Contents
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name
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About the Transcription
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Bibliographic Information

The Plough Boy Journals

The Journals and Associated Documents

The Plough Boy Anthology

19th Century American Whaling

Bonin Islands

Pitcairn's Island

Dictionaries & Glossaries

Ashley's Glossary of
Whaling Terms

Dana's Dictionary of
Sea Terms

Ship Plough Boy of Nantucket at the Ladrones, Sulphur and Bonin Islands in 1832.

Coastal views and journal entries from the Journal of 3d Mate, Lewis Monto.

Lewis Monto's Coastal View of the Bonin Islands, 1832

Annotations:

"Bonin Islands"

[Top]
"South Island Bearing South From North Island"

      "There is two watering places here one at the N and one at the S end of this Island But no Anchorage"
            "Latt 26:00 N Long 142:50 East"

[Bottom]
"South West point of North Island from the Harbour"

            "Latt 26:40 N Long 142:50 East"
      [showing] "Bluff Rock", "White Sand beach" & "White Sand beach"

Lewis Monto's Coastal View of the Northern Bonin Islands, 1832

Lewis Monto's Coastal View of the Northern Bonin Islands, 1832, with photographs of named islands.

      Professor Daniel Long of the Japanese Language and Literature Dept. at Tokyo Metropolitan University provided the photographic comparison shown above.

Comparison of Lewis Monto's Coastal View, 1832 with contemporary photographs of Hari No Iwa.

Comparison of Lewis Monto's Coastal View, 1832 with contemporary photograph of Kita no shima.

Comparison of Lewis Monto's Coastal View, 1832 with Beechey's view and contemporary photographs of Muko jima (Kater Island).

Comparison of Lewis Monto's Coastal View, 1832 with contemporary photograph of Nakoudo jima.

Comparison of Lewis Monto's Coastal View, 1832 with contemporary photograph of Yome jima.

Lewis Monto's Coastal View of the Sulpher Islands, 1832.

Annotations:

[Top]
"South Sulpher Island"

            "This Island can be seen 90 miles in clear weather"

[Bottom]
"North Island as seen from South Island"

(Chart of Sulphur Island and vicinity). (with) View of Sulphur Island bearing E.N.E.

      The Plough Boy may have had a copy of this 1785 chart on board when it passed through the Sulphur Islands in 1832. Perhaps given the availability of the coastal view of Sulphur Island – Lewis Monto's "Middle Island" – he saw no need in drawing it himself.

      Sulphur Island is better known by its Japanese name – Iwo jima.

Extract from

Journal
Kept On Board of the
Ship Plough Boy

Nathan Chase Master

from Nantucket to the Coast of Japan on A Whaling Voyage by

Lewis Monto

1830 - 1834

Ladrone Islands 103
March1832
Monday
26th
Fore part light wind from the East North East
course West By North
Latter pasrt bent the New Spanker
unbent the Foresail and middle stiching it and working on the Main topsail
Latt 12:13 North
Long 146:49 East
Tuesday
27th
Fore part light wind at 4 PM
finished the Foresail and bent it again
Latter part shifted the Fore topsails to work on the Main topsail
shifted the Jib
Latt 12:53 North
Long 146:24:30 East
Wednesday
28th
Fore part light winds
course West North West
to work on the Main topsail and Fore
Capt Chase on board of the Sarah & Elizabeth to tea
at day light raised Guam right ahead
steering West North West
hauled up on the wind
the wind from the North East
heading North North West
Latt 13:24 North
Thursday
29th
Fore part squally
took in Fly Jib and the Top Gallant Sails
at 1 PM tacked
not being able to weather it
at 2 PM tacked in again
made all sail at 3 PM
tacked off again
1/2 past 3 PM fetched bye
at 6 course South West By South
at 7 PM luffed too with the Main yard aback
Latter part Capt Chase went on shore to see the Governor
at 12 ran down Abreast of the harbors West end

