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Frank Thomas Bullen’s work is a first‑hand whaling narrative that sets out to fill a gap left by the scientific, surgeon‑written accounts of the mid‑nineteenth century. The opening pages explain that, unlike the dry natural‑history treatises of Debell Bennett and Thomas Beale, this book aims to give a “simple account of the methods employed, and the dangers met with” from the perspective of an ordinary seaman aboard a South Sea whaler. It promises a straightforward record of shipboard life, preparations, hunts, storms, and the gritty business of cutting a sperm whale, drawn from the author’s own observations rather than second‑hand reports, while deliberately avoiding the names that might cause offense.
Written in a colloquial, almost conversational style, the prose reflects the late‑Victorian era’s fascination with adventure and the sea, yet it retains a modest, self‑critical tone. Readers who enjoy gritty maritime sketches, historical sea‑faring details, or the rough camaraderie of 19th‑century whalers will find Bullen’s candid, episodic chronicle engaging, even if they are not looking for polished literary flourish.
The opening · free to read
In the following pages an attempt has been made--it is believed for the first time--to give an account of the cruise of a South Sea whaler from the seaman's standpoint. Two very useful books have been published--both of them over half a century ago--on the same subject; but, being written by the surgeons of whale-ships for scientific purposes, neither of them was interesting to the general reader. ["Narrative of a Whaling Voyage round the Globe," by F Debell Bennett, F.R.C.S. (2 vols). Bentley, London (1840). "The Sperm Whale Fishery," by Thomas Beale, M.R.C.S. London (1835).] They have both been long out of print; but their value to the student of natural history has been, and still is, very great, Dr. Beale's book, in particular, being still the authority on the sperm whale.
This book does not pretend to compete with either of the above valuable works. Its aims is to present to the general reader a simple account of the methods employed, and the dangers met with, in a calling about which the great mass of the public knows absolutely nothing. Pending the advent of some great writer who shall see the wonderful possibilities for literature contained in the world-wide wanderings of the South Sea whale-fishers, the author has endeavoured to summarize his experiences so that they may be read without weariness, and, it is hoped, with profit.
The manifold shortcomings of the work will not, it is trusted, be laid to the account of the subject, than which none more interesting could well be imagined, but to the limitations of the writer, whose long experience of sea life has done little to foster the literary faculty.
One claim may be made with perfect confidence--that if the manner be not all that could be wished, the matter is entirely trustworthy, being compiled from actual observation and experience, and in no case at second-hand. An endeavour has also been made to exclude such matter as is easily obtainable elsewhere--matters of common knowledge and "padding" of any sort--the object not being simply the making of a book, but the record of little-known facts.
Great care has been taken to use no names either of ships or persons, which could, by being identified, give annoyance or pain to any one, as in many cases strong language has been necessary for the expression of opinions.
Finally, the author hopes that, although in no sense exclusively a book for boys, the coming generation may find this volume readable and interesting; and with that desire he offers it confidently, though in all humility, to that great impartial jury, the public.
F.T.B. Dulwich, July, 1897.
CHAPTER I--OUTWARD BOUND Adrift in New Bedford--I get a ship--A motley crowd--"Built by the mile, and cut off as you want 'em"--Mistah Jones--Greenies--Off to sea.
CHAPTER II--PREPARING FOR ACTION Primitive steering-gear--Strange drill--Misery below--Short commons--Goliath rigs the "crow's-nest"--Useful information--Preparing for war--Strange weapons--A boat-load.
CHAPTER III--FISHING BEGINS The cleanliness of a whale-ship--No skulking--Porpoise-fishing--Cannibals--Cooking operations--Boat-drill--A good look-out--"Black-fishing"--Roguery in all trades--Plenty of fresh beef--The nursery of American whalemen.
CHAPTER IV--BAD WEATHER Nautical routine--The first gale--Comfort versus speed--A grand sea-boat--The Sargasso Sea--Natural history pursuits--Dolphin--Unconventional fishing--Rumours of a visit to the Cape Verdes--Babel below--No allowance, but not "full and plenty"--Queer washing--Method of sharing rations--The "slop-shop" opened--Our prospects.
