July 1 - 3, 1862

Private Journal of the Bark Solon’s Whaling Voyage

Tuesday July 1st A.D. 1862

We have had moderate winds from S. steering E.S.E.. Commenced tarring down. Last night at 11 o’clock Capt Baxter and I were called and informed that the Kanaka John Lanton1 by name was dead. We upon deck and had him laid out on the Gangway Board. This morning he was sewed up and burned at 8 o’clock. Captain B requested me to read the chapter from the Bible. I read the 15th chapter of Job.2 We do not know what the matter was with him.

Lat 30” 02 N Long 53” 20 W

Wednesday July 2nd

Had moderate wind and fine weather. Employed tarring down the Rigging aft. This evening Abe Lincoln and Jeff Davis went in bathing. They would jump off the rail into the water and come up along side the vessel and catch hold of a rope and play on the water like a porpoise. The Bark was going at the rate of 3 or 4 knots per hour.

Lat 29” 56 N Long. 51” 47 W.

Thursday July 3rd

Had brisk wind from E.S.E. steering S. by the wind and we have had a heavy head beat sea all day long. It has stirred some of them up at the mast head today. We have finished tarring down and the Bark looks over a hundred per cent better. I should have remarked a few nights ago that we commenced shortening sail at sunset.

Lat 29 21 N Long 52” 56 W

1 On the crew list there is a “James Lanton” age 21 with dark skin and hair from Royalton, VT

2 The 15th chapter of Job is Eliphaz’s stern accusation that Job must have sinned, arguing that suffering comes only to the wicked and that prideful or unjust people inevitably bring misery and destruction upon themselves.