Log Entries:  July 25 - July 31, 1844

Thu, Jul 25, 1844 (Sun Obscure)

… Weather thick and clear at intervals.  Saw 4 right whales going to windward fast.  At 12 o’clock spoke to the ship Tuscarora of Cold Spring – 1,600 bbls.

Fri, Jul 26, 1844 (Sun Obscure)

… Clear from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Saw 3 right whales, the Tuscarora’s boats fast to one of them.

Sat, Jul 27, 1844 (Lat 53.40 Lon 162.20 E)

…Made sail at daylight.  Saw right whales and lowered.  At 10 a.m. fastened to two; at 12 o’clock killed them  both.  Saved ONE and got him alongside.  At 3 p.m. the other turned up a long distance to the windward of the ship… Finished cutting at 1 o’clock at night and made all sail beating to windward for the other whale.

Sun, Jul 28, 1844 (Lat 53.36 Lon 162.10 E)

… Ship under all sail beating to windward for the whale we killed yesterday, but [we] could not find him.  At 5 p.m. saw 3 right whales; lowered without success…



Mon, Jul 29, 1844 (Sun Obscure)

This day most part thick fog… Gamming  with the Tuscarora of Cold Spring.  Both of us boiling all day.  Found the whale we killed the day before yesterday; got him alongside at 7 p.m. and put the fluke chain on.

Tue, Jul 30, 1844 (Lat 53.39 Lon 162.42 E)

… At daylight commenced cutting in our blasted whale.  Finished cutting at 12 o’clock.  Boiling all day… Stowed down about 100 bbls oil. Tuscarora in sight.

“Blasted” is not a curse word here, but what whalemen called a dead, putrefied whale.  Despite the condition (and no doubt ungodly smell), blasted whales were often still taken alongside and processed – as if whaling could get any worse.

Wed, Jul 31, 1844 (Lat 53.18 Lon 162.11 E)

… Saw 5 right whales; lowered twice.  Fastened to a whale – the iron broke and he got away from us.  Stowed down 45 bbls oil…  Saw the Tuscarora take a whale.