PREFACE. 



Having been one of the crew of an American 

 wlialesliip, I cruised on the ocean for the four 

 years of my hfe that have just eLapsed. During 

 this long period it frequently occurred to me, 

 and excited my wonder, how little knowledge 

 of the whaling-service in its practical features 

 was possessed by the people ashore, excepting 

 a small portion of those residing in cities whose 

 maritime trade is represented almost exclusively 

 by whaleships. 



My convictions as to the utility of an exposi- 

 tion of one's daily experience in this service — 

 of the good, bad, and indifferent fortune, as well 

 as the perils of a pursuit which engages so many 

 of our American youth — were so forcible, that 



(vii) 



