James White was a 21 year old farmer from Quincy, MA. In 1849 he sailed from Boston around Cape Horn to San Francisco and the gold diggings of California. In all he spent 6 months at sea and a year in California. I've transcribed his journal and am publishing it here as well as on Amazon/Kindle and Apple/iBooks.
My hobby is transcribing historic, handwritten journals of sea voyages and publishing them as eBooks. I didn't intent it to be just a hobby, but I have only sold 2 copies (and I thank my sisters Cindi and Randi). White was a neat guy with a good story, and it's well worth reading. In order to get somebody to read it, I have decided to publish it here in weekly installments.
White was an intelligent, literate, liberal with important things to say about liberal issues.
Week 1
Boston Jan. 11th 1849
Embarked onboard ship Edward Everett one o'clock P.M. bound for the gold diggings California as one of the Boston and California Mining and Trading Joint Stock Company whose expedition is known to all. The Company consisted of a hundred and fifty men, seamen and all 174. We left the wharf mid cheers of hundreds. Our little band of adventurers seemed all in good spirits and cheered back to their friends on shore with good hearty cheers. The feelings of those on shore probably were that they might have a successful voyage and that they might be successful in their enterprise, but the feelings of the adventurers were of a different character. They thought of home, and all it's pleasures, the many friends they were leaving behind and who on shore were waving their handkerchiefs in token of remembrance, but friends must part.
The ship left the wharf and dropped down the stream about a half mile from shore and came to anchor for the night. All was confusion on board till the time of sailing at 9 o'clock the next day. Little sleep did any one get this night for all were busily engaged in fastening their baggage in case of storms and making other arraignments in case of sickness and for the comfort of all.
We were towed out of the harbor by the steam tug boat R.B. Forbs. She left us below the light (lower light), and we were bounding on the deep with all sail out. The wind died away from the NW. and we were inside of the cape at 6 PM. No wind and going back at that. At last the wind hauled round about 9 o’clock, and it breezed up pretty fresh, and by six the next morning we were 40 miles out from the cape . By this time it blew pretty smart.
Friday continued blowing all day. Wind WSW, fresh. Some of the men began to be sick Saturday. The wind increased, sailing at the rate of eight knots an hour, and clouds showed signs of a storm The wind WSW, the vessel sailing in a south easterly direction.
This day we formed into messes, a capt chosen to each. As everyone was sick in my mess, I took the responsibility as capt. Compare this with home. Four of five of the mess look as though they would have to be shot off the plank in a few days.
Sunday 14th
In the middle of the Gulf Stream, wind WSW and blowing a gale. Yes compare this with home. Four fifths of the Company seasick and miserably sick, and out of five from Quincy all sick but me (I told my folks I should not be Father in particular). Seas washing the deck fore and aft two inches. Between decks, dishes to wash and water to bring for the cook. And what confusion on deck, sails flapping, seas running mountain high, but after all this I am not sick of the sea life, but I admire it so far.
The Capt and Mate are giving off orders in tones of thunder. The good ship under a double reef foresail and mainsail and going like a bird at the rate of 10 knots an hour. The Company look frightened and some of them frightened out of their sea sickness others made worse. If I could have the comforts of home in the Edward Everett, I would not change my place for a King’s.
Got up at 12 o’clock midnight, the ship rolling and tumbling so that I could not sleep. Went on deck. The sea was running mountain high. This to me was awfully sublime. Wind W. The sailors said it was only a half a gale. The ship tossed like a chip on the wave. The water sparkled in the ship’s wake like fire. No mouth can do justice in describing such a scene. The moon every now and them showing it's face to give a more beautifying aspect to the scene. After this I went below and slept soundly till morning.
Monday the 15th
Wind W by N going 9 knots. The wind decreasing across the Gulf Stream. This day drove out all the seasick ones from between decks and had a general clean out and clear up. The wind is quite even in this afternoon. This night we had a regular gale. Storms and squalls being common in this latitude, being about 30ᴼ longitude 62ᴼ. The sails were all set about 11 o'clock. I woke up and such a noise! The sailors working reefing the sails, raising yes a perfect tornado, but I slept it out.
In the morning I went on deck, found the old ship had rode it out. I don't want another such night.
It is Tuesday morning the 16th, and we are near eight hundred miles from Boston. It’s storming very hard. Wind SW. Four days sail, the first day making only about 80 miles. How we have sped it and going now about 9 knots.
Today we had baked beans, and how they let in to them. Every thing tastes good and most of the Company are getting over their sickness. There is about 20 look as though they never would get over it. My mess are all well except the Minister and Mr. Robinson, They are getting along very well. Gave them some rice gruel with raisins in it. Sat down to this chist with my mess. Had beans, salt fish, beef, crackers and cheese. What a bill of fare!
The weather rather bad. The wind keeps up. Another squall is coming. Eight o’cock. Reefing sails and making ready for another such night as last. Thought of home. How the ship pitches. I will get another piece of mother’s cake. I wished I had a barrel.
I am as well equipped as any. Every thing goes on systematically as could be expected in such a blow.
Wednesday the 17th
Thought more of home than ever, but I shall soon wear it off. Last night the wind blew harder than ever. Wind WNW. What a dancing of barrels, boxes and pans. Such a noise would make a landsman think the world was coming to an end. No one can imagine the noise onboard of ship that never experienced it . Got up this morning. Had a decent nights sleep. Found the old ship dashing along at about the same rate with half sail set. Wind NW.
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Of the 150 men in White's company, 120 were less than 30 years old, and the oldest was 49. The Boston and California Mining and Trading Joint Stock Company will pay a high price for this lack of experience when they reach the gold diggings of California.
Week 2 will be published Sunday January 5, 2014.