1847-1852
This part of the Journal begins on January 1, 1847. There is long gap of 5 years between the entries for February 28, 1847 and March 1, 1852 when the journal entries begin again. At this point, the author is aboard a new ship, the General Williams.
Friday Janury 1st 1847
The weather light + pleasant – At 7 AM saw a shoal of Sperm whales at 8 gave chase - but did not strike them – At 2 PM lowered again + mised a good chance at 3 – lowered again + got one Whale small one - - got it cut in by sun set
Saturday Jan 2nd
Have a strong breeze at N steering S-E + E S-E under short sail – at this day clearing away the Head which we took on deck whole – com’ed [commenced] to boil at 6 A-M near night some rain + fogg – with the wind at NW + W
Sunday Jan 3d
The weather moderate with a breeze at S-W and chilly . Afternoon got whole top [unclear] on the Ship – At Sun Set finished boilling and have about 25 bbls of oil –Lat at noon 39 – 30 S.
Sunday Jan 10th
The forenoon the weather fine with a light breeze at West steered E-S-E. Employed repairing sails The afternoon - the breeze freshens to the N-W. At Sun Set have a strong whole sail breeze – took in sail and lay too heading W-S-W and good modderate weather until 12 o clock at night Mr. Lyons off Duty Sick. Andy Holt off Duty
Monday Jan 11th
At 2 AM have a strong breeze. took in the foresail At 5 .. .. . Called all hands and clost reefed the main top sail with a strong gale at North in squalls with rain – At 6½ o clock the sea heavy – at 8 oclock all three boats gone on the Starboard Side + some of the davies – the fore [bottom line cut off]
Monday January 12 – 1847
We have this forenoon the heaviest gale that we have had the voyage – and – have done the most damage – At Sun Set moderate with the wind at west & cold. – By our Reckoning we are not far from New Zealand – and are carrieng Sail to Keep off – and Standing Sea watches – on Friday Saturday night we Shortened Sail & set quarter watches intending to cruise But Since the gale and the loss of our boats we have stood Sea watches – and carried Sail to get to the Southward of New Zealand with a Strong wind and a heavy Sea at S-W & W-S-W.
Tuesday Jan 12th
At 7 AM kept off – E by S – at 10 o clock hauled up – S-E under clost [close?] reefed top Sails – After noon – Repaired the foresail & Set it – This day – I lost my quadrant over board by the Ship’s roling very heavy – Thus loosing 161/2 dollars – At night – by our reckoning we have the land under our Lee distant 25 miles – and blowing a gale at W-S-W with a very heavy Sea – Steering S-E by S under clost reefed fore & main top sails & foresail.
Wednsday Jan. 13th
In the morning at day light – moderates a little. Kept off – East at 8 AM N-E with double reefed main top sail – and – at noon breeze freshens at N-W
Sunday Jan 17th
The weather fine – and a steady breeze – steering E N-E – Saw Some fin Backs - Employed Repairing a boat – & c. - & c. This morning we have eight men off Duty Sick – or lazy. Holt get – off Duty.
[Note: There is a gap of a week between this and the next entry.]
Sunday Jan 24th AD 1847
Since Sunday last we have had good weather and most of the week fine – and a steady breeze from North to West and from South to West – and have cruised to the Eastward – This day – fine + pleasant with a light breeze at the west. Steering E by N – have only two men sick – have not seen any wright whales yet. Lat at noon 46.38. Long at 2 PM 167.29 West
Having passed the opposite Maridian the last week – we loose a day in account yesterday and the day before were Saturday with us. This makes the Eighth time that we have crossed this maridian this voyage and it is to be hoped the last time. Put out the waist Boat this morning – we have now our three last Boats on the crains
[Note: the text of the journal leaves a gap of several weeks between entries.]
Sunday Feb. 28th AD 1847
This day we are laying too in a strong gale from S-W – And we are between Staten Land and the Falklan Islelands – Having doubled Cape Horn on Thursday last – Since which – we have had light – and head winds Saw a ship of Staten Land on Friday and Saturday bound to the Northward – At Sun Set – quite moderate made sail +steered N.W. – At 12 o clock main top galt Sail Set and steering N. from 12 - to - 4 nearly calm –
Since we passed N Zealand we have seen Whales but once + lowered once
Monday March 1st AD 1847
We have fine weather with a light breeze at S-W + W steering North under all sail ─ At noon Saw one of the Falkland Isleands one Point off our lee Bow.
Since passing N Zealand we have seen five ships and spoken only two .. one in Longitude 143 W the Henry Lee of Sag Harbour 2600 bbls. The other in Longitude [smudged] 80 W the William Wirt of F-Haven [Fairhaven] 4 mo out 25 bbls spirm Same day Saw an other ship to the N + E.
1852
Ship Genl Williams Arctic Sea. July 30. Thick foggy weather spoke the ship Vesper and heard of the Loss of Capt House by a Whale in the Straits 10 days before ─ had not taken any whales since June ─ same day spoke the Barque Clement - employed boiling Saw two bow heads + chased ─ also any quantity of rip Jacks. Streaks of clear weather Saw 4 or 5 Ships one or two boiling. At 5½ PM got among the ice and in weareing run slap into a large cake of very thick + heavy ice Ship going about 5 Knots which brought her to a dead stand ─ All by the stupidity of Comstock ─ the first officer in cunning, the he ordered the helm hard a stearboard when he meaned to a portt ─ Capt Forsyth at the time on deck ─ I believe the Ship did not receive a great injury ─ although she got a very heavy blow - which made her shake ─ like a feather ─ and frightened a great part of the Ship’s company ─ many ships could not have stood it + floated after it ─ But the good old General is good stuff
Saturday July 31st 1852
Ship Genl Williams – Arctic July 30th (1st is written above the 0 in 30th) 1852
Foggy weather- employed boiling – Mr Comstock in a jealous mad fit - Comcd a row with the third mate – a finaly to myself – + did not like my keeping the Ships journal and Capt Forsyth to gratify him took it from me and kept it himself –
Remarks Sunday July 31st 1852 should be Aug. 1st
Fogg in streaks cruised N + E + S + E Saw several Ships + two boiling – continues very foggy to end of this 24 hours
Remarks Monday August 1st 1852 (2nd is written above 1st)]
The weather light with thick Foggd Saw + chased 3 Bow - Heads with 3 hours clear weather in the first part. Saw the Barque Clement chaseing Whales – continued very foggy to end of these 24 hours. Plenty Rip Jacks in sight.
