Introduction
The international whaling industry went through a dramatic transition during the first decade of the twentieth century. The so-called modern whaling era that had started in Norway with the technological inventions of Svend Foyn in the 1860s and 1870s had developed into a substantial industry. The main whaling grounds were off the coast of northern Norway, but already before the turn of the century, the whalers had started to look for new areas in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The most significant event was the transfer of the industry into Antarctic waters in which it was to reach its historic peak, and collapse, over the next sixty years.
Two companies pioneered the Antarctic whaling business at approximately the same time, but pursuing different strategies. Late in 1904 the Norwegian Captain Carl Anton Larsen arrived in Grytviken, South Georgia and set up a shore whaling station there for Compañia Argentina de Pesca, a company established in Buenos Aires under his initiative. About a year later, the Norwegian factory ship Admiralen, captained by Søren Andersen and with Alexander Lange (Fig. 1) as the expedition leader or so-called whaling manager [hvalfangstbestyrer], and her two small catcher boats Hauken and Ørnen started whaling in Admiralty Bay at King George Island in the South Shetlands. Bernt Sørensen was the captain and gunner aboard Ørnen. His brother Søren was the gunner aboard Hauken, captained by Lauritz Ellefsen. The vessels belonged to the whaling company A/S Ørnen established in 1903, with Christen Christensen of Sandefjord as the principal owner.
Fig. 1. Alexander Lange (1860–1922).
Both these expeditions marked the starting point of a period of rapid development of the industry in both areas. As a matter of fact, South Georgia and the South Shetlands became the two most important Antarctic whaling grounds into the 1920s when the industry, advanced by new technological development, escaped from the restrictive legal regime of the Falkland Islands Dependencies and into unregulated and so called pelagic whaling throughout the Antarctic Ocean.
Lange, aboard the Admiralen, and Christensen were in the forefront of the transition from north to south. Christensen himself had sponsored the two Jason expeditions (captained by C.A. Larsen) in 1892–1893 and 1893–1894 into the Antarctic in search for new whaling grounds. Those expeditions did not immediately result in business there, but Christensen instead focussed on Spitsbergen, another undeveloped whaling ground for the whalers of the new era. For this purpose A/S Ørnen was founded, and the factory ship Telegraf went there in 1903 with Alexander Lange as whaling manager. This was the first time a steam factory ship was used in the period of modern whaling that had so far relied on shore stations in combination with steam catcher boats.
Next year Ørnen bought a 35 year old steamer (formerly Gibraltar, formerly Ariadne, launched 1869 at Sunderland, 1517 grt.) and converted it into a factory ship. Lange took this vessel, renamed Admiralen, (Fig. 2) and catcher boats to the Spitsbergen whaling grounds in the summer of 1904 and 1905. At that point Christensen had decided to leave the northern whaling grounds that appeared to offer no future business opportunities. After a short stay in Admiralen's homeport of Sandefjord, the small expedition with a crew of 63 men left on 21 October 1905 for the Southern Ocean.
Fig. 2. After her last season in the Antarctic Admiralen was sold to Alaska Whaling Co. and started whaling in Alaska in 1912. Here she is at Seattle.
The following diary describes this whaling journey. The voyage is well known and documented in the literature, but the diary adds valuable new insights from one of its key figures. It begins on 7 November 1905 when Admiralen and her two catcher boats were on their way south in the Atlantic. They arrived in Buenos Aires on 3 December and proceeded to Stanley, arriving there on 13 December. In Stanley, Lange met the newly appointed governor Willian L. Allardyce to discuss their plans for whaling both in the Falklands and in the South Shetlands. This involved several unresolved and sensitive matters, some of which related the way whaling had started at South Georgia the year before. Any management regime for whaling was not in place before 1906. The Falkland Islands was a British colony, but the South Shetland Islands were still international territory and defined as British only in 1908 as part of the Falkland Islands Dependencies, obviously initiated by the new whaling activities. For this first season Lange had to obtain a concession and pay a fee for whaling in the Falklands, but not in the South Shetlands.
The vessels proceeded to the west Falklands (New Island) and the diary describes the whaling there, as well as encounters with the local farmers. After working there for more than a month, they left the Falklands on 24 January 1906 and arrived in Admiralty Bay three days later. The diary describes the day-to-day operations throughout the whaling there that lasted for another month. The expedition again headed for the west Falklands and resumed whaling there until 12 April. Admiralen made a brief call at Stanley the next day, when the diary ends. The catchers were laid up there and Admiralen sailed north, arriving back in Sandefjord in the early morning of 1 June 1906.
