32
Cruising on the Grounds
On the 17th, they waited for a fair wind to go to sea. On the 31st they are steering for Upolu, arriving at 4 p.m. Ship off and on, boats ashore. The 2nd of Aug, three men missing from the ship, William Griffis, Charles Shepard, and John F. Collins supposed to have jumped overboard and swam for shore distant about 3/4 miles; as there had been neither boat nor canoe off the shore, went after them, boat went ashore and brought back runaways. Tied them up in the rigging and gave them a dozen, (they were about four hours in the water). Thomas Tobey died of consumption on the 20th of August 1851. On September 1st, George Morris died after an illness of three weeks, of a disease of the heart. Next day consigned the body of Morris to the deep after a service being read. It was always a sad time for Nancy when a sailor died and was prepared to be buried in the ocean. It seemed so sad to think of the families of the men and how they would feel when the ship returned without their loved one. On the tenth of October, spoke with RICHARD MITCHELL, Cap tain Robert M. McCleave. Whales were sighted and three boats were lowered and one capsized and another stove, lost the whale. Reached Hope Island and canoes came off and Charles shipped two natives. While off Roaches Island, ten canoes came off, sent one of the natives ashore and shipped two more from this island, Robert and Harry. On November 21st, gammed the PHOENIX which was bound for New Zealand and kept in company for a few days. Raised a school of sperm and lowered from both ships, struck and killed one. PHOENIX cut him in, boats still in pursuit. On the 28th, spoke with the PHOENIX and got our share of the oil 9 1/2 bbls. Busy coopering and stowing down. On the 1st of December raised Norfolk Island and put in. Nancy went ashore with the baby for a few days change. They were off and on for about a week, with much rough weather. The ship LAGODA of N.B. Captain Tobey was spoken. The boats came off with potatoes and other vegetables and eleven pine boat's masts. After getting one fog they finally bid adieu to Norfolk Island. Now it is January 1852, and they are anchored at Bay of Islands in New Zealand and, here Nancy and baby Charlie went ashore to stay for a while at the home of Captain and Mrs. Ernest Ford, who were to become dear and faithful friends of all Nantucket whal ing wives. On the 17th of March they are cruising for whales on the line. The steward was put in irons for being abusive and clinching the
