensible -to every feeling but rest; while others spent the -night in talking of their situation, and reasoning -upon the probabilities of their deliverance. The -dawn of day aroused us again to labour, and each -of us pursued his own inclination, as to the course -taken over the island after water. My principal -hope was founded upon my success in picking the -rocks where the moisture had been discovered the -day before, and thither I hastened as soon as my -strength would enable me to get there. It was -about a quarter of a mile from what I may call our -encampment; and with two men, who had accompanied -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>me, I commenced my labours with a hatchet -and an old chisel. The rock proved to be -very soft, and in a very short time I had obtained -a considerable hole, but, alas! without the least -wished-for effect. I watched it for some little -time with great anxiety, hoping that, as I increased -the depth of the hole, the water would presently -flow; but all my hopes and efforts were unavailing, -and at last I desisted from further labour, and sat -down near it in utter despair. As I turned my eyes -towards the beach I saw some of the men in the act -of carrying a keg along from the boats, with, I -thought, an extraordinary spirit and activity; and -the idea suddenly darted across my mind that they -had found water, and were taking a keg to fill it. -I quitted my seat in a moment, made the best of -my way towards them, with a palpitating heart, -and before I came up with them, they gave me the -cheering news that they had found a spring of water. -I felt, at that moment, as if I could have fallen -down and thanked God for this signal act of -his mercy. The sensation that I experienced was -indeed strange, and such as I shall never forget. -At one instant I felt an almost choking excess of -joy, and at the next I wanted the relief of a flood -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>of tears. When I arrived at the spot, whither I had -hastened as fast as my weak legs would carry me, -I found my companions had all taken their fill, -and with an extreme degree of forbearance I -then satisfied myself, by drinking in small quantities, -and at intervals of two or three minutes apart. -Many had, notwithstanding the remonstrances of -prudence, and, in some cases, force, laid down and -thoughtlessly swallowed large quantities of it, until -they could drink no more. The effect of this -was, however, neither so sudden nor bad as we had -imagined; it only served to make them a little -stupid and indolent for the remainder of the day.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Upon examining the place from whence we had -obtained this miraculous and unexpected succour, -we were equally astonished and delighted with the -discovery. It was on the shore, above which the sea -flowed to the depth of near six feet; and we could -procure the water, therefore, from it only when the -tide was down. The crevice from which it rose was -in a flat rock, large surfaces of which were spread -around, and composed the face of the beach. We -filled our two kegs before the tide rose, and went -back again to our boats. The remainder of this -day was spent in seeking for fish, crabs, birds, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>any thing else that fell in our way, that could contribute -to satisfy our appetites; and we enjoyed, -during that night, a most comfortable and delicious -sleep, unattended with those violent cravings -of hunger and thirst, that had poisoned our slumbers -for so many previous ones. Since the discovery -of the water, too, we began to entertain -different notions altogether of our situation. -There was no doubt we might here depend upon -a constant and ample supply of it as long as we -chose to remain, and, in all probability, we could -manage to obtain food, until the island should be -visited by some vessel, or time allowed to devise -other means of leaving it. Our boats would still -remain to us: a stay here might enable us to -mend, strengthen, and put them in more perfect -order for the sea, and get ourselves so far recruited -as to be able to endure, if necessary, a more protracted -voyage to the main land. I made a silent -determination in my own mind that I would myself -pursue something like this plan, whatever -might be the opinion of the rest; but I found no -difference in the views of any of us as to this matter. -We, therefore, concluded to remain at least -four or five days, within which time it could be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>sufficiently known whether it would be adviseable -to make any arrangements for a more permanent -abode.</p> - -<p class='c005'>December 23d. At 11 o’clock, A. M. we again -visited our spring: the tide had fallen to about a -foot below it, and we were able to procure, before -it rose again, about twenty gallons of water. It -was at first a little brackish, but soon became fresh, -from the constant supply from the rock, and the -departure of the sea. Our observations this -morning tended to give us every confidence in its -quantity and quality, and we, therefore, rested -perfectly easy in our minds on the subject, -and commenced to make further discoveries -about the island. Each man sought for his own -daily living, on whatsoever the mountains, the -shore, or the sea, could furnish him with; and -every day, during our stay there, the whole time -was employed in roving about for food. We -found, however, on the twenty-fourth, that we had -picked up, on the island, every thing that could be -got at, in the way of sustenance; and, much to our -surprise, some of the men came in at night and -complained of not having gotten sufficient during -the day to satisfy the cravings of their stomachs. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>Every accessible part of the mountain, contiguous -to us, or within the reach of our weak enterprise, -was already ransacked, for birds’ eggs and grass, -and was rifled of all that they contained: so that -we began to entertain serious apprehensions that -we should not be able to live long here; at any -rate, with the view of being prepared, as well as -possible, should necessity at any time oblige us to -quit it, we commenced, on the twenty-fourth, to -repair our boats, and continued to work upon them -all that and the succeeding day. We were enabled -to do this, with much facility, by drawing -them up and turning them over on the beach, -working by spells of two or three hours at a time, -and then leaving off to seek for food. We procured -our water daily, when the tide would leave -the shore: but on the evening of the twenty-fifth, -found that a fruitless search for nourishment had -not repaid us for the labours of a whole day. There -was no one thing on the island upon which we -could in the least degree rely, except the peppergrass, -and of that the supply was precarious, and -not much relished without some other food. Our -situation here, therefore, now became worse than -it would have been in our boats on the ocean; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>because, in the latter case, we should be still -making some progress towards the land, while our -provisions lasted, and the chance of falling in with -some vessel be considerably increased. It was certain -that we ought not to remain here unless upon -the strongest assurances in our own minds, of sufficient -sustenance, and that, too, in regular supplies, -that might be depended upon. After much -conversation amongst us on this subject, and again -examining our navigators, it was finally concluded -to set sail for Easter Island, which we found to be -E.SE. from us in latitude 27° 9′ S. longitude 109° -35′ W. All we knew of this island was, that it existed -as laid down in the books; but of its extent, -productions, or inhabitants, if any, we were entirely -ignorant; at any rate, it was nearer by eight -hundred and fifty miles to the coast, and could not -be worse in its productions than the one we were -about leaving.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The twenty-sixth of December was wholly employed -in preparations for our departure; our -boats were hauled down to the vicinity of the -spring, and our casks, and every thing else that -would contain it, filled with water.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There had been considerable talk between -<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>three of our companions, about their remaining on -this island, and taking their chance both for a living, -and an escape from it; and as the time -drew near at which we were to leave, they made -up their minds to stay behind. The rest of us -could make no objection to their plan, as it lessened -the load of our boats, allowed us their share -of the provisions, and the probability of their being -able to sustain themselves on the island was -much stronger than that of our reaching the main -land. Should we, however, ever arrive safely, it -would become our duty, and we so assured them, -to give information of their situation, and make -every effort to procure their removal from thence; -which we accordingly afterwards did.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Their names were William Wright of Barnstable, -Massachusetts, Thomas Chapple of Plymouth, -England, and Seth Weeks of the former -place. They had begun, before we came away, -to construct a sort of habitation, composed of the -branches of trees, and we left with them every little -article that could be spared from the boats. It -was their intention to build a considerable dwelling, -that would protect them from the rains, as -soon as time and materials could be provided. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>The captain wrote letters, to be left on the island, -giving information of the fate of the ship, and that -of our own; and stating that we had set out to -reach Easter Island, with further particulars, intended -to give notice (should our fellow-sufferers -die there, and the place be ever visited by any -vessel,) of our misfortunes. These letters were -put in a tin case, enclosed in a small wooden -box, and nailed to a tree, on the west side of -the island, near our landing place. We had observed, -some days previously, the name of a ship, -“The Elizabeth,” cut out in the bark of this tree, -which rendered it indubitable that one of that -name had once touched here. There was, however, -no date to it, or any thing else, by which -any further particulars could be made out.</p> - -<p class='c005'>December 27th. I went, before we set sail -this morning, and procured for each boat a flat -stone, and two arms-full of wood, with which to -make a fire in our boats, should it become afterwards -necessary in the further prosecution of -our voyage; as we calculated we might catch -a fish, or a bird, and in that case be provided -with the means of cooking it; otherwise, from the -intense heat of the weather, we knew they could -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>not be preserved from spoiling. At ten o’clock, -A. M. the tide having risen far enough to allow -our boats to float over the rocks, we made all sail, -and steered around the island, for the purpose of -making a little further observation, which would -not detain us any time, and might be productive of -some unexpected good fortune. Before we started -we missed our three companions, and found -they had not come down, either to assist us to get -off, nor to take any kind of leave of us. I walked -up the beach towards their rude dwelling, and informed -them that we were then about to set sail, -and should probably never see them more. They -seemed to be very much affected, and one of them -shed tears. They wished us to write to their relations, -should Providence safely direct us again -to our homes, and said but little else. They had -every confidence in being able to procure a subsistence -there as long as they remained: and, -finding them ill at heart about taking any leave of -us, I hastily bid them “good-bye,” hoped they -would do well, and came away. They followed -me with their eyes until I was out of sight, and I -never saw more of them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the NW. side of the island we perceived a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>fine white beach, on which we imagined we might -land, and in a short time ascertain if any further -useful discoveries could be effected, or any addition -made to our stock of provisions; and having -set ashore five or six of the men for this purpose, -the rest of us shoved off the boats and commenced -fishing. We saw a number of sharks, but all efforts -to take them proved ineffectual; and we got -but a few small fish, about the size of a mackerel, -which we divided amongst us. In this business -we were occupied for the remainder of the day, -until six o’clock in the afternoon, when the men, -having returned to the shore from their search in -the mountains, brought a few birds, and we again -set sail and steered directly for Easter Island. -During that night, after we had got quite clear of -the land, we had a fine strong breeze from the -NW.; we kept our fires going, and cooked our -fish and birds, and felt our situation as comfortable -as could be expected. We continued on our -course, consuming our provisions and water as -sparingly as possible, without any material incident, -until the thirtieth, when the wind hauled out -E.SE. directly ahead, and so continued until the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>thirty-first, when it again came to the northward; -and we resumed our course.