Our Departure. 17 



given by those assembled on the quay, feebly re- 

 sponded to by the sober ones on board. A photo- 

 grapher on the pier-head took a hasty shot as we 

 turned to go out, and we all felt that we had at last 

 started on our cruise. 



As a general rule, the departure of a whaler is 

 marked by the total incapacity of the crew to per- 

 form any duties whatever connected with the ship, 

 in consequence of the numerous parting glasses of 

 which they have partaken with their friends and 

 acquaintances, and the bumpers that have been 

 drained to the success of the voyage. 



The scene on board an outward-bound whaler 

 on the eve of departure has been described to me 

 as one both filthy and disgusting. I am very glad 

 to be able to state that, at any rate for this voyage, 

 the "Arctic's " crew are an exception to the general 

 rule, the captain informing me that he had never 

 put to sea before with such a "good and sober 

 crowd." 



Those who were suffering from the effects of 

 over-indulgence had the good sense to keep below, 

 where they were allowed to remain undisturbed 

 until the effects of their carouse had worked off. 



Steaming down the Tay, we stopped off Broughty 

 Ferry, at which place the captain allowed himself a 

 brief leave-taking with his wife ; and having landed 

 all visitors and friends that had accompanied the 

 ship thus far, the boats were hoisted up and 



c 



