Lot 2515
Hawaii, 1849-1853 Whaling correspondence including one from Maui, group of four letters from whaler comprising two 1849 letters from New Bedford, 1853 from Hong Kong, and 1853 from Maui with some interesting content, "Ship Emily Morgan, Sandwich Islands, Maui, Oct. 1853, Dear Parents, I again write you from this place. Since last writing from Hong Kong we have taken near _ bbls and at _ present 1800 sperm and am now preparing for home and shall probably be in New Bedford next May or the first of June…I have learned the value of time and although these 4 years & better may seem to you as completely thrown away yet I assure you I have made a fortune, not in silver and gold but in Experience. I have learned a lesson - at a dear price it is true - But I have learned the value of time, of meaning of true friends, etc., Feb. 1853 letter datelined "On board Ship Emily Morgan, Port of Hong Kong. China, Feby. 1853" and reading in part "My dear parents, when I last wrote you stated we should go to Sydney, N.S.W. But learning bad accounts from that region in regard to the gold mines and the description of ships crews…On the 4th of Decr. last we buried Mr. Lowe, our 2nd mate. He was from Auburn N.Y. About one year since he was taken with the Diarrhea, tried all remedies that could be procured but failed…He was buried…with the impressive service of a sea burial. He was an excellent officer and a king and obliging shipmate…"where sorrow is never known but where joy and harmony shall reign forever." On the 15th of Dec. last made Pleasant Island in company with Ship Roscoe of N.B. - and learned the Brig Inga of New Bedford Capt. Barnes was cut off by the natives. The Capt. and all of the crew but two are supposed to have been murdered. This took place on the 6th of Dec. It has been customary for ships to allow the natives to come on board and bring their trade. In this manner they boarded the Brig and since had possession they then rifled her and attempted to scuttle her but failed. The wind and current being against them they abandoned her and she drifted off. It is not known whether any person was left on board alive. At the time of receiving this information our decks were crowded. It was estimated that some 3 or 400 on board. A white man living on the Island told the Capt. the natives had come on board to take us and advised him to get fire arms ready. Accordingly muskets were loaded, boarding knives, revolvers, etc. were out in order…This man then told the natives; we were too well purposed for them to undertake anything. However, they debated a long time over it and glanced wistfully at the Spades overhead and had made up their minds to continue operations when the lookout sang out "Sail Ho"…This frightened the natives and they left for shore. We took the two white men from the Island to save their lives, the two from the Brig were detained ashore as prisoners, much to our joy and satisfaction we had clean desks once more. Our escape is considered by all as providential…There is a great necessity for use of our naval vessels in this region of the World (King Null Group) for since we have been cruising about here some 30 or 40 whites have been killed by the natives and 2 or 3 ships taken - a short time since the crew of the Brig Thomas Pence (all natives) of San Francisco mutinized and killed the Capt. (Capt. Isaac Hussey of Nantucket), steward & cook, also seventy wounded 1st and 2nd mates - The mutineers went ashore at Sydney Harens Is. - on of the group - Also at Covils Isl.,a few degrees to the northward a California schooner was cut off by the natives and all hands were murdered…I am [happy] to learn, before long, that all these Group natives have been taught a severe lesson…"; some age spots, Fine.Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A FASCINATING GROUP OF WHALING LETTERS DESCRIBING THE PERILS OF THE HIGH SEAS.
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Realized: $1,800