Notes

The Plough Boy Journals

The Journals and Associated Documents

The Plough Boy Anthology

19th Century American Whaling

Bonin Islands

Pitcairn's Island

The Collected Works of William Hussey Macy

The Seizure of the Whaleship George Howland of New Bedford, by Convicts at Charles Island, Galapagos, March 1852

The Documents

1827-1830 Journal

First page (Image)

Illustration (Image)

Transcription/Text

1830-1834 Journal

First page (Image)

Maloney fragment

Transcription/Text

Certificate

Lewis Monto's Seaman's Certificate

Boat Signals

Plough Boy's Boat Signals

Coastal Views

   Ascension Island

   Bonin Islands

   Boning Islands

   Diego Ramirez

   Ferdinand Noronha

   Martin Vass

   Pitcairns Island

   Sandwich Islands

      Oahu

      Oreehoua

   Society Islands

      Eimeo

      Otaheita

   Sulpher Islands

Fragments

Honolulu Note 1828

Honolulu Note 1829

Related Material

Sailing Vessel Identification

Types of Sailing Vessels

The Ship

Spars and Rigging

A Ship's Sails

Frame of a Ship

A Whaling Vessel

Deck Plan

Side/Interior

A Whale Boat

Whale Boat

Stores

      Whale-Ship Stores

Dictionaries & Glossaries

Ashley's Glossary of
Whaling Terms

Dana's Dictionary of
Sea Terms

LIST OF STORES AND OUTFITS

FOR A

FIRST-CLASS WHALE-SHIP, FOR A CAPE HORN VOYAGE,

EXCLUSIVE OF

THE INVENTORY OF A MERCHANT-SHIP, WHICH, ALTHOUGH INCLUDED IN A
WHALE-SHIP'S OUTFIT, IS NOT HERE ENUMERATED.

Scammon, pp.313-319
PROVISIONS, ETC.
350 barrels of bread. 200 pounds of tea. 12 bushels of coarse salt.
100 barrels of flour. 1,200 pounds of coffee. 300 gallons of vinegar.
180 barrels of mess beef. 50 pounds of chocolate. 6 dozen 2-lb cans roast beef.
90 barrels of extra prime pork. 2 pounds of hops. 4 dozen 2-lb cans roast mutton.
1,000 barrels of fresh water. 6 bottles of essence of spruce. 6 dozen 2-lb cans soup and
1,600 pounds of codfish. 12 bottles of pepper-sauce. bouillon.
2 barrels of mackerel. 8 pounds of ginger. 6 dozen 2-lb cans clams.
1,200 gallons of molasses. 25 pounds of pepper. 4 dozen 1-lb tins canned lob-
1,200 pounds of sugar. 6 pounds of allspice. ster.
2,000 pounds of butter. 1 mat of cassia. 4 dozen 2-lb tins canned oys-
6 barrels of Indian meal. 6 bottles of ground mustard. ters.
300 pounds of rice. 1 quart of mustard-seed. 4 dozen 2-lb tins canned tur-
33 bushels of corn. 1 pound of nutmegs. key.
20 bushels of beans. 60 pounds of saleratus. 1,800 pounds soap.
400 pounds of dried apples. 1 pound of cloves. 1 barrel oil-soap.
300 pounds of cheese. 1/2 bushel of fine salt. 50 pounds sperm candles.
2 barrels of cucumber pickles. 6 bottles of lemon syrup. 12 gallons whale oil for burn-
15 bushels of onions. 3 pounds of sage. ing.
50 pounds of raisins. 3 pounds of summer savory. 2 gallons sperm oil for burning.
           
           
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
1 large medicine chest, full. 2 gallons brandy. 6 dozen pain-killer.
5 gallons New England rum. 2 gallons port wine. 3 dozen rat exterminator.
           
