Ocean life in the old sailing ship days, from forecastle to quarter-deck by Whidden John D. 1832-

Author:Whidden, John D., 1832-
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Voyages and travels, Seafaring life
Publisher: Boston, Little, Brown, and company
Published: 1908-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

with boats hoisted, hanging ready for an emergency. Along the water front on each side of the mole was built a fine sea-wall, in front of which, extending a long way out into the river, were large lumps called " toseas," highly dangerous to a boat getting among them in a seaway.

Our cargo having been discharged, the barque was now put into fine condition as to appearance, painted outside and inside, spars scraped, and everything polished up until she shone like a fiddle, and as she lay with her royal yards across, she much resembled a yacht. It was my intention to sell her if possible, and the consignees were looking out sharp for a customer. In the meantime there was very little to do but enjoy myself.

Horseback riding was the favorite amusement of the captains, among whom was my old friend Captain William Gregory of Marblehead, commanding the barque " Al-bers," and almost every afternoon we took long gallops into the country from ten to fifteen miles, sometimes much farther when we started earlier. This was not only most enjoyable and exhilarating sport, but very inexpensive, horse-flesh being at a low figure. A good horse could be bought for five or ten dollars, and a superb animal for fifteen. Our stay in port on that voyage covering four months, I bought a fine animal the second month for fifteen dollars. I had him fed, and taken care of, and used him almost daily, and on leaving gave him away in payment for his " keep."

One of our most enjoyable excursions was in company with six or eight genial fellows to the estancia of an old German, who kept a sort of tavern for travellers, or parties making him a call from the city for a good dinner, or a bottle of fine old Hock or Moselle, of which he had a large supply in his cool cellars. Leaving Buenos Ayres

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