CHAPTER V--ACTUAL WARFARE. OUR FIRST WHALE Premonitions--Discussion on whaling from unknown premisses--I wake in a fright--Sperm whales at last--The war begins--Warning--We get fast--and get loose--In trouble--an uncomfortable situation--No Pity-Only one whale--Rigging the "cutting-stage"--Securing the whale alongside.
CHAPTER VI--"DIRTY WORK FOR CLEAN MONEY" Goliath in trouble--Commence "cutting-in"--A heavy head--A tank of spermaceti--Decks running with oil--A "Patent" mincing-machine--Extensive cooking--Dangerous work--Three tuns of oil--A horrible mess--A thin-skinned monster--A fine mouth of teeth.
CHAPTER VII--GETTING SOUTHWARD Captain Slocum's amenities--Expensive beer--St. Paul's Rocks--"Bonito"--"Showery" weather--Waterspouts--Calms--A friendly finback--A disquisition on whales by Mistah Jones--Flying-fishing.
CHAPTER VIII--ABNER'S WHALE Abner in luck--A big "fish" at last--A feat of endurance--A fighting whale--The sperm whale's food--Ambergris--A good reception--Hard labour--Abner's reward--"Scrimshaw".
CHAPTER IX--OUR FIRST CALLING-PLACE A forced march--Tristan d'Acunha--Visitors--Fresh provisions--A warm welcome--Goliath's turn--a feathered host--Good gear--A rough time--Creeping north--Uncertainty--"Rule of thumb"--navigation--The Mozambique Channel.
CHAPTER X--A VISIT TO SOME STRANGE PLACES Tropical thunderstorms--A "record" day's fishing--Cetacean frivolities--Mistah Jones moralizes--A snug harbour--Wooding and watering--Catching a turtle--Catching a "Tartar"--A violent death--A crooked jaw--Aldabra Island--Primeval inhabitants--A strange steed--"Pirate" birds--Good eggs--Green cocoa-nuts--More turtle--A school of "kogia".
CHAPTER XI--ROUND THE COCOS AND SEYCHELLES We encounter a "cyclone"--A tremendous gust--a foundering ship--To anchor for repairs--The Cocos--Repairing damages--Around the Seychelles--A "milk" sea--A derelict prahu--A ghastly freight--A stagnant sea.
CHAPTER XII--WHICH TREATS OF THE KRAKEN "Eyes and no eyes" at sea--Of big mollusca--The origin of sea-serpent stories--Rediscovery of the "Kraken"--A conflict of monsters--"The insatiable nightmares of the sea"--Spermaceti running to waste--The East Indian maze.
CHAPTER XIII--OFF TO THE JAPAN GROUNDS A whale off Hong Kong--The skipper and his "'bomb-gun"--Injury to the captain--Unwelcome visitors--The heathen Chinee--We get safe off--"Death of Portagee Jim"--The Funeral--The Coast of Japan--Port Lloyd--Meeting of whale-ships.
CHAPTER XIV--LIBERTY DAY--AND AFTER Liberty day--I foregather with a "beach-comber"--A big fight--Goliath on the war-path--A court-martial--Wholesale flogging--a miserable crowd--Quite a fleet of whale-ships--I "raise" a sperm whale--Severe competition--An unfortunate stroke--The skipper distinguishes himself.
CHAPTER XV--WHICH COMES UNCOMFORTABLY NEAR BEING THE LAST I come to grief--Emulating Jonah--Sharing a flurry--A long spell of sick-leave--The whale's "sixth sense"--Off to the Kuriles--Prepare for "bowhead" fishing--The Sea of Okhotsk--Abundant salmon--The "daintiness" of seamen.
CHAPTER XVI--"BOWHEAD" FISHING Difference between whales--Popular ideas exploded--The gentle mysticetus--Very tame work--Fond of tongue--Goliath confides in me--An awful affair--Captain Slocum's death--"Not Amurath an Amurath succeeds"--I am promoted.
CHAPTER XVII--VISIT TO HONOLULU Towards Honolulu--Missionaries and their critics--The happy Kanaka--Honolulu--A pleasant holiday.
CHAPTER XVIII--ON THE "LINE" GROUNDS I get my opportunity--A new harpooner--Feats under the skipper's eye--Two whales on one line--Compliments Heavy towage--A grand haul.
