Jacob Strong, Whaling Log of the Henry, 1845-1846

Sunday November the 9th 1845 AM strong breeze from south west Raised a sail at half past 8 o'clock this morning at the windward of us She ran down to us and gamed with us PM wind the same steering by the wind at half past 5 Oclock we raised a gam of sperm whales This ship belonged at holmes hole martha's Vineyard 3 months out taken 80 bbs sperm whale sent it home it was the Delphos Capt West Capt Brown was on board the Delphos with one of our boats crew and the Mate on board of us We raised the whale and lowered for them and Capt Brown and 3 boats from the Delphos lowered just after One of their boats struck one of them but it was too dark to do anything so ends this 24 hours Lat Long

Monday Nov the 10 AM strong wind from the NNE Steering by the wind raised a gam of sperm whales between 10 and 11 Oclock lowered all three boats and after a pull of an hour and a half we returned we did not succeed in getting any of them PM wind the same with light rain Raised more whale but did not lower for them Larboard watch took a porpoise after 8 o'clock so ends these 24 hours Lat and Longitude not taken

Tuesday Nov th 11 1845 AM Strong wind from NNE blowing almost a gale topgalant sails all furled and Topsails under close Reef mainsail furled runing[sic] before the wind Steering east by south rugged Weather nothing in sight PM the same took another right whale porpus this night at six Oclock So ends these 24 hours Lat Long

Wednesday Nov th 12 AM light winds and moderate Weather steering east by South PM the same nothing in sight Took another porpus at 7 O clock So ends these tewnty four hours Lat Long

Thursday th 13 1845 AM whole sail breese steering by The wind engaged in mending sail took fly gib and stowed it away bent an Old one Nothing in sight PM the same So ends these 24 hours Lat Long

Friday th 14 1845 AM winds ESE Strong Breese and passing clouds Sail at the leewd [leeward?] of us blows from fin bucks[?] PM the same with stormy winds so ends these 24 hours Lat 36 South Crossed the Meridian to day, 27 east[?] Longitude

Saturday November the 15 AM winds South West Strong Breese and squalls steering by the wind Raised blows 2/i[?] miles off weather bow PM the same continues squally Again nothing of importance So ends these 24 hours Lat 3 50 Long

Sunday th 16 1845 AM Strong wind from S S west Rugged squally weathern nothing in sight steering by the wind PM the same continued squally through the night with rain So ends these 24 hours Lat Long

Monday the 17 1845 AM light whole sail breese from south west moderate weather Sterring by the woind Nothing in Sight almost calm setting up [ri.......l?] PM the same Lat Long

Tuesday 18 1845 AM light wing and fair weather PM the same wind SS West So ends the 24 hours Lat Long

Wednesday th 19 1845 AM winds S S west moderate weather raised 2 whales lowered away put chase to them but did not get any of them

AM, pleasant weather John Enos aloft raised right whale. We squared yards hauled up main tush[?][TACK] layed back from them in about 15 minutes Lowered away all 3 boats and crews. Capt Brown's boat went ahead after pulling some distance we fleeted Oars hoisted our sail and run on to him on where he come up. then Capt. Brown told Williams to give it to him then old bill up with one iron and fastened to him good and solid and darted his second one which did not hit him. after we fastened to him we Went through the water for some distance Like lightning the water flying like For we were obliged to cut our line by its getting foul. then mr Sherman and king fassened to him and lanced him a number of times after which we returned to the ship and got ready for cutting in while the boats held on to the whale and brouht him along Side and we commenced cutting him In and at half past 11 O clock we had him all cut inn[?] we then got our suppers went on deck it was proposed that we Should stand quarters while it being Williams first watch of which I Was one we commenced upon his head cutting out bones and stowing it in the bow until 15 minutes After one O clock then we went below. So ends these 24 hours

Thursday the 20 1845 This day commences with fair weather all hands called at four oclock to make sail after breakfast. started tryworks two men in the blubber room cutting out 2 more at mincing all hands engaged Pleasant weather nothing in sight

Friday the 21 1845 AM pleasant weather nothing in sight Light winds from SW Steering South by East Starting[?] tryworks after noon calm until 8 o'clock when we had a change of weather which increased to a heavy squall of rain and thunder at half past 9 Oclock all hands were called to make[SCRATCHED OUT] shorten sail such reefing topsails main and fore sail furled jib furled Everything all taken in except spanker and main spencer lashed the wheel and let the ship lay to stood quarter watches the rest of that night so ends 24 hours

Saturday 22 of November AM heavy winds and rugged weather Starboard watch called at 6 Oclock to make sail unfurled fore and main topsails took single reef in them set jib and staysail and close reefed mizen topsail two sails in sight at day light at the windward of us we under running close reef fore and main topsail and foresail and fore staysail