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the third of January we experienced heavy -squalls from the W.SW. accompanied with dreadful -thunder and lightning, that threw a gloomy -and cheerless aspect over the ocean, and incited -a recurrence of some of those heavy and desponding -moments that we had before experienced. We -commenced from Ducies Island to keep a regular -reckoning, by which, on the fourth of January, -we found we had got to the southward of Easter -Island, and the wind prevailing E.NE. we should -not be able to get on to the eastward, so as to reach -it. Our birds and fish were all now consumed, and -we had begun again upon our short allowance of -bread. It was necessary, in this state of things, to -change our determination of going to Easter Island, -and shape our course in some other direction, -where the wind would allow of our going. We -had but little hesitation in concluding, therefore, -to steer for the island of Juan Fernandez, which -lay about E.SE. from us, distant two thousand five -hundred miles. We bent our course accordingly -towards it, having for the two succeeding days very -light winds, and suffering excessively from the intense -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>heat of the sun. The seventh brought us -a change of wind to the northward, and at twelve -o’clock we found ourselves in latitude 30° 18′ S, -longitude 117° 29′ W. We continued to make -what progress we could to the eastward.</p> - -<p class='c005'>January 10th. Matthew P. Joy, the second -mate, had suffered from debility, and the privations -we had experienced, much beyond any of the rest -of us, and was on the eighth removed to the captain’s -boat, under the impression that he would -be more comfortable there, and more attention -and pains be bestowed in nursing and endeavouring -to comfort him. This day being calm, he manifested -a desire to be taken back again; but at 4 -o’clock in the afternoon, after having been, according -to his wishes, placed in his own boat, he died -very suddenly after his removal. On the eleventh, -at six o’clock in the morning, we sewed him up in -his clothes, tied a large stone to his feet, and, having -brought all the boats to, consigned him in a -solemn manner to the ocean. This man did not -die of absolute starvation, although his end was -no doubt very much hastened by his sufferings. -He had a weak and sickly constitution, and complained -of being unwell the whole voyage. It was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>an incident, however, which threw a gloom over -our feelings for many days. In consequence of his -death, one man from the captain’s boat was placed -in that from which he died, to supply his place, -and we stood away again on our course.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the 12th of Jan. we had the wind from the NW. -which commenced in the morning, and came on -to blow before night a perfect gale. We were -obliged to take in all sail and run before the wind. -Flashes of lightning were quick and vivid, and the -rain came down in cataracts. As however the gale -blew us fairly on our course, and our speed being -great during the day, we derived, I may say, even -pleasure from the uncomfortableness and fury of -the storm. We were apprehensive that in the -darkness of this night we should be separated, and -made arrangements, each boat to keep an E.SE. -course all night. About eleven o’clock my boat -being ahead a short distance of the others, I turned -my head back, as I was in the habit of doing -every minute, and neither of the others were to be -seen. It was blowing and raining at this time as -if the heavens were separating, and I knew not -hardly at the moment what to do. I hove my boat -to the wind, and lay drifting about an hour, expecting -<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>every moment that they would come up with -me, but not seeing any thing of them, I put away -again, and stood on the course agreed upon, with -strong hopes that daylight would enable me to discover -them again. When the morning dawned, in -vain did we look over every part of the ocean for -our companions; they were gone! and we saw no -more of them afterwards. It was folly to repine -at the circumstance; it could neither be remedied, -nor could sorrow secure their return; but it was -impossible to prevent ourselves feeling all the -poignancy and bitterness that characterizes the -separation of men who have long suffered in each -other’s company, and whose interests and feelings -fate had so closely linked together. By our observation, -we separated in lat. 32° 16′ S. long. 112° -20′ W. For many days after this accident, our -progress was attended with dull and melancholy -reflections. We had lost the cheering of each -other’s faces, that, which strange as it is, we so -much required in both our mental and bodily distresses. -The 14th January proved another very -squally and rainy day. We had now been nineteen -days from the island, and had only made a distance -about 900 miles: necessity began to whisper -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>us, that a still further reduction of our allowance -must take place, or we must abandon altogether -the hopes of reaching the land, and rely wholly on -the chance of being taken up by a vessel. But -how to reduce the daily quantity of food, with any -regard to life itself, was a question of the utmost -consequence. Upon our first leaving the wreck, -the demands of the stomach had been circumscribed -to the smallest possible compass; and subsequently -before reaching the island, a diminution -had taken place of nearly one-half; and it was now, -from a reasonable calculation, become necessary -even to curtail that at least one-half; which must, -in a short time, reduce us to mere skeletons again. -We had a full allowance of water, but it only served -to contribute to our debility; our bodies deriving -but the scanty support which an ounce and a -half of bread for each man afforded. It required -a great effort to bring matters to this dreadful alternative, -either to feed our bodies and our hopes -a little longer, or in the agonies of hunger to seize -upon and devour our provisions, and coolly await -the approach of death.