Remarks Tuesday Aug 2nd 1852 (3d written above 2nd)
Weather light + calm with thick foggd came to anchor to keep clear of the ice – light streaks Saw 6 Ships + one boiling – So ends this day.
Remarks Wednsday Aug 3d 1852 (4th written above 3d)
This day foggd + light streaks saw one bow head in the fogg employed stowing in the main hatch Last part got under weigh with a light air + baffling 13 Ships in sight – one boiling – Saw the ice to the N + West Saw some Rip Jacks So ends this day quite clear
Remark Thursday Aug 4th 1852 (5th is written above 4th)
First part quite clear weather half of the time – chocked off the main hatch – spoke the barque North America – had just burned up her main sail with a wad from a swivel gun Middle part foggy – spoke + gamd with the Ship Rose of Sidney one whale – Last part stood in clost to the ice - at 9½ AM fogg clears off – saw 3 bow heads + chased untill noon – saw 4 other Ship -- chasing whales some fogg squalls – so ends these 24 hours
Remarks Friday, Aug 5th1852 (6th is written above 5th)
First part chased whales + struck one + drawed Some fogg. Last part chaseing whales and had two mised weather clear + very fine – much Ice. about 20 Ship’s in sight and all whaleing – saw two Ships take + cut whales – So ends this day – plenty of bow heads – Lat – 67-45 Long 172°-45’
Remarks Saturday Aug 6th 1852 (7th is written above 6th)
These 24 hours fine clear weather + plenty whales very shy chased all day but could not strike saw 3 Ships cutting + 5 a boiling – cruised in sight of the Ice so ends this day. no fogg - + but little wind + some calm 67°-50’ Long 173-10’
Remarks Sunday Aug 7th 1852 (8th is written above 7th)
This day being clear with a light breeze at the Eastw chaseing whales untill 4½ PM at 6 comes up thick fogg’ - lay aback Last part Some light Streaks saw 26 ships – 19 boiling + two others cutting – ends with a calm – so ends these 24 hours. –
Lat – 68- Long 173 W
Remarks. Monday Aug. 8th 1852 (9th is written above 8th)
begins with a calm + Streaks of fogg. chased one bow head +boarded the North America a boilling middle part clear cruised to the N + E – Saw one bow head + many Rip Jacks. Last part cruised to the S + W + chased 3 bow heads – Spoke the Ships Tybee & Haniball 9 + 10 whales – So ends this day.
Lat – 67-55 Long 173-15
Remarks. Tuesday Aug 9th 1852 (10th is written above 9th)
First part fine clear weather + a light breeze at South Cruised to the westward +Saw the Ice + chased one whale very shy – gamd with the Tybee – and chased one whale weather very fine + a gentle breeze – so ends this day Last part chased several whales + could not strike
Hnabal 12 bundles? Remarks – Wednsday Aug 10th 1852 – (11th written after date)
First part chased three times + no strike saw many Ships boiling – Last part Saw the ice - wind shifts to WNW + blows fresh - Saw one whale. So ends -
Remarks. Thursday aug 11th 1852 (12th is written above 11th)
First part light wind at W-N-W 10 sail in sight and 5 boiling Saw the Hanibal – + chased one whale – the Latter part have a fresh breeze from the South + East Steered N-W + NNW – spoke the Barque Columbus of Sag Harbour – 7 whales So ends this day – –
Remarks Friday aug 12th 1852 (13th written above 12th]
First part fresh breeze with haze at west + NW Shortened sail + lay too. Latter part quite moderate. Columbus + Bengall in sight – at 3 AM made sail + steered N-N-E by the wind. at 7 AM saw ice to the N+-E at 10 AM spoke the Bengall of N London – 7 Whales this season gamd all day + kept along the broken ice to the Eastward with a light breeze from N.W. and a smooth sea and no Whales. So end this day – Gaming – –
Remarks Saturday aug. 13th 1852 ( 14th written above 13th)
First part light wind fog. Rain + calm – the middle part – kept along the ice to the Eastward in Company with the Bengall. Latter part wind light from the southward at 11½ AM saw two Bow heads going quick to the westward did not lower our boats but the Bengal did. ends with good weather –
Remarks Sunday aug. 14th 1852 (15th written above 14th)
First part saw a dead whale and got two first rate gig irons out of it – gamd – with the Bengall + kept on to the Eastward weather light + cloudy Latter part. Some fogg – no ice in sight So ends this day
Lat by obs – 70.27N Long 165.28W [?]
Remarks Monday aug 15th 1852 – 16th
First part light wind at S-E – Saw two Bow heads but once then going quick to the westward – the Last part good breeze at S + E. Steering to the Eastward at 6 AM Saw the Land near Icy Cape – Low and flat – stood in within 10 miles + tacked to the S + West at 11 Some fogg – So ends this day
Lat by act 71N [?]
Remarks. Tuesday aug 16th 1852 (17th is written above 16th)
First part any quantity of rip jacks + walruses Saw two bow heads – going to the Southward quick chased with one boat untill lost sight of in the fogg Latter part-steered to the S+W with a five knot breeze at NNW Some rain passd through many gams of Walrusses + Some Rip Jacks So ends this day Lat by obs. 70°10’N Long 165-00 W
Remarks. Wednsday aug. 17th 1852 – 18th
First part good weather with a gentle whole sail breeze at N steered S-W-by-W by comp[ass] Latter part have a fresh breeze at N – steered to the S+W in sight of the Icy barrier. - Saw two Ships – and spoke the Ship James Maury of N-B – 5 Whales gamd all the day weather cloudy and cold. So ends this day – Lat at noon 70°09’ Long.
