Chapter 11: 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, Captain 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 whaling 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

Captain. Later, he was allowed his freedom. In May they spoke to the SPARTON, Captain James Wyer, who was a cousin of Nancy's. They had a grand gam. He could bring them much news as he was only 8 months out. They purchased a cask of bread from the SPARTON.

It was discovered that cockroaches had started about 20 bbls of water, so they must make port as soon as possible. On the 13th day of July they made Upolu, took pilot and anchored in Apia harbor. Took pipes ashore for water. Lying off the harbor was the ship OLIVER CROCKER, Capt. William B. Cash, another Nantucket captain and an old friend of the Grants.

Five men deserted, John Adams, William Griffith, —Collins, Charles Shepard, Horace Hewitt. Later all were brought back and put in irons. Nancy was to know this island of Upolu somewhat better in later years. They took anchor on the 31st and headed for Savai where they sent boats ashore trading for hogs, potatoes, bananas, etc.

In September, they are again at Hope Island and discharge the natives, Bob, Jack, and Thomas, and shipped two more. Stood off to the E.E. and later seven canoes came off, the two natives they had shipped had deserted and were obliged to ship two more.

A plank was plucked up supposed to be from deck of some wreck. Caught three barracudas. In December, they are again at Norfolk Island, and Nancy went ashore for a few days. While here, they got a barge load of wood and four large hogs, besides a boat load of limes. On the 11th left the Island.

Took two whales in the next few days, one boat got lost and had to stay out all night. She later fell in with the ship. Now it is Jan. 1853 so they stood in for Bay of Islands and anchored in Bay of Carrataca in company with the COVINGTON, Capt. Newman. The MARTHA of N.B., came in later and the CHARLES W. MORGAN from San Francisco. 30 Aug.

The anchor broke ground on the 19th and set them adrift, hove it up and warped her back again, took anchor later and set out for the Horn and homeward bound.

A few notes from the ship's log of the YOUNG HERO, Capt. Samuel Wyer, accompanied by his wife, probably relates events that could happen to Nancy Grant on board ship.

March 14th, 1853

Mrs. Wyer and child Charlotte Elizabeth accompanied Capt. Wyer on this voyage. Been sick several days. Hearing lessons; sewing; sit-

ting on deck in Capt's chair just outside the gangway door. Knitting. Plenty of flying fish. Dress up Sunday. House on deck with a wet sink, heat water on charcoal stove. Sofa, carpet & rocking chair.

Hogs, pigs, turkeys, hens and all run the deck. Canary and dog. Sit in starboard to watch cutting in, all day sometimes. Get sun and wind burned. Can't talk, crew from officers when sliding around on greasy deck when cutting in. Couldn't do any deck walking for three days, but finally cleared space and sanded it for us to walk on. Boiled all night, pigs weaned and were squealing all the time. Capt. busy mending boats and tryworks. Learned to work the longitude, soon learned.

Boatsteerer played blind mans bluff and hide and seek with child. Made molasses candy. Poor molasses, burned one lot. No good.

Distress, emetic and salts and tincture of rhubarb, to child. Sewing worsted work, pin cushion top, lamp mats and knitted book marks were the chores of the day.

Talcahuana Bay - visited by Capt. of the Port. Custom House officer. Then came Andrew Morton, Capt. Joseph Mitchell and Esq. Crosby and others. Mitchell brought news from home. Later on shore with Esq. Crosby and invited to his house. Mrs. Crosby a very fine woman. Went to Conception for a cruise. Wore long shawl on deck when cool.

There is no doubt but that all these doings would have been the same for Nancy hut she kept no journal that we could ever find Charles kept a journal of every voyage he went onbut they were later taken for scrap books, and no one knows what became of them. On March 5th they raise the Horn, struck a gale and carried away the larboard cat-head, threw the anchor on deck. Took in all sail but close reefed main top sail and reefed foresail. Later gale still increasing, and at 6 p.m. laid to under close reefed main top sail, lost gangway over board and rail. Next day the starboard boat. On the 15th they have finally got as far as river De La Platte. Now they are readying up for home, painting ship, outside and in. Now it is May 5th and they are bound north of Bermuda. Throw the try-works overboard, the usual custom for all homeward bound ships. April 9th they sound in 15 fathoms of water, clack and white sand. At daylight Montauk Point in sight 20 miles away. Stood off N.E. by E. for Block Island and on the 10th took pilot off Block Island, and at last raised Gay Head light and at 10 a. m. anchored at the wharf at Woods Hole. Next day the ship arrived at Nantucket, and the Sea Faring Grants were indeed glad the voyage was over and that all were safe and sound.

Charles had a very successful voyage bringing in 1976 bbls. of

sperm and 5 bbls. of whale oil. He had shipped 50 bbls. of sperm home. Charles had now ended his 7th voyage and was 38 years old. He had certainly gained a reputation as a successful captain both in Nantucket and New Bedford, and in other ports. He had earned a well deserved rest from the sea for a few months. Nancy was happy to be back on shore, but was all ready and willing to go again on the next voyage.

Come all you bold seamen, who traverse the main,

Through perils and dangers, your fortune to gain,

We'll not be down-hearted, such feelings we'll spurn,

And make ourselves happy with thoughts of return."

To be continued.

The Chase-Paddock House on India Street