</p> - -<p class='c005'>We were as yet, just able to move about in our -boats, and slowly perform the necessary labours -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>appertaining to her; but we were fast wasting away -with the relaxing effects of the water, and we daily -almost perished under the torrid rays of a meridian -sun; to escape which, we would lie down in -the bottom of the boat, cover ourselves over with -the sails, and abandon her to the mercy of the -waves. Upon attempting to rise again, the blood -would rush into the head, and an intoxicating blindness -come over us, almost to occasion our suddenly -falling down again. A slight interest was still -kept up in our minds by the distant hopes of yet -meeting with the other boats, but it was never -realized. An accident occurred at night, which -gave me a great cause of uneasiness, and led me -to an unpleasant rumination upon the probable -consequences of a repetition of it. I had laid down -in the boat without taking the usual precaution of -securing the lid of the provision-chest as I was accustomed -to do, when one of the white men awoke -me, and informed me that one of the blacks had -taken some bread from it. I felt at the moment -the highest indignation and resentment at such conduct -in any of our crew, and immediately took my -pistol in my hand, and charged him if he had taken -any, to give it up without the least hesitation, or I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>should instantly shoot him!—He became at once -very much alarmed, and, trembling, confessed -the fact, pleading the hard necessity that urged -him to it: he appeared to be very penitent for his -crime, and earnestly swore that he would never be -guilty of it again. I could not find it in my soul -to extend towards him the least severity on this -account, however much, according to the strict -imposition which we felt upon ourselves it might demand -it. This was the first infraction; and the -security of our lives, our hopes of redemption -from our sufferings, loudly called for a prompt and -signal punishment; but every humane feeling of nature -plead in his behalf, and he was permitted to -escape, with the solemn injunction, that a repetition -of the same offence would cost him his life.</p> - -<p class='c005'>I had almost determined upon this occurrence -to divide our provisions, and give to each man his -share of the whole stock; and should have done so -in the height of my resentment, had it not been -for the reflection that some might, by imprudence, -be tempted to go beyond the daily allowance or -consume it all at once, and bring on a premature -weakness or starvation: this would of course disable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>them for the duties of the boat, and reduce -our chances of safety and deliverance.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the 15th of January, at night, a very large -shark was observed swimming about us in a most -ravenous manner, making attempts every now and -then upon different parts of the boat, as if he would -devour the very wood with hunger; he came several -times and snapped at the steering oar, and -even the stern-post. We tried in vain to stab -him with a lance, but we were so weak as not to -be able to make any impression upon his hard -skin; he was so much larger than an ordinary one, -and manifested such a fearless malignity, as to -make us afraid of him; and our utmost efforts, -which were at first directed to kill him for prey, -became in the end self-defense. Baffled however -in all his hungry attempts upon us, he shortly made -off.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the 16th of January, we were surrounded -with porpoises in great numbers, that followed us -nearly an hour, and which also defied all manœuvres -to catch them. The 17th and 18th proved -to be calm; and the distresses of a cheerless prospect -and a burning hot sun, were again visited upon -our devoted heads.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>We began to think that Divine Providence had -abandoned us at last; and it was but an unavailing -effort to endeavour to prolong a now tedious existence. -Horrible were the feelings that took possession -of us!—The contemplation of a death of -agony and torment, refined by the most dreadful -and distressing reflections, absolutely prostrated -both body and soul. There was not a hope now -remaining to us but that which was derived from -a sense of the mercies of our Creator. The night -of the 18th was a despairing era in our sufferings; -our minds were wrought up to the highest pitch -of dread and apprehension for our fate, and all in -them was dark, gloomy, and confused. About 8 -o’clock, the terrible noise of whale-spouts near -us sounded in our ears: we could distinctly hear -the furious thrashing of their tails in the water, and -our weak minds pictured out their appalling and -hideous aspects. One of my companions, the -black man, took an immediate fright, and solicited -me to take out the oars, and endeavour to get -away from them. I consented to his using any -means for that purpose; but alas! it was wholly -out of our power to raise a single arm in our -own defence. Two or three of the whales came -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>down near us, and went swiftly off across our -stern, blowing and spouting at a terrible rate; they, -however, after an hour or two disappeared, and -we saw no more of them. The next day, the 19th -of January, we had extremely boisterous weather, -with rain, heavy thunder and lightning, which -reduced us again to the necessity of taking in all -sail and lying to. The wind blew from every point -of the compass within the twenty-four hours, and -at last towards the next morning settled at E.NE. -a strong breeze.