104 Ladrone Islands
March1832
Friday
30th
20 fathoms
Fore part the Capt of the Henrietta came off with the pilot
at 2 PM Capt Chase came off and we went in following the Sarah & Elizabeth
here we fouind the Provost of Sydnia the Henrietta and Cadmus
washed and scraped the Larboard side and broke out for Water
Canoes alongside with Oaranges potatoes Taro pumpkins and Water Millons
we lay with the West end bearing West South West and the North West and bearing North East ?her compas
the joint of the reef that makes the entrance of the harbour bearing West North West
Latter part two boats on shore wooding
Capt gone up to town
painting Larboard boat overhead
Saturday
31st
Provost left of Sydnia
Fore part got off two boats loads of wood at 6 PM
Latter part two boats wooding
at 12 came off loaded
to work fitting the Main Top Gallant riggin
Sunday
1st
April
Fore part two boats crew on shore cutting wood
fitting Main Top Gallant riggin
took Charles Smith on shore at 2 PM
Latter part Starboard watch on liberty
the Kent came down to the harbour and Capt Laton came alongside to the Sarah & Elizabeth

Ladrone Islands 105
April1832
Monday
2nd
Fore part fine weather
wind at East
Larboard watch on liberty
Canoes alongside trading
Latter part Capt Chase went to town
employed getting out Shooks & Shook heads pipes
Tuesday
3th
Fore part squalls of rain
clear again
employed setting up shooks
at blank space PM the boat came from town with the liberty people
Latter part took off 4 boats load of wood
the Caps came from town
the Pussy Hall outside
Wednesday
4th
Fore part fine weather
two boats on shore cutting wood
came off at Sun down
employed hooping off Pipe Shooks
Latter part wooding and hooping off Pipes and caulking
Thursday
5th
Fore part fine weather wooding
2 boats came off loaded
setting up Shooks
took the Bread Casks out of the steerage and headed them up
put them back again
the Kent lying off and on at the town
Latter part at 10 AM she left
finished wooding
Friday
6th
Fore part put on the Back Stays and sett up the head Stays and finished setting up Shooks
A boat from the John Palmer
A Barque beating up
Latter part A Ship coming down and came in the Lady Amherst of London

106 Ladrone Islands
April1832
Saturday
7th
Fore part 4 or 5 large Canoes arived from the Caroline Islands
fitting the head stays and tarring the guys etc.
Latter part Larboard watch on shore
blacked the bends Larboard side
Sunday
8th
Fore part fine weather
Latter part righted the Ship and cleaned up the decks
Monday
9th
Fore part cleaning up the decks
Latter part the same
Tuesday
10th
Fore part at 6 PM the Larboard watch returned from the town and the Starboard watch went on liberty
Latter part raining
wind from the North West
Wednesday
11th
Fore part drizley and rainy
wind from the North West
Latter part at Sun down the Starboard watch came from town
one boat crew gone to town and another cutting Iron Poles
two Ships standing off and on at the town
loosed all the Sails to dry
Thursday
12th
Umatii Bay
Fore part light rains
wind at North East
furled the Sails
boats returned from town
boarded with Oranges
Latter part at 8 AM got under way with the Sarah and Elizabeth and Herietta
the Herietta went to sea
at 10 AM came to Anchor

Ladrone Islands 107
April1832
Friday
13th
Fore part watering in company with the Sarah & Elizabeth
at Sun down took off 6 Cask
at 8 AM too off 3 more
Latter part took off another raft
cleaned out the steerage Larboard side
stowing bread and Water there
the Lady Amherst came to Anchor for Water
Saturday
14th
Fore part fresh wind
stowing water between Decks
got off another raft of 6 Casks
at day light the Sarah & Elizabeth got under way and went off to windward
getting off wather
took off the last raft of water
Sunday
15th
[Stamp 0]
Fore part stowing water in the Blubberroom
at blank space PM got underway
at 3 PM raised A large School of Sperm Whales
lowered three boats
Larboard Boat struck
parted the Short warp
Chain boat struck
at dark cut
Middle part standing up
Latter part A boat on shore at the town
varnished the Waist
Monday
16th
Fore part standing off and on at the town
boat came off
Latter part went on shore again
Tuesday
17th
Fore part at 4 PM the boat came off with A Native boy standing for Tinian
Latter part strong winds & squally
broke off one of the Bob Stay sails
sett up Bow Sprit Shrouds

