Whaling Log of the Ship France, 1838-1840

Ship France P. Egbert Howell master bound on a whaling voyage to the South Atlantic or elsewhere from Sag Harbor towards Fayal one of the Western Isles

Monday July 16th 1838

Commences with light winds from the West and fair at 11 a.m. the Crew went on Board with the exception of 2 men we then took a Pilot and proceded down the Bay. So ends this Day Sea Acc.

Tuesday " 17th "

Commences with light winds from the West and squally at 2 P.M. the wind veered to round to the N W. and pleasant steering down the Bay at 3 Do. Hauled too by the wind and discharged the Pilot at 4 Do the men not coming off came too in the Bay with our Larboard anchor ahead in 6 Fathom water muddy Bottom. Middle Hours the wind veered to the NE. Latter Hours to the SE. and light Hands employed in coiling Towlines and fitting Boats

So ends.

Wednesday "18th"

Commences with light winds from the SE and pleasant weather. Middle Hours the wind hauled round to the South and fair at 8 a.m no men coming and supposing them to be on the Hills looking out for the ship got under weigh and went round outside under the High Lands of Gardiners Island and came too with our Larboard anchor ahead in 10 Fathom water.

Hands employed in various jobs of ships Duty.

So ends.

Thursday "19th"

Commences with light winds and squally from the SE it having every appearance of a storm at 6 P M got underway and Beat round inside of Gardiners Point and came too in 7 Fathoms water with our best Boward anchor ahead. Middle Hours squally with heavy showers of Rain

Latter Hours the wind hauled in W.N.W. and pleasant at 10 A. M. one of the Shore Boats came alongside with one of the Deserters

Monday Oct. 23dth, 1838

Commences with fresh breezes from the northward and clear steering E.S.E.

Middle hours the winds hauled in E.N.E. ship Heading off to S E. Latter Hours fresh gales broke out the Fore & after Hatch and stowed things to there proper places.

So ends.

Latitude Obs. 40" 20 North. Longitude per. watch 64" 20. West

Tuesday "24th"

Commences with fresh gales from the E. N. E. and cloudy steering by the wind to the Eastward. Middle & Latter Hours more moderate and clear the wind Hauling to the South.

Hands employed in various jobs of ships Duty.

So ends.

Latitude Obs. 38" 20 North Longitude per. watch 62" 04 w

Wednesday "25th"

Commences with moderate breezes from the S E and squally at 4 P. M Tacked ship to the Eastward Middle S. Latter Hours fresh breezes and a Heavy swell from the S E.

Hands employed in ships Duty as most required

So ends.

Latitude Obs. 38" 20 North Longitude per watch 61" 04 West.

Thursday "26th"

Commences with moderate breezes from the S E. and pleasant steering E. by N. untill 8 P. M. steered off E. N. E.

Middle Hours squally the wind hauling to the South Latter Hours fresh gales with a large swell from the S.E. at 10 A. M. the wind S.S.E. hauled up East.

Hands employed in various jobs of ships Duty.

So ends.

Latitude Obs. 40" 17 North. Longitude per watch 57" 43 West.

Friday July 27th 1838

Commences cloudy with light showers of Rain wind South steering East until 8 P. M. steered E.S.E.

Middle & Latter squally attended with light showers of Rain and some Lightening. the wind veering to S W

So ends.

Sun Obscure Latitude by acc. 40" 01 North. Longitude by acc. 54" 20.

Saturday "28th"

Commences squally attended with Rain wind S W steering E.S.E.

Middle & Latter Hours pleasant breezes from the W.S.W. and fair weather.

Hands employed in various jobs of ship duty.

So ends.

Latitude Obs. 39" 40 North. Longitude per. watch 50" 52 West

Sunday "29th"

All of these 24 Hours pleasant breezes from the W S W and fair weather steering E. S. E.

So ends.

Latitude Obs. 39" 31 North. Longitude per watch 48" 23 West

Monday "30th"

Commences with light winds and squally steering E.S.E. at 9 P. M. the wind shifted sudden to the Eastward Hauled by the wind to the N. & E.

Middle Hours the wind hauled to the N.E. Tacked ship to the S. & E.

Latter Hours from the SW and cloudy steering E. by S.

Hands employed in ships duty as most requires

So ends.

Latitude Obs. 39" 35 North. Longitude per. watch 45" 05 West.

Tuesday July 31th, 1838.

All of these 24 Hours pleasant breezes and fair weather wind SW. steering E. by S.

Hands employed in setting up the Fore & main Rigging & Back Stays.

the Caulker & Carpenter in various jobs in there line

So ends.

Latitude Obs. 40" 20. North. Longitude per watch 44" 44 west

Wednesday Aug. 1th, 1838.

Commences clear wind S W. steering E. by S. middle & Latter cloudy the wind hauling to the Southward. Saw a Brig to the N E. steering N W.

Hands employed in various jobs of ships Duty

So ends

Latitude Obs. 40" 44. North. Longitude per watch 39" 42.

Thursday Aug. 2th

Commences with fresh breezes from the Southward steering E. by S untill 8 P. M. the wind hauling to the SW steered SE. by S

middle & Latter Hours pleasant breezes and fair weather

the Carpenter & Caulker employed in various jobs in there line.

So ends.

Latitude Obs. 40" 02. North. Longitude per watch 35" 24 w

Friday Aug. 3dth, 1838.

All of these 24 Hours strong breezes from the SW. and pleasant steering SE. by E

at 10 A. M. saw 2 sail to the NE. steering NW. the Carpenter employed in making a Potatoe House the Caulker in Caulking the Hurricane House and armourer in making a pair of Cant Hooks.

So ends

Latitude Obs. 39" 36. North. Longitude per watch 31" 45 west.