THE AMERICAN WHALE-FISHERY. 223 
company are termed "ship -keepers." Due care is taken, as far as practicable, 
that two boats' crews shall be in the same watch, so that in the event of meeting 
with whales on the passage to the cruising -grounds, they may be immediately 
lowered in pursuit. But usually a few days pass, after getting to sea, before a 
perfect organization of all hands can be obtained ; for a portion of them being 
green, are generally so debilitated or entirely prostrated by sea- sickness, and a 
majority of the old sailors so demoralized by their last excessive potations of "part- 
ing drinks," that little can be accomplished under such circumstances. But it is 
not long before Jack gets a sufficiency of substantial food, instead of being soaked 
with the vile stimulants of a sailor boarding-house, and the work of "fitting skip" 
for whaling begins in good earnest. The hold is "broken out," and casks contain- 
ing lines, cutting- gear, harpoons, lances, etc., are unheaded, and their contents laid 
under contribution as may be required. The cutting -gear, which consists of heavy 
tackles, pendants, etc., is to be overhauled or fitted anew, and the implements 
belonging to the try -works must be looked after; but the first and most important 
duty is the proper fitting of the boats. It may be a matter of surprise, even to 
an old whaleman, when he sees before him the number of things required to fit 
out a modern whale-boat, which is only twenty -eight or thirty feet in length, and 
Mr. Botch with his wife and children remained was captured hy the king's ship, the officer sent 
in France through all the troublesome times of the on board to examine her parjers, said to the cap- 
Revolution of 1702, and suffered much in his busi- tain: 'You will take this vessel in, sir; she be- 
ness, which had become extensive in the fishery longs to Mr. Eotch.'" 
and in the importation of other oils into France. Mr. Eotch, with many other Americans, em- 
Mr. Botch had seen that a war between England barked secretly from Dunkirk in a ship bound for 
and France was inevitable. With these views, he America, but he and his family were landed in 
began early in 1793 to make arrangements for England, where, he remarked, " I had the comfort 
leaving France and returning to Nantucket. Go- of receiving these ships of mine four months after 
ing over to London on his way home, he found I left France." 
that two of his ships had already been captured On the 24th of July, 1794, Mr. Eotch, with his 
full of oil, and condemned by the British Govern- family, embarked in the ship Barklay, and after 
ment as French prizes; but being present with the a passage of sixty-one days, arrived at Boston, 
authorities, he was able to recover them again They soon proceeded to Nantucket, where they 
through his English friends. "My going to remained one year, after which they removed to 
France," said he, "to pursue the whale-fishery, New Bedford. Here he died May 28th, 1828. 
so disappointed Lord Hawkesbury that he under- Through a long and eventful life of usefulness, 
took to be avenged upon me for his own follies; he was greatly beloved and respected, and was 
and, I have no doubt, gave directions to his cruis- deeply lamented when he departed for the spir- 
ers to take any of my ships that they might meet itual world, at the advanced age of ninety -four 
going to France. For, when the ship Ospray years. 
