Kathleen (Bark) of New Bedford, 1857-1858, KWM_493

A partial sperm and right whaling voyage to the Indian Ocean. John C. Marble. Master, Elizabeth C. Marble, keeper. Journal kept by the captain's wife of a whaling voyage to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Includes descriptions of whales seen and taken, illnesses, desertions, accidents, a rescue at sea, and interactions with natives. Also contains letters the keeper wrote home describing her time at sea from 16 September 1857 to 18 December 1857. The keeper writes of the crew, describes the ports of call, writes often of the food, notes when supplies were taken onboard at various ports, and writes of the social interactions that happen among the crew and during ship spokens and gams. The keeper sometimes sews in her spare time. The crew played music and sang on 16 September 1857, 19 October 1857, and 26 December 1857. One man fell overboard on 30 November 1857 but was rescued. The keeper got badly sunburned while fishing on 2 January 1858. The keeper writes of Christmas 1857 and Christmas dinner. Other places represented include Lumbok Island (Indonesia).

KWM_493