Log Entries: 
May 2 - May 8, 1844


Thu, May 2, 1844 (Lat 37.34 Lon 166.08 E)

This day weather somewhat thick ad hazy…At 10 p.m. furled the topgallant sails and flying jib.  Coopered our bread and caught a porpoise; had him for supper.

As the Thames departed from Maui about 30 days  prior to this date, any fresh bread they may had procured was likely gone by now.  “Coopering the bread” likely means repackaging the “hard tack” or ship’s bread in an effort to keep it from rotting. 

 Fishing was a great way for the crew to augment their food.  The porpoise mentioned here is – probably – actually a dolphinfish, or what we know of today as “mahi mahi.”

You can learn more about hard tack at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardtack


Fri, May 3, 1844 (Lat 39.20  Lon 165.50 E)

This day the weather somewhat thick with rain at intervals… At 5 p.m. saw two right whales; lowered and chased without success.  At dark took in sail and hove too for the night.  Standing quarter watches this night.

 

“Lowered” refers to the whaleboats; kept on davits hanging over the ship’s side, they would be lowered to the water after a whale was spotted.  A whale ship typically had 3-5 boats on the davits ready to go, and also carried a few spares to take place of any boats damaged or lost during the hunt.

Obviously, the entire crew of a ship can’t be sleeping at the same time. At least part of the crew has to be awake and running the ship 24 hours a day.  This was accomplished by dividing the crew into “watches.”  Over the centuries there have been many different types of ways to divide up crewmen. 

You can learn more about the various types of watches at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchkeeping

 

 

Sat, May 4, 1844 (Lat 39.40  Lon 165.48 E)

This day commences with rainy and thick weather, with strong breezes from the ESE; heading North.  At 6am set double reefed topsails, courses and jib… Just at night saw one right whale; chased without success.  Call about, took in the topgallant sails, double reefed the topsails… Ship heading SE.

 

 

Sun, May 5, 1844 (Lat 39.40 Lon 165.49 E)

… At daylight made all sail, steering on the wind.  Tacked ship a number of times.  Saw a number of humpback whales and two right whales.  Lowered and chased twice – too cunning for us.  Could not fasten.  Latter part brisk breezes from SE.  Cruising for whales.  At night took in sail and hove too.

 

“Hove too,” or “heaving too,” meant arranging the rudder and sails in combination so the ship makes as little progress as possible – effectively putting the ship in “park” so it would stay it place (as much as possible).  Whale ships would do this at night if they felt they were in a good location to see whales the next day

 

 

Mon, May 6, 1844 (Sun obscure)

This day thick and heavy weather.  First part had heavy winds from the SE.  At 10 a.m. died away suddenly.  Made all sail, steering to the northward and westward to the best advantage the rest of the day with variable winds.  At night took in sail and hove the ship too; saw one humpback.

 

With the sun behind the clouds all day, it was impossible to determine the ship’s longitude and latitude this day – not a huge problem when out in deep water, but very dangerous if you were near any rocks or the coastline.

 

Tue, May 7th, 1844 (Lat 41.12 Log 165.40 E)

This day clear and cold with brisk breezes… Saw one right whale; chased without success.  At night took in sail.

 

 

Wed, May 8th, 1844 (Lat 41:14 Lon 165.58 E)

This day pleasant.  First part had brisk breezes from WSW.  At daylight made sail.  At 9 a.m. saw a right whale.  Lowered, fastened, killed him – and he SUNK.  So goes the first Northwest whale we have broke black skin on.  Latter part light variable winds.  At night took in sail.  Ship heading ENE.

 

The hard truth was one could spend back-breaking, exhausting hours trying to catch a whale, only to have it sink after it died.  If they whale died in shallow waters, there was some chance it might float back to the surface after a day or two, but out in deep water there was nothing you could do except cut the harpoon line so the boat wouldn’t be pulled under, and watch the whale sink.

 

So… Some hard luck for the Thames.  Four or five days of seeing whales, and nothing to show for it.  Would their luck soon change?  Come back next week to find out!