Remarks Thursday aug. 18th 1852 – 19th
First part fresh Northerly wind + cold – cruised to the N+W up to the ice + then to the Eastward in company with the Maury – parted company at 8 PM – she going East + we west. Middle + Last parts Steered Westward with a good breeze at noon clost up to the packed Ice streaching SS-E + N-N-W – weather fine but cool. So ends this day Lat by obs 70 06N Long by chro 176 W
Remarks Friday aug. 19th 1852 – 20th
First part fine clear weather + a gentle breeze at North cruised along the Ice coast to the S+E. Saw no whales middle part got into a bay in the Ice – 10 miles deep to the S+E which took us all of the last part to beat out of – Some fogg which freezes on the rigging. Lat at noon 69-04
Remarks [Friday crossed out] Saturday aug. 20th 1852 – 21st
First part cleared the ice at 2 PM. + steered to the eastward with good weather at 9 PM Spoke a French Ship cutting a Stincker[?] – Middle part – lay too while dark – Last part light airs + calm. So ends this 24 hours – Lat 68°42’ Long 176° 00’ W
Remarks Sunday aug 21st 1852 (22nd is written above 21st)
First part comced a light breeze to the S-E steered to the N+E Saw 13 Ships to the S+W – Middle part fresh breeze at ESE headed N-E under easy sail – Last part – breeze fresh – saw 8 or ten Ships Some headed N – Some W + others – E – Spoke the Ship India – 10 Whales – Steering to the Westward – passed near the Ship Gustave of Havre France – weather cold. So ends this day Lat 69-17 Long 171-56
Remarks Monday aug 22nd 1852 (23 is written above 22nd)
First part – breeze fresh at ESE heading N-E 5 Ships in Sight headed to the Eastward + N – at 9 PM Saw Ice to the N – tacked to the South – Last part Saw from ten to fifteen Ships + two a boiling most of them steering to the N+W – after 1 steered to the N+E with a fresh breeze + good weather but no Whales So ends this day (Sent [unclear] top galt yards) Lat 69.27 – Long 169 00
Remarks Tuesday aug 24th 1852
First gaming with five Ships – the James Edward 9 wh Monongahela 18 Republik of Bremen – 9 – Columbus of F Haven 6 – Nile of San Francisco (Cal) 8 Whales – the Middle + Last parts fine weather + a gentle breeze at 6 AM. Tacked to the S+E – Saw two hump backs – at 10 Saw the Land – the James Edward in Sight – So ends this day Lat at noon – 69-40’N Long 169° 30’
Remarks Wednsday aug. 25th 1852
First part gamd with the James Edward – Capt Luce the Land near (Cape Lisburne) 15 miles to the South + East of us – Middle part light air steered S-W – Last part near the Cape to the N + W – light air – three Ships in Sight – Saw a canoe in shore – heading towards the Ship – a breeze sprong up + it did not come too us – So ends this day Lat 68°-50’ N Long. 170’ 00’ W
Remarks. Thursday aug. 26th 1852
Fine weather – employed repairing sails + bent a new fore top Sail – Steered S-W by S. with a five knot breeze in the Middle part – Last part at 6 AM Saw 3 Bow heads + lowered for them could not get hold of them come on board at at 8 o clock. lowered again at 10 – no sucsess – about 15 Ships in Sight Some cutting + boiling – So ends this day. Lat 68-16 Long. 170-10
Remarks. Friday aug. 27th 1852
First part fine weather cruised to the N+W + S+E. Saw one or two Bow Heads + lowered at 8[?] PM. Same time spoke the ship Navigator 13 Whales + boiling – about 3 ships in sight – 4 cutting + 10 or 12 a boiling – The N [Navigator] reports seeing thousands of Whales this day – We have seen a great many Rip Jacks – Middle part, fresh breeze Last part at 4 PM saw some bow heads - - lowered our boats at 5 + chased till 8 could not strike – Saw more going too quick to chase – breeze fresh at N-E. cruised Ed + Wd [eastward and westward] to end of these 24 hours –
Remarks. Saturday aug. 28th 1852
First part thick fogg – Saw nothing. Middle fresh breeze at N + NNE headed NW + ENE under short sail – Last strong breeze – Saw some bow heads but did not lower for them saw one Ship boiling so ends this day
Remarks Sunday aug 29th 1852
These 24 hours Strong breeze at N. cruised to the WNW + ENE – Saw many bow heads + Rip Jacks chased but could not strike – Sea quite rugged – Spoke the Ship Levant + boats – She hails 11 whales – the weather rather thick – can see two miles – So ends these 24 hours
Remarks. Monday aug 30th 1852
First part chased Bow Heads but could not Strike – passed clost to the BenGal – stowing down Saw 8 other Ships one boiling – Middle + last parts foggy + light wind. So ends these 24 hours – Lat 68 5
Remarks. Tuesday aug 31st 1852
First part foggy Saw no Whales + but 2 Ships. Middle part fogg + light wind – Last part – but little fogg. Saw plenty Whales Struck two + Saved one – Saw 8 Ships one cutting + three boiling – this day ends with fine weather and twelve Ships in Sight all chaseing Whales – So ends this day with a dead whale
Lat by obs 68 00. Long by chro 171° 30W [30 is written below a number that is crossed out]
Remarks. Wednsday September 1st 1852
First part got the whale along side at 1 PM + comcd [commenced] cutting at 2 – finished at 5 PM + comcd boiling. 18 Ships in sight – 5 boiling and others chaseing whales – weather fine clear + light wind at NW and some whales in sight. Middle part calm – boiling – Last part some fogg. Saw great many “Rip Jacks” No “Bow heads” also about 20 ships + 3 of them a boiling. this day end with clear + pleasant weather – Lat by obs 67 [68 is written over] 39 Long by chro 171°40W
Remarks. Thursday Sept 2nd 1852
First part fine light weather Saw three or four “Bow heads” + chased once. Saw several other Ships chaseing but none take any – the middle part a light breeze at N + NNE employed boiling. + a ship heading Eastd + Westd [eastward and westward] – middle part light air at N-E. Last part light and baffling Cruised to the N – Saw + boarded the Benj Morgan cutting a two hundred barrel whale. Saw one other Ship cutting – 40 Ships in Sight + not more than 6 boiling. we finished boiling at 10 AM – turned up 110 bbls – So ends this day – cloudy
Remarks. Friday Sept 3rd 1852
First part have a moderate breeze at ENE cruised to the North Saw no bow heads – plenty Rip Jacks + Ships – passed one Ship full – coulers flying “fore and aft”, boiling + bound off – Middle part stood on to the N + E with a fresh breeze part of the time + quite clear – he Moon + Stars shineing quite bright – the first time for four months – also the northern lights quite bright – Last part fresh breeze veering from E to SS-E cruised to the East Saw no Whales Saw one Ship cutting + one a boiling + 8 others – employed stowing down in the fore hatch starboard Side – weather clear + dry – So ends this day – Lat 68°46N Long 171°00W
Remarks. Saturday Sept 4th 1852
First part fresh breeze – finished stowing down at 5 PM 100 bbls – middle + Last parts fresh breeze veering from SSE to SSW cruised to the ESE + westward Saw 10 or 15 Ships – Some 4 or 5 boiling So ends this day.
