The Cruise of the "Cachalot" Round the World After Sperm Whales

This book does not pretend to compete with either of the above valuable works. Its aims is to present to the general reader a simple account of the methods employed, and the dangers met with, in a calling about which the great mass of the public knows absolutely nothing. Pending the advent of some great writer who shall see the wonderful possibilities for literature contained in the world-wide wanderings of the South Sea whale-fishers, the author has endeavoured to summarize his experiences so that they may be read without weariness, and, it is hoped, with profit.
The manifold shortcomings of the work will not, it is trusted, be laid to the account of the subject, than which none more interesting could well be imagined, but to the limitations of the writer, whose long experience of sea life has done little to foster the literary faculty.
One claim may be made with perfect confidence—that if the manner be not all that could be wished, the matter is entirely trustworthy, being compiled from actual observation and experience, and in no case at second-hand. An endeavour has also been made to exclude such matter as is easily obtainable elsewhere—matters of common knowledge and padding of any sort—the object not being simply the making of a book, but the record of little-known facts.
Great care has been taken to use no names either of ships or persons, which could, by being identified, give annoyance or pain to any one, as in many cases strong language has been necessary for the expression of opinions.
Finally, the author hopes that, although in no sense exclusively a book for boys, the coming generation may find this volume readable and interesting; and with that desire he offers it confidently, though in all humility, to that great impartial jury, the public.
F.T.B. Dulwich, July, 1897.
CHAPTER I—OUTWARD BOUND Adrift in New Bedford—I get a ship—A motley crowd— Built by the mile, and cut off as you want 'em —Mistah Jones—Greenies—Off to sea. CHAPTER II—PREPARING FOR ACTION Primitive steering-gear—Strange drill—Misery below—Short commons—Goliath rigs the crow's-nest —Useful information—Preparing for war—Strange weapons—A boat-load. CHAPTER III—FISHING BEGINS The cleanliness of a whale-ship—No skulking—Porpoise-fishing—Cannibals—Cooking operations—Boat-drill—A good look-out— Black-fishing —Roguery in all trades—Plenty of fresh beef—The nursery of American whalemen. CHAPTER IV—BAD WEATHER Nautical routine—The first gale—Comfort versus speed—A grand sea-boat—The Sargasso Sea—Natural history pursuits—Dolphin—Unconventional fishing—Rumours of a visit to the Cape Verdes—Babel below—No allowance, but not full and plenty —Queer washing—Method of sharing rations—The slop-shop opened—Our prospects. CHAPTER V—ACTUAL WARFARE. OUR FIRST WHALE Premonitions—Discussion on whaling from unknown premisses—I wake in a fright—Sperm whales at last—The war begins—Warning—We get fast—and get loose—In trouble—an uncomfortable situation—No Pity-Only one whale—Rigging the cutting-stage —Securing the whale alongside. CHAPTER VI— DIRTY WORK FOR CLEAN MONEY Goliath in trouble—Commence cutting-in —A heavy head—A tank of spermaceti—Decks running with oil—A Patent mincing-machine—Extensive cooking—Dangerous work—Three tuns of oil—A horrible mess—A thin-skinned monster—A fine mouth of teeth. CHAPTER VII—GETTING SOUTHWARD Captain Slocum's amenities—Expensive beer—St. Paul's Rocks— Bonito — Showery weather—Waterspouts—Calms—A friendly finback—A disquisition on whales by Mistah Jones—Flying-fishing. CHAPTER VIII—ABNER'S WHALE Abner in luck—A big fish at last—A feat of endurance—A fighting whale—The sperm whale's food—Ambergris—A good reception—Hard labour—Abner's reward— Scrimshaw . CHAPTER IX—OUR FIRST CALLING-PLACE A forced march—Tristan d'Acunha—Visitors—Fresh provisions—A warm welcome—Goliath's turn—a feathered host—Good gear—A rough time—Creeping north—Uncertainty— Rule of thumb —navigation—The Mozambique Channel. CHAPTER X—A VISIT TO SOME STRANGE PLACES Tropical thunderstorms—A record day's fishing—Cetacean frivolities—Mistah Jones moralizes—A snug harbour—Wooding and watering—Catching a turtle—Catching a Tartar —A violent death—A crooked jaw—Aldabra Island—Primeval inhabitants—A strange