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5. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
Cengage Learning Testing, Powered by Cognero Page 1
1. For video display, a pixel displays no light or light of a specific color and intensity.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
2. Image quality improves as dots per inch increases.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
3. Image quality improves as pixel size increases.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
4. On paper, pixel size corresponds to the smallest drop of ink that can be placed accurately on the page.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
5. Decades ago, printers adopted 1/32 of an inch as a standard pixel size.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
6. For people and computers, a printed character must exactly match a specific pixel map to be recognizable.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
7. Point size refers to characters’ width.
a. True
b. False
6. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
Cengage Learning Testing, Powered by Cognero Page 2
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
8. A monochrome display can display black, white, and many shades of gray in between, so it requires 8 bits per pixel.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 233
9. An IDL can represent image components as embedded fonts, vectors, curves and shapes, and embedded bitmaps.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 235
10. IDLs are a simple form of compression.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 237
11. LCD displays have less contrast than other flat panel displays because color filters reduce the total amount of light
passing through the front of the panel.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 242
12. Phosphors emit colored light in liquid crystal displays.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 242
13. Because plasma displays actively generate colored light near the display surface, they’re brighter and have a wider
viewing angle than LCDs.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
7. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
Cengage Learning Testing, Powered by Cognero Page 3
REFERENCES: 242
14. OLED displays combine many of the best features of LCD and plasma displays.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 243
15. Impact technology began with dot matrix printers.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 244
16. Color laser output uses four separate print generators.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 247
17. An advantage of optical over mechanical mice is a lack of moving parts that can be contaminated with dust and dirt.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 248
18. Bar-code readers are typically used to track large numbers of inventory items, as in grocery store inventory and
checkout, package tracking, warehouse inventory control, and zip code routing for postal mail.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 250
19. Modern bar codes encode data in three dimensions.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 251
20. Character and text recognition is most accurate when text is printed in a single font and style, with all text oriented in
8. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
Cengage Learning Testing, Powered by Cognero Page 4
the same direction on the page.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 252
21. Error rates of 1-2% are common using OCR software with mixed-font text and even higher with handwritten text.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 252
22. A digital still camera captures and stores one image at a time.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 252
23. Moving image quality improves as the number of frames per second (fps) decreases.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 253
24. Typically, digital cameras capture 14 to 20 fps.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 253
25. Most portable data capture devices combine a keyboard, mark or bar-code scanner, and wireless connection to a wired
base station, cash register, or computer system.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 253
26. For sound reproduction that sounds natural to people, frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 KHz must be sampled at
least 96,000 times per second.
a. True
9. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
Cengage Learning Testing, Powered by Cognero Page 5
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 253
27. Sound varies by frequency (pitch) and intensity (loudness).
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 253
28. Continuous speech is a series of nonstop interconnected phonemes.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 254
29. Phonemes sound similar when voiced repetitively by the same person.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 254
30. A significant advantage of MIDI is its compact storage format.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 257
31. Each cell in the matrix representing one part of a digital image is called a ____.
a. bubble
b. pixel
c. Dot
d. Block
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
32. The ____ of a display is the number of pixels displayed per linear measurement unit.
a. resolution
b. refinement
10. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
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c. accuracy
d. pitch
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
33. In the United States, resolution is generally stated in ____.
a. lines per inch
b. pixels per line
c. dots per inch
d. dots per millimeter
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
34. Written Western languages are based on systems of symbols called ____.
a. fonts
b. characters
c. types
d. schemes
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
35. A collection of characters of similar style and appearance is called a ____.
a. type
b. scheme
c. pitch
d. font
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 231
36. The number of distinct colors or gray shades that can be displayed is sometimes called the ____.
a. resolution
b. palette
c. range
d. chromatic depth
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 233
37. A(n) ____ is simply a table of colors.
a. palette
b. spectrum
11. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
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c. RGB system
d. color scheme
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 233
38. ____ is a process that generates color approximations by placing small dots of different colors in an interlocking
pattern.
a. Merging
b. Banding
c. Dithering
d. Retracing
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 234
39. In graphics, a ____ is a line segment with a specific angle and length in relation to a point of origin.
a. course
b. vector
c. path
d. route
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 236
40. Components of a video controller include display generator circuitry, software stored in ROM, a video processor, and
____.
a. RAM
b. font tables
c. display pixels
d. secondary storage
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 239
41. Video display panels are connected to a ____ that’s connected to a port on the system bus or a dedicated video bus.
a. video buffer
b. video manager
c. video station
d. video controller
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 239
42. The number of refresh cycles per second is normally stated in hertz and called the ____.
12. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
Cengage Learning Testing, Powered by Cognero Page 8
a. refresh rate
b. pixel depth
c. resolution
d. scan rate
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 240
43. A(n) ____ display includes one or more transistors for every display pixel.
a. cathode ray tube
b. active matrix
c. liquid crystal
d. Passive matrix
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 242
44. ____ technology etches display pixels and the transistors and traces that control/illuminate them onto a glass substrate.
a. CRT
b. Neon
c. backlight
d. TFT
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 242
45. A ____ contains a matrix of liquid crystals sandwiched between two polarizing filter panels that block all light except
light approaching from a specific angle.
a. Plasma
b. CRT
c. liquid crystal display
d. light emitting diode
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 241
46. ____ displays use excited gas and phosphors to generate colored light.
a. Plasma
b. liquid crystal
c. light emitting diode
d. thin film transmission
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 242
13. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
Cengage Learning Testing, Powered by Cognero Page 9
47. Modern ____ displays achieve high-quality color display with organic compounds.
a. LCD
b. TFT
c. CRT
d. LED
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 243
48. OLED displays combine features from both LED and plasma display, including: ____.
a. thin, bright, and high power
b. thin, bright, and low power
c. thin, backlit, and high power
d. thin, backlit, and low power
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 243
49. A(n) ____ printer moves a print head containing a matrix of pins over the paper.
a. laser
b. dot matrix
c. inkjet
d. dye sublimation
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 244
50. A modern large format printer is a _____ printer that can print on wider-than normal rolls of paper.
a. laser
b. dye sublimation
c. inkjet
d. impact
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 247
51. A(n) ____ operates with an electrical charge and the attraction of ink to this charge.
a. laser printer
b. inkjet printer
c. impact printer
d. thermal printer
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 246
14. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
Cengage Learning Testing, Powered by Cognero Page 10
52. A ____ is a printer that generates line drawings on wide sheets or rolls of paper.
a. sublimation
b. thermal
c. line printer
d. plotter
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 247
53. Pointing devices can be used to enter drawings into a computer system or control the position of a(n) ____ on a
display device.
