SF Writing
Whalers were also explorers. Their charts were used in World War II.
Moved 6MPH, Boring: Captain wished crewmen would fall overboard to be rescued.
2 hour shifts on the masthead. Easy to fall on the climb up.
The whale boats went faster.
Garry: Combination of blood, blubber, and oil coated the docks and was a hazard.
Hmm, couldn't read my own writing. Garry or Curry?
Monkey-rope: Used by harpooner as a life line when he jumped overboard to get the 200lb blubber-hook in the whale. The waters were by this time shark infested.
scrimshaw: Whalebone to be carved.
Greenhand: 1st cruise
Slept in the forecastle -- 12-20 hands
Chest and Bed
Melting pot
Put near "radiation"?
Forecastle songs: Blow steam, allowed to criticize captain
Music was very important.
Sea chest: greenhand thought it was a treasure chest. $70 debt against his pay
Clothes: Soak them in tar, clean them in urine. Paid crewmates to wash.
Knifes had points cut off to reduce fights.
Kanaka recruit: $200 bond for 3 years.
- expert swimmers
- boatmen
- quiet
- loyal
- undemanding
Neptune ceremony: Rite of passage when crossing the equator - Greenhand to old salt
Provisions: 3 year voyage, crew of 30: $45,000 -- 13 cents per man per day
Duff: flour, lard, yeast, equal amounts of fresh and salt water. Only served once per week.
Crews would mutiny if burnt.
Food is very important.
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