           
BLACKSMITH'S DEPARTMENT.
20 bushels charcoal. 1 wrench. 2 pairs tongs.
14 bushels Cumberland coal. 1 lot of old bolts. 1 set taps and dies.
100 pounds assorted iron. 1 anvil. 1 screw-plate.
1 bar steel. 1/2 pound borax. 1 dozen assorted files.
1 soldering iron. 1/2 pound spelter solder. 3 punches.
1 vice. 2 pounds soft solder. 1 cold-chisel.
2 sledges. 1 tuer-iron. 1 swedge.
1 hand hammer. 1 bellows.    
           
           
COOPER'S DEPARTMENT.
3,500 barrels of oil-casks. 1 pair compasses. 1 stock howeling knife.
2 1/2 tons hoop iron. 5 vices. 1 leveling plane.
100 pounds 5d. rivets. 1 bit-stock. 8 cast-steel hammers.
100 pounds 4d. rivets. 1/2 dozen bits. 18 cast-steel drivers.
5 pounds 3d. rivets. 2 spokeshaves. 8 cast-steel punches.
5 pounds 2d. rivets. 1 saw. 8 cast-steel cold-chisels.
16 barrels sand. 1 bilge-plane. 2 rivet sets.
800 pounds flags. 3 marking irons. 2 worm-punches.
50 new staves. 2 anvils. 3 flagging-dogs.
300 feet yellow pine heading. 1 inshave. 1 round plane.
1 piece red cedar for worm 1 heading saw. 1 cooper's horse.
  pecks. 2 bung-borers. 1 harness-cask.
50 pounds chalk. 2 tap-borers. 1 water-butt.
1 double iron jointer. 1 axe. 1 grindstone-tub.
1 large croze. 1 adze. 6 line-tubs.
1 small croze. 2 chamfering knives. 1 cooper's bellows.
1 patent croze-iron. 2 drawing knives. 500 bungs, assorted sizes.
           
           
CARPENTER'S DEPARTMENT
700 feet white pine lumber. 1 compass-saw. 6 firmer gouges, assorted.
12 pine and spruce planks, as- 1/2 dozen augers, assorted sizes. 2 chalk lines.
  sorted lengths. 1 broad-axe. 2 spike gimlets.
100 feet oak plank. 2 jointers. 2 deck-nail gimlets.
900 feet cedar boat boards. 2 fore-planes. 12 nail gimlets.
24 boat timbers. 2 smooth-planes. 2 rough gimlets.
12 boat knees. 1 hollow-plane. 3 claw-hammers.
2 boat stems. 3 round-planes. 1 boat hammer.
1 boat keel. 1 adze. 1 pump hammer.
1 oak plank for gunwales. 1 iron square. 5 whetstones.
40 white-oak butts. 1 carpenter's rule. 2 sandstones.
3 grindstones with cranks. 1 bevel. 6 wood files.
1 calking mallets. 2 board gauges. 1 pair large boat nippers.
4 caulking irons. 2 compasses. 1 pair small boat nippers.
1 panel-saw. 1 scarfing chisel. 4 narrow axes.
1 wood-saw and 1 extra plate. 3 socket chisels. 6 broad hatchets.
2 handsaws. 7 firmer chisels, assorted. 2 deck hatchets.
1 splitting-saw. 1 try-square. 1 hold hatchet.
1 back-saw. 4 socket gouges, assorted. 2 large half-round wood rasps.
5 flat files, assorted. 20 pounds clinch nails. 5 dozen iron and brass screws,
3 half-round files. 12 pounds timber nails.   assorted.
12 hand-saw files. 5 pounds wood-end nails. 50 pounds old lead.
4 small saw files. 2 pounds lap nails. 20 pounds sheet lead.
3 round files. 4 pounds foot nails. 10 pounds coppering nails.
1 saw-set. 10 pounds ceiling nails. 5 pounds sheathing nails.
1 screw-driver. 6 pounds 6d. wrought nails. 50 pounds wrought iron spikes.
1 bit-stock. 6 pounds 8d. wrought nails. 12 sheets yellow metal.
5 gimlet bits. 12 pounds 10d. wrought nails. 1 pound clinch copper nails.
11 assorted bits. 15 pounds 8d. cut nails. 2 pairs steelyards.
1 spoke-shave. 25 pounds 10d. cut nails. 18 roughs and clinches.
1 drawing-knife. 10 pounds 12d. cut nails.    
           