a. pointer
b. arrow
c. cursor
d. marker
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 248
54. Touch position sensing in a touch screen is usually based on ____.
a. resistance
b. flux
c. capacitance
d. inductance
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 249
55. ____ sensors capture input from special-purpose symbols placed on paper or the flat surfaces of 3D objects.
a. Dot and image
b. Mark and image
c. Mark and pattern
d. Image capture
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 250
56. A(n) ____ detects specific patterns of bars or boxes.
a. bar-code scanner
b. image scanner
c. dimensional scanner
d. linear scanner
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 250
15. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
Cengage Learning Testing, Powered by Cognero Page 11
57. Bar-code readers use ____that sweep a narrow beam back and forth across the bar code.
a. scanning LEDs
b. high-intensity lamps
c. high resolution CCDs
d. scanning lasers
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 250
58. PDF417 bar codes can hold around ____ of data.
a. 1 KB
b. 1 MB
c. 1 GB
d. 1 TB
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 251
59. A(n) ____ generates bitmap representations of printed images.
a. bar-code scanner
b. image scanner
c. optical scanner
d. visual scanner
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 251
60. ____ devices combine optical-scanning technology with a special-purpose processor or software to interpret bitmap
content.
a. Optical image recognition
b. Optical character recognition
c. Optical character reproduction
d. Optical image resolution
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 251
61. The process of converting analog sound waves to digital representation is called ____.
a. reducing
b. interpreting
c. sampling
d. transforming
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
16. Chapter 07 - Input/Output Technology
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REFERENCES: 253
62. A(n) ____ accepts a continuous electrical signal representing sound (such as microphone input), samples it at regular
intervals, and outputs a stream of bits representing the samples.
a. analog-to-digital converter
b. analog-to-digital inverter
c. analog-to-digital diverter
d. analog-to-digital parser
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 254
63. A(n) ____ accepts a stream of bits representing sound samples and generating a continuous electrical signal that can
be amplified and routed to a speaker.
a. digital-to-analog processor
b. digital-to-analog parser
c. digital-to-analog compiler
d. digital-to-analog converter
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 254
64. ____ output is only able to generate one frequency (note) at a time.
a. Stereophonic
b. Monophonic
c. Polyphonic
d. Monosyllabic
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 254
65. ____ is the process of recognizing and responding to the meaning embedded in spoken words, phrases, or sentences.
a. Text recognition
b. Pattern recognition
c. Speech recognition
d. Natural recognition
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 254
66. Human speech consists of a series of sounds called ____, roughly corresponding to the sounds of each letter of the
alphabet.
a. phonemes
b. homonyms
c. cheremes
18. business, leaving her polite visitors to make observations and amuse
themselves as they pleased. She soon returned, and placed on the
centre of the floor a large dish of boiled rice, another with
vegetables, called the children, and seated them on the floor around
the “wittles.” After passing us some tea, she took her station with
the children, placed a portion of the rice and vegetables on the plate
of each one, gave them their “chop-sticks” and told them, as we
supposed, to commence. And commence they did. These chop-sticks
are two round, slim pieces of ivory, about eight inches in length,
which supply the place of both fork and spoon. With the chop-sticks
in the right hand and the dish in the left, with its edge close to the
mouth, the velocity with which they “fork” down the rice is certainly
surprising. They handle these singular sticks with the greatest ease,
picking up whatever they wish, and conveying it to the mouth.
The principal food of the Chinese consists of rice, vegetables, and
fruit—eating little or no meat. The tea which our hostess had the
kindness to pass us was of a most excellent flavor. They drink no tea
but black, that being their favorite. It is very different from any we
ever drank in America, having a much better flavor. After thanking
the lady for her kindness, we took our leave, strolling into the “Josh
house,” or temple of worship.
This building is of one story, but covers a large area of ground. It
is very fancifully decorated on the outside; and on each side of the
entrance is a large sculptured dragon, about twelve or fifteen feet in
height. On coming to the gateway, we found the entrance paved
with smoothly-hewn stone, and, ascending a few steps, we entered
the building. Near the centre of the first room stands, or rather sits,
cross-legged, a great, disagreeable-looking bronze idol. It is from
twenty to thirty feet high; is represented as very fat, with an
immense belly, and laughing, as if very happy. Before him is
suspended a lantern, and in it a dim red light is burning, which is
never permitted to go out. On a table-like altar in front Josh-sticks
were smoking. In front of this table is a large metallic urn for
containing the ashes of the Josh-sticks and offerings. Before the
altar, in a line, are three stools, covered with little mats, for the
19. worshipers to kneel upon. Above, near the roof, is a Chinese
inscription in gilt letters; and each side of a post, extending from the
roof to the floor, is lined with the same kind of characters.
On the right were two other gods, facing toward the left, also in a
sitting posture, the legs being turned out, and the right foot of each
resting on the back of a tortoise. They were about twenty-five or
thirty feet high, and eighteen feet in circumference around their
middle. They were ornamented with bright and various colors, and
gilded and decorated in a profuse manner, appearing more like
theatrical characters than gods. Many smaller figures of the human
form are about the feet of the larger ones, as if paying them
homage. These, also, are richly and handsomely painted, and gilded
in a similar manner. All the gods have shrines, kneeling-stools, and
Josh-sticks placed before them. The first of these gods, on the right
of this room, is represented as a black man, with a huge beard,
wearing a crown, and holding a sword in one hand. This is the god
of war. The other is the god of music, with a complexion light and
delicate, animated features, and regularly trimmed mustaches. He is
playing a guitar, and smaller Chinese figures are playing at his feet.
