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, arc 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 sub,stantial food, instead of being soaked 

 with the vile stimulants of a sailor boarding-house, and the work of "fitting ship" 

 for whaling begins in good earnest. The hold is "broken out," and casks contain- 

 ing lines, cutting- gear, harpoons, lances, etc., are unheadcd, 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 Avhaleman, 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. Rotch with his wife and children remained was captured by the king's shiji, the oflScer sent 

 in France through all the troublesome times of the on board to examine her papers, said to the cap- 

 Revolution of 1792, 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. Rotch.'" 



and in the importation of other oils into France. Mr. Rotch, with many other Americans, em- 

 Mr. Rotch 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 aiTangements 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. Rotch, with his 



full of oil, and condemned by the British Govern- family, embarked in the ship BarHay, 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 



Prance," said he, "to ixirsue 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- deej^ly lamented when he depaiied 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 Ospraij years. 



