Log Entries: 
May 9 - May 15, 1844

Thu, May 9, 1844 (Lat 41.34 Lon 165.19 E)

…At daylight made whole topsails, courses and jib, steering on the wind… Saw two right whales; lowered and chased. At 10 a.m. the wind shifted to ESE blowing a stiff gale. Left off chasing; came on board, took in sail and hove the ship to. Latter part thick and rainy with a severe gale from ESE… Mr. Isham quite sick.

Fri, May 10, 1844 (Lat 41.34 Lon 165.19 E)

This day commences with rain and blowing a violent gale… Ship lying to all this day with a heavy sea running.  Saw one right whale.

Whaling was almost impossible in heavy, foggy weather.  There were many cases of boats lowering for the hunt only to be lost in the fog or dark of night and never seen again.

Sat, May 11, 1844 (Sun invisible)

… Thick [weather] with rain, breezes brisk.  At night took in sail and hove too.  Ship heading SE.  Saw two finbacks.

Sun, May 12, 1844 (Sun obscure)

… At 10 a.m. [weather] came in thick with light rains, wind blowing a heavy gale… Ship lying to all this day.

Mon, May 13, 1844 (Lat 41.29 Lon 165.53 E)

… Light winds from SE; steering to the westward through the day.

Tue, May 14, 1844 (Sun Invisible)

… This day foggy weather… At sundown took in sail and hove to.  Saw nothing.

Wed, May 15, 1844 (Lat 42.28 Lon 164.17 E)

First part of this day thick fog with brisk breezes from SW.  At daylight made sail steering on the wind to westward.  Latter part light winds from W; clear at times.  Saw four or five right whales; lowered and chased twice without success.  Whales very wild.  At sundown took in sail.

A rough week full of foggy, heavy weather and no whales caught.  At times like this a crewman might lose heart.  Hopefully, to keep spirits up, the crew would be passing their time playing cards, singing songs and telling jokes, like: 

Question: How do you get a rat out of the lee scuppers? 

Answer: You come about.

You may have to ask your boating friends about that one…