On the left of the room, facing toward and corresponding with
those on the right, were two other gods of the same size and style,
and seated in the same manner as those on the opposite side of the
hall. One of them had in one hand a dragon’s egg, with the young
dragon just presenting itself, while in its other hand was held,
writhing about the arm, a serpent which he was crushing. The other
god held a flag, and had a very self-conceited expression of
countenance, as if he was a very great character in his own
estimation. These are the gods of vengeance and justice.
We passed through a door in the back part of the room into a
second apartment. This room contains the greatest number of idols,
and is where the principal religious ceremonies are performed. Idols
are arranged all round the room, and there are several in the centre.
As you enter the door, three huge gods, twenty-five feet high,
appear, looking very demurely, with eyes cast downward. Two
20. goddesses, one on each side, stand facing at right angles. They are
all very richly dressed—the goddesses particularly so, having crowns
on their heads. The others have nothing on their heads but a sort of
skull-cap, without a front-piece. The usual amount of vases, Josh-
sticks, etc., were standing around, besides various other things, the
use of which we did not learn. On the left of the altar was a large
iron kettle, used for a drum; and there was also a hollow instrument,
made from a peculiar kind of wood, and in the shape of a large
sleigh-bell, for drumming purposes. Back of all these idols is a
goddess mounted upon an ass, the head of the animal being turned
up toward her, as if braying. The gods around the outside of this
room were in two rows, and were about the size of men, of various
patterns and designs, probably that each worshiper might choose a
god for himself.
While examining matters and things in this room, a female
approached, and, going to a desk or counter that stood in one part
of the room, held a short conversation with a priest who stood there.
She then purchased a bunch of fire-crackers (such as Young America
delights in on Independence days); then advanced to one of the
large idols, kneeled down, bowing her head so that it touched the
stone floor, three times in succession. She then took two sticks or
pieces of wood, resembling oyster-shells, which she held above her
head and let fall. This she repeated, bowing her head to the stone
floor two or three times, taking particular care, however, not to
strike the floor hard enough to break any of the stones, or her head
either. Appearing not to be satisfied, she arose, her countenance
betraying great anguish. Leaving her angry god, she turned to the
goddess, who, she thought, would better understand her feelings,
being a woman like herself, and, with her head bowed again, went
through the same forms. This time, on arising, she appeared more
pleased, and, lighting Josh-sticks, she again commenced, holding
the burning sticks in her hand, advancing to the goddess, then
receding from it, then bowing to the floor, striking the head, etc.,
besides much more that was about as foolish. She then lighted the
crackers, and threw them around in all directions. At last she took a
21. bamboo box of tablets in her hand, shook it till one fell out, with
some Chinese motto on it, which she carried to the priest, who
interpreted it, giving her a corresponding slip of paper, which, we
suppose, after being burned, entitles her to some thousands of cash
in their spirit-world, or admits her to some great honors and
privileges. Any person, by paying a few cash, can shake the box and
obtain a similar receipt. After chin-chinning the principal god in the
room, she departed.
In all the Chinese houses which we visited Josh-sticks are kept
continually burning, to drive away the evil spirits, and keep them
from harm.
While a part of the ship’s company were on shore enjoying
themselves, the remainder, on board ship, were continually devising
means to “kill time.” On one occasion, Tom W., our old joker, made
his appearance on deck, presenting a most comical figure. He had
on a pair of pants that came within six inches of his ankles, with a
narrow piece of leather passing around the bottom of his feet for
straps; a coat with the waist between his shoulders, and the skirts
trailing the decks; the whole surmounted by a tall, bell-crowned hat,
with narrow rim. About his neck was suspended a boatswain’s
whistle. Rigged out in this style, he mounted the “hurricane deck,”
and commenced pacing to and fro with great dignity. On board the
“Susquehanna” they were exercising the men in loosing and furling
the sails, and every time the whistle of the boatswain sounded on
board, Tom replied, imitating them as nearly as possible, and turning
“full front” to the frigate, over whose sides were seen sundry heads,
peering at the whaler to see what could be the matter. To all this,
however, Tom paid no attention, but continued his dignified strut,
interspersing his walk with all manner of “calls” on his boatswain’s
whistle. The quarter-master of the frigate now leveled his glass at
the whaler’s “boatswain,” and took a long squint. Perceiving this,
Tom called for his glass, and one of the boys passed him a
handspike. Bringing it to bear, he “squinted” in return at the quarter-
master; then would take a turn or two fore and aft the deck, give a
shrill whistle, and again level his “glass.” By this time most of the
22. officers of the “Susquehanna” were gathered on the quarter-deck of
that vessel, staring at us, and probably thinking all hands drunk or
crazy. Tom, who knew how far to carry the joke, now came down
from his elevated position.
The sails having been loosed to dry during the day, toward
evening the watch were sent up to furl them. Every thing in
readiness, Tom’s whistle sounded, all hands sprang into the rigging,
and mounted aloft. The sail was rolled on the yard at the sound of
the whistle; the men descended from aloft, and mounted, furled a
second, then a third sail, and so on through the whole programme:
all was done at the sound of the boatswain’s whistle. This
proceeding “astonished the natives;” the officers and crews of the
several men-of-war and other vessels gazing at the new “wrinkle,”
and systematic style of performing work on board a Yankee sperm
whaler!
Notwithstanding the fact that numerous naval vessels belonging to
the United States, England, and France are nearly all the time on
this station, yet the coast and Canton River swarm with Chinese
pirates. The government of China, also, has an armed junk,
mounting twelve guns, stationed on the coast, for the ostensible
purpose of protecting commerce; but it is pretty strongly believed
that this Chinese man-of-war not only winks at the piracies
committed, but is not backward about running up the black flag
herself on certain occasions. About the time we arrived at Hong
Kong, a brig bound to some part of the East Indies was overhauled,
before she was clear of the bay, by a number of fishing-junks, as
they professed to call themselves, and, after massacring nearly all
the crew, and wounding the remainder—leaving them dead, as they
supposed—they rifled the brig, taking away every thing they found
of any value. The next morning she was found in this disabled
condition by the Chinese man-of-war, who took her in tow, and
brought her into port. One of the English men-of-war immediately
got under weigh, and, after cruising among the various islands a few
days, overhauled some of the junks and brought them in. The
prisoners were immediately taken ashore and tried; several were
23. hung, and the remainder imprisoned at hard labor for the remainder
of their lives.