CHAPTER XIX--EDGING SOUTHWARD Monotony--A school of blackfish--A boat ripped in half--A multitude of sharks--A curious backbone--Christmas Day--A novel Christmas dinner--A find of ambergris.
CHAPTER XX--"HUMPBACKING" AT VAU VAU "Gamming" again--a Whitechapel rover--arrive at Vau Vau--Valuable friends--a Sunday ashore--"Hollingside"--The natives at church--Full-dress--Very "mishnally"--Idyllic cruising--Wonderful mother-love--A mighty feast.
CHAPTER XXI--PROGRESS OF THE "HUMPBACK" SEASON A fruitless chase--Placid times--a stirring adventure--a vast cave--Unforeseen company--A night of terror--We provide a feast for the sharks--the death of Abner--An impressive ceremony--an invitation to dinner--Kanaka cookery.
CHAPTER XXII--FAREWELL TO VAU VAU Ignorance of the habits of whales--A terrific encounter--VAE VICTIS--Rewarding our "flems"--We leave Van Vau--The Outward bounder--Sailors' "homes"--A night of horror--Sudden death--Futuna.
CHAPTER XXIII--AT FUTUNA, RECRUITING A fleet of nondescripts--"Tui Tongoa" otherwise Sam--Eager recruits--Devout Catholics--A visit to Sunday Island--A Crusoe family--Their eviction--Maori cabbage--Fine fishing--Away for New Zealand--Sight the "Three Kings"--The Bay of Islands.
CHAPTER XXIV--THE BAY OF ISLANDS AND NEW ZEALAND COAST Sleepy hollow--Wood and water--liberty day--A plea for the sailors' recreation--Our picnic--A a whiff of "May"--A delightful excursion--To the southward again--Wintry weather--Enter Foveaux Straits.
CHAPTER XXV--ON THE SOLANDER GROUNDS Firstfruits of the Solander--An easy catch--Delights of the Solander--Port William--The old CHANCE--"Paddy Gilroy"--Barbarians from the East End--Barracouta-Fishing--Wind-bound--An enormous school of cachalots--Misfortune--A bursting whale--Back on the Solander again--Cutting-in at Port William--Studying anatomy--Badly battered Yankees--Paddy in luck again.
CHAPTER XXVI--PADDY'S LATEST EXPLOIT We try Preservation Inlet--An astounding feat of Paddy Gilroy's.
CHAPTER XXVII--PORT PEGASUS Port Pegasus--Among old acquaintances--"Mutton birds"--Skilled auxiliaries--A gratifying catch--Leave port again--Back to the Solander--A grim escape--Our last whales--Into Port William again--Paddy's assistance--We part with our Kanakas--Sam's plans of conquest.
CHAPTER XXVIII--TO THE BLUFF, AND HOME And last--In high-toned company--Another picnic--Depart from the Bluff--Hey for the Horn!--Among the icebergs--"Scudding"--Favouring trades--A narrow escape from collision--Home at last.
Without attempting the ambitious task of presenting a comprehensive sketch of the origin, rise, and fall of whale-fishing as a whole, it seems necessary to give a brief outline of that portion of the subject bearing upon the theme of the present book before plunging into the first chapter.
This preliminary is the more needed for the reason alluded to in the Preface--the want of knowledge of the subject that is apparent everywhere. The Greenland whale fishery has been so popularized that most people know something about it; the sperm whale fishery still awaits its Scoresby and a like train of imitators and borrowers.
Cachalots, or sperm whales, must have been captured on the coasts of Europe in a desultory way from a very early date, by the incidental allusions to the prime products spermaceti and ambergris which are found in so many ancient writers, Shakespeare's reference--"The sovereign'st thing on earth was parmaceti for an inward bruise"--will be familiar to most people, as well as Milton's mention of the delicacies at Satan's feast--"Grisamber steamed"--not to carry quotation any further.
But in the year 1690 the brave and hardy fishermen of the north-east coasts of North America established that systematic pursuit of the cachalot which has thriven so wonderfully ever since, although it must be confessed that the last few years have witnessed a serious decline in this great branch of trade.
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