108 Ladrone Islands
April1832
Wednesday
18th
Fore part squalls of wind and rain
saw land off the weather beam
supposed to be Tinian
Middle part heavy squalls of wind & rain
took in Main Top Gallant Sails and single reefed Fore & Mizen topsails
Latter part tacked to the South East
at 10 AM tacked to the North
the Sarah & Elizabeth ahead
unbent the Starboard Chain
Thursday
19th
Fore part light winds from the North East
tacked heading East South East
Tinian 2 points off the weather bow
sett all sail
took in the Larboard boats and put out the other
Latter part beating up to Tinian
Friday
20th
Fore part the same
Middle part Capt Swain and Capt Chase left the Ship at 4 PM and reached the shore at 1/2 past 10
Latter part lying off and on at Tinian
Saturday
21st
Fore part the same
fine weather
wind East North East
got some potatoes
Latter part the Governor came from Cipan
shifted Fore & Mizen Top Gallant Sails
Sunday
22nd
Fore part light wind
at 6 PM the boats came off with 4 hogs and some Corn
left for Cipan
Middle part beat up
at 6 AM saw A Ship coming down and came to anchor
at 10 AM two boats onshore from both Ships

Ladrone Islands 109
April1832
Monday
23th
Fore part two boats on shore
fresh trade wind
Middle part the boats came off
the Sarah & Elizabeth left
we thought Capt Chase onboard
we followed them
about 9 in the PM they hauled up and spoke us
told us that Capt Chase was not on board of them so we hauled our wind and stood back again & got back at 1/2 past 10 PM
Capt Chase came on board in company with Capt Brown of the Anne Robinson 23 Months out 900 bbl having lost A boats crew at Sumatra Coast
Mr. Baxter came in with A Boat load of Limes
Latter part one boat on shore
the Anne Robinson lost her men on the Coast of Sumatra at the Island of 'Angana' scratched through Engeno or Deceit Island
Latt 5:15 South Long 102:25 East
Tuesday
24th
Fore part fresh wind
took in Main Top Gallant Sail
got some Limes
at 6 the boat came off and A boat from the Anne Robinson
at 8 PM put away course North By West
Latter part course North West
fitting the boats and unbent the Larboard Chain and stowed the anchor
took in the Starboard Anchor

110 Ladrone Islands
April1832
Wednesday
25th
[Stamp 0]
Fore part at work on the Main Topsail
painting Starboard boat
at 4 PM raised A scool off Whales
lowered three boats
got none
kept off North West
Middle part course North North West
Latter part at work on the Main topsail
took in the Bow boat
Long 144:42 East
Latt 17:32 North
Thursday
26th
Fore part light winds
mended the foot rope of the Main topsail aloft
unbent the Flying Jib and rigged in the boom
Middle part course North By West
wind South South East
Latter part shifted Fore & Mizen topsails and Jib
sett up Main Top Back Stays
Friday
27th
Fore part light wind from South South East
course North By West
painted bow boat
at 6 PM wind East
Latter part took in the Chain boat and mending her
Saturday
28th
Fore part light wind and calm
standing to the North
put out the Chain boat and painted her
Middle part sharp lightning
Latter part squalls of wind and rain
took inTop Gallant Sails Jib and close reefed the Topsails
furled Mainsail
course North West By West
wind from the South West and hauled up the foresail
Sunday
29th
Fore part more moderate
sett foresail
shook 2 reefs out of the Main topsail
wind East South East
course North North West
Latter part sett all sail
Monday
30th
Fore part fine weather
wind South East
course North North West
sett Fore Top Gallant Sail
Latter part fitting boats
unbent Main Top Gallant sail
bent the other
bending Main Top Gallant sail