We had heard much of the Chinese theatre, or Sing Song, as they
term it, and concluded we would pay it a visit. The building, which is
a temporary erection, is very large, built of bamboo, and capable of
containing four or five thousand persons. The gallery is large and
commodious, it being built for the accommodation of the “fan-qui-
loo” (foreign devils). The Celestials occupy the pit, and, there being
no seats, they are compelled to stand. To see such a mass of heads,
“all shaven and shorn,” in one compact space, swaying to and fro,
and hear the continual buzz of their voices, is really amusing. And
then to watch them as a policeman goes through the crowd, semi-
occasionally bringing his short club down upon the bare heads of the
Chinese, just heavy enough to make them sing out “Hi-yar-r-h! how
can do? no proper.” Still, they make room for him, not caring to
receive a second whack. After looking at the crowd below us, and
wondering where they all came from, until we became somewhat
restless, we were fairly startled by a most frightful, horrible din.
Gongs, bells, and sundry other equally harmonious instruments were
made visible, and the “orchestra” were beating and playing them as
if each were paid according to the amount of noise he made, and
was determined to win. This horrible music, as they termed it,
appeared to increase, until we were obliged to stop our ears with
our fingers, to prevent being entirely deafened. However, it ceased
as suddenly as it commenced, and the performers made their
appearance, dressed in the richest Chinese style. Alter going through
a sort of pantomime, which lasted about half an hour, a couple of
them, who appeared to be leaders of the different parties, jabbered
away at each other in Chinese, and finally commenced a regular
fight, which soon became general, all hands “pitching in” in the most
scientific Chinese manner. Fire-crackers were burned, gongs
sounded, and other warlike demonstrations generally were gone
through with, until one of the parties, having killed their opponents,
now dragged them from the stage. This was followed by other
scenes equally interesting to those who could understand nothing
24. that was said. The performances closed by acrobatic feats, which
were equal, if not superior, to any we ever saw. We can only sum up
the whole by saying the crowd was immense, the performance
nonsensical, and the music horrible.
The Chinese method of erecting stone buildings is very singular;
and, although it shows the inferiority of the Celestials to the “outside
barbarians,” still it is very ingenious. A perpendicular bamboo wall is
first built as a guide, and the stones are then laid inside and against
it till the walls are complete. One would naturally think that they
could lay the stone wall as perpendicular as they could build the
bamboo, yet we were assured they could not. We noticed a fine
building in process of erection—a masonic temple. This building was
for the use of a lodge working under a charter from England, and
composed of English and American residents.
We were rejoiced to learn that a “Bethel” had been established in
Hong Kong, and we gladly accepted the opportunity given us of
attending it. It is a floating “Bethel,” and seems especially adapted to
the wants of seamen, who feel much more “at home” there than
inside brick walls. The chaplain appeared to be an excellent, earnest,
kind man, devoted to the cause in which he was engaged. We were
pleased to notice the quiet deportment and strict attention paid to
the remarks by the seamen in attendance.
We had now been in Hong Kong several weeks, and it was time for
the “old man” to think of deep water again. Accordingly, on Tuesday,
February 28th, we commenced preparations for sea—for our last
cruise. Our provisions, water and all, were on board, and all that was
wanting was the word, and the anchor would soon be apeak. A little
incident transpired, however, which served to detain us a day longer.
Several Chinese merchants were on board, showing their goods and
doing their best endeavors to effect sales. They knew, from seeing
the “Blue Peter” at the fore, that we were to sail on that day, and
they were off in great numbers in consequence. Among the rest
were several shoemakers, who appeared determined to sell. After a
good deal of bargaining and bantering, the chief mate ordered all to
25. leave instanter. In collecting their shoes preparatory to leaving, one
of them discovered, or supposed he discovered, a pair missing, for
which he had received no pay. This put him in a great rage, and he
left muttering vengeance on the “’parme whaler,” as he termed it. He
soon returned, however, accompanied by a policeman, who
explained what he came for. The Chinaman charged one of the crew
with stealing them, whose chest was immediately searched, but no
shoes were found. There was now no remedy but the man must go
on shore before a magistrate. In company with the chief mate, the
man proceeded to the magistrate’s office, where the Chinaman was
called upon to make his statement. After having sworn him as to the
truth of it, the prisoner was put upon the witness’ stand and sworn.
On being asked if he saw the Chinaman on board the ship with
shoes for sale, he answered “yes.”
“Did you take any of those shoes unlawfully?” was the next
question.
“No, sir,” was the answer.
“Did you see any person take any shoes unlawfully from the
plaintiff?”
“No, sir.”
The magistrate now turned to the Celestial, and sternly remarked:
“Look here, John Chinaman, if you ever come before me again with
such a story, I will send you to the ‘lock-up’ for two years,” and then
dismissed the case.
The following day, March 1st, we took our anchor from China soil,
bade adieu to Hong Kong, and with light hearts made sail for Japan.
The pilot remained with us until the day following, when we took
leave of him with three hearty cheers, with three more for a “lucky
cruise.”
27. CHAPTER XXVI.
Fishing Junks.—New Companions.—Stove Boat, yet good Luck.—Heavy Gales.—
Bashee Islands.—Loo Choos.—The “Reaper” again.—Whaling Ship “Jireh
Perry.”—Ship “Alabama.”—“Gamming.”—Ship “Roscoe.”—A Cure for
“Bruisers.”—Ship “E. L. B. Jenney.”—Bark “Empress.”—Ormsby’s Peak.—Bonin
Islands.—Turtles.—Peel’s Island.—A narrow Escape.—Bonin Island Inhabitants.—
Japan Expedition.—An old Shipmate.—Another Runaway.—Fourth of July
Celebration.—Ship “Rambler.”—Ship “Hope.”—Parting with an old Friend.—
Fishing.—The last Lowering.—Bound for the Sandwich Islands.—Maui and
Molokai.—Lahaina.—Anchor down.—Description of Lahaina.—King’s Palace.—
Lahainaluna.—Rules and Regulations.—Sports and Pastimes.—Letters from Home.