Sunday Sept 5th 1852
First part from 12 to 4 strong wind at SSW furled the fore + miz [mizzen] top sails – some rain – Saw 8 ships boiling – middle part moderates down fine + clear the wind veering to SW – Last part to 8 AM calm – then light breeze at S-E. 53 Ships in sight 18 boiling at noon saw 3 bow heads [last line of the page is cut off]. Lat 68 10 Long 170-00
Remarks Monday Sept 6th 1852
First part moderate wholesail breeze at S – saw great many Bow Heads going very quick. S-E chased all the afternoon and could not strike one . . plenty of ships all around us chaseing but got no whales – Saw some “Rip Jacks” – Cruised to the S + W – middle part fresh breeze at S – stood to the westward untill 12 o’clock and tacked to the Eastward – saw whales after night fall a quarter of a mile from the Ship – middle part – Last part saw 3 Ships cutting Saw 3 bow heads and lowered + chased but once. weather good and wind light - So ends this day. 30 ships in sight at noon. Lat 68°15’N Long 171°13’W
Remarks Tuesday Sept 7th 1852
begins with a fresh breeze at SE aw 2 or 3 Bow Heads and lowered once – about 40 Ships in sight but few a boiling – at 6 PM Spoke the Ship New England – Capt Pendleton of N-L 15 whales – saw the Ship Ocean of Providence R-I Capt Swift 27 whales – middle part moderate with some fogg. Ship headed N-E untill 12 – wore Ship + headed to the S + W Last part breeze light made all sail saw a barge cutting – weather hazey. Saw some “Rip Jacks” at 11. Saw 3 or four Bow heads – breeze fresh and much sea. – Lowered our boats – and struck about noon. So ends this day Lat 68°00’N Long 141°00’W
Remarks Wednsday Sept 8th 1852
Begins with good whaleing weather – got our whale killed and and a long side at 3–PM – got dinner and wore around and – began to cut about 4 – Sea bad – had to cut before the wind – finished about 8 oclock – wind died away – Saw the Ship Ocean with a whale along side – at 12 – middle part comcd boiling – Last part light wind at E-S-E made sail heading N-E at 9. Wore to South. Saw several ships whaleing but saw but one Bow head. So ends this day – boiling –
Remarks Thursday Sept 9th 1852
First part saw 3 or four Bow heads – + chased – wind light at ES-E + some Rain + thick weather – at 7 – the New England passed clost too us. middle part some Rain and not much wind Last part thick fogg with a moderate breeze at NNW cruised N-E + WN-W – Saw some “Rip Jacks” employed boiling So ends this day –
Remarks Friday Sept 10th 1852
Begins foggy and a stiff breeze at NNW. Saw some ships under double reefd top sails – middle part furled the fore + mizen top sails + lay under double reefd main + fore sail – boiling – cruised to the N + W + N + E – Last part finished boiling at 4 AM + turned up 140 bbls – weather rather thick – several ships in sight + some chaseing whales – saw one Bow head going quick to the North – cruised to the Eastward So ends this day –
Remarks Saturday Sept 11th 1852
begins with a stiff breeze at N heading E-N-E – Saw + chased 3 Bow heads – Sea rough + weather thick – plenty “Rip Jacks” around at 6 PM Spoke Ship Albion of Fair Haven Capt Soule 13 whales including 2 “Rip Jacks” + 2 Right whales – also at 7 spoke the Ship Monongaheha Capt Seabury – middle part head W N-W untill 12 + then to E-N-E – Last part clear weather and a strong breeze – employed stowing down – at 11 spoke Ship Betsy Williams of Stonington Capt Pendleton 10 whales – also Ship Bramin [Note: Bramin was lost in the Arctic two weeks after this entry -- on Sept. 25, 1852] of N-B 10 whales – saw several other Ships – So ends this day – headed to the N + E –
Remarks Sunday Sept 12th 1852
Begins with a strong breeze – the Ship under double reef top sails – heading to the Eastward. Spoke the Ship Pheonix capt Chas. Brewster of N London 14 whales – had picked up 8 dead ones – Lay aback + “gamd” with the Betsy and Pheonix untill night the weather not fit to whale – finished stowing at 2 PM – 120 bbls – saw no Bow heads this day – middle part at 12 headed to the westward breeze still strong – Last part saw some bow heads and lowered once – wind strong and sea rough – spoke the Phoenix at 10 AM + Capt Forsyth went on board + spent the day weather clear – so ends this day gaming Lat 67°58'N Long 169°00'W
Remarks Monday Sept 13th 1852
Begins with clear weather + moderateing ship under double reefd top sails – heading to the westward several ships in sight – saw the Alexander – Capt Ryan of NB 9 whales – saw two ships boiling – middle part moderate + clear Northern lights very bright – headed to the Eastd after 12 o clock – Last part thick fogg untill 10 AM – then clears off 9 ships in sight – some chaseing whales. cruised to the westward – So ends this day
Remarks Tuesday Sept 14th 1852
