Log Entries:  Aug 8 - Aug 14, 1844

Thu, Aug 8, 1844 (Sun Obscure)

…Thick fog until 2 p.m… People engaged in cleaning ship and overhauling the running rigging.

“Running rigging” were the ropes and gear used to move the spars and sails; “standing rigging” were the ropes that helped hold the masts in place.

Fri, Aug 9, 1844 (Sun Obscure)

…Made sail at daylight… At 10 a.m. spoke the ship Swift of New Bedford – 32 months out, 800 bbls sperm and 800 bbls whale oil.

Ship Swift of New Bedford: 321 tons, Captain Fisher.  Departed Dec 22, 1841; returned May 11, 1845 with 2,300 bbls.

Sat, Aug 10, 1844 (Sun Obscure)

This day thick… no whales at all.

Sun, Aug 11,1844 (Lat 53:36 Lon 163.12 E)

… [spent] most of the day gamming with the ship India of New Bedford and bark Connecticut of New London. India 3,100 bbls, out 15 months. Connecticut 1,300 bbls, 12 months. Saw 5 right whales; lowered and chased without success.

Ship India of New Bedford:  366 tons, Capt. Walker.  Departed New Bedford May 11, 1843; returned Apr 9, 1845 with 3,200 bbls.

Bark Connecticut of New London: 398 tons, Capt. Hempsted.  Departed New London Sep 5 1843, returned Jul 5, 1845 with 1,880 bbls.



Mon, Aug 12, 1844 (Lat 53.15 Lon 163:00 E)

Clear and calm.  Saw 3 right whales; lowered and chased without success.  Got 4 hogsheads of bread from the India.  Saw the Connecticut take a whale.

Tue, Aug 13, 1844 (Sun Obscure)

…Lowered and chased three times.  Fastened to one whale [that] run very bad; coming on night was obliged to cut from him.  Saw the India kill two – both sunk.  Saw the Connecticut take one.

“To Hell with the Connecticut,” is what I’m sure many onboard the Thames were thinking.

Wed, Aug 14, 1844 (Sun Obscure)

…Made sail at daylight.  Saw 8 right whales today; lowered and chased twice without success.