Towards the Sulpher Islands 111
May1832
Tuesday
1st
[Stamp 0]
Fore part light winds from the South East
course North
mending Main Top Gallant sail and fitting the boats
at Sun rise saw A Ship astern
at 6 AM raised A large school of Whales ahead
at 8 AM lowered three boats
Bow boat struck & drawed
Capt Chase went on board of the Henrietta at 11 AM and the Mates came here
kept off West in company
Long 143:09 East
Latt 24:20 North
Wednesday
2nd
Fore part course West
light winds frm the East
Middle part luffed too and shortened sail
Latter part running off for the Sulpher Islands
squally
luffed too and shortened Sail
watch below
standing to the Westward
Thursday
3th
Fore part course blank space
shook reefs out of the Main topsail
sett Main Top Gallant Sail
at 2 PM reefs out of the Fore topsail
at 6 PM double reefed the topsails and luffed too heading East South East
wind South
Henrietta in company
Latter part at 8 AM raised South Island
running West South West
Long 141:51 East
Latt 24:26 North
Friday
4th
Fore part mending Larboard boat
at 4 PM squalls of rain wind from the South South West
double reefed the topsails
Middle and Latter part calm and light wind from South East
course North West

112 Sulpher Islands
May1832
Saturday
5th
Fore part light wind from South East
course North West
South Island bearing South West and Middle Island ahead bearing North West
Latter part North Island in sight bearing North North West
fitting Main Top Gallant Sail
OC 141:42
CH 141:50 East
Latt 24:44 North
Sunday
6th
Fore part light wind from the South East
heading North West
shifted Main Top Gallant Sail
at 6 PM wind from the South West
Middle part squally with thunder & lightning
double reefed the topsails
Latter part more moderate
sett Main Top Gallant Sail
Middle Island off the larboard beam distance 12 or 15 miles
Monday
7th
Fore part strong winds from North East
heading North West By North
North Island bearing North East distance 8 or 10 leagues
at 6 PM sent down Fore Top Gallant Yard & Mast and Mizen Top Gallant Yard
Middle part at 1 AM tacked
heading South East
at 3 AM wore ship
Latter part heading North
unbent the Mainsail
unbent the Foresail and bent it for A Mainsail and bent the old Foresail
all hands mending Mainsail
CH 141:32 East
Latt 26:06 North

Sulpher Islands 113
May1832
Tuesday
8th
Fore part mending Mainsail
saw A school of Porpoises and a piece of ?Joist
strong winds from the East North East
heading North under single reefed Fore and Main Topsails
Middle part rain with light winds
Latter part mending Mainsail
fine weather
course East By North
Wednesday
9th
[Stamp 0]
Fore part mending Mainsail
at 3 PM raised one of the blank space Islands bearing North East
saw A large Sperm Whale
lowered three boats
saw no more of him
came on board at Sun down
took in Top Gallant Sails and hauled up the Courses
calm
the Island bearing North North East
Middle part steered North North East by mistake untill 3 AM
hauled up to the South West
at day light kept off East By North
the Land close too on the lee quarter
Latter part at 8 AM raised A school of Whales
Long 140:51 East
Latt 27:18
Thursday
10th
[Stamp No 44]
Fore part lowered three boats
at 3 PM Capt Chase struck and killed him
at 4 PM took him alongside and cut him in at 7 PM
Middle part cleared away the head
squalls of rain wind from the North North East
Latter part began to boil

114 Boning Islands
May1832
Friday
11th
Fore part boiling
wind East
wore Ship
at 2 PM heading North North East
sent down Main & Mizen Top Gallant Yards
close reefed Main topsail at 7 PM and finished boiling
Latter watch below
sett Mizen topsail
wind South South East
sett Jib
Latt 27:30 N
Long blank
Saturday
12th
Fore part more moderate
sett Fore top sail
course East By North 1/2 North
shook out the reefs of the topsails
at 1/2 past 5 PM raised the Boning Islands ahead
at 7 PM wore Ship and stood off
heading West South West
off and on all night
in the morning stood in
coming on squally
wore and stood off
began to fit A New Fore topmast Starboard Stay
squall of rain and wind
watch below
clear again
stood in
Sunday
13th
Fore part sent up the Main Top Gallant Yard & Sail & sett it
at 3 PM running along by the Islands South East
shifted Fore Topsail
at 4 PM hauled upon the wind
heading ?North West off the land
one Island off the lee beam Bearing South East and the one on the weather quarter Bearing North North East
sett the Mainsail
Latter part running down to this Island on the lee beam
saw A Ship on the weather beam
saw Hump Back Whales