Begins with good whaleing weather – Saw + chased one bow head Saw one Ship take one just at night – Spoke the Phoenix at Sun set Capt Brewster come on board + got some potatoes – 20 Ships in sight and 5 boiling – breeze light – took in the light sails + hauled up the courses – at dark comes on thick again – at 1 headed to the N + E in the middle part – Last part good weather with a good whole sail breeze at N made all sail + cruised westward untill 11 o clock then to the Eastward saw no bow heads – 30 Ships in sight 8 boiling – one cutting So ends this day
Lat 67° 50 Long 168° 35
Remarks Wednsday Sept 15th 1852
Begins with good weather Saw + chased one bow head 3 hours Saw several other Ships chaseing at Sun Set heading WNW took in the light sails + hauled up the courses – great many “Rip Jacks” abound this day – middle part quite moderate at 12 headed E-N-E – Last part fine light weather at 6 1/2 AM Saw 3 bow heads and lowered our 3 boats and chased all day + could not strike saw plenty whales – about 20 Ships in sight and all chaseing did not see any take whales – several boiling and two cutting in the morning so ends this day – – Lat 67°45’ Long 167°50’
Remarks Thursday Sept 16th 1852
This day closes our first year out – weather fine and light – chaseing whales untill Sun Set – Spoke the Ship Alexander Coffin’s boats – reports 1700 bbls of oil this season middle part calm + clear – Last part – fine light weather and a light breeze from Southward – Saw numbers of Rip Jacks + a few bow heads + lowered + chased at 11 1/2 o clock did not get near – about 30 Ships in sight most all boiling or cutting Saw one Ship take a whale the Otaheita of Bremen – So ends this day –
Lat 67°49’ Long 171°40’
Remarks Friday Sept 17th 1852
First part fine weather and a light southerly breeze Saw several bow heads + chased 3 hours – spoke the Ship Lagoda’s Boat who reports 18 whales + wants one to fill – middle part Lay aback – calm Last part – gentle breeze from the Northward cruised to the Eastward Saw 3 bow heads + chased one could not strike boarded the Benj. Morgan 8 whales + boiling. Saw the Lagoda take her last whale. Saw 30 Ships
Remarks Saturday Sept 18th 1852
Begins with light northerly winds + cloudy saw 3 bow heads + chased 2 hours spoke the Ship Isaac Hicks 14 whales + boiling – had struck 39 this season – saw 3 Ships cutting (cruised to the Eastward) middle part – lay aback light air - calm - fogg - + rain several Ships in sight boiling Last part – weather rather hazey at times saw 3 bow heads – got one along side of the ship at 11 o clock + comcd [commenced] cutting – 11 1/2 o-clock saw the Ship South Boston about full + cutting + boiling So ends this day cutting
Remarks Sunday Sept 19th 1852
Begins with very good weather + a light westerly wind + cloudy 20 Ships in sight + mostly boiling – finished cutting at 4 o-clock cleared up the decks + comcd boiling at 6 o clock – very large whale lay aback middle part with light baffling wind + hazey – Last part light southerly wind + thick fogg – lay aback – So ends this day boiling
Remarks Monday Sept 20th 1852
Begins with thick fogg – at one o-clock began to break away saw 3 Ships cutting – at 2 lowered for a bow head chased untill Sun Set could not strike – gentle breeze at SS-E cruised to the Eastward – 30 Ships in Sight and all but 3 a-boiling – middle part lay aback heading to the E – with a clear star light night – Last part – fine clear weather cruised to the N + E saw 3 Ships take whales along side + comcd to cut the Chandler Price Barque Lark + Ship Scene so ends this day
Remarks Tuesday Sept 21st 1852
Begins with a fresh breeze at South cruised to the westward – Saw the Ship Orizimbo of N B take a whale + at 4 o clock Saw one bow head the first to day – lowered two Boats went on to the whale and mised getting fast – Spoke the Ship Brookline of N London Capt Norie 19 whales – 2500 bbls – middle part moderate lay aback – Last part light wind (W + NW) at 6 oclock saw 2 bow heads lowered the boats but saw them no more – finished boiling at 9 o clock turned up 200 bbls – weather clear but much swell from N-W So ends this day
Remarks Wednsday Sept 22nd 1852
Begins with a light breeze at S-E Saw 1 bow head + chased – at Sun Set gamd with the Brookline 19-W – Chandler Price 12-W – Haniball 15-W + Nile of San Francisco (full) middle part foggy lay aback Last part foggy stowing down wind light at S-E – heading ENE – Lat at noon 68° 40' Long 170°14'
Remarks Thursday Sept 23 1852
Begins with fine clear and dry light + smooth weather finished stowing down 180 bbls (the last whale) at 5 PM and cleared up the decks – have not seen a whale this day of any kind – middle part quite good weather – lay aback under double reefd top sails – Spoke Ship John. Howland. N. Bedford 6 whales. – Last part – Blows strong from NE lay too under clost reefd main top sails – Saw 6 Ships one boiling – So end this day.
Remarks Friday Sept 24th 1852
First part blows a strong N-E gale. the ship laying to heading East 5 Ships in sight. Saw some “Rip Jacks” – middle part the gale continues + strengthens with Rain + Snow – Last part thick snow storm Sea very heavy. Ship laying to heading East under clost reefd main to[p] sail only ship in Sight + She heading to the N + W So ends this day.
