36 WHALE FISHERY OF NEW ENGLAND 



all the furnishings, except possibly a few bottles of rum, which were 

 often labelled "camphor." In fact, one might speak of the dis-accom- 

 inodations of the forecastle, and it is no wonder that a cruise in a whaler 

 is often spoken of as a "sailor's horror." The odor of grease, dirt, oil, 

 and lack of air are unbearable except to one thoroughly accustomed to 

 a whaling trip, and sailors often say that this attractive place should 

 not be approached without a clothespin on one's nose. The utensils 

 comprised a few tin plates and a bucket of water, with one cup for the 

 use of every one. The food consisted of "longlick" and "scouse," the 

 former made of tea, coffee, and molasses, and the latter of hardtack, 

 beans, and meat. It is not difficult to see, therefore, why most of the 

 captains anchored their ships well out beyond the harbour, so as to 

 prevent desertions after the novice seaman had glanced at his sleeping 

 quarters. There have been cases of sailors jumping overboard on the 

 chance of reaching land, and it is on record that the greater part of a 

 whaleship's crew once floated to shore on the cover of the try-works. 

 A captain was very careful where he allowed his men to land, and, in 

 case he was afraid of desertions, took care to allow them shore leave 

 only at places where the natives were troublesome, or where for a ten- 

 dollar bill he knew he could get the whole crew returned to him. 



The whaleship looked very clumsy and was built for strength rather 

 than for speed, the bow and stern looking as if they were made by the 

 mile and chopped off in lengths to suit. It is a curious fact that the 

 "Rousseau," belonging to the Rowlands, when caught in a storm off 

 the Cape of Good Hope sailed astern for seven days faster than she had 

 ever sailed ahead, and successfully weathered the point. 



There is an amusing anecdote that has gone the whaling rounds, 

 of a greenhorn, called Hezekiah Ellsprett, who arrived on board the 

 night before sailing. One of the men told him that the first ones on 

 board had the right to pick out their berths and suggested that he 

 paint his name on the berth he should select. Hezekiah looked round, 

 found the best-looking cabin, painted his name in big letters on the 

 outside of the door, and made himself comfortable for the night. He 

 had chosen the captain's room, and in the morning the captain came 

 on board, and in very violent terms informed him that he was in the 

 wrong end of the ship. 



The whaleman's life was indeed a hard one, and his share of the 

 profit, or "lay" as it was called, was so small that at the end of a 

 moderately successful voyage if his share amounted to several hundred 

 dollars he was doing well. His earnings were depleted by the captain's 

 "slop chest," where the sailors had to purchase their tobacco and clothes 

 at high prices, and if there were any kicks the answer was that he could 

 "get skinned or go naked." The most necessary part of the sailor's 

 equipment was the sheath knife which was used about the ship and 

 to repair his clothes, and it was this same implement that he used to 

 cut his food! 



Regular deck watches were kept, and in good weather the officers 

 often winked their eyes if some of the men slept. Among sailors 