Boning Islands 115
May1832
Monday
14th
Fore part Capt Chase went on shore
at 8 PM came off with 6 large Sea Turtle
light wind from the North East
Latter part one boat on shore again
the Henrietta came down and sent two boats on shore
a canoe came off with one Turtle
at work on the Fore topmast Stay
began to rain
gusts
Tuesday
15th
Fore part the Boat came off with one Turtle and two sticks of Timber
went on shore again
lowered away the bow boat and caught two Turtle by the Ship
light wind from the South
caught A Shark
Latter part one boat on shore
raised A School of large Whales
the Henrietta got one
lowered and chased
two boats
Wednesday
16th
No 45
Fore part bow boat struck
killed and took him alongside at 4 PM
began to cut
at 1/2/ past 6 PM the boat came alongside
finished cutting at 12 PM
Latter part boiling head and began boddy
Latt 27:20 North
Thursday
17th
Fore part wind from the South and beating up
Middle part at 4 AM finished boiling and wahed off
Latter part running in for the land
Larboard boat on shore
standing off and on
plenty of Hump Backs

116 Boning Islands
May1832
Friday
18th
No 47
Fore part strong wind from the North
at 4 PM the boat came off and run round the Starboard end of the Island
Latter part at 6 AM raised Whales
lowered away three boats and struck and killed two
Long 142:50 East
Latt 26:48 North
Saturday
19th
[Stamp 0]
Fore part at 2 PM took them alongside and finished cutting at 6 PM and cleared away the heads and began to boil
Latter part the same
Sunday
20th
[Stamp 0]
Fore part boiling
raised A Whale
lowered three boats but he went off to windward
raised A Ship off the weather bow chasing Whales before the wind
at 3 PM they lowered and killed one
ran close along by their Whales but did not speak them
Middle part at 10 PM finished boiling
Latter part foggy
standing to the South By West
Monday
21st
Fore part light winds from the East with fog
standing to the North North East
under single reefed topsails
Latter part double reefed the topsails
foggy and rainy
Tuesday
22nd
Fore part clear
light winds
Middle part rain
Latter part began to stow down in the Fore Peak
Wednesday
23th
Fore part the same
Middle and latter strong winds
took in Fore and Mizen topsails Jib and Foresail and Mainsail

Boning Islands 117
May1832
Thursday
24th
Fore part A strong gale from the South South East
heading South West
at 4 PM finished stowing down and sent down Main and Mizen Top Gallant Yards
parted Mizen topmast back stay
spliced it and sett it up
at 6 PM Fore topmast head stay parted
at 6 AM spliced it
Latter part sent down Mizen Top Gallant mast
Friday
25th
Fore part strong gales from blank space
heading
at 2 PM raised A Barque off the weather bow running down
the Henrietta bound to the Eastward
she did not come within but Capt Anderson Wafed us to follow him but we judged best to stay A little longer
at 4 PM wore Ship and sett Foresail
Latter more moderate
sett topsails and stood to the South West
Saturday
26th
Fore part the same
hazy
wind West North West
heading South West
Middle and Latter part the same
setting up Shooks and sent up the Main Top Gallant Yard
Latt 26:56 North
Sunday
27th
Fore part light wind from the North North West
heading West
setting up Shooks and fitting the runner hooks
Latter part running for South Island
saw A Ship to the Westward beating up
Long 142:59 East