Remarks Saturday Sept 25th 1852
Begins with a strong N-E gale – lay to heading East Some snow + rain + thick at 6 PM. wore Ship + headed NW – middle part the gale continues unabated – Last part rather increases very heavy sea. 5 Ships in sight – laying to weather rather hazey So ends – no obs. this day – cloudy at noon – –
Remarks Sunday Sept 26th 1852
Beginning with a strong N-E gale. at 6 PM wore Ship and headed to the Eastward – Saw two Ships under clost reefd top Sails + reefed foresail. 3 others laying too – middle part sleet + rain – the gale continueing – Last part – moderates with thick weather – So ends this 24 hours. Set clost reefd top sails + fore sails
Remarks Monday Sept 27th 1852
Begins with thick weather with occational light streaks Saw two Ships – one a boiling – the [word missing-weather?] has abated – Set the fore sail + clost reefd fore + mizen top sails – middle part quite moderate + clear of fogg – Last part light breeze + still at N-E – Set the jib + whole top sails – + headed to the S + E with very thick fogg. after 10 o clock A.M. 2 Ships in sight this morning – Sounded + got 20 fathoms of water So ends these 24 hours – with no observation – –
Remarks Tuesday Sept 28th 1852
Begins with a very thick fogg, and a light breeze at N-E. Steering E + ESE at 4 ½ PM – nearly calm – clewed up the sails + anchored with our small stream anchor – at 5 the fogg clears off – and we were only about 4 miles from the land under our lee – hove up + made sail heading N-W with a light breeze at NNE – we had 20 fathoms of water + hard bottom at 12 [crossed out] M wore to the East - NE at 2 again wore to NW breeze strong – reefed fore + mizen top sails – Saw 2 Ships at Sun Set to the westward heading to the Eastward – Last part at 4 ½ AM kept off to S-W with a strong breeze – at 7 Saw Land 6 miles off bearing WSW + low sounded . Got 15 fathoms weather thick – hauled to the westward by the wind – got up one chain cable + bent to the anchor – the wind direct on shore + a heavy Sea – bent a new fore topmast stay sail - + put the Ship under double reaf [reefed] top Sails + fore Sail + main Spencer with quite a gale – Saw the land under our lee all the fore noon from 6 to 10 miles off at noon – got an observation which gave our Lat 67°-22’ N which brings us to the conclution that we are off the Asiatic Coast – when we supposed ourselves on the American – So ends these 24 hours – Lat 67° 22’
Remarks Wednsday Sept 29th 1852
Begins with a fresh gale + thick weather at 1 ½ PM wore Ship + headed East N East with the Land under our lee + a heavy sea heaving us on – at 4 ½ PM – Saw a Ship astern comeing up with us – Sounded frequently and got from 15 to 18 fathoms of water – middle part kept by the wind heading ENE untill 10 o clock – Saw the land under our lee – calld all hands + wore Ship + headed NW by W with a very heavy sea. Set the main Sail at 1 o clock Shiped a heavy sea which broke down the bow boat – called all hands and sucseeded in saveing the Boat – had to take in the main sail – at 5 called all hands and Ship to the Eastward – Saw a ship pass us heading to the Eastward – Last part have frequent squalls of Snow – the wind about North + yet blowing a Gale and the Land in Sight to leward – Saw 4 Ships – at noon – has moderated so that we have Set the main Sail + jib – + we are off Cape Serdeze-Kermen 58 miles NW of Cape East – 5 miles only from the Shore – So ends these 24 hours – Lat 67° 18’N Long 171° 49’ W
Remarks Thursday Sept. 30th 1852
Begins with a strong breeze at N at 2 o-clock – we cleared Cape Kamen [Serdtse-Kamen] + kept off East – for cape East. The Ship Orizimbo 4 miles astern steering Eastward + one ship ahead steering Eastward – at Sun Set distant from the Land 15 miles – (Shortened Sail) middle part steered East untill 12 – + hauled a back untill 1 – Saw East Cape to the S + W – Kept off S-SE + passed into Bearings Straits at 4 o-clock AM + steered S by W under all sail with a strong breeze at N-NW with squalls of snow and freezing cold Ice makeing on deck – Ship Orizimbo 6 miles ahead Steering Southward – under all sail – Last part have a fine steady fresh breeze at N – Steering S by W under all sail at noon Set the fore topng studing sail weath[er] cloudy at noon. So ends – Lat. 65°08’N Long 170°40’W
Remarks Friday Oct. 1st 1852
Begins with good weather and a steady Northerly wind steered Southward with the land in plain sight 15 or 20 miles off – at 4 ½ PM spoke the Orizimbo – Capt. Johnson 14 whales – Gamd untill 7 o-clock – middle part kept in company makeing a SSW course breeze fresh carried all sail Last part at 6 AM Cape “Nosh” beared [bore] NW + St Lawrence Ileand (South part) East Breeze freshens at N N-E the Orizimbo 8 miles ahead So ends Some Snow Squalls Lat. by D-R 62°49’ Long. 174° 38’
Remarks Sat Oct 2nd 1852
Begins with a strong breeze + increasing to a gale at 3 PM reefd fore + mizen top sails furled jib – main sail + main top galt sail – the Orizimbo] 10 miles ahead – middle part have a strong gale – run under double reefd top sails + fore sail – course S by W – Last part the gale continues with squalls of rain + mist So ends this day – Lat. by D-R 60°02’ Long 178°00W
Remarks Sunday Oct. 3 – 1852
Begins with strong N-E gale + cloudy + rain squalls middle part the gale moderates with squalls of thin rain course S-SW Last part the wind continues to die away and conts [continues?] to N + NNW with squalls of snow + hail at 7 AM set jib + main Sail + mizen top Sail So ends this day Lat by obs. 57°15N Long by chro 178 East
Remarks Monday, Oct 4th 1852
Begins with quite moderate weather some light snow squalls from N-W. course SW under single reef top sails – middle part most of the time wind very light + the moon + stars are out Last part wind light + baffling with some clear sky - one sail in sight to the westward – employed spliceing the jib stay etc etc So ends this day. Lat 55° 40'N Long 175°- E
Remarks Tuesday, Oct 5th 1852
Begins with strong gusts of wind and rain + hail Squalls from westward – Kept by the wind to the S + W – middle part strong double reef - breeze variable from W to N-W Kept by the wind makeing a S-W course – Last part some strong Squalls with rain hail + snow – and some clear weather - So end this 24 hours – Lat by obs at noon 54° 10’N Long – 173° 18’
