Description:

Whaling Journal - One of the finest original Manuscript Whale Logs extant, with 137 whale and ship stampings, spending a significant period fishing in Hawaii and Japan



Manuscript log book 8.25" x 13.50" by Captain Francis Fisher, aboard the Swift, from Edgartown to the Indian Ocean, December 22, 1841 through May 11, 1845. Includes 137 original whale and ship stamp stencils. 398 written pages with scattered excisions. In rubbed marbled paper boards and a contemporary brown leather spine. Boards rubbed and worn, spine worn with rubbing. Edgewear with outer edges lacking material as is typically found. Gilt titles to spine, "Journey Whaling Voyage" with gilt ruled d̩cor, rubbed and faded. Binding is fragile, shaken, but intact with but one loose page. Stunning original marbled end papers present. All neatly housed in a near fine custom tray case of brown cloth with a quarter leather spine with raised band, and gilt titles.


A rather zealous log with much anticipation of an adventure mixed with reflection and responsibility. The long voyage of the Swift, piloted by Captain Fisher took him and his crew from New Bedford towards the Indian Ocean, stopping at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, where all hands are employed baking and storing meat to replenish supplies, before pushing further east, whaling off New Holland in 1842. He sails past the Navigator Islands (Samoa), along the Equator and up to the waters off Japan. Having cruised back to Hawaii for the second time in the voyage, Fisher records 'Foure men down with the Scurvy' while on the approach to the islands (8 October 1844). After a 5 week stay in the South Pacific, and while continuing his journey Southward, Captain Fisher records numerous whale citing's including the addition of 5 original ink whale stamps, (Nov 21, 1844).

Captain Francis Fisher writes of his daily accounts with the weather, the wind and the whales, describing the chase and the hauling of the great Sperms whales and noting them be "taken to the ship and the commencement of the cutting' . His log is interwoven with two reflective poems at the front and back of the book, along with interspersed entries contemplating his life. The regular daily logs are detailed daily accountings, indicating the winds, and weather conditions. Numerous whale sightings abound in this log which appears to have been a successful voyage. The whale sightings are noted with both detailed comments and original stamp drawings of a whale 'diving' (the drawing will show the tail of the whale), however if the whale was captured the stamp drawing shows a full whale body with some red representing blood. Strong wind conditions appear to be both noted in script, but also with an original stamp drawing of a ship. Adversities are also noted with such example as upon cruising back to Hawaii for the second time in the voyage, Fisher records 'Foure men down with the Scurvy' on the approach to the islands (8 October 1844).

Captain Fisher begins his log noting "Journal of a Voyage to the Indian Ocean and Elsewhere", and includes a preamble poem as (in part):

"it was no common (illegible)

that hounds my youthful heart.

Trial and that... truth could only know

And only death can part

I had no (illegible) to bestow

Nor none of high degree

But all I had, a constant heart

And true I gave to thee

A Will to do

What'er thy love might claim

A high resolve, though good or ill

To cling to thee the same"

With the final poem, (written perhaps as a sailor "sea chant') penned at the end of the log and signed by Francis Fisher as follows:

"On the Death Of a Babe

And in a brighter, purer sphere

Beyond the sunless tomb

Where virtues that have charmed us here

In Fadeless life shall bloom

Yes in a brighter purer sphere

Beyond the sunless tomb

The virtues that have charmed us here

In fadeless life shall bloom"

Captain Fisher is further reflective on the advent of the New Year of 1843, when he acclaims - "acknowledge my sins and imperfections are many ‰Û_ and I plead guilty and pray God to be merciful to me a sinner and that I may be kept from sin, and led not into temptation, and that the Lord would be with me and direct me in the path of wisdom " - apparently using the ship's log as something resembling a confessional.

His whaling voyage shows being off to a solid start with early citing's of whales, and numerous successful catches, however events really beginning to rock aboard the Swift upon reaching the equator in 1843. Several revealing examples of the daily logs include:

"1842

Wednesday Apr 27th ...Saw Sperm Whales

Friday Apr 29th ...saw several Sperm whales at 11 ...chasing whales

Saturday Apr 30th..First part lively breezes and fine weather at 4..one whale to the Ship Middle and Latter part calm with fine weather ‰Û_ commenced cuting[sic]

"Friday May 13th First part strong wind from the SE Middle and Latter part the same at ‰Û_ seen several Sperm Whales going to the NW at 10 (knots)to Board the Boasts at 11 (knots) ...so ends these 24 hours first to ..

Sat May 14. First part strong winds from the SE at 2PM took one whale to the ship at 4 to the other Boat came on board having had to cut one ship in sight, made everything ready for cutting in Middle and Latter part moderate winds and squally at 6 A.Am commenced cuting[sic] in the Whale."

The log showed a large haul representing the capturing of numerous whales in a single day in 1843 with the top of the page header stating "On The Equator" with an accounting of the event:

"1843

Sunday Nov 19th First part light wind from the E.N.E. al sail set ...whales at 9 ‰Û_ taking whales to the ship ‰Û_ at 2 PM took the last whale to the ship commenced cuting[sic], at 8 commenced baling out "

And just days later on the Nov 26th, once again they reported sighting and capturing of 5 whale,s taking them aboard the ship and "commenced cuting[sic]"(with the whale log showing 5 whale stamps present showing blood).

A detailed and thought provoking account of one man's long and soulful journey with his crew, in pursuit of whales around the world. Spectacular presentation, and quite scarce.

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