Killed by a Whale

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Killed by a Whale — Letter Brings the News

A BRIEF NOTATION appearing on a page of the logbook of the ship Winslow, of New Bedford, dated February 21, 1810, related the following incident:

"Capt. Silas Swain, ship Lydia, on coast of Patagonia, was killed with a write whale in Lat. 46th 55' South in 65 fathoms of water, the wind at NNW & very rugged. Lost the whale .& part of the boat & oars & c."

In a letter dated March 22, 1810, "Coast of Patagonia," the Mate of the Lydia, Peter G. Chase, wrote to Captain Swain's widow, as follows:

"Dear Mrs. Swain: "I now sit down to write a few lines to you to acquaint you of our misfortune, which I make no doubt you will ere this comes to mind. The 21st of last month, about 6 o'clock in the morning, we lowered down our boats for whale. We had the misfortune to have both of our boats stove by one whale, so that we could not help one another, and I surmise that Captain Swain was hurt by the whale, but how bad I cannot judge. But he seemed to be sensible until the last moment. He took off his hat and throwed it toward the boat, and expired without a groan. "It is very hard to part with one I so much esteemed, the nearest friend I had by sea. I surmise it must be more to you to part with all that was near and dear to you by nature, as it has pleased Almighty God to call from you one that was near by nature. I hope and trust He will direct you through all the changing scenes of life, until you arrive on that peaceful shore where parting will be no more. "He was thoroughly sensible, I believe, his death was fast approaching, and I think I can say, as a good man ought, he could meet death with a smile. "Give me leave to subscribe myself your most sincere friend and sharer of your misfortune.

Peter G. Chase, who is inconsolable."

KILLED BY A WHALE 13

This letter is in the possession of Richard Swain, of Nantucket, but in a photo-copy form, and he permitted its use in Historic Nantucket. If any of our members has ever seen or heard of the original manuscript letter we would be grateful to learn of it.

Captain Silas Swain was the son of Tristram and Rachel (Bunker) Swain, and his widow was the former Lydia Allen. Captain Peter G. Chase, who brought the ship Lydia home, was the son of Reuben Chase and was only 20 years old at the time of Captain Swain's death, the latter being a few months past his 34th birthday.