steed— Pirate birds—Good eggs—Green cocoa-nuts—More turtle—A school of kogia . CHAPTER XI—ROUND THE COCOS AND SEYCHELLES We encounter a cyclone —A tremendous gust—a foundering ship—To anchor for repairs—The Cocos—Repairing damages—Around the Seychelles—A milk sea—A derelict prahu—A ghastly freight—A stagnant sea. CHAPTER XII—WHICH TREATS OF THE KRAKEN Eyes and no eyes at sea—Of big mollusca—The origin of sea-serpent stories—Rediscovery of the Kraken —A conflict of monsters— The insatiable nightmares of the sea —Spermaceti running to waste—The East Indian maze. CHAPTER XIII—OFF TO THE JAPAN GROUNDS A whale off Hong Kong—The skipper and his 'bomb-gun —Injury to the captain—Unwelcome visitors—The heathen Chinee—We get safe off— Death of Portagee Jim —The Funeral—The Coast of Japan—Port Lloyd—Meeting of whale-ships. CHAPTER XIV—LIBERTY DAY—AND AFTER Liberty day—I foregather with a beach-comber —A big fight—Goliath on the war-path—A court-martial—Wholesale flogging—a miserable crowd—Quite a fleet of whale-ships—I raise a sperm whale—Severe competition—An unfortunate stroke—The skipper distinguishes himself. CHAPTER XV—WHICH COMES UNCOMFORTABLY NEAR BEING THE LAST I come to grief—Emulating Jonah—Sharing a flurry—A long spell of sick-leave—The whale's sixth sense —Off to the Kuriles—Prepare for bowhead fishing—The Sea of Okhotsk—Abundant salmon—The daintiness of seamen. CHAPTER XVI— BOWHEAD FISHING Difference between whales—Popular ideas exploded—The gentle mysticetus—Very tame work—Fond of tongue—Goliath confides in me—An awful affair—Captain Slocum's death— Not Amurath an Amurath succeeds —I am promoted. CHAPTER XVII—VISIT TO HONOLULU Towards Honolulu—Missionaries and their critics—The happy Kanaka—Honolulu—A pleasant holiday. CHAPTER XVIII—ON THE LINE GROUNDS I get my opportunity—A new harpooner—Feats under the skipper's eye—Two whales on one line—Compliments Heavy towage—A grand haul. CHAPTER XIX—EDGING SOUTHWARD Monotony—A school of blackfish—A boat ripped in half—A multitude of sharks—A curious backbone—Christmas Day—A novel Christmas dinner—A find of ambergris. CHAPTER XX— HUMPBACKING AT VAU VAU Gamming again—a Whitechapel rover—arrive at Vau Vau—Valuable friends—a Sunday ashore— Hollingside —The natives at church—Full-dress—Very mishnally —Idyllic cruising—Wonderful mother-love—A mighty feast. CHAPTER XXI—PROGRESS OF THE HUMPBACK SEASON A fruitless chase—Placid times—a stirring adventure—a vast cave—Unforeseen company—A night of terror—We provide a feast for the sharks—the death of Abner—An impressive ceremony—an invitation to dinner—Kanaka cookery. CHAPTER XXII—FAREWELL TO VAU VAU Ignorance of the habits of whales—A terrific encounter—VAE VICTIS—Rewarding our flems —We leave Van Vau—The Outward bounder—Sailors' homes —A night of horror—Sudden death—Futuna. CHAPTER XXIII—AT FUTUNA, RECRUITING A fleet of nondescripts— Tui Tongoa otherwise Sam—Eager recruits—Devout Catholics—A visit to Sunday Island—A Crusoe family—Their eviction—Maori cabbage—Fine fishing—Away for New Zealand—Sight the Three Kings —The Bay of Islands. CHAPTER XXIV—THE BAY OF ISLANDS AND NEW ZEALAND COAST Sleepy hollow—Wood and water—liberty day—A plea for the sailors' recreation—Our picnic—A a whiff of May —A delightful excursion—To the southward again—Wintry weather—Enter Foveaux Straits. CHAPTER XXV—ON THE SOLANDER GROUNDS Firstfruits of the Solander—An easy catch—Delights of the Solander—Port William—The old CHANCE— Paddy Gilroy —Barbarians from the East End—Barracouta-Fishing—Wind-bound—An enormous school of cachalots—Misfortune—A bursting whale—Back on the Solander again—Cutting-in at Port William—Studying anatomy—Badly battered Yankees—Paddy in luck again. CHAPTER XXVI—PADDY'S LATEST EXPLOIT We try Preservation Inlet—An astounding feat of Paddy Gilroy's. CHAPTER XXVII—PORT PEGASUS Port Pegasus—Among old acquaintances— Mutton birds —Skilled auxiliaries—A gratifying catch—Leave port again—Back to the Solander—A grim escape—Our last whales—Into Port William again—Paddy's assistance—We part with our Kanakas—Sam's plans of conquest. CHAPTER XXVIII—TO THE BLUFF, AND HOME And last—In high-toned company—Another picnic—Depart from the Bluff—Hey for the Horn!—Among the icebergs— Scudding —Favouring trades—A narrow escape from collision—Home at last.