118 Boning Islands
May1832
Monday
28th
Fore part went on shore with two boats after turtle
upsett one boat and got ten turtle
Latter part saw another ship coming down running to the 3rd Island
Tuesday
29th
Fore part two boats on shore for turtle
got 3 and some fish
standing up to North Island
Latter part one boat on shore
John Palmer Capt Clark lying off and on
the Albion of Sidney lying off and on wooding 11 Months out 900 bbl
Wednesday
30th
Fore part the Walmer of London came down from South Island
at 3 PM the boat came off
hoisted her up
lowered the Chain boat and went back
at 4 PM stood off untill 11 PM
tacked in shore
got in at 9 AM
the boat came off with 6 large turtle and went on shore again
Thursday
31st
Fore part light winds from the South South East
one of the Albion boats came alongside
stopped about an hour
loaded with turtle
at 4 PM the boat came off with potatoes & Radishes
all the Capts onboard of the John Palmer
Middle part course West and at 2 AM course North
Latter part the same
fitted Fore Top Stay
put it overhead

Boning Islands 119
June1832
Friday
1st
No 48
Fore part light winds from the Southward
standing to the Northward
sett up the Fore Top Back and head Stays
at day light saw Whales close too
lowered and got 1 large Whale
Long 142:48 East
Saturday
2nd
No 49
Fore part cut him in and began to boil
Latter part saw Whales
got two cut one
Latt 26:56 North
Sunday
3th
Fore part wearing Ship
lost the other
broke the Chain
Latter part standing to the Southward
boiling
blowing heavy
more moderate
wore Ship to the Northward
Monday
4th
Fore part saw A Ship off the lee
at 6 PM saw A Jumper
Latter part standing to the North East
at 12 spoke the Walmer
setting up Shooks
Tuesday
5th
Fore part hazy
in company
the Black Smith onboard fitting the Flook Chain
Capt Chase on board the Walmer
Middle part course East North East
in company
Latter part thick fog
setting up Shooks
Wednesday
6th
Fore part moderate breezes from the South
course East North East
at 1/2 past 3 PM saw the Walmer ahead
setting up Shooks
Latter part stowing down in the After hold Starboard side forward
two ships in sight

120 Bound to the Eastward
June1832
Thursday
7th
Fore part light winds from the South
course East North East
at 3 PM stowing down in the After hold
Latter part stowing Beef & Pork in the Runn
at 10 AM saw A large Whale and lowered away three boats
Long 147:00 East
Latt 27:52 North
Friday
8th
No 50
Fore part at 1 PM struck and killed him
took him alongside at 3 PM
cut him in at 7 PM
lost sight of the two Ships
Latter part boiling head
Saturday
9th
Light winds from the South
course East By North
saw A Ship to windward boiling
finished boiling at 6 AM
Latter part washed off the decks
Sunday
10th
Fore part saw A Fin Back Whale
shifted Fore and Main Topsail and Mainsail
Latter part at 11 AM saw a Breach off the weather bow
Monday
11th
Fore part light wind from the South
standing to the Eastward
Latter part breaking out in the After hold Larboard side foreward
Tuesday
12th
Fore part stowing down Oil in the After hold Larboard side forward and stowing Beef & Pork in the Runn
finished at 5 PM
washed off
Latter part calm

Bound to the Eastward 121
June1832
Wednesday
13th
Calm
making over water cask and caulking the ship
Latter part the same
Thursday
14th
Fore part light winds from the South
steering to the Eastward
Latter part Caulking Ship Starboard side
Friday
15th
Fore part mending Fore topsail and Jib
at 7 PM double reefed Main topsail and hauled down the Jib
Caught A Turtle
standing 4 Watches
Latter part fresh wind and hazy
mending Fore topsail
Saturday
16th
Fore part more moderate
sett Mainsail and reefs out of Main topsail
saw A Fin Back & Porpoises
finished mending Fore & Main topsail
at 7 PM shortened Sail
Latter part the same
Latt 28:08 North
Sunday
17th
[Stamp 0]
Fore part saw Whales
lowered but got none going to the West quick
Latter part saw A Whale at 8 AM but lost sight of him at 10 AM
raised A school
lowered and chased but could not get on
Monday
18th
[Stamp 0]
Fore part chasing Whales
at 3 PM gave up & came on board
light wind from heading North North East
Larboard tacks
onboard
Latter part caulking Larboard side
Long 157:00 East
Latt 28:31 North

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