Remarks Wedsday Oct 6th 1852
Begins with good moderate weather and a steady breeze at N-W – Ship heading SW under double reef top sails + courses – at Sun Set wind dies away made all sail – Saw the westernmost of the Fox Isleands bearing South – distant 50 miles – middle part dies away to a calm – Last part have a light breeze at N East – Steered S S-W – 5 ships in Sight – So ends these 24 hours – fine weather (Bent a New mizen top sail) Lat. 53° 07' Long by chro 171°-
Remarks Thursday Oct 7th 1852
Begins with light weather + nearly calm - Steering along to the Southward past the west end of the Isleand of Kiska of the Fox Chain distant 25 miles 5 Ships in sight – middle part light air untill 12. after have a fresh breeze from E S-E – Last part increases and squalling at East – single reefd at 10 AM – 4 ships in sight at noon took in the min [main?] top galt Sail So ends Steering South by East Lat at noon by obs 62° 01'N Long 172° 00'
Remarks Friday Oct. 8th 1852
Begins with a fresh gale in Squalls at East at 1 o clock furled the main sail + jib + double reefd the top sails + found the main top sail yard “sprung” at 4 clost reefd fore + mizen + furled the min [main?] top sail + fore sail – middle part Blows a heavy gale with some rain – Last part the gale abates + at noon quite moderate but a thick fogg so ends these 24 hours –
Remarks Saturday Oct 9th 1852
Begins with a moderate gale + a heavy swell the wind veering to E-N-E made sail -+ heading SE – have a thick fogg – middle part continues rather moderate Set the jib + let out one reef from the top sails – Last part strong breeze at N-N-E in squalls with fogg course S-E by E So ends this day
Remarks, Sunday Oct 10th 1852
Begins with a strong breeze at N + squalls of fogg - we have a very ugly cross sea + swell – middle part – strong breeze at N and squally + we are makeing a fine run – some rain – Last part rather less wind but an ugly sea. – wind cants to N-W. So ends this day with the Sun out Lat by obs. 47°-17N Long – 174° 40E
Remarks Monday Oct 11th 1852
Begins with a strong breeze at N-W course SE by E – rather squally – set the main top galt sail over double reefd main top sail – middle part – a good wholesail breeze at N-W + clear weather Last part fine weather made all sail at 6 AM. Studing sals [sails] etc – So ends – Lat by obs. 44.57. 177°20’ East
Remarks Tuesday Oct 12th 1852
Begins with good weather + a steady whole sail breeze at N-W – Steering S-E by E ½ E by compass. – middle part steady breeze at NW – Last part cloudy but good weather and a steady light N-W wind – with a fine run Steering ES-E So to end Lat by obs 43°07 – Long. 174-30 East
Remarks Wendsday Oct 13th 1852
Begins with good and cloudy weather with a light + steady N-W wind – middle part the wind cants to the Northward + increases Last part cants to NN-E with a gentle breeze – Steering ESE to end of this day. cloudy // no obs. –
Remarks Thursday Oct 14th 1852
Begins with a gentle breeze at NE – middle part increases to a strong breeze. at sun set took in flying jib + main top galt sail. reefd at 2 AM. – double reefed at 7½ AM. + unbent the main top sail for repairs – Saw one sail to the Eastward – So to end of day
Remarks, Friday Oct 15th 1852
Begins with a moderate gale at E-N-E clost reefed the top sails at 1 PM + furled the main sail – some rain + thickenes up middle part. moderate towards morning at 1 AM wore to NE. Last part quite moderate made sail at noon under single reefd = heading NE wind ESE – So ends this day
Remarks Saturday Oct 16th 1852
Begins with quite moderate + dry weather but cloudy sky wind ES-E Ship heading N-E – middle part wind light and bearing to the South + a clear sky – Last part fine light and clear + warm + pleasant – employed cleaning. Bone. So ends this day. Lat by obs at noon 39°11N Long by chro 173°-30W [173 overwritten with 172] 45 [written under 30] 172° 40 [written under the other observations]
Remarks Sunday Oct 17th 1852
Begins with fine light wind and weather from South course ES-E – finished the main top sail yard at 6 PM – middle part wind light at South and a heavy damp air Last part ends with clear light weather with some haze Lat by obs at noon 38°24’ Long 170°38’West
Remarks Monday Oct 18th 1852
Begins with light + clear weather – but air damp – wind South – course ES-E by compass – middle part – clear sky + a new moon – with a six knot breeze at S by west Last part fine weather and a fresh breeze – employed the crew at scrapeing bone. Lat by obs 37-01 – Long 168°40’ by chro
Remarks Tuesday Oct 19th 1852
Begins with a fresh breeze at S by W + hazey + damp air – middle part heavy. Rain – at 9 ½ the wind shifts suddenly to North + NN-E – Last part fresh breeze + fine clear weather + dry – employed cleaning Ship – course ESE. So ends this day Lat by obs 35°16’ Long. 166°16’ by chro B Luner 166°00
Remarks Wednsday Oct 20th 1852
Begins with a fine fresh breeze + clear weather middle part wind cants to NE – Last part fine weather – one Ship to the south steering Eastward with us. – employed at sundry jobs in ships duty wind EN-E Lat 33°08’ Long. 164-04
Remarks. Thursday Oct 21st 1852
Begins with good weather and a gentle whole sail breeze at ENE – ship heading S-E employed repairing Boats Sails rigging etc - etc - one Ship to the S + East – middle + Last part fine + light weather – wind bearing to EN-E + E – steered to the S + E – employed cleaning Bone + repairing the Bow Boat So ends. Lat 31°20’ Long. 162° 54’W
Remarks. Friday Oct 22nd 1852
Begins with a light breeze at EN-E + clear + pleasant no ships in sight – middle part the wind cants to ES-E at 12 o clock tacked ship + headed N East – Last part light and pleasant weather – Lat by obs 30° 20’N Long . 162° 18’W
Remarks. Saturday Oct 23d 1852
Begins with pleasant weather and a light air from S-E – employed cleaning bone – middle and Last parts much the same. the wind very unsteady + light – So ends these 24 hours. Lat 31 09 by obs – Long 161°- 25’ by chro.