—Productions of Maui.—Captain M‘Culloch.—Sad News.—Death of Stoddard.—
Voracity of the Shark.—Kanaka Church.—Small-pox.
Thursday morning, March 3d, saw us clear of the land, with no
wind, and enveloped in a thick fog. At noon the fog commenced
rising, and as it continued slowly, exposed to our view a swarm of
fishing junks. This did not create a very pleasant feeling in our
midst, as we well knew that many of the so-called fishing junks were
only pirates in disguise. One of them sent a boat with some fish,
which we purchased, and then sent him off, as we did not like his
appearance. It was still calm, and all hands were “whistling for a
breeze,” which soon came, and before evening we were bowling it
off at the rate of nine knots.
We had forgotten to mention that while in port we shipped two
men, an officer and a boat-steerer. The officer, Mr. M., was a windy,
braggadocio fellow, not over-stocked with common sense, whom all
hands learned soon to hate and despise. The other, Davy, the boat-
steerer, was a Frenchman, a very quiet, easy fellow, not at all
inclined to kill himself with hard work.
We had been but a few days from port, and while yet in the China
Sea, when the glad cry was heard, “T-h-e-r-e she b-l-o-w-s.” As this
was our last cruise, it can be easily imagined how “eager for the
28. fray” we were. Down went the boats, the men following, feeling
decidedly fishy. The larboard and starboard boats soon fastened,
and killed their whales with but little trouble; but not so with the
bow boat. Our new officer must needs “show off” his skill, and, after
fastening to his whale, drove the boat completely on to him, when
he turned, and commenced very coolly chewing the boat to pieces.
This was very unfortunate, as the waist boat, which was nearly up to
a fourth whale, was necessarily obliged to go to the relief of the
stove boat. The wounded whale fortunately received the harpoon in
a vital part, and soon “turned up,” so that we got three whales,
which was not a bad commencement for the cruise.
We now experienced very heavy gales of wind—what seamen call
the “tail end” of a typhoon. It came upon us at first unawares, and
we were near losing all our sails and spars, which would have
rendered us a complete wreck. For an hour or two the wind would
blow with tremendous force—it appeared that every thing must give
way; and then a calm of an hour or two would occur, the sea now
rolling and pitching in great fury. This weather lasted for two or
three days; and when pleasant weather again broke upon us, never
was it more welcome. We now sighted the northern islands of the
Bashee group, and it was with difficulty that we kept clear of them.
On Thursday, March 24th, we sighted the southernmost island of
the Loo Choo group, belonging to the Japan government. These
islands possessed a peculiar interest to us at this time, as
Commodore Perry was then on his celebrated expedition to Japan,
and it was expected he would visit the Loo Choos about this time.
Twice during our voyage had death visited us, and taken from us
officers and shipmates. Again he came, and on this occasion visited
the forecastle, taking with him one of our Roratongo natives. He
died on Monday, April 12th, of consumption. When he left his native
island he was troubled with a severe cough, which grew worse
rather than better, until his condition was one past all hope. While in
Hong Kong he was placed in the hospital, and every thing that
medical skill could do to effect a cure was resorted to, but all in vain.
29. The captain endeavored to persuade him to remain there, promising
to leave him so situated that he would be as comfortable as possible
while he lived; but this he would not consent to. He said he did not
wish to remain there and die among strangers, but would rather be
with those with whom he had lately lived—those who were his
acquaintances, and among his native friends. Every thing that could
be done by captain, officers, and crew to make his last days
comfortable and happy, was done. But the time drew near when he
was to depart. Death already stood at his bedside, awaiting the
summons to convey him over the dark river. Calling his Kanaka
friends about him, whose tears flowed fast and full, he gave them
sundry messages to his parents, brothers, and sisters; told them to
say to all he died a Christian, firm in the faith of a redeeming Savior;
and that, although his body might be buried in the depths of the
dark blue sea, yet his soul would ascend to that glorious home
above, which his Savior had “prepared for all those who love him.”
He exhorted us all, in as strong a voice as his weak nature would
permit, to prepare for death, for death would as surely come to us
as to him. Requesting his native friends to sing, in their language,
his favorite “missionary hymn,” as he termed it, “Oh! that will be
joyful, joyful, joyful,” etc., he quietly dropped asleep in death.
What a lesson was here taught us nominal Christians by this poor
native! An inhabitant of an island but a few years since barbarous,
dying strong in the faith of a blessed immortality beyond the grave.
If all the missionaries who have left their homes to labor for the
spread of the Gospel among the heathen had accomplished no
more, through Christ, than the salvation of this one native, yet were
they well repaid. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole
world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange
for his soul?”
At four P.M. all sail was taken in, the ensign half-mast, and again
were all hands called to “witness burial service.” After the usual
ceremonies, which were very affecting, the plank was raised, and
the body committed to the deep.
30. Reader, when you die, it will be, we trust, in the Sabbath calm of
your hushed chamber; but the poor sailor dies at sea, between the
narrow decks of his rolling home. The last accents that reach your
ear will be those of love and affection, such as alone flow from a
mother’s heart and a sister dear; the last sounds that reach the
dying sailor’s ear are the hoarse murmur of that wave which seems
impatient to grasp its victim. You will be buried beneath the green
tree, where love and grief may go to strew their flowers and cherish
your virtues; but the poor sailor is hearsed in the dark depths of the
ocean, there to drift about in its under-currents till the great
judgment day. Alas! for the poor sailor, often the child of misfortune,
impulse, and error, his brief life fraught with privations, hardship,
and peril, his grave, at last, the foaming deep! Though man pity him
not, may God, in his great mercy, remember his weaknesses and
trials, and save him through his Son!
From this time until about the 15th of April we were very
successful, obtaining, in three weeks’ time, about three hundred
barrels of oil. This, with the whales we captured in the China Sea,
increased our store nearly four hundred barrels since leaving Hong
Kong. As a matter of course, all hands, from captain to cook, were in
the best possible humor. This was our last cruise, and “every whale
counted.” We were now steering for the Bonin Islands, to procure
turtle, sweet potatoes, watermelons, etc.
