226 HISTJRY AND METHODS OF TEE FISHERIES. 



crews, both officers and men, more especially those living at New Bedford or near by, among 

 whom may be numbered the thrifty, intelligent, and expert whalemen, purchase their outfit ou 

 their own account, thereby saving about one-half the amount it would cost them if their supplies 

 were furnished by an outfitter; but the green hands, owing to their inexperience, must be initiated 

 into the mysteries of the whale fishery, and whether they are so disposed or not, they fall into the 

 toils of the outfitter, and must pay their fees without grumbling for their first degree. The 

 improvident and reckless whaleman who has just returned from a four years' voyage is almost 

 always compelled to ship again, and, although he "knows the ropes" as well as the outfitter does, 

 on account of his straightened circumstances, he must, in self-defense, but contrary to his owu 

 inclination, go to the men who dispense favors. 



So much has been said concerning the character and practices of the "sharks" this term 

 should not be so construed as to refer to outfitters only I deem it of sufficient importance to say 

 that the former method of dealing with seafaring men at the port of New Bedford and elsewhere 

 has been so leavened with the ennobling spirit of civilization and the influence of Christianity that 

 the past and present should not be associated. The modern outfitter is simply a sharp, shrewd 

 tradesman, who, like many others in this broad land, resorts to every means to induce a liberal 

 supply of patronage, and to dispose of the largest stock of goods at the best profit. 



The outfitters are also "iufitters," that is, they furnish the men with such supplies and articles 

 of clothing as they may need when the vessel returns. A whaleman purchasing supplies under 

 such conditions is merely a customer who requires goods, but has no money to buy. He was also 

 a customer when he entered the service, but his vessel, after he had signed the " articles," was 

 his surety, and the agent held him as a hostage. The merchant is as anxious to "infit" as he was 

 to " outfit" him, but the man must now bring an order from the agent or owner of the vessel. If 

 a poor voyage has been made, or if the man has drawn on the " slop-chest '' during a voyage to 

 such an extent as to ruin his credit, he becomes bankrupt ashore, and may be obliged to change 

 his mind instead of his raiment; for, instead of "infitting" himself with long togs, consisting of 

 ready-made suits, the luxurious white shirr, collars, cuffs, gay-colored neckties, handkerchiefs, 

 gloves, scarf-pins, and other jewelry, fine shoes, and fashionable hats, for all the outfitters keep an 

 abundant supply of these things, he must " outfit" himself with wearing apparel of coarser ma- 

 terials suitable for voyage at sea, and ship for another voyage. 



QUARTERS ON THE VESSELS. The captain, mates, and boat-steerers are quartered in the 

 after part of the ship. The former, on large vessels, has a state-room on the starboard side, and 

 a private cabin or kind of office in the central portion of the after part of the vessel. Both rooms 

 are plainly but comfortably furnished, and the cabin usually contains a bedstead, the only one, by 

 the way, on board ship, the balance of the ship's company occupying bunks. The captain is some- 

 times accompanied by his wife and children, and his apartments have a home-like and comfort- 

 able appearance. The state-room, or bunk, of the first officer is just forward of the captain's 

 quarters on the port side adjacent to the pantry ; forward of the latter are the bunks of the third 

 and fourth mates, and just opposite, on the starboard side, is the second mate's cabin. The boat- 

 steerers, cooper, and carpenter occupy separate bunks on the port side. The foremast hands are 

 confined to the forecastle. Their bunks are arranged in tiers about the forward end and on either 

 side of the ship as far aft as the forecastle extends. They are made of ordinary plank, and usually 

 painted when the ship is fitting for a voyage, but during the cruise they become well worn and 

 greasy enough. The first man on board ship has the first choice of bunks, and writes his name, 

 or initials of his name, on the side with chalk, or pre-empts the spot by depositing his bed-sack, 

 and retains possession during the voyage. The conveniences of living and the accommodations 