           
CABIN AND COOKING FURNITURE, ETC.
1 caboose, complete. 2 dozen corn brooms. 4 large platters.
2 sets grates for same. 2 dust-pans. 1 dozen assorted bowls.
2 sets linings for same. 2 dust-brushes. 4 nappies.
1 spare tea-kettle for same. 2 chairs. 3 bakers.
1 spare steamer for same. 4 stools. 1 1/2 dozen soup plates.
1 spare boiler for same. 2 looking-glasses. 2 dozen dinner plates.
4 stew-pans. 1 molasses gate. 1 dozen dessert plates.
2 frying-pans. 1 carving knife and fork. 1 1/2 dozen mugs.
1 cook's ladle 1 set of table knives and forks. 1 1/2 dozen saucers.
1 cook's fork. 16 spare knives and forks. 2 butter dishes.
1 cook's skimmer. 1 dozen spoons (table). 2 sugar bowls.
1 cook's bellows. 1 dozen spoons (tea). 3 pitchers.
1 tinder-box (flint, steel, etc.) 1 britannia soup ladle. 1 large stone pitcher.
1 chopping-knife. 1 table steel. 1 chamber.
1 chopping-tray. 1 tumbler basket. 2 soup tureens.
1 sieve. 1 hand basket. 1 large covered dish.
1 coffee-mill. 2 bushel baskets. 1 castor, complete.
1 mortar and pestle. 1 gross of matches. 3 spare bottles for same.
1 table-bell. 2 dozen flints. 1 dozen tumblers.
1 cabin-bell. 2 scrubbing brushes. 2 salt-cellars.
2 stoves and pipes. 1/2 dozen Bristol brick. 1 large oval dish.
2 tables. 1 tinned iron wash-basin. 1 gravy dish.
2 table-covers. 2 cook's shovels. 2 spittoons.
2 dozen table-cloths. 1 corkscrew. 1 cabin clock.
2 dozen birch brooms. 1 pair scissors.    
           
           
NAUTICAL INSTRUMENTS, STATIONERY, ETC.
1 sextant, provided by the 2 binocular glasses. 1 log-book.
  captain. 2 fourteen-second glasses. 2 log-slates.
  Quadrants and octants, pro- 1 transparent compass. 4 nautical almanacs for suc-
  vided by the officers. 4 brass boat compasses and 2   cessive years.
2 chronometers.   wooden ones. 2 account books.
1 barometer. 2 brass binnacle compasses. 4 memorandum books.
1 thermometer. 1 mast-head compass. 3 sticks sealing-wax.
1 spy-glass. 1 binnacle lantern. 1/2 dozen lead pencils.
1 dozen slate pencils. 100 envelopes. 1 Gunter's scale and dividers.
6 dozen steel pens. 3 1/2 quires letter and note paper. 1 set charts around the world.
1.2 dozen pen-holders. 1/2 quire bill paper. 1 set harbor charts (foreign.)
2 bottles of ink. 4 inward manifests. 1 parallel rule.
2 inkstands.        
           
           
WHALING CRAFT.
4 whaling bomb-guns. 15 two-flued harpoons. 4 Pierce's harpoon bomb-lance
150 bomb-lances. 150 toggle harpoons.   guns.
5 powder-flasks. 35 cast-steel lances. 50 Pierce's bomb-lances.
5 chargers.   10 pounds bomb-gun powder.
           