Saturday, April 30th, brought to view a sail on our weather beam,
the clipper whaler “Jireh Perry,” of New Bedford, Captain Lawrence.
This man was a perfect tyrant on board ship, and no crew had ever
sailed with him from home and returned. It was stated, and pretty
generally believed, that he had killed no less than three men since
he had become master of a ship; yet, because he always was
fortunate enough to obtain large quantities of oil, and mean enough
to treat his crew so that they would all desert at the last port
touched at before leaving for home rather than go home in the ship,
thereby leaving all the profits to the owners, he could obtain a ship
of whom he liked.
31. A few days later we spoke the “Alabama,” Captain Coggeshall, who
reported that the day before Captain L., of the “Jireh Perry,” had shot
his cook for some trifling cause.
On Saturday, May 21st, we “gammed” with our old friends of the
“Mohawk.” Probably the reader is unacquainted with the meaning of
the term “gam,” which is peculiar to whalemen alone. It is simply
visiting from one ship to another. When two ships meet, one captain
invites the other to come on board and pass the day. On his arrival
with a boat’s crew, the chief mate of the vessel that has given the
invitation returns with a boat’s crew from his own ship to the
stranger, thus leaving the two captains on one ship, and the two
mates on the other, and exchanging boat’s crews. The first salute
generally is, “How are you, shipmate? how long are you out? how
much oil have you got? what part of the States are you from?” But a
short time elapses before all hands are acquainted; the visitors are
invited into the forecastle, where some time is spent in spinning
yarns. After a short general conversation, the song is called for, and
some one, generally the singer of the ship, leads off, singing some
love-ditty, pirate, or sailor song, all hands joining in the chorus, and
making the welkin ring. The song goes round, and he who can not
sing must spin a yarn; all must contribute to the general
amusement. The day passes pleasantly away, all labor being
suspended except the look-out for whales and sailing the ship. These
“gams” are to the sailor moments of recreation, and serve to create
general satisfaction among all hands. During these “gams” whales
are often raised, and the oil secured on the occasion is equally
divided between the two ships, “be the same more or less.”
A queer genius was Captain Hayden, of the “Roscoe.” Meeting him
about the 1st of June, Captain Ewer invited him on board. On
crossing the “Roscoe’s” stern, we observed that Captain H. had his
right arm in a sling. Fears were expressed that he had injured
himself in some manner. His head also was bound up in a
handkerchief. Coming alongside, the man-rope was swung to him,
and he came up the ship’s side with one hand, keeping the other in
the sling. After congratulations had been exchanged, Captain E.
32. anxiously inquired what was the matter with his arm, “hoping he had
not injured it severely, or broken any bones.” Captain H. replied, his
countenance as grave as a judge, that “he had been at work very
hard during the day, and his arm being somewhat tired, he was
merely resting it!” Captain E. replied that he might have suspected
some trick of that kind, and asked him “what was the matter with
his head; if that had been hard at work also?” He pulled off the
handkerchief which bound it, and exposed a completely bald head;
making the remark that “he had not seen a whale for two months,
and he had shaved his head, and should keep it so, until he took one
hundred barrels of oil.” After passing a very pleasant day and
evening they departed. We now shaped our course for the Bonin
Islands.
It is sometimes the case that disputes arise among the foremast
hands, and, instead of settling the matter in an amicable manner,
resort is often had to blows. An instance of this kind occurring about
this time, and reaching the captain’s ears, the disputants were called
aft, and each were furnished with a rope, and ordered to flog one
another until he told them to stop. This novel mode of settling the
affair they did not relish, yet obey they must, and at it they went.
After belaboring each other to their hearts’ content, they were
ordered to cease, and went forward rather ashamed of themselves.
We saw the “E. L. B. Jenny,” of Fairhaven, Captain Marsh, on
Friday, June 10th. They had taken, a few days previous, a whale
which “stowed down” upward of one hundred and thirty barrels.
Such whales are very “few and far between.”
On Wednesday, June 15th, we raised a strange sail to leeward.
Running down to her, we found it to be the bark “Empress,” a
Peruvian merchantman, from Cumsingmoon, China, to Callao, with
four hundred Chinese coolies on board, bound to the mines in Peru.
This system of deception is equaled only by the African slave-trade.
The Chinese (who are generally of the lower classes) are allured, by
flattering inducements, to go to California, or some other equally
rich country, where, they are told, they will become rich in a few
33. years, and can return to their own country. As soon as they get them
on shipboard, a guard is stationed over them, with orders to shoot
down the first one that shows any signs of resistance. Being kept
such close prisoners, and on the coarsest food, they are naturally
joyous at the sight of land, and leave the vessel with glad hearts,
only to enter the slavery of the Peruvian mines. This species of
slave-trade is, like the African slave-trade in our own land, forbidden
by the laws of the country, but secretly connived and winked at.
“Ormsby’s Peak,” of which we give a sketch taken on shipboard,
we saw on Saturday, June 18th. It rises about two hundred feet
above the level of the ocean, and has no shallow shores around it.
Soundings can not be obtained close to the rock. It is one of nature’s
great curiosities.
On Thursday, June 23d, we first raised the Bonin Islands,
consisting of Perry’s Group, Peel’s and Bailey’s Islands. We here
caught a green turtle, who was asleep upon the water. We soon had
him in our coppers, making turtle-soup for all hands.
The morning of Monday, June 27th, saw us close in to Peel’s
Island. This island presents a fine appearance from the sea, the land
being moderately high, and thickly covered with verdure. On the
west side is a fine harbor with good anchorage, and very convenient
for ships wishing to water. About 9 A.M. the wind died away, leaving
it a dead, dull calm, and the current slowly drifted us toward the
northern point of the island. As we neared the land destruction
appeared almost inevitable, and we feared that the voyage of the
“Emily Morgan” was about being brought to a sudden termination,
leaving her bones to bleach upon the rocks. But an overruling
Providence held all in His hands, and, when within a stone’s throw of
the shore, we struck a westerly current, which swept us clear of the
point.
