June 16 - 21, 1862

Monday June 16ᵗʰ 1862

Commences with a gale and ends with a gale-er- from the N. The Bark hove to under close-reefed main top sail. We are all awful homesick — clear down to the dog Dixie, every opportunity he has he comes to me to take him up in my arms and when I take him he seems perfectly contented. I wish I could say the same. This much I can say if I was where a certain person could put her arms about me I should be contented.

Lat. 35° 47′ N Long. 63° 38′ W (Note: 690 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina)

Tuesday June 17ᵗʰ

Commence with a strong gale from the N. Laying to under close reefed main top sail. heading E.S.E.1

Wednesday June 18ᵗʰ

Commences with a brisk wind, from N, Steering E.S.E. Engaged getting the Boats ready for Whaling. saw Blackfish2 chased them until they sweat3 they were so badly frightened.

Lat. 35° 37′ N Long. 62° 10′ W (Note: 740 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, NC)

Thursday June 19ᵗʰ

Commences with light wind from W.S.W., steering E. & E.S.E., a sail in sight ahead.
Ends with moderate wind from the S.

Lat. 35° 30′ N Long. 60° 28′ W (Note: 820 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, NC)

Friday June 20ᵗʰ

Had brisk wind from S.S.W., steering E. by S.,

Lat. 35° 16′ N, Long. 59° 44′ W. (Note: 870 miles east southeast of Cape Hatteras, NC)

Saturday June 21ᵗʰ

Had moderate wind. Engaged breaking out down the main ? ? 3

Lat. 35° 24′ N Long. 59° 44′ W (160 miles north northeast of Bermuda)

1 “Laying to” or “lying to” is a sailing maneuver whereby the ship is deliberately slowed and made stable as possible while the crew rides out the gale.

2 “Blackfish” In 19th-century whaling terminology, “blackfish” was a common term for sperm whales, particularly the large, mature males.

3 “Sweat” The whalers observed the whales exhibiting physical signs of extreme distress and exhaustion—perspiration (or a similar bodily secretion) and panic—due to being relentlessly pursued and cornered by the whalers’ small boats. This phrase vividly describes the intense and terrifying nature of the whale hunt from the perspective of the animals.