United States Merchant Marine Academy - Midships Yearbook (Kings Point, NY)

Page 30 text:

I The captains of The Stone Fleet who sacrificed the vessels to stop rebel blockade runners during the Civ War. Epitaphs such as the one on the opposite page pay tribute to those who were lost while persuing the great leviathan. However, many more brave and noble young Americans were lost while away on the distant whaling grounds and their deaths were never commemorated— death by accident being a common thing. Let us pay them their homage long overdue— we recognize you for your noble deeds dear dead and revered whalemen! Never again will you climb the mast to send out your long and quavering cry . . . but do not fear, its echo oft resounds in our hearts. The last skipper of tli. cabin plannini the li of his wife and faniih hcdin seated in the after iiiirso and daydreaming in New Bedford.

Page 29 text:

A sketch portraying life in the forecastle. The crew often engaged themselves in horseplay during their watch be- low to reduce the monotony of cruising quiet waters. The sailmaker busy at work repairing the main canvas of his vessel. In youth, this man was probably a harpooner or boatsteerer. .1P From farms and small towns, young men and boys came to the whaling capitals to engage in a calling of the sea— a calling composed of monotony, drudgery, and moments of acute peril. For 300 years, these men pitted their strength against the mighty whale. Many left their quiet homes never to return— others returned rich and well rewarded for their toils. Still others returned as only parts of men . . . men who roamed our shores as ghosts of what they once were.

Page 31 text:

An early 20th Century harpoon- er checks the edge on his harpoon or fast iron. The harpooner took as much pride in the condition of his irons as he did in his skill. M MemDrji of i£li ©odge Who was killed by a whale, September 4, 1858, off Coast of New Holland Composed at Sea by Henery Gooding He has gone from our gaze, he ' ll never more return, A shipmate we all did revere, We no more of him, our duty will learn. No more with us, will he make cheer. He had perhaps a dear cottage home. Or maybe a sister or a brother, Who knows but a wife, The joy of his life, A child, or a fond loving mother. He was brave in the storm. He was kind in the calm. His duty he done like a man. But now he is free from this world ' s alarms. And safe moor ' d in the Spirit Land. He oftimes with us did the monster pursue. The huge monster king of the deep. But now he is gone, and his journey is through, Where loud billow ' s roll he dose sleep. How little we thought, but a moment before. When near us he bravely did contend. With the huge monster then weltering in its gore. That he would to hades Eli send. But he ' s gone from our gaze, his long race is run, In death ' s cold embrace he dose lie. Yet Father of Mercies Thy will be done, And take his soul to Thee on High.