</p> - -<p class='c005'>January 20. The black man, Richard Peterson, -manifested to-day symptoms of a speedy dissolution; -he had been lying between the seats in the -boat, utterly dispirited and broken down, without -being able to do the least duty, or hardly to place -his hand to his head for the last three days, and -had this morning made up his mind to die rather -than endure further misery: he refused his allowance; -said he was sensible of his approaching end, -and was perfectly ready to die: in a few minutes -he became speechless, the breath appeared to be -leaving his body without producing the least pain, -and at four o’clock he was gone. I had two days -previously, conversations with him on the subject -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>of religion, on which he reasoned very sensibly, -and with much composure; and begged me to let -his wife know his fate, if ever I reached home in -safety. The next morning we committed him to -the sea, in latitude 35° 07′ S. longitude 105° 46′ W. -The wind prevailed to the eastward until the 24th -of January, when it again fell calm. We were -now in a most wretched and sinking state of debility, -hardly able to crawl around the boat, and possessing -but strength enough to convey our scanty -morsel to our mouths. When I perceived this -morning that it was calm, my fortitude almost forsook -me. I thought to suffer another scorching -day, like the last we had experienced, would close -before night the scene of our miseries; and I felt -many a despairing moment that day, that had well -nigh proved fatal. It required an effort to look -calmly forward, and contemplate what was yet in -store for us, beyond what I felt I was capable of -making; and what it was that buoyed me above -all the terrors which surrounded us, God alone -knows. Our ounce and a half of bread, which -was to serve us all day, was in some cases greedily -devoured, as if life was to continue but another -moment; and at other times, it was hoarded up -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>and eaten crumb by crumb, at regular intervals -during the day, as if it was to last us for ever. To -add to our calamities, biles began to break out upon -us, and our imaginations shortly became as diseased -as our bodies. I laid down at night to catch -a few moments of oblivious sleep, and immediately -my starving fancy was at work. I dreamt of being -placed near a splendid and rich repast, where -there was every thing that the most dainty appetite -could desire; and of contemplating the moment -in which we were to commence to eat with -enraptured feelings of delight; and just as I was -about to partake of it, I suddenly awoke to the cold -realities of my miserable situation. Nothing could -have oppressed me so much. It set such a longing -frenzy for victuals in my mind, that I felt as if -I could have wished the dream to continue for -ever, that I never might have awoke from it. I -cast a sort of vacant stare about the boat, until my -eyes rested upon a bit of tough cow-hide, which -was fastened to one of the oars; I eagerly seized -and commenced to chew it, but there was no substance -in it, and it only served to fatigue my weak -jaws, and add to my bodily pains. My fellow-sufferers -murmured very much the whole time, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>continued to press me continually with questions -upon the probability of our reaching land again. -I kept constantly rallying my spirits to enable me -to afford them comfort. I encouraged them to bear -up against all evils, and if we must perish, to die -in our own cause, and not weakly distrust the providence -of the Almighty, by giving ourselves up -to despair. I reasoned with them, and told them -that we would not die sooner by keeping up our -hopes; that the dreadful sacrifices and privations -we endured were to preserve us from death, and -were not to be put in competition with the price -which we set upon our lives, and their value to our -families: it was, besides, unmanly to repine at what -neither admitted of alleviation nor cure; and withal, -that it was our solemn duty to recognise in our -calamities an overruling divinity, by whose mercy -we might be suddenly snatched from peril, and to -rely upon him alone, “Who tempers the wind to -the shorn lamb.”</p> - -<p class='c005'>The three following days, the 25th, 26th, and -27th, were not distinguished by any particular -circumstances. The wind still prevailed to the -eastward, and by its obduracy, almost tore the -very hopes of our hearts away: it was impossible -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>to silence the rebellious repinings of our nature, -at witnessing such a succession of hard fortune -against us. It was our cruel lot not to have -had one bright anticipation realized—not one wish -of our thirsting souls gratified. We had, at the -end of these three days, been urged to the southward -as far as latitude 36° into a chilly region, -where rains and squalls prevailed; and we now -calculated to tack and stand back to the northward: -after much labour, we got our boat about; -and so great was the fatigue attending this small -exertion of our bodies, that we all gave up for a -moment and abandoned her to her own course.—Not -one of us had now strength sufficient to steer, -or indeed to make one single effort towards getting -the sails properly trimmed, to enable us to -make any headway. After an hour or two of relaxation, -during which the horrors of our situation -came upon us with a despairing force and effect, we -made a sudden effort and got our sails into such a -disposition, as that the boat would steer herself; -and we then threw ourselves down, awaiting the -issue of time to bring us relief, or to take us from -the scene of our troubles. We could now do nothing -more; strength and spirits were totally gone; -and what indeed could have been the narrow -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>hopes, that in our situation, then bound us to -life?</p> - -<p class='c005'>January 28. Our spirits this morning were -hardly sufficient to allow of our enjoying a change -of the wind, which took place to the westward.—It -had nearly become indifferent to us from what -quarter it blew: nothing but the slight chance of -meeting with a vessel remained to us now: it was -this narrow comfort alone, that prevented me from -lying down at once to die. But fourteen days’ stinted -allowance of provisions remained, and it was absolutely -necessary to increase the quantity to enable -us to live five days longer; we therefore partook -of it, as pinching necessity demanded, and -gave ourselves wholly up to the guidance and disposal -of our Creator.