34. ORMSBY’S PEAK.
It still continued calm until Wednesday the 29th. During that day a
breeze sprang up, and we again made the land. Captain E. and a
boat’s crew had been on shore two days, in consequence of our
drifting away from the land. They came off on this day, bringing with
them some sweet potatoes and two fine large turtle. But very few
35. persons reside on these islands—some twelve or fifteen. Mr. Savory,
the oldest inhabitant, came to Peel’s Island in 1812, and has never
left it. All living on the island are English or American. Irish and
sweet potatoes, corn, melons, onions, and nearly all kinds of
vegetables, are raised with the greatest ease. Oranges and pine-
apples are of spontaneous growth, and abundant. Green turtle, also,
are found here in great numbers, and easily procured.
The expedition to Japan, under Commodore Perry, paid this island
a visit, and the commodore was very strongly impressed with the
idea of making it a naval and coal dépôt for vessels plying between
San Francisco, Australia, and Hong Kong; so much so that he took
possession of a portion of it (with the consent and approbation of
the inhabitants), and sent on shore three men, with agricultural
implements, seeds, live-stock, etc., to experiment, while he
proceeded to the Loo Choos, and to await his return.
The reader will doubtless recollect one “John Wilds,” who sailed
with us a short time during the first part of the voyage, and who left
to go to the gold mines in Australia. What was our surprise to find
him living on Peel’s Island. He informed us that, finding it rather
hard digging in Australia, he shipped for Hong Kong, where he
joined a whaler. Serving a short season in her, he left, and had since
resided on Peel’s Island, raising vegetables, and catching turtle for
ships. He had thrown aside the profession of sailor, and had become
a merchant.
While all hands were busily engaged, from ship to shore, and
shore to ship, laying in a stock of vegetables and turtle for our last
cruise, one of our men became so enamored with Peel’s Island that
he concluded to take French leave. Accordingly, while on shore, he
took to his heels and made off. The officer in charge of the boat
gave chase, but the man was too nimble for him, and he was soon
out of sight. Foolish fellow! he was the loser some four hundred
dollars by the operation, and in a few months later lost his life,
having been capsized in a boat and drowned.
36. We now come to the last anniversary of our nation’s birthday that
we were destined to spend together in our ocean home, and we
resolved that it should be a merry one. All unnecessary work was
suspended; the doctor was ordered to serve up his best dishes for
the occasion, and all hands went in for a merry time—a celebration
on our own hook. During the morning a national salute was fired,
the glorious stars and stripes floating proudly at our mizzen peak the
mean while. At twelve dinner was announced. The bill of fare, as
presented by the doctor, was turtle soup, boiled turtle, fried turtle,
and turtle in every conceivable way; sweet potatoes; cakes; pies;
custards; turtle eggs, fried and boiled; plum duff, etc., etc.—the
whole forming a repast that Jack seldom sits down to. All hands did
ample justice to the dinner, which the old darkey cook received as a
great compliment. “I tought,” said he, “I fix dinner for you dis foufh
July just suit you, and I been gone done it.” We now postponed
further proceedings until evening. Among other good things, the
steward had brewed a barrel of excellent small beer for the occasion
from sweet potatoes and hops. And now the watch had been set;
none on deck save the man at the wheel and the officer pacing his
rounds. Forward were all hands in the forecastle, which was
brilliantly illuminated by the real spermaceti—the spoils of our own
hard-fought battles—each one seated with his pot of beer before
him. The song was called for; and “Hail Columbia!” was sung by
Yankees, Englishmen, Frenchmen, Spaniards, Portuguese, and
Kanakas, as never sung before. Patriotic speeches followed, and the
sentiment of devotion to our country was toasted: “three times
three,” with a will, was given for the “land of the free and the home
of the brave.” The Kanakas and Portuguese, although not
understanding the “merits of the case,” entered into the sport with a
hearty good-will, drinking their small-beer, occasionally exclaiming,
“Hurra Fourth July! very good; I like s’pose he come every day.” And
thus our last Fourth of July in a whaler passed. Although not making
as much of a “splurge” as did many patriots on that day, yet our
hearts beat as true, and expressed as much devotion to our country.
37. From this time our good fortune, that had followed us during the
cruise so far, appeared to gain. During the next thirty days we
captured nearly three hundred barrels of oil, which was in itself a
good season’s work. Fortune had at last crowned our efforts with
success, and each day, as it passed, would hear some one exclaim,
“One day less on board the old hooker!”
Nothing of peculiar interest transpired further during the cruise
except an occasional meeting with a brother whaleman. We were all
the time working our way to the eastward, preparatory to leaving
the ground in September. On Tuesday, August 4th, spoke the
“Rambler,” of Nantucket, Captain Potter. Soon after parting company,
we lowered our boats and captured two large whales, they yielding
us about one hundred and sixty barrels of oil. On the 25th of the
same month we gammed with the “Hope,” of New Bedford, Captain
Gifford. We found him quite ill, and hardly able to walk the deck; yet
in this same feeble condition, a few days previous, when whales
were raised, he had been placed in his boat, bolstered up with
pillows, and actually captured a large whale. Nothing, he said, but
his anxiety to get a good voyage induced him to do so.
The following day we again gammed with our old friends of the
“Roscoe.” It will be remembered that we had with us a Kanaka from
Simpson’s Island, whom we called “Dick Simpson.” As he did not
wish to go to America, the captain told him that he might go into the
first ship that we met that would take him to his island. An
opportunity now presented itself in the “Roscoe,” and Dick availed
himself of it. The captain gave him his discharge, and paid him in
tobacco, pipes, calico, trinkets, etc.—the currency of “his land”—and
Dick prepared to leave us. Nearly every one of the crew made him
some present as a token of affection, for we all loved good-natured,
obliging Dick Simpson. What if his skin was of a dingy hue, he had a
brave, good heart, as we all could testify, and we could see that
heart was heavy as he bade us each an adieu. The “pumps” of more
than one warm-hearted sailor were “set going” on that occasion, but
none were ashamed of them. Neither was he soon forgotten, but
long remembered by us all.