           
BLOCKS, CORDAGE, CANVAS, ETC.
1 set cutting blocks. 2 coils of 15-thread ratline. 1 coil 6-thread worm-line.
1 set cutting-guy blocks. 2 coils of 12-thread ratline. 1 coil seizing stuff.
2 3-sheave purchase blocks. 1 coil 2-inch tarred rope. 1 coil 3-yarn spunyarn.
1 4-sheave purchase blocks. 1 coil 2 1/4-inch tarred rope. 1 coil 3 3/4-inch Manila rope.
2 2-sheave purchase blocks. 1 coil 2 3/4-inch tarred rope. 1 coil 3 1/4-inch Manila rope.
1 set of burton blocks. 1/2 coil 3 1/2-inch tarred rope. 1 coil 2 3/4-inch Manila rope.
1 1/2 dozen spare sheaves. 1/2 coil 3 1/4-inch tarred rope. 1 coil 4 1/4-inch Manila rope (cut-
1 1/2 dozen spare sheave-pins. 504 pounds old tarred rope, as-   ting-guys).
1 1/2 dozen spare jib-hanks.   sorted. 1 spare cutting-fall.
1 dozen spare hoops (stay and 4 coils 2-inch Manila rope. 1 spare lance line.
gaff). 3 coils 2 1/2-inch Manila rope. 2,000 pounds old junk.
4 mast-hoops. 2 coils 1 3/4-inch Manila rope. 1 ship's ensign.
1 lot belaying-pins. 1 coil 1 1/2-inch Manila rope 1 agent's signal.
2 sets pump gear. 1 coil 5 1/4-inch Manila rope (for 1 set private signals.
1 pump hook.   cutting-falls). 2 spare log-lines.
6 handspikes. 2 coils 18-thread ratline. 2 spare hand-lead lines.
4 watch-tackle blocks. 1 coil 2-yarn spunyarn. 2 dozen fish lines.
2 dozen assorted blocks. 1 coil 3-inch Manila rope. 1 deep-sea lead line.
30 coils of whale-line. 3 coils 2 1/4-inch Manila rope. 1 deep-sea lead.
1 1/2 coils of 4-inch tarred rope. 1 coil 9-thread worm-line. 1 1 hand lead.
           
           
PAINTS, OILS, ETC.
400 pounds white lead. 1 galloon copal varnish. 12 large size paint-brushes.
250 pounds black lead. 10 pounds whiting. 6 sash tools.
60 gallons linseed oil. 50 pounds putty. 3 seam brushes.
2 gallons Japan varnish. 50 pounds chrome green. 25 panes window glass.
2 gallons spirits turpentine. 50 pounds yellow ochre. 4 pounds chrome yellow.
10 pounds verdigris. 10 pounds Venetian red. 10 pounds burnt umber.
12 papers lampblack. 3 pounds Prussian blue. 1/2 barrel coal tar.
10 gallons bright varnish. 10 pounds red lead.    
           
           
SPARE SPARS AND SAILS.
1 spare lower yard. 1 spare topmast. 1 fore-topsail.
1 spare topsail yard. 1 spare jibboom. 1 main-topsail.
3 rough spars. 1 foresail. 2 topgallant-sails.
1 fore spencer. 1 mainsail. 2 mizzen-topgallant-sails.
1 fore-topmast staysail. 2 royals. 1 spanker.
1 jib. 1 main spencer. 15 bolts assorted canvas.
1 flying-jib. 1 mizzen-topsail.    
           
           
CLOTHING
4 dozen pairs of blankets. 2 dozen monkey jackets. 7 dozen striped cotton shirts.
4 dozen suspenders. 4 dozen short jackets. 20 pieces of calico.
4 dozen comforters. 6 dozen sheath-knives. 6 dozen sheaths and belts.
6 dozen Scotch caps. 6 dozen jack-knives. 6 dozen blue woolen trowsers.
10 dozen woolen drawers. 6 dozen mittens. 6 dozen drab woolen trowsers.
10 dozen cotton drawers. 20 dozen stockings. 6 dozen duck trowsers.
8 dozen Guernsey frocks. 10 dozen shoes. 25 pounds of thread.
6 dozen duck frocks. 4 dozen red twilled kersey 10 pounds linen thread.
6 dozen handkerchiefs.   shirts. 1 gross assorted needles.
8 dozen hats. 4 dozen drab twilled kersey 4 dozen thimbles.
4 dozen pea-jackets.   shirts. 6 gross of pipes.
           