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The 29th and 30th of January, the wind continued -west, and we made considerable progress until -the 31st, when it again came ahead, and prostrated -all our hopes. On the 1st of February, it -changed again to the westward, and on the 2d and -3d blew to the eastward; and we had it light and -variable until the 8th of February. Our sufferings -were now drawing to a close; a terrible death appeared -shortly to await us; hunger became violent -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>and outrageous, and we prepared for a speedy -release from our troubles; our speech and reason -were both considerably impaired, and we were reduced -to be at this time, certainly the most helpless -and wretched of the whole human race. Isaac -Cole, one of our crew, had the day before this, in -a fit of despair, thrown himself down in the boat, -and was determined there calmly to wait for death. -It was obvious that he had no chance; all was dark -he said in his mind, not a single ray of hope was -left for him to dwell upon; and it was folly and -madness to be struggling against what appeared so -palpably to be our fixed and settled destiny. I remonstrated -with him as effectually as the weakness -both of my body and understanding would allow -of; and what I said appeared for a moment -to have a considerable effect: he made a powerful -and sudden effort, half rose up, crawled forward -and hoisted the jib, and firmly and loudly -cried that he would not give up; that he would live -as long as the rest of us—but alas! this effort was -but the hectic fever of the moment, and he shortly -again relapsed into a state of melancholy and despair. -This day his reason was attacked, and he -became about 9 o’clock in the morning a most miserable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>spectacle of madness: he spoke incoherently -about every thing, calling loudly for a napkin -and water, and then lying stupidly and senselessly -down in the boat again, would close his hollow -eyes, as if in death. About 10 o’clock, we -suddenly perceived that he became speechless; we -got him as well as we were able upon a board, -placed on one of the seats of the boat, and covering -him up with some old clothes, left him to his -fate. He lay in the greatest pain and apparent -misery, groaning piteously until four o’clock, when -he died, in the most horrid and frightful convulsions -I ever witnessed. We kept his corpse all -night, and in the morning my two companions began -as of course to make preparations to dispose -of it in the sea; when after reflecting on the subject -all night, I addressed them on the painful subject -of keeping the body for food!! Our provisions -could not possibly last us beyond three days, -within which time, it was not in any degree probable -that we should find relief from our present sufferings, -and that hunger would at last drive us to -the necessity of casting lots. It was without any -objection agreed to, and we set to work as fast as -we were able to prepare it so as to prevent its -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>spoiling. We separated his limbs from his body, -and cut all the flesh from the bones; after which, -we opened the body, took out the heart, and then -closed it again—sewed it up as decently as we -could, and committed it to the sea. We now first -commenced to satisfy the immediate cravings of -nature from the heart, which we eagerly devoured, -and then eat sparingly of a few pieces of the -flesh; after which, we hung up the remainder, cut -in thin strips about the boat, to dry in the sun: we -made a fire and roasted some of it, to serve us -during the next day. In this manner did we dispose -of our fellow-sufferer; the painful recollection -of which, brings to mind at this moment, some of the -most disagreeable and revolting ideas that it is capable -of conceiving. We knew not then, to whose -lot it would fall next, either to die or be shot, and -eaten like the poor wretch we had just dispatched. -Humanity must shudder at the dreadful recital. -I have no language to paint the anguish of our -souls in this dreadful dilemma. The next morning, -the 10th of February, we found that the flesh had -become tainted, and had turned of a greenish colour, -upon which we concluded to make a fire and -cook it at once, to prevent its becoming so putrid as -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>not to be eaten at all: we accordingly did so, and -by that means preserved it for six or seven days -longer; our bread during the time, remained untouched; -as that would not be liable to spoil, we -placed it carefully aside for the last moments of -our trial. About three o’clock this afternoon a -strong breeze set in from the NW. and we made -very good progress, considering that we were compelled -to steer the boat by management of the sails -alone: this wind continued until the thirteenth, -when it changed again ahead. We contrived to keep -soul and body together by sparingly partaking of -our flesh, cut up in small pieces and eaten with -salt water. By the fourteenth, our bodies became -so far recruited, as to enable us to make -a few attempts at guiding our boat again with the -oar; by each taking his turn, we managed to effect -it, and to make a tolerable good course. On -the fifteenth, our flesh was all consumed, and we -were driven to the last morsel of bread, consisting -of two cakes; our limbs had for the last two days -swelled very much, and now began to pain us most -excessively. We were still, as near as we could -judge, three hundred miles from the land, and but -three days of our allowance on hand. The hope of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>a continuation of the wind, which came out at west -this morning, was the only comfort and solace -that remained to us: so strong had our desires at -last reached in this respect, that a high fever had -set in, in our veins, and a longing that nothing but -its continuation could satisfy. Matters were now -with us at their height; all hope was cast upon the -breeze; and we tremblingly and fearfully awaited -its progress, and the dreadful development of our -destiny. On the sixteenth, at night, full of the -horrible reflections of our situation, and panting -with weakness, I laid down to sleep, almost indifferent -whether I should ever see the light again. -I had not lain long, before I dreamt I saw a ship -at some distance off from us, and strained every -nerve to get to her, but could not. I awoke almost -overpowered with the frenzy I had caught in my -slumbers, and stung with the cruelties of a diseased -and disappointed imagination. On the seventeenth, -in the afternoon, a heavy cloud appeared -to be settling down in an E. by N. direction from -us, which in my view, indicated the vicinity of -some land, which I took for the island of Massafuera. -I concluded it could be no other; and immediately -upon this reflection, the life blood began to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>flow again briskly in my veins. I told my companions -that I was well convinced it was land, and if -so, in all probability we should