Log Entries:
April 24 - May 1, 1844
Wed, Apr 24th (Lat 28.35, Lon 167.38 E)
This day pleasant. Commences with light breezes from SE, steering NW by N. Forepart of this day wind hauling to the SW. Latter part light airs from SW steering NW by N. under all sail. Killed a goat. Saw nothing.
In in age before refrigeration, the only way to keep meat from spoiling was to heavily salt it. Before cooking, it would have to be soaked in fresh water to remove as much of the salt as possible. It was edible, but not very tasty. For this reason, when stopping in port ships often brought on board some small livestock (pigs, goats and chickens typically) so they could have a supply of fresh meat - although this might only be for the officers. It was also important to bring on board fresh vegetables as often as possible, to ward off scurvy. These, happily, were shared by all on board.
Thu, Apr 25th (Lat 29.08 Lon 165.24 E)
This day commences with a sudden gale from the NE, with fog and rain. Called all hands and reduced sail to close reefed topsails and foresail. Steering W by N. After daylight the wind began to moderate fast. Set the mainsail, jib, whole top sails and main topgallant sail, steering WNW. Strong breezes from the NE through the day.
You can learn all about the names and locations of sails on a sailing ship at:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sail_plan
Fri, Apr 26th (Lat 30.34 Lon 164.23 E)
This day pleasant. The first part wind light and hauling gradually from NE to NW by N. At 10 a.m. tacked ship. Middle and Latter part of the day had brisk breezes from NW by W, steering NE on the wind under all sail. Saw nothing. People employed in various jobs of ships duty. Last part strong winds.
Sailing ships can’t sail directly into the wind. If they want to head in the direction from which the wind is coming, they have to ‘tack,’ which means sailing in a zig-zag fashion in the general direction of the wind. You can learn all about how sailing ships use the wind at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacking_(sailing)
Sat, Apr 27th (Lat 30.37 Lon 165.10 E)
This day pleasant… At 6 a.m. tacked ship, steering NW on the wind… Saw several Finbacks. Two or three of the crew quite sick.
Finbacks were generally too fast to catch with whaleboats powered by oars or sail, and also quite large. 19th century whalemen generally ignored them. Crewmen lost their share of oil from any whales caught when they were ill. They also had to pay for any medicine they used from the ship’s medical chest. Just as on land in the 1800s, most deaths during a whaling voyage were due to disease.
Sun, Apr 28th (Lat 31.26 Lon 164.26 E)
First part had brisk breezes from ENE, steering NW on the wind… Ship under all sail. Saw two finbacks.
The sharp-eyed amongst you may have spotted the “Lat” and “Lon” numbers after each date. Those are the daily latitude and longitude measurements - the position of the ship. A ship’s position was taken at noon each day. As you can see, the latitude is getting higher each day, which means the ship is heading towards northward.
You can learn all about latitude, longitude and navigation at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navigation
Mon, Apr 29 (Lat 33.07 Lon 164.55 E)
This day pleasant with light breezes… Unbent the fore topsail and bent another… Saw one finback.
“Bending a sail” meant detaching it from all the rigging – or reattaching it. Typically done to bring a sail down to deck so it could be repaired or to completely replace an old and worn sail. As the Thames is heading north, she may be putting up her “winter canvas” which was heavier than regular sail, and able to withstand heavier weather.
Tue, Apr 30 (Sun obscure at noon)
This day thick and rainy. First part had light winds from S, steering N ½ W. Middle part calms and light variable airs. At 4pm had a light breeze spring up from E by S, steering N ½ W under all sail.
Wed, May 1 (Lat 35.35, Lon 165.21 E)
This day pleasant. First part had light airs from ESE, steering N ½ W. Middle part [wind] hauling southerly. Latter part fine breezes from SSE, steering N by W under all sail. Saw nothing.
Well… not much going on at the moment - but that was often the case on a whaleship. Like firemen or policemen, their lives could be days of tedium suddenly interrupted with hours of excitement and extreme danger.
Will the Thames ever see a whale they can catch? Will the ill crewmen recover? Will the ship be ready for heavy weather? Come back next week and continue the voyage!