38. We now, for a few days, turned our attention to fishing on a
somewhat different scale than we had been. It is a peculiarity of the
Japan sperm-whale fishing-ground that ships are surrounded nearly
the whole season by albicore and bonita. These fish are easily
caught in the following manner: the fisherman seats himself upon
the weather rail, first provided with a line and hook, the bait
consisting of a small piece of white rag. This is fastened to the back
of the hook in a peculiar manner, so as to resemble a pair of wings
as much as possible. Then skimming the hook thus baited along the
surface of the water as the ship goes through it, the foolish albicore
or bonita sees it, and, thinking to make a meal off some unlucky
flying-fish, makes a leap for it, and finds himself immediately landed
upon deck. Often have we sat thus, and hauled them in as fast as
we could drop the line and disengage the hook. As we before
remarked, all hands, for two or three days, turned our attention to
this kind of fishing, and we soon had about fifty barrels of them
cleaned and salted for “liberty money” in the Sandwich Islands: they
there command the highest price.
As there must be a “first time for every thing,” so, we suppose,
there must be a “last time” also. We had had our “first lowering,”
and the time had now arrived when, we hoped, we were to have our
“last.” The captain had informed us that, “just as soon as we got one
hundred and fifty barrels more, we could sing ‘Homeward Bound.’”
No one was dull now at masthead; all eyes were open; and the
mastheads were double manned with volunteers every day. Not long
was it to be before our wishes were gratified. On the morning of
Friday, September 2, at about 8 o’clock, the old cry—never before so
welcome—“T-h-e-r-e s-h-e b-l-o-w-s!” broke forth. The excitement
that ensued beggars description. The day was beautiful; the whales
were to leeward; and a nice breeze was sending us slowly through
the water. Every circumstance was in our favor. The men knew the
conditions of our being able to soon point our ship’s head
homeward. We were now nearly four years from home. Many of us
had heard no word—not even a word—from the dear friends we left
behind. Every man looked “whale” as he stepped into the boat, and
39. our young fourth mate—a
boy in years, but a man in
soul—said to his crew as he
left the ship, “Boys, you
need not expect to put foot
upon the Emily’s decks
again till we have drawn
the claret from one of those
fellows.” And they did not.
In less than two hours after
lowering, two more of the
leviathans of the deep had
ceased to live. They were
brought alongside and
secured. The captain now
called all hands aft, and
complimented them upon
the day’s success, proposed
three cheers, which were
given, and which made the
old ship ring again: “And now,” said he, “let us have their jackets in
on deck as soon as possible.”
The following Wednesday we stowed down the oil, and found we
had one hundred and sixty barrels, ten more than we asked for, but
which was “good for leeway.” The ship’s head was now pointed
toward the Sandwich Islands, with all sail, every stitch we could
carry, crowded upon her. Joy now reigned throughout the ship.
On Monday, October 10th, we sighted the islands of Maui and
Molokai. The weather was thick and squally, and we stood off and
on the land that night, and the following day steered down the
passage between the two islands. At noon we came in sight of the
anchorage and shipping, but, the wind dying away to a calm, we
were not able to come to an anchor until 4 P.M. of the next day,
Wednesday. It was hard to bear, lying in a calm, in sight of the
anchorage, for twenty-four hours; but we had to submit. But we
40. finally dropped our anchor, for the last time on foreign soil, in the
harbor of Lahaina, island of Maui.
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
41. LAHAINA.
Strictly speaking, there is no harbor at this island. The anchorage
is merely a roadstead, which is on the south side of it, and protects
the shipping from the northerly gales, which are the most prevalent.
In case of a sou’easter, however, ships must put to sea or be driven
on the reef. We found about seventy sail at anchor, about sixty-five
of them American whalemen.
As soon as the anchor was down we were visited by the harbor-
master, accompanied by the seamen’s chaplain, Rev. Mr. Bishop.
After the former had transacted his business, the latter addressed to
us some very excellent remarks, distributed several copies of the
“Seamen’s Friend,” and concluded by cordially inviting all to come
and see him; also to attend Bethel on the Sabbath. The “Seamen’s
Friend” is a sheet published at Honolulu, Wauhoo, by Father Damon,
as he is familiarly called, and is devoted to the spiritual and temporal
good of the sailor.
The town of Lahaina (pronounced Lahena) is beautifully situated
on the level land skirting the sea, and extends along the shore a
42. distance of two miles. Back from the shore it reaches to the foot of
the mountains, thus lying hemmed in, as it were, by the sea in front
and the mountains in the rear. The streets are lined with beautiful
shade-trees on either side, which, in the hot weather, afford a cool
and delicious retreat. The reef extends the whole length of the town,
about forty rods from shore, and, but for a small opening or break in
it, boats would be unable to land. In times of a southerly gale the
breakers extend across this passage, and then it is extremely difficult
and dangerous to go through. Many seamen have lost their lives in
attempting to go through the passage at such times.
Immediately in front of the landing is a large fort, built of coral
rock, yet not very formidable in its appearance. The black guns
which peer over the dingy walls are of small calibre, and not capable
of doing much execution. The site is a most excellent one, as the
whole shipping lies within its range. It is guarded by a portion of the
Hawaiian army, who look malicious enough, though not much like
militia. They have very little of the air and appearance of soldiers.
The main or principal street runs nearly east and west, and on it
are situated the public stores, and most of the residences of the
foreign population. We found, also, a large and commodious hotel
on the north side of this street, the front commanding a view of the
shipping, and the sides and back surrounded by a beautiful grove,
altogether one of the most beautiful and lovely spots imaginable.
This hotel is frequented by captains and officers of the various ships
in port.
On the first street in the rear of the one above mentioned stands a
native church. It is under the direction of American missionaries.
Rambling about in search of something new, we accidentally came
to a “Seamen’s Reading-room,” in the basement of the Bethel
Church. Here we found late papers from all parts of the Union, and
were soon lost to every thing but them. As evening drew nigh, it
warned us that we must depart, but with more of a home feeling
than we had experienced for years. This reading-room is supported
by voluntary contributions from seamen visiting Lahaina, and is
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