           
RECRUITS, OR TRADE.
5 bales bleached cotton cloth. 10 dozen of pumps. 3 dozen axes.
7 bales brown cotton cloth. 20 dozen of boots. 3 dozen hatchets.
7 bales blue cotton cloth. 50 boxes of soap. 6 reams writing paper.
40 pieces of prints. 10 boxes of sperm candles. 6 reams letter paper, etc.
6 dozen of shoes. 1,000 pounds of tobacco.    
           
           
MISCELLANEOUS.
20 cutting-spades. 6 boat masts. 2 skimmers.
2 wide spades. 40 spruce poles for spare masts, 3 long handled bailers.
2 throat-spades.   sprits, etc. 2 hand bailers.
2 head-spades. 24 lance-poles. 1 copper vent-pipe (large).
8 boat-spades. 40 cords oak wood. 1 copper vent-pipe (small).
3 blubber-hooks. 6 cords pine wood. 1 copper tunnel.
1 large boat-hook. 40 barrels saw-dust. 2 copper tunnel noses.
8 small boat-hooks. 7 new whale-boats. 1 branding iron (ship's name).
2 steel blubber-forks. 1 old whale-boat. 1 binnacle bell.
1 long-handled pike. 9 sets of oars (45 oars). 1 ship's bell.
6 short-handled pikes. 9 steering oars. 1 tin bailer.
6 gaffs. 7 sets rowlocks (35 rowlocks). 1 tin oil-tunnel.
3 boarding-knives. 1 pair lifters. 3 tin assorted tunnels.
6 leaning-knives. 1 cradle. 2 deck scoops.
1 mincing-machine. 18 scrapers. 1 large signal lantern.
2 mincing-knives. 3 shovels. 1 bowsprit lantern.
2 line-hooks. 1 hoe. 1 side lantern.
6 shackles for topsail sheets. 8 dozen fish-hooks, assorted. 2 side lights.
3 sets can-hooks. 1 copper cooler and cock. 1 globe lantern.
1 single can-hook for cooper. 1 hose-cock and joints. 1 cabin lantern.
10 marline-spikes. 1 scuttle-butt cock. 6 boat lanterns.
250 iron poles. 3 copper hand-pumps. 1 cook's lantern.
1 binnacle lamp. 1 fin-chain. 1 oil hose and cock.
12 chimneys for ditto. 3 head-straps. 1 hose-tub.
2 blubber-room lamps. 1 chain stopper. 1 draw-bucket.
2 candlesticks. 1 fish hook. 2 sets chest hinges.
2 britannia lamps. 4 chain punches. 8 grate bars for try-works.
6 Japan stand-lamps. 1 pair of grains. 4 iron knees for try-works.
8 jacket lamps. 1 rope-jack. 4 smoke pipes for try-works.
6 bake-pans for oven. 28 hooks and thimbles. 2 iron doors for try works.
6 pie plates. 18 thimbles. 1 caboose stove (large) and ap-
5 large tin pans. 4 boat anchors.   paratus.
5 small tin pans. 1 set chain pendants. 1 Horsburgh's East India Di-
4 dozen sailor pans. 1 fire pike.   rectory.
3 coffee-pots. 1/2 dozen oil-scoops. 2 trowels
3 tea-pots. 3 shackles. 1 blubber-room steel.
1 britannia tureen. 3 cutting-toggles. 2 rigging screws.
1 one-pint measure. 1 masthead waif. 12 pairs handcuffs.
1 one-quart measure. 1/2 dozen large marline needles. 1 screw cutting-plate and dies.
1 two-quart measure. 3 dozen small marline needles. 20 boat paddles.
1 three-quart measure. 3 dozen roping needles. 6 boat anchors.
1 gallon measure. 5 dozen assorted sail needles. 4 boat grapnels.
1 molasses cup. 1 1/2 dozen sewing palms. 6 boat kegs.
6 tinder boxes, complete. 4 balls shoe thread. 4 lantern kegs.
1 brass speaking-trumpet. 20 pounds whipping twine. 4 drags.
1 tin speaking-trumpet. 50 pounds sail twine. 6 line-tubs.
1 pepper-box. 2 pounds lamp-wick. 4 fog-horns.
1 nutmeg grater. 2 dozen corks. 1 dozen boat knives.
3 lamp feeders. 4 pounds brimstone. 1 dozen boat hatchets.
2 cullenders. 6 Bath brick. 4 boat crotches.
1 tea canister. 1 side pump leather. 4 tub-oar crotches.
1 coffee canister. 2 sides rigging leather. 4 boat buckets.
3 pudding-bags. 50 pounds cannon powder. 1 dozen nippers.
1 flour-box. 25 pounds musket powder. 4 dozen chock-pins.
2 flour-scoops. 2,000 percussion caps. 1 case bucket.
1 bread-tray. 1 signal-gun. 1 turning-lathe.
2 cook's dippers. 1 dozen muskets. 1 set turning gouges.
3 tin wash-basins. 2 barrels clay. 1 set turning chisels.
3 spare frying-pans. 1 barrel lime. 3 dozen floats, or coarse files,
1 match safe. 3 barrels tar.   for working whalebone.
4 dozen tin pots. 1/2 barrel rosin. 12 brad-awls.
1 crowbar. 3 try-pots (two sets in the 3 saddler's awls.
1 stowing bar.   try-works). 3 sewing awls.
12 chain-hooks. 1 deck-pot and 1 spare deck- 4,000 copper tacks.
1 set marking irons for craft.   pot. 4,000 iron tacks.
4 grapnels. 4 tons hard coal. 1,000 pounds of tobacco.
3 fluke-chains. 200 bricks   Books for ship's library