Remarks. Sunday Oct 24th 1852
Begins with light baffling. Easterly winds – middle part fresh breeze headed SS-E + at 12 tacked to NN-E at 2 AM. furled the flying jib + main to [top] galt sail – Last part more moderate wind veering to S-E – set the flying jib + main top galt Sail at 10 AM. – So ends this day – Lat 31°-35’ By D-R Long 160°-20’
Remarks. Monday Oct 25th 1852
Begins with a moderate breeze at S-E + lowery weather Ship by the wind heading ENE – middle part the wind cants to SS-E – Last part light + pleasant weather got up the fore top galt yard + sail employed drying Bone – So ends this day Lat by obs 31° 45’ Long. 158°25’
Remarks. Tuesday Oct 26th 1852
Begins with light air at SS-W + fine weather – middle part the same – steering S-E from – 2 PM to 2 AM – very clear and pleasant – Last part – weather very fine – saw a sail to the northward – Steering to the North + East – So ends this day employed drying bone. Lat 30°39’ Long 157°-52’W
Remarks. Wednsday Oct 27th 1852
Begins with fine light weather – breeze very light at South + South West – steered South East – Got the Bow Boat out middle part light air + baffling to the Southward – Last part light and pleasant a ship in sight to the North steering Eastward so ends. – Course SE by S. Lat by obs 29°-59’ Long 155° 56’ by chrom
Remarks. Thursday Oct 28th 1852
Beginning light air + calm – clear + very warm + drying finished drying + stowing away the Whale bone – middle part light air + calm. Course SS-E – Last part calm – 5 Ships in sight – So ends this day Lat by ob 29°32’ Long by chro 155°20’
Remarks. Friday Oct 29th 1852
Begins with clear + calm weather and heavy swell from the westward – one Ship bearing E by N – 6 miles off – heading to the S + E – middle part – light air from S-S-E – kept by the wind to the Eastward – Last part spoke the Ship L. C. Richmond of N-B – Capt Cohran from the Arctic 13 Whales – the season bound to Hilo Ohohyhe [ phonetic spelling of Hawaii?] – gamd all day – breeze light at SSW So ends. Lat 29-00’
Remarks. Saturday Oct 30th 1852
Begins with fine light wind and weather steering SE gaming with the Richmond until 8 PM – middle part breezes at S. Last part light breeze 3 sail in sight – made a tack to the S+W 3 hours – So ends this day — Lat. by obs. 28.54 – Long 153°32’
Remarks – Sunday Oct 30th 1852 [should be October 31]
Begins with light southerly wind + pleasant painted the Boats on the house + the main mast – steering to the S+E middle part – some squalls of rain – Last part fresh breeze at SS-E – tacked Ship at 7 AM – two Ships in sight – So ends this day. Lat by obs. 27°29 Long 153.00
Remarks. Monday Oct Nov 1st 1852
Begins with a moderate breeze at SS-E – + clear weather Ship under double reefd top Sails – 5 Ships in sight with all sail out – middle part wind light – with a heavy swell from West – Last same. to end. Lat 27-12 Long 154-22 employed repairing sails +c +c – 3 Ships in sight Lat 27-08 Long 154-22
Remarks Tuesday Nov 2nd 1852
Begins with a fresh breeze at S-S-E – middle part Some light Squalls with rain Last part wind cants to S –at 11½ tacked Ship + headed to the E – Saw 2 Sails – moderate breeze So ends this day Lat 26°20' Long 155°53' W
Remarks Wednsday Nov 3d – 1852
Begins with good weather and a moderate breeze – from the South middle part fresh breeze + Squally. tacked Ship at 3¼ AM + headed S-W. Last part heads off to W S-W tacked at 11 + headed E S-E Saw 3 Ship at noon. rain with a stiff squall from S+W - So ends this day - No obs. –
Remarks Thursday Nov 4th 1852
Begins with baffling southerly winds with Squall and rain – employed washing Ship. middle part the wind Shifts to W N-W + strong with rain – the first fair wind for 14 days – Course S by E by compass. Last part a moderate whole sail breeze. one Ship in sight a stern – weather cloudy – So ends this day Lat by obs. 24°12' Long. 154 56
Friday Nov 5th 1852
Begins with light westerly wind with clear + dry weather 3 Sail in Sight – middle part light air – Set the fore topng [gallant] Studding Sail – Last part light air – Saw a Brig Steering S fine weather So ends this day. Course South. —— Lat by obs 22°40 Long 155°-06
Remarks Saturday Nov 6th 1852
Begins with light air – steering South – 5 Sail in Sight middle part light air + calms Course S by W – Last part light a Ship passed near us which we calld the Columbus of Fair Haven. Steering S by W – Saw the Land at 10 AM bearing S-W distant by our obs. 60 miles So ends this day Lat by obs. 21-37 Long 155°-12'
Remarks Sunday Nov 7th 1852
Begins light airs and calms – The Isleand of Maui or Mowe in Sight – course S-W – Middle calm – Last part steering S-W – wind very light + calm. Hawaii Maui + Moloki in Sight + 4 Ships – So ends this day