reach it before two -days more. My words appeared to comfort them -much; and by repeated assurances of the favourable -appearance of things, their spirits acquired -even a degree of elasticity that was truly astonishing. -The dark features of our distress began now -to diminish a little, and the countenance, even amid -the gloomy bodings of our hard lot, to assume a -much fresher hue. We directed our course for the -cloud, and our progress that night was extremely -good. The next morning, before daylight, Thomas -Nicholson, a boy about seventeen years of age, one -of my two companions who had thus far survived -with me, after having bailed the boat, laid down, -drew a piece of canvass over him, and cried out, -that he then wished to die immediately. I saw -that he had given up, and I attempted to speak a -few words of comfort and encouragement to him, -and endeavoured to persuade him that it was a -great weakness and even wickedness to abandon a -reliance upon the Almighty, while the least hope, -and a breath of life remained; but he felt unwilling -to listen to any of the consolatory suggestions -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>which I made to him; and, notwithstanding the -extreme probability which I stated there was of -our gaining the land before the end of two days -more, he insisted upon lying down and giving himself -up to despair. A fixed look of settled and forsaken -despondency came over his face: he lay for -some time silent, sullen, and sorrowful—and I felt -at once satisfied, that the coldness of death was -fast gathering upon him: there was a sudden and -unaccountable earnestness in his manner, that -alarmed me, and made me fear that I myself might -unexpectedly be overtaken by a like weakness, or -dizziness of nature, that would bereave me at once -of both reason and life; but Providence willed it -otherwise.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At about seven o’clock this morning, while I -was lying asleep, my companion who was steering, -suddenly and loudly called out “<i>There’s a Sail!</i>” -I know not what was the first movement I made -upon hearing such an unexpected cry: the earliest -of my recollections are, that immediately I stood -up, gazing in a state of abstraction and ecstasy upon -the blessed vision of a vessel about seven miles -off from us; she was standing in the same direction -with us, and the only sensation I felt at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>moment was, that of a violent and unaccountable -impulse to fly directly towards her. I do not believe -it is possible to form a just conception of the -pure, strong feelings, and the unmingled emotions -of joy and gratitude, that took possession of my -mind on this occasion: the boy, too, took a sudden -and animated start from his despondency, and stood -up to witness the probable instrument of his salvation. -Our only fear was now, that she would not -discover us, or that we might not be able to intercept -her course: we, however, put our boat immediately, -as well as we were able, in a direction -to cut her off; and found, to our great joy, that we -sailed faster than she did. Upon observing us, -she shortened sail, and allowed us to come up to -her. The captain hailed us, and asked who we -were. I told him we were from a wreck, and he -cried out immediately for us to come alongside -the ship. I made an effort to assist myself along -to the side, for the purpose of getting up, but -strength failed me altogether, and I found it impossible -to move a step further without help. We -must have formed at that moment, in the eyes of -the captain and his crew, a most deplorable and -affecting picture of suffering and misery. Our -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>cadaverous countenances, sunken eyes, and bones -just starting through the skin, with the ragged remnants -of clothes stuck about our sun-burnt bodies, -must have produced an appearance to him affecting -and revolting in the highest degree. The sailors -commenced to remove us from our boat, and -we were taken to the cabin, and comfortably provided -for in every respect. In a few minutes we -were permitted to taste of a little thin food, made -from tapioca, and in a few days, with prudent management, -we were considerably recruited. This -vessel proved to be the brig Indian, captain William -Crozier, of London; to whom we are indebted -for every polite, friendly, and attentive disposition -towards us, that can possibly characterize a -man of humanity and feeling. We were taken up -in latitude 33° 45′ S. longitude 81° 03′ W. At -twelve o’clock this day we saw the island of Massafuera, -and on the 25th of February, we arrived -at Valparaiso in utter distress and poverty. Our -wants were promptly relieved there.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The captain and the survivers of his boat’s -crew, were taken up by the American whale-ship, -the Dauphin, Captain Zimri Coffin, of Nantucket, -and arrived at Valparaiso on the seventeenth of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>March following: he was taken up in latitude 37° S. -off the island of St. Mary. The third boat got separated -from him on the 28th of January, and has -not been heard of since. The names of all the -survivers, are as follows:—Captain George Pollard, -junr., Charles Ramsdale, Owen Chase, Benjamin -Lawrence, and Thomas Nicholson, all of -Nantucket. There died in the captain’s boat, -the following: Brazilla Ray of Nantucket, Owen -Coffin of the same place, who was shot, and Samuel -Reed, a black.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The captain relates, that after being separated, -as herein before stated, they continued to make -what progress they could towards the island of -Juan Fernandez, as was agreed upon; but contrary -winds and the extreme debility of the crew -prevailed against their united exertions. He was -with us equally surprised and concerned at the separation -that took place between us; but continued -on his course, almost confident of meeting with -us again. On the fourteenth, the whole stock of -provisions belonging to the second mate’s boat, -was entirely exhausted, and on the twenty-fifth, -the black man, Lawson Thomas, died, and was eaten -by his surviving companions. On the twenty-first, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>the captain and his crew were in the like -dreadful situation with respect to their provisions; -and on the twenty-third, another coloured man, -Charles Shorter, died out of the same boat, and his -body was shared for food between the crews of -both