      Note. -- Many of the articles herein enumerated are made on board ship from materials supplied for the purpose, while there are many others of but trivial importance which are not mentioned. Relative to the quantity of clothing and recruits -- the last named being also called "trade" -- they vary materially with different owners of ships and the nature of the voyage undertaken. Hence, the lists referred to can only be regarded as approximative. A Cape Horn voyage, as termed, ordinarily involves the time of three years or more. A ship that takes three seasons north, after arriving in the Pacific, generally prolongs her absence from home to three years and a half. Sperm whalers are not so much confined to the regular annual seasons for pursuing their prey as are the Right or Polar whalemen, as they change from one ground to another through the year, and their voyages are frequently extended from three and a half to four years. Vessels fitted out for the North Pacific, Arctic Ocean, Okhotsk Sea, or Japan Sea, generally sail from home in the fall of the year, in order to make the passage of Cape Horn or Cape of Good Hope during the summer season of that region; and all whalers, as far as practicable, return to the home coast in the spring months; yet we may say they are continually coming and going. But the old routine of whaling-voyages is now much changed, especially with the larger class of vessels which ply their vocation in the Pacific and contiguous waters. Many of the ships are now ordered by their owners to San Francisco, California, at the termination of each northern season, where an agent meets the vessels, and transacts the business of transshipping oil and bone, refitting ship, and changing officers and crews, which now often occurs.

Source:

      Scammon, Charles Melville, 1825-1911.

The marine mammals of the north-western coast of North America, described and illustrated: together with an account of the American whale-fishery. By Charles M. Scammon ... San Francisco, J. H. Carmany; New York, Putnam's, 1874. Dover Reprint edition, pp.313-319.

NOTES:

      Whale ships in the nineteenth century required provisions and outfits for at least three years. The list here is taken from Charles M. Scammon's The marine mammals of the north-western coast of North America described and illustrated together with an account of the American whale-fishery. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1874.

Last updated by Tom Tyler, Denver, CO, USA, September 7, 2018.