The Cruise of the Cachalot

THE CRUISE OF THE "CACHALOT"
ROUND THE WORLD AFTER SPERM WHALES
FRANK T. BULLEN, F.R.G.S. FIRST MATE

To
Miss Emily Hensley
In grateful remembrance of thirty years' constant friendship and
practical help this work is affectionately dedicated by her humble pupil.
*
PREFACE
In the following pages an attempt has been made--it is believed for the
first time--to give an account of the cruise of a South Sea whaler from
the seaman's standpoint. Two very useful books have been
published--both of them over half a century ago--on the same subject;
but, being written by the surgeons of whale- ships for scientific
purposes, neither of them was interesting to the general reader.
["Narrative of a Whaling Voyage round the Globe," by F Debell
Bennett, F.R.C.S. (2 vols). Bentley, London (1840). "The Sperm Whale
Fishery," by Thomas Beale, M.R.C.S. London (1835).] They have both
been long out of print; but their value to the student of natural history
has been, and still is, very great, Dr. Beale's book, in particular, being
still the authority on the sperm whale.
This book does not pretend to compete with either of the above
valuable works. Its aims is to present to the general reader a simple
account of the methods employed, and the dangers met with, in a
calling about which the great mass of the public knows absolutely

nothing. Pending the advent of some great writer who shall see the
wonderful possibilities for literature contained in the world-wide
wanderings of the South Sea whale- fishers, the author has endeavoured
to summarize his experiences so that they may be read without
weariness, and, it is hoped, with profit.
The manifold shortcomings of the work will not, it is trusted, be laid to
the account of the subject, than which none more interesting could well
be imagined, but to the limitations of the writer, whose long experience
of sea life has done little to foster the literary faculty.
One claim may be made with perfect confidence--that if the manner be
not all that could be wished, the matter is entirely trustworthy, being
compiled from actual observation and experience, and in no case at
second-hand. An endeavour has also been made to exclude such matter
as is easily obtainable elsewhere--matters of common knowledge and
"padding" of any sort--the object not being simply the making of a
book, but the record of little-known facts.
Great care has been taken to use no names either of ships or persons,
which could, by being identified, give annoyance or pain to any one, as
in many cases strong language has been necessary for the expression of
opinions.
Finally, the author hopes that, although in no sense exclusively a book
for boys, the coming generation may find this volume readable and
interesting; and with that desire he offers it confidently, though in all
humility, to that great impartial jury, the public.
F.T.B. Dulwich, July, 1897.
*
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
- OUTWARD BOUND Adrift in New Bedford--I get a ship--A motley

crowd--"Built by the mile, and cut off as you want 'em"--Mistah
Jones-- Greenies--Off to sea.
CHAPTER II
- PREPARING FOR ACTION Primitive steering-gear--Strange
drill--Misery below--Short commons--Goliath rigs the
"crow's-nest"--Useful information --Preparing for war--Strange
weapons--A boat-load.
CHAPTER III
- FISHING BEGINS The cleanliness of a whale-ship--No
skulking--Porpoise-fishing --Cannibals--Cooking
operations--Boat-drill--A good look-out-- "Black-fishing"--Roguery in
all trades--Plenty of fresh beef-- The nursery of American whalemen.
CHAPTER IV
- BAD WEATHER Nautical routine--The first gale--Comfort versus
speed--A grand sea-boat--The Sargasso Sea--Natural history pursuits--
Dolphin--Unconventional fishing--Rumours of a visit to the Cape
Verdes--Babel below--No allowance, but not "full and plenty" --Queer
washing--Method of sharing rations--The "slop-shop" opened--Our
prospects.
CHAPTER V
- ACTUAL WARFARE. OUR FIRST WHALE
Premonitions--Discussion on whaling from unknown premisses-- I
wake in a fright--Sperm whales at last--The war begins --Warning--We
get fast--and get loose--In trouble--an uncomfortable situation--No
Pity-Only one whale--Rigging the "cutting-stage"--Securing the whale
alongside.
CHAPTER VI

- "DIRTY WORK FOR CLEAN MONEY" Goliath in
trouble--Commence "cutting-in"--A heavy head-- A tank of
spermaceti--Decks running with oil--A "Patent"
mincing-machine--Extensive cooking--Dangerous work-- Three tuns of
oil--A horrible mess--A thin-skinned monster --A fine mouth of teeth.
CHAPTER VII
- GETTING SOUTHWARD Captain Slocum's amenities--Expensive
beer--St. Paul's Rocks-- "Bonito"--"Showery"
weather--Waterspouts--Calms-- A friendly finback--A disquisition on
whales by Mistah Jones--Flying-fishing.
CHAPTER VIII
- ABNER'S WHALE Abner in luck--A big "fish" at last--A feat of
endurance-- A fighting whale--The sperm whale's food--Ambergris --A
good reception--Hard labour--Abner's reward-- "Scrimshaw".
CHAPTER IX
- OUR FIRST CALLING-PLACE A forced march--Tristan
d'Acunha--Visitors--Fresh provisions --A warm welcome--Goliath's
turn--a feathered host-- Good gear--A rough time--Creeping
north--Uncertainty-- "Rule of thumb"--navigation--The Mozambique
Channel.
CHAPTER X
- A VISIT TO SOME STRANGE PLACES Tropical thunderstorms--A
"record" day's fishing--Cetacean frivolities--Mistah Jones moralizes--A
snug harbour-- Wooding and watering--Catching a turtle--Catching a
"Tartar"--A violent death--A crooked jaw--Aldabra Island --Primeval
inhabitants--A strange steed--"Pirate" birds-- Good eggs--Green
cocoa-nuts--More turtle--A school of "kogia".
CHAPTER XI

- ROUND THE