Log Book Ship Nimrod, 1833-1835

Monday the 9 th Sept AD 1834 [1833]

The day began with A Galse from the S E ward Ship under Short Sail by by the middle & latter part light breezes weather pleasant Spoke with the South Carolina Maxfield of N Bedford [Captain?] Maxfield [came] on board Examined our rudder Pronounced it bad all hands busy at work trying to repair it but did not [succeed] So Goes Lat Obsd 36:11 Long 15:00

Tuesday the 11 th [10th]

Commenced with light airs from the E ward by by Spoke with the Neptune Middleton of New London with 2 whales Capt [Captain] Middleton [came] on board & examined our rudder & pronounced it bad latter part strong Gales & rain by by so remains no Observations Lat by account 36:30 Longitutde 14:50

Wednesday the 11 th

First part Strong winds from the N ward lying to with our larboard tacks onboard middle & latter part heavy Gales from the S W ward all hands employed in Sundry Jobs as occasion required at 10 in the Evening Passed the Neptune within hale [came] very near fouling so this day has passed Lat Obsd 31:27 Long 14:00

Thursday the 12 th

The day began with a gale from the S ward lying by under Short Sail middle & latter part more moderate at 10 [o'clock] Squared our yards set the Fore Sail & Steered N E by E at 8 P M ful the Fore Sail & by so Ends 34:15 Long 12:48 by obs

Friday the 13 th September 1833

Began with light breezes from the E ward which continued Through the day at 6 in the morning Set all sail & Steered N E by the wind at 8 [o'clock] Called all hands aft and Examined our rudder the [majority] though best to steer for the nearest port & get another for the benefit of the Voyage latter part the wind cants to the N ward So Ends Lat Obsd 33:50 Long 12:30

Saturday the 14 th

Commenced with Fresh Gales & pleasant weather Ship under all Sail Steering by the wind to the N E ward Middle & latter part the wind & weather much the same the day Ends with Sorrow Lat Obsd 33:15 Long about 11:00

Sunday 15 th x Saturday x the x15 th

light airs from the N ward throughout the Ship under all sail Steering by the wind to the E ward all hands very much cast down with the thoughts of [going] to St [Thelna ?] So Ends Lat Obs 32:40 Long 10:50

Monday the 16 th

All this day the wind [blows] strong from the N ward Steering to the E ward by the wind in the fore noon put [Strong?] Boalt in the after part of our rudder at 12 [o'clock] double reefed our Top Sails latter part hands Employed in fitting Guy Pendents & [tackles] to Steer with & I think that we Shall [Succeed] So Goes Lat Obsd 32:40 Long [9:49 ?]

Tuesday the 17 th Sept [September] A D 1833

This day began with a Gale From the N ward & rain Middle part. the wind & weather the same Ship under Short Sail lying by latter part the wind Cants to the W ward Set Top Sails & Steered to the N E ward the weather being bad no labour done more than occasion required So Ends no obs Lat per count 32:45 Long 9:05

Wednesday the 18 th

First Part fresh winds from the N ward Steered E N E by the wind with all sail set middle & latter part light airs from the W ward at 2 [o'clock] wore Ship & Steered E S E one Ship In sight to the N ward standing to the E E ward this day we give the idea of going to St [Helna? Helena?] and put back So Ends the day Lat Obs 31:45 Long 8:10

Thursday the 19 th

All this day light [baffling? buffeting?] airs with frequent Showers Ship under all sail Steering to the E ward by the wind two Ships in sight to the N W ward Standing to the E ward this day Fleete the Starboard quarter boat & break out for water; at 3 P M took A lunar Long by this Obs 7:41 So Goes Lat Obsd 31:56 Long by Obs 7:21

Friday the 20 th

Throughout this day light breezes from the Sth ward Ship under all Sail First part Steer to the E ward at noon the wind S S E tack Ship & Steered to the S W ward the remainder of the day So Goes Lat Obsd 31:36 Long 6:05

Saturday the 21 st Sept [September] 1833

Begins with Calm weather

Middle & latter part light airs & pleasant weather Ship under all Sail Steering S E by S one Ship in Sight to the N ward Steering Sth E saw a number of hump backs but now whales hands Employed in Sundry Jobs as occasion required So Ends Lat Obsd 31:50 Long 5:50

Sunday the 22 ond

Strong winds from the S E ward throughout the day Steering by the wind S S W at 10 A M the weather increasing double reefed our Top Sails & furled out Gib and Spanker one Brig in Sight Steering by the wind at 4 [o'clock] turned one reef out & set the Gib the day being the Sabbath no labour done more than occasion required So Ends all well Lat Obsd 33:08 Long 4:54

Monday the 23 th

all this day light airs from the E ward at 8 P M raised a School of Sperm whales [lowered] our boats & Struck two drew from one and [saved?] the other at 2 P M began to cut at sun set finished cutting the [body] & chained the [head] for the [night] at 8 [o'clock] set the watch & started the fires So Ends all well Lat Obsd 34:34 Long 4:23

Tuesday the 24 th Sept A D 1833

First part light airs from the N W ward at noon finished cutting and made Saile & Steered S E by E by compass. Middle & latter part [fresh?] winds Saw two finbacks & large quantities of bank birds at Sun Set furled top Sails & lay by So Ends all well Lat Obsd 34:50 Long 4:12

Wednesday the 25 th

Strong wind from the Sth W ward throughout the day with Frequent Fog Squalls at 9 [o'clock] Set double reefed top sails & steered E S E Saw large quantities of bank bird & aplenty of Finbacks but no whales Employed in boiling at sun set furled Top Sails & lay by So Ends all well Lat Obsd 34:50 Long 3:09

Thursday the 26 th

Began with light breezes which continued throughout the day. Made Sail in the morning & Steered S E saw a great many Finbacks at 2 P M finished boiling at 3 Saw 2 whales lowered & gave a long Chase but without Success at Sun set [came] along side & took up the boats for the [night] double reefed the Top Sails & Set a qr [quarter] watch So Ends all well Lat Obsd 35:05 Long 2:20

Friday the 27 th

Fresh winds throughout the day Ship under doubled reefed Top Sails First part stand to the E at 10 [o'clock] wore Ship & Steered W S W at noon found the Ship 40 miles N E of my Calculation latter part all hands Employed in Coopering & Stowing our Sperm Oil So Ends Lat 34:40 Long 2:10