The first years of business were not very successful for A/S Ørnen. Two of the Spitsbergen seasons did not pay off in terms of dividends to the shareholders. The first Antarctic season allowed for a 10% dividend, but that was insufficient to please them. It was therefore decided to sell the vessels and wind up the company. Admiralen, again with Lange aboard, sailed south again on 5 September 1906. He had been instructed to try to sell the vessels. He approached both Compañia Argentina de Pesca and South Georgia Exploration Company Ltd. of Punta Arenas, but without success. Instead, the expedition had its second season of whaling at the west Falklands and the South Shetlands. This season did not turn out to be a successful one, but the question of selling was not pursued.
After a third whaling season with Lange as a manager, Admiralen passed ownership between several local whaling companies in Sandefjord and paid several visits to the South Shetlands and other whaling grounds in the years to come. The Ørnen company, led by Christensen and later on by one of his sons, developed into one of the dominant companies of the 20th century Antarctic whaling industry.
Alexander Lange (29 June 1860–15 August 1922) was born in Sandeherred which is now a part of Sandefjord, Norway, to Provost Christian Lange and Petra C. Lange. At an early age he began working as an errand boy and in various shipping companies in Sandefjord. He continued learning business while working for several years in Kristiania (Oslo). He then went to Germany and England for two years to further his education. Returning home to Sandefjord he went to work with the shipowner J.M. Bryde and at the age of 22 he joined his first whaling expedition to Finnmark (1882–1884) before he again spent ten years in business in Sandefjord. In 1885 he married Hannah Marie Bryde, and between 1886 and 1900 they had seven children. From 1894 to 1902 he managed a shore whaling station in Finnmark for the Neptun company. He worked for Ørnen and several other whaling companies both in northern and southern hemispheres until 1912. He spent the last years of his career as an office manager for a whaling company in his hometown. Up until his death he held various local elected offices.
Lange also kept a diary during his second summer season of 1904 at Spitsbergen (the first with Admiralen) and for parts of the Antarctic season of 1907–1908, his last season there. He was also a very active writer of letters of which many have survived and have been a valuable source in research on the history of modern whaling. J. N. Tønnessen, the author of The History of Modern Whaling wrote that his excellent letters gave ‘a very good picture of the few pleasures and many sorrows of whaling’ [få gleder og mange sorger]. This also applies to his diaries. These are in the possession of Karin (Lange) Knopf of Oslo. The text has been translated from the Norwegian by James Adie.
The extracts printed in this article cover the period from 13 December 1905 with Admiralen and her two catchers Ørnen and Hauken about to arrive at Stanley after the southerly journey via the Cape Verde Islands and Buenos Aires, until 13 April 1906 with the vessels about to arrive again at Stanley after the season's whaling in the southern ocean.
Text of the diary
Wednesday 13 December 1905
At 10 in the forenoon we sighted the lighthouse on Cape Pembroke at the entrance to Port Stanley. The gale persisted, so we proceeded into the sound at half-speed. It is always unsafe to enter the harbour of an unfamiliar port from seaward. At 2 we anchored without taking a pilot. It was blowing so hard that we realised that it would be unwise to row up to the town but we had so much gunpowder onboard that we thought it best to anchor there for the time being.
Two hours later, a small steamboat came out with the Customs Officer, Harbourmaster, Pilot, Magistrate and God knows who else. There were innumerable documents to sign and many goods to be secured and sealed.
I then went ashore on the boat and met the Consul and the Captains of four sailing vessels, lying here damaged and awaiting repair after rounding Cape Horn. Two of them had been here for three months. All were living ashore, so I also decided to live in the hotel. The townspeople were that evening giving a party for the four Captains — 2 German and 2 English. I was also invited and became acquainted with almost all of the town's civilian population.
There was some dancing, but the dances were somewhat different from those I was accustomed to and their ‘Francoise’ is something quite different to ours, so I could not take part, though at one point I did attempt a kind of quadrille.
Thursday 14 December 1905
In the forenoon, the Norwegian Consul, Mr Harding sent a letter to His Excellency the GovernorFootnote 1 to ask if I might speak with him. The answer came back that I would be granted an audience at 2 p.m.
I went there, handed my card to the maidservant and was shown into the Governor's office, where he was awaiting me. The Governor is a small, ordinary man, who desires to be regarded as King and believes himself to be such.
I explained what I wanted, namely to be granted permission to hunt for whales around the Falkland Islands. I also wanted to know if England had any jurisdiction over South Shetland and South Georgia.
On this point he replied that S. Shetland did not belong to England, but on the other hand, the situation concerning whaling around S. Georgia would have to be discussed with the Magistrate and one or two of the local Authorities. I would be given an answer if I returned at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
He stated that Larsen's ventureFootnote 2 would be stopped, as he had not sought permission to operate here and so would be carrying out an unlawful act.
Three warships were expected to arrive in Port Stanley by the middle of January and one of these would be proceeding to South Georgia to stop the hunting and to confiscate the property and possessions.
What will happen, I do not know.
After talking with the Governor on this subject for about three-quarters of an hour, I was invited into his private living quarters, presented to his wife, an Australian lady, and showed around their quarters where they lived in a princely style.
The finest furniture one could imagine — both grand piano and piano, billiard room and all that one could wish for. Three splendid greenhouses were accessible from the veranda room, in which were grown all kinds of roses and flowers, as well as fruit. I was given a fine, large, red rose by his wife. It was all absolutely magnificent and there were many curios around on the walls. They had come here from the Fiji Islands. No invitation was given — just a cigar when I left.
I told the Consul the results of my meeting and he promised to support my application. This I would later have to submit in writing, when it would please his highness to decide if he would receive it.
In the evening I was at a party onboard the vessel commanded by one of the German Captains. He had hired a steamboat to ferry the guests to and from the ship. His name is Jenssen, from Bremen and strangely enough, an English Captain, Mr Wilson, also has his birthday today. We returned at 1 a.m.
Friday 15 December 1905
Today I have been on a sailing trip with Captain Wilson in his boat, over to the other side of the harbour, where the English Government has suspended work on an immensely costly project to build a kind of dock and a place to store coal, with many large buildings. The project has now been discontinued as it was at last realised that it was not going to be a success. It will all be sold at an auction in a few day's time, except for the coal stocks, which the warships will retain for their own use. The place goes by the name Klondyke.
It is very boring here, but I think we must wait for the post on the 20th.
The skippers Andersen, Ellefsen and August,Footnote 3 have been ashore, where they were introduced to the Captains, who provided refreshments for them.
Saturday 16 December 1905
Today I have been to the Governor again to confer and negotiate. It seems that the Governor is trying to lead me to believe that it is a difficult matter on which to take a decision. He must confer and confer and after a quarter hour of talking, the message was that I should return on Monday at 2 p.m.
Admiralen was having a boiler clean and the skippers of the whaleboats and probably the crews as well were resting onboard their vessels.
Several of them were poorly, among them Bernt Sørensen, worn out after having been very active on the voyage from Montevideo to Stanley.
One man was at the dentist today, and had a tooth extracted painlessly at his own request. The cost was 15 shillings, so he will have to pay for that himself.
I took another man to the Doctor. Unfortunately he had a broken toe. It was one of the stokers. We had to carry him from the quay up to the Doctor, since the Doctor himself was ill and could not leave the house.
In the evening we played a little nap and a little billiards, drank toddy and matured beer.
We eat well. Always something hot for breakfast — bacon and eggs, or something. Lunch 1 p.m. Soup, 2 courses and a dessert and for supper 7 p.m., tea and 2 courses.
Everyone knows Larsen. His picture is to be seen in many places. He stayed at the same hotel.
Sunday 17 December 1905
Today we have been to church and August had lunch with me. The two of us, together with Mr. Klark, from Punta Arenas, have twice been out for a walk. We were also together when the Captains gathered onboard one of the ships today but when I should have accompanied August ashore, I could not go with him. Mr Klark has been telling me a lot about whaling at Punta Arenas. He knows Andersen.Footnote 4 He has given me the address of a firm there which intends to start whaling and which he knows would like to get in touch with me, so I gave him my card and said I would be glad to receive a letter from them, addressed to Port Stanley.
Monday 18 December 1905
Today I met the Minister here. He is also Editor of the local newspaper, published once a month. He came aboard with me, saw everything and wanted to write an article about the whole expedition. He said that he would send a copy to you. Afterwards, I was bidden to his home to drink tea and was introduced to his wife, who was also English. They were both nice people. Both knew Larsen, Nordenskjöld and Doctor Andersen from the Antarctic.Footnote 5
Tuesday 19 December 1905
Today I have been again to the Governor and the Consul was present for the entire audience, which took a whole hour.
We were in agreement with all the conditions and I had to agree the assignment of a Customs official onboard at 7 shillings per day. It was demanded that a levy of initially 1% of the value of our catch here at Falkland, be paid. This I said was too much and we agreed on 1/2 %
In a similar manner, I obtained permission to hunt at South Georgia.
This time the Governor treated us to whisky and water and cigars and when all was arranged, I asked if there was anything I could do for him. He replied that he and his wife would like to see over Admiralen. The Consul and I then left and I wrote out my two applications.
Wednesday 20 December 1905
Today we await the mail boat. At 9 a.m. I rowed out to Admiralen with the pilot. The skippers had been given their orders previously and with signal flags and the National Flag flying, we boarded Hauken and went in to the quay to fetch the Governor, who promptly turned up with all his family plus two more people. The Consul also arrived. Søren took two shots at a barrel in the water but strangely enough, neither shot hit the target. They then boarded Hauken and we went out to Admiralen but there another incident took place. Just as Sørensen came alongside, he misjudged the manoeuvre so badly that the boarding gangway steps were broken up into 100 pieces, as they say. Another gangway was at once lowered on to Hauken's deck and everyone was able to climb onboard.
They saw around the vessel and I explained how everything worked. Thereafter they came into my cabin and found all the pictures nice and interesting, saying that you, they thought, were charming and all the children attractive and handsome. In English, I said ‘I thank you very much. I am proud of my wife. I love her.’ The rest of the group also thought them indescribably attractive.
We had obtained champagne from the hotel, a glass was offered to each. I had a little chat with the Governor and his wife and thanked them for the honour they had done me by their visit onboard. Their children who were also with them, were offered sweet biscuits.
I accompanied them back to the quay on Hauken. Then back to Admiralen, where I sat and wrote the whole afternoon.
Thursday 21 December 1905
Since the mail boat had not yet arrived and I had been given permission in writing by the Governor to hunt at both Falkland and Georgia, I let the whaleboats go out at 1 p.m. to have a good look around. We have agreed to meet at New Island, the most Westerly of all the Falkland Islands.
Friday 22 December 1905
At last the mail boat arrived. I went onboard and on the way out in the small steamboat, I met several of the passengers, one of whom was a Swedish gentleman by the name of Grebst, from Gothenborg and his wife, an American lady. They were on their honeymoon and he was travelling, he said as correspondent for the Gøteborg Commerce and Shipping Newspaper and would be in South America for 2 or 3 years. He has been reporting the Russo-Japanese war and spoke much of Mukden and Port Arthur.
He gave his address as Consul Harald Grebst, Gothenborg, but perhaps that is his father. He himself was a man of about 30 years, a really pleasant and forthright man. He introduced me to a fine Chilean gentleman who would certainly pursue whaling here in the South. He operates a business in Punta Arenas as well as one in Buenos Aires. This man was adamant that he wanted me to organise a whaling company for him. He would gladly find and provide £100,000 for me. I said that I thought £50,000 would be sufficient. He would most certainly meet me before I returned home, if I would inform him some days before I was due to arrive at Buenos Aires. He does not understand English or German but Grebst spoke French with him and was my interpreter. I gave him my card and got his address, which is
Pedra J. Vicuna
Balsa de Comercia
Buenos Aires.
He was a man of authority — that I could see.
He was quite certain that he would run a whaling company and that he must have a Norwegian to organise and manage it for him. The boat had to leave and I had to go ashore.
He wanted me to accompany him to Punta Arenas but that I would not do.
I could not get the mail before 7 p.m. There were many letters for the men and I got one from you, which was forwarded on from St Vincent.Footnote 6 It was posted on 24 October.
I had a letter from Christensen, posted on 15 November. He wanted us to call at Ushuaia in the middle of January to pick up mail, or failing that, Stanley.
As the Consul asked me to call in along Fox Bay with mail and some goods, I promised to do so and indeed 28 large sacks, as well as some cases, were delivered onboard. We left at 7–30 p.m., happy to leave the place.
Saturday 23 December 1905
At 2 p.m. today, we anchored in Fox Bay. We got the mail and goods ashore on the beach and paid a visit to the Doctor and his wife, both English folk. He was the mail clerk as well. I drank a cup of tea in their home — they were newly married. We left there at 6 p.m.
Sunday 24 December 1905
We anchored at 9 a.m. here in the bay at New Island, where both whaleboats were lying, Hauken with a finwhale and a seiwhale and Ørnen with a finwhale. Sørensen is of the opinion that there are enough whales in this area and that later both blue whales and right whales would turn up and maintains that it would be a mad idea to go on to South Shetland. We shall see.
We can stay here for a week at least to see how things turn out, and to see if the whales here are fat or not. There are a huge quantity of seiwhale in the fjords.
I sat down in the afternoon to write to you. At 5 p.m., the steward came in with a package which you had left with him in Sandefjord, on which it was written that it should be opened on Christmas Eve. I did not have the slightest inkling of it.
A greater happiness you could not possibly have given me, Hanna. Thank you so very much for this proof of your affection, which I will never forget. Tears came to my eyes with each and every separate gift I unpacked, out of sheer joy and emotion. It was a feeling and sensation that I have never before experienced. God bless you for your kind deed. Both Sørensen and August appreciate very much your kind thoughts for them and I must also say that it was a great pleasure to me that you also remembered them. The two old sea-dogs were moved to tears and said that they will treasure your Christmas Card to their dying day.
Just think, a tobacco pouch and pipe from you. Both very welcome. I had nothing to smoke as I have no stock here. I forgot to buy any. Such books from Laila and Carl and from Hanka, a knife from Titti, a pen holder and pencils from Akken and also toothpaste from you. How enjoyable it was to open it all up. Just think, too, a book from Mother and Father, as well as a beautiful tablecloth from Mother, sewn by herself and a nice written card from them both. There was also a book from Petter and Margrethe, with a nice written card and last of all an amusing picture postcard from all the familiar local children in Sandefjord.
Well, I am celebrating Christmas here as you are at home. I was happy and delighted to be with you in thought up in the reading-room in the rectory, gathered around the Christmas tree. I could imagine all of you there so well. We have celebrated Christmas Eve together there so many times. Thank you again, Hanna, for you kind thoughts, for your love and for you trust in me.
This evening the Skippers, Captain Søren Andersen of Admiralen, Ellefsen and August, were with me for a meal of smørgrøtFootnote 7 and roast mutton. Later the First Mate, Engineer and Second Mate joined us and we all had a glass of toddy. All the men also had smøgrøt and roast mutton, as well as a dram to follow and it was all a very well-behaved celebration.
1st day of Christmas, Monday 25 December 1905
I remembered Ingerd's birthday several times yesterday.
We have had onboard a schoolteacher Wilson and the farm manager for Mrs Cull, who has the whole island at her disposal. They told me that this widow has 2,100 sheep and that there are no other houses than hers on the island. She has 5 children and lives quite well. Her sister-in-law, the widow Larsen, will be coming to live with her. She is the widow of a Norwegian man, Larsen who was Mr. Cull's manager.
I have been writing and have read.
This afternoon the skippers, Andersen and Ellefsen sat here with me and chatted for a couple of hours.
Sørensen continues to believe that there are enough whales here to hunt. I will probably get out one day on Hauken, to see for myself.
All the men have been ashore at one time or another, to have a look around the island and several have come back with large geese which made good eating.
I like mutton better now.
Tuesday 26 December 1905
Today I have been ashore and was disposed to pay Mrs. Cull a visit. The schoolteacher and Manager happened along and presented me with 2 bottles of milk. She was a respectable woman, still sorrowing for her husband, whom she lost 5 years ago. Poor creature, she wept when she spoke of him.
I did not see Mrs. Larsen. I drank tea and ate cake. She lived well enough but my goodness, she is so isolated and far from other people. They are glad that we have come. I can buy carcasses of mutton from her for 8 Kroner per carcass. It would be profitable to salt them down and take them home, if we can evade Customs.
On the way back, I was shown a penguin colony and I have to say, it was the most extraordinary sight to see. Billions of penguins were wandering about like small pygmies. They cannot fly but hop along on two feet, calling and shrieking, all at the same time and making a quite horrendous noise. They are not afraid of us and can easily be caught by hand, if desired.
In the afternoon we worked for 4 hours, getting everything ready for flensing, so as to be able to begin work early tomorrow morning. We can expect the boats to bring in more whale tomorrow. These three are now becoming old.
Wednesday 27 December 1905
Ørnen and Hauken have come in, each with their seiwhale. A severe gale has sprung up, so it is no use thinking of going to sea for whale today. The water is white out in the fjord between the islands.
We have flensed 4 whales today and 2 boilers are now cooking. The whales are small and nothing like our large blue whales at Spitsbergen.
I have been actively working from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. We are two men short, if the work is to proceed properly, I know that well enough, but Christensen fretted constantly about crew numbers, so we had to go 8 men short of what I wanted. I am too weak and undecided when confronted face to face with him. Why should I have to work as an ordinary deck hand?
Thursday 28 December 1905
Today the boats had a finwhale each and Ørnen a seiwhale. Have today taken from two to three hundred empty barrels ashore to give us more space. Likewise the water reservoir is now ready but since we are rarely able to fill 4 cookers, per day, from these whales, not very much fresh water will be needed.
Friday 29 December 1905
Ørnen finwhale. Hauken lost one. Each boat had 5 whale. Both are lying in here now, since a hurricane is blowing from the North. The boats have taken on coal. Both skippers have been onboard here and we sat and talked for a while. They said that about 20 nautical miles to the South-west from here, there are such a quantity of whale that they have never seen the like before, anywhere.
If only blue whale and right whale would turn up later.
Today I got a particle of sawdust in my right eye, and it was very difficult to remove. The Steward and the Captain both tried. It was very painful and the eye watered continually. It kept on for two hours. At last Andersen got it out by using a feather. No one will know how thankful I was. To think that such a minute particle of sawdust could be enough to completely ruin someone's life.
Here we live on, day after day, year after year and are such rough and ready men, carrying through one project after the other, without thinking too much about it, when suddenly we can be brought to a halt.
Yes, this minor event has made me think about much and many things. Thank God for coming to my aid so quickly — let me not forget it too soon.
Saturday 30 December 1905
Today the boats got 2 fin whales each and a couple of them are as large as blue whales, but do not have as much blubber.
Ørnen had an accident, losing a finwhale and harpoon, forerunner and 2 whole lines, when they had to cut the line. As the whale tautened the line, it hit the pram,Footnote 8 causing it to capsize and the Skipper, Steward and Olaf Nielsen, who was ready to lance the whale, were thrown into the water. Had not the crew and most importantly the Mate, been so quick as they were in reaching the scene in Ørnen and in launching the second pram, all three might not have been saved.
As it was the rescue was successful, although at the last moment the Skipper received a blow to the head and began to suffer from the cold water and exhaustion. He got very cold and had large sea-boots on.
Afterwards he shot a whale, so being something of a tough fellow, he is to be respected. He is not keen to come in without a whale.
Now we have 14 whale, 7 for each boat. We have to be sincerely grateful to God that no men's lives were lost.
It could happen that we might find the whale with the line attached again, but it is very doubtful and personally I believe unlikely.
Sunday 31 December 1905
Today I was aboard Ørnen and spoke with Bernt. He was fit and well again. He believes that he has the Steward to thank for still being alive, as he gave him some help a couple of times.
I presented the 7 men onboard Ørnen with 21 shillings for distribution, as an encouragement to them, since they had been so able and resolute in effecting the rescue of the unfortunate three. I seemed to understand that Bernt and likewise Søren appreciated it.
Today we had to set the fire hose on to the coal box here onboard, since a fire had begun to smoulder in the coal in the same spot as last year. It is now quite certain that the compartment is too close to the boiler.
Fortunately we got to the seat of the fire within an hour and it was lucky for us that it was discovered in time.
August has had lunch with me today. He is still onboard Hauken, familiarising himself with the hunting of whale.
Andersen and August came to have supper with me. We had smørgrøt and roast mutton. All the crew had the same fare. Afterwards, everyone had a glass of toddy and all sat while I thanked them all for their good co-operation during the past year, and expressed the hope that the same good relationship would continue in the future.
The Customs Officer was also with us in the evening.
In the afternoon I went with both skippers, Andersen and August, up to the penguin colony and they had to agree that it was one of the most remarkable sights they had ever seen.
Afterwards we visited the owner, where we were again served with tea and cakes. When we arrived, there sat Markussen, the Engineer and the Second Mate, as well as the Customs Officer, also all drinking tea.
Well, so this year has come to an end.
Heartfelt thanks, my dear Hanna, for all the days in this last year. Thank you for your love and affection, your patience and your devotion. Thank you for all your endeavours and work with the building of our beautiful new home. It is, in truth, your work and I am very glad that we decided to build. It is gratifying to know that the house is, in every respect, one of the most handsome in Sandefjord. Thank you for every fond thought and every kind word in this year and a sincere thank you, dear Hanna for giving me cause to love you more and more each year that passes. You are the most delightful and the most attractive amongst all our acquaintances. Forgive me and forget each occasion when I have grieved you.
Monday 1 January 1906
Have spent the forenoon reading and writing. Fine weather again today. The boats went out at 12. I am reading the book you gave me, Hanna. It is very exciting and many are the times I cry and laugh. It is basically sad and in my opinion the ending is unnatural. The action takes place in Iceland.
Tuesday 2 January 1906
Today we have flensed well. The fin whales are fat and very big. Ørnen has brought in 2 fin whale, Hauken however, have none and Søren is simply impossible. He fires his shots and misses. He blames it on defective harpoons but I suspect there is something wrong with the gun. It was strange that he fired 2 shots at a barrel in Port Stanley, without hitting it. I have pointed this out to him, but it is like speaking to a wall. It is annoying that this should happen now, when the weather is good.
Onboard Ørnen there are a couple of valves in the boiler that are leaking, so this evening I got them to blow the water out of the boiler so as to have a boiler-clean and at the same time, inspect the valves.
Ørnen's lost whale has not been found, so we had to issue them with 2 new lines. Hauken got a new forerunner.
Wednesday 3 January 1906
Hauken is out, but there is a storm, so it is not possible to gain the open sea.
Ørnen's valves and the valve housings have been turned on the lathe onboard here, and they will be ready by 9–15 this evening.
I am not exactly happy about the engineer on Ørnen. He must be sick in both body and soul. He has become very thin and there are deep hollows around his eyes. It seems that he is somewhat troublesome as well.
We are shifting coal so as to make room for barrels.
Thursday 4 January 1906
Ørnen was ready at 7 a.m., and went out, but has not been back since. Hauken brought in a seiwhale. The storm still rages. Hunting is poor. We do not have enough to flense.
Friday 5 January 1906
Hauken a large fin whale. Have not seen Ørnen since yesterday morning, when she went out. Do not understand what has happened to her in these last two days. Fierce winds each day.