boats. On the twenty-seventh, another, -Isaac Shepherd, (a black man,) died in the third -boat; and on the twenty-eighth, another black, -named Samuel Reed, died out of the captain’s -boat. The bodies of these men constituted their -only food while it lasted; and on the twenty-ninth, -owing to the darkness of the night and want of sufficient -power to manage their boats, those of the -captain and second mate separated in latitude 35° -S. longitude 100° W. On the 1st of February, -having consumed the last morsel, the captain and -the three other men that remained with him, -were reduced to the necessity of casting lots. It -fell upon Owen Coffin to die, who with great fortitude -and resignation submitted to his fate. They -drew lots to see who should shoot him: he placed -himself firmly to receive his death, and was immediately -shot by Charles Ramsdale, whose hard fortune -it was to become his executioner. On the -11th Brazilla Ray died; and on these two bodies -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>the captain and Charles Ramsdale, the only two -that were then left, subsisted until the morning of -the twenty-third, when they fell in with the ship -Dauphin, as before stated, and were snatched from -impending destruction. Every assistance and attentive -humanity, was bestowed upon them by -Capt. Coffin to whom Capt. Pollard acknowledged -every grateful obligation. Upon making -known the fact, that three of our companions had -been left at Ducies Island, to the captain of the -U. S. frigate Constellation, which lay at Valparaiso -when we arrived, he said he should immediately -take measures to have them taken off.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the 11th of June following I arrived at Nantucket -in the whale-ship the Eagle, Capt. William -H. Coffin. My family had received the most distressing -account of our shipwreck, and had given -me up for lost. My unexpected appearance was -welcomed with the most grateful obligations and -acknowledgments to a beneficent Creator, who had -guided me through darkness, trouble, and death, -once more to the bosom of my country and friends.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span> - <h2 class='c007'>SUPPLEMENT.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c011'>The following is a list of the whole crew of the ship, with -their arrangements into the three several boats upon starting -from the wreck: the names of those who died, were -left on the island, or shot—with those also who survived, -and who were in the third or second mate’s boat at the time -of separation—and whose fate is yet uncertain:—</p> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Capt. James Pollard, jun.</td> - <td class='c013'>1st boat</td> - <td class='c014'>survived</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Obed Hendricks,</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>put in 3d boat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Brazilla Ray,</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>died</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Owen Coffin,</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>shot</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Samuel Reed, (black)</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>died</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Charles Ramsdale,</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>survived</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Seth Weeks,</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>left on the island</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Owen Chase,</td> - <td class='c013'>2d boat</td> - <td class='c014'>survived</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Benjamin Lawrence,</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>do.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Thomas Nicholson,</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>do.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Isaac Cole,</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>died</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Richard Peterson, (black)</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>do.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>William Wright,</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>left on the island</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Matthew P. Joy,</td> - <td class='c013'>3d boat</td> - <td class='c014'>died</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Thomas Chapple,</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>left on the island</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Joseph West,</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>missing</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Lawson Thomas, (black)</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>died</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Charles Shorter, (black)</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>do.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Isaiah Shepherd, (black)</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>do.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>William Bond, (black.)</td> - <td class='c013'>do.</td> - <td class='c014'>missing</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>FINIS.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> -<div class='tnotes'> - -<div class='section ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - - <ol class='ol_1 c002'> - <li>The <a href='#errors'>errors</a> on p. <a href='#errors'>12</a> have been corrected in the text. - - </li> - <li>Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. - - </li> - <li>Archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed. - </li> - </ol> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of the Most Extraordinary -and Distressing Shipwreck of the Wh, by Owen Chase - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE--WHALE-SHIP ESSEX *** - -***** This file should be named 61931-h.htm or 61931-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/1/9/3/61931/ - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, Mary Glenn Krause, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - - </body> - <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57c on 2020-04-25 19:31:46 GMT --> -</html> diff --git a/old/61931-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/61931-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 0b95cd7..0000000 --- a/old/61931-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null |