From the first 16 whales (12 fin and 4 sei) we have rendered down 38 barrels of oil and I estimate on average that we have 28 barrels from the fin whales and 10 barrels from the sei.
Today the school teacher and Mrs. Cull have been onboard for a visit. They came at 7 p.m. just as I was about to sit down to eat. They joined me for a meal and sat for about an hour afterwards looking at all the pictures of you and the children, which they found very attractive.
The school teacher had come to say goodbye. He leaves on Sunday and is taking our mail.
Saturday 6 January 1906
At 4 in the afternoon, Hauken came in with a finwhale. Sørensen left again immediately, went out the fjord and came in again at 7–30 p.m. with a sei. He tried again but it got too dark and he had to give up the attempt to get one more.
From Mrs. Cull, I had a letter saying that Mrs. Larsen's boy was poorly and she asked me if it was at all possible for one of the whale boats to take the child to the Doctor at Fox Bay. She offered to pay whatever I asked for the cost.
Hauken left at 12 in the evening. It is important that we keep on friendly terms with the folk here. I do not intend to ask for any payment.
We have not seen anything of Ørnen and neither has Hauken. I sent all the mail with Hauken to be posted in Fox Bay.
I have written you a letter of 19 pages, Hanna and I have also sent letters to Morgenbladet, Præstegaarden, Christensen, Wegger, Dahl, Petters and the Consul at Stanley.
Sunday 7 January 1906
At last Ørnen arrived today with a humpback whale, safe and sound. One of the stokers had crushed a toe right across, so he had to come onboard here and be replaced by a new boy.
Well, so the day begins — your birthday, which I have often been thinking about. Many happy returns of the day, my dear Hanna and may God grant you happiness and good luck in this New Year that you are entering upon today.
At 8 this morning, the National flag was hoisted, and I gave orders for the three signal flags to be hoisted on the mainmast, indicating ‘my best regards’ — which were for you. On the line between the two masts were also hoisted three signal flags with the message ‘I congratulate you’. These were on behalf of Captain Søren Andersen, who today celebrates his Silver Wedding day. At the foretop, we hoisted as many signal flags as we could and likewise Ørnen hoisted all hers. It was a fine sight to see all the flags flying, on a rare day of sunshine.
Andersen and Bernt Sørensen had breakfast with me. In the forenoon, I had all the officers and Engineers in here with me to drink a glass of port. I gave a short speech for Andersen and one for you and we drank these toasts with great enthusiasm.
In the evening, every man had roast mutton and toddy and Andersen shared the same fare with me.
Afterwards we gathered here in my cabin and as Hauken happily also came in at 8 p.m., Sørensen, Ellefsen and August joined us, so we were 10 in all.
We had a glass of toddy as a conclusion to the day. In the afternoon, Ørnen had been out in the fjord and came back with two sei.
Monday 8 January 1906
Today there was a storm and since the boats could not get out to the open sea, they kept in among the islands and came back with 3 sei.
I am of the opinion that it will soon look as if we shall have to try elsewhere, as the storms are increasing rather than decreasing. Am very anxious about what I should decide to do.
Tuesday 9 January 1906
At 8 in the morning, Hauken came in without whale, likewise Ørnen. We have 26 whale, 13 each. Hauken is having a boiler clean. Both boats have been coaled from the after-hold, Hauken 155 tubs and Ørnen 150.
I have had again, a long conference with the skippers. Bernt is beginning to come over to my preference for going to South Shetland and if I am not mistaken, Søren is also on the verge of changing his mind. Given a day or two yet to think about it, I believe he might be glad to go along with the proposal. I would like to have his support for the idea of trying down there, because should it happen that the venture should fail, I would not be hearing about it for the rest of my life.
In the evening August moved back onboard here. I thought that he had had enough of the rolling and of the life that exists onboard a whale boat.
August will have to share a room for the time being, with the Third Engineer, aft in the accommodation alongside the bathroom. The Customs Officer has his former cabin.
Wednesday 10 January 1906
Ørnen went out last night and Hauken in the afternoon. Hauken brought in a sei whale in the afternoon.
Today I sent you a letter with the school teacher who finally leaves today. It must indeed be difficult for him to tear himself away against Cupid's remarkable power. I sent the Customs Officer with the letter.
For some hours in the evening it has been tolerably calm, so it might be possible that Ørnen could take a fin whale, if Sørensen has gone to sea.
Thursday 11 January 1906
Ørnen came in this morning at 5 with a large finwhale, shot yesterday evening about 40 English miles to the South-west of here. Ørnen went out again at once. At 5 p.m., Hauken also came in with a finwhale. The storm has raged fiercely today.
The 2 whales we have flensed today have been the biggest of their kind that we have caught so far. The fin whale measured 72 Norwegian feet and the sei whale 52. The tips of the tail fins had been cut off, so the tail measurement could not be taken.
I have now finished the book from Præstegaarden. It is several days now since I finished reading the book from you. It was exciting and very good and I read it with much interest. The last book I read became very interesting when I got further into it. It is remarkable. The author demonstrates from different passages in the Bible, which he partly refers to and partly quotes from, that the end of the world must take place in the year 1920.
Bad weather is a great hindrance to us, so we are uncertain as to what we should decide to do — whether we should try hunting for a month at South Shetland, returning here afterwards, or whether we should remain here the whole time. A decision must be taken by Monday 15th., since if we remain here, I must inform Christensen. Certainly the only way to do that is for me to take the mail steamer from Port Stanley to Punta Arenas, send a telegram, await a reply and be back in Stanley again 14 days later. It would take just as long to collect the mail from Ushuaia.
Friday 12 January 1906
Today the weather has been fine and calm.
The sun is so warm that I have had to change my wadmelFootnote 9 jacket for a lighter one.
I have written to Pauss in Sydney in reply to his letter to me, which I received in Sandefjord. We were together in Celle in 1881, in lodgings with Fraulein Claudi. I have not seen him since then.
This evening, in a thick, thick, fog, Hauken managed to come in with 2 finwhales, one of which had been taken by Ørnen.
Saturday 13 January 1906
Hauken went out at 7 this morning when the fog began to disperse. The Customs Officer went with them for a trip, as he was interested to see the hunt in action.
At 8, Ørnen came in with a finn, so now both boats have 16 whale each. Because of the fog, Ørnen had not been able to find her way in yesterday evening and so had to lie off for the night. Ørnen went straight out again. Bernt Sørensen now proposes that we should go to Staten Island for a visit to have a look around, as he thought that things were beginning to look a little suspect here.
In that case, Ørnen would also have to call at Ushuaia to collect the mail that Christensen had written about and also to ask the Governor there for permission to hunt whale, since Staten Island and Ushuaia belonged to Argentina.
It is doubtful if Argentina would give us permission to hunt there as that country has now begun to hunt whale itself.
I will not accompany them as I am afraid that I might not withstand the rolling which we would suffer. Andersen can go in my place if anything comes of it.
Sunday 14 January 1906
This morning, Hauken came in again with a finwhale and went out again at 12 midday. Søren is of the opinion that the trip to Staten Island would be unnecessary, as he has no confidence in the possibility of hunting there, but never mind, I will get the mail and Christensen's orders will be complied with.
Today I remember father-in-law, who would have had his 75th birthday today, if he had lived. He was a kind, capable and enterprising man, who wished everyone well and was a staunch pillar of support for Sandefjord and the surrounding area in his lifetime. Blessed be his memory.
Monday 15 January 1906
The boats came in this morning, each with their finwhale. Ørnen got 170 tubs of coal from the after hold and Hauken 260. Ørnen left at 9 to have a look around Staten Island, Beagle Channel and afterwards to Ushawaia for the mail with Christensen's orders. Andersen went with them, as he is familiar with the place from earlier visits, and he has the letter to the Governor with him.
Hauken went out at 12, but afterwards we could see from here that she went in the fjord again or in among the islands, which led me to believe that conditions are stormy out at sea and that the boat will be lying at anchor tonight in some place or other.
Tuesday 16 January 1906
Today we have had sparkling weather, dead calm and clear.
This morning we ate fried fresh fish which the Engineer and August had speared yesterday evening. Just now, Markussen and the 2nd. Engineer are out.
Can you imagine how extremely surprised I was when Hauken came in at 9 p.m. with 3 spermwhales. Wasn't that great good luck! Great heavens, how splendid! What a successful catch! Søren smiled so broadly that the corners of his mouth reached right back to his ears, as Toffe would say. Well, if Ørnen had been at the same place, they might have had several more, as two schools had been seen.
Now the main concern is, how in the world shall we get them flensed and recover all the oil in the head. It is a very difficult business getting it discharged alongside, and to get the head up on deck, is, I would say, an impossibility with our gear.
Wednesday 17 January 1906
Hauken brought in a finwhale.
We have been at work flensing the spermwhales and things have gone quite well, but only slowly, as we have to boil out the sperm oil in the heads with buckets and tubs. It is unbelievable how much oil there is in the head.
It is not an easy job to flense this species of whale alongside the ship.
Hauken came in after midday because of the storm, but without whale. Søren came onboard to watch the flensing.
Thursday 18 January 1906
Today it is blowing very strongly again. Not catching weather. Misty with fog. By midday we had finished 2 spermwhales, one on each flensing station and have begun the third on the forward station and the fin on the after. The intention is to tow the carcasses of the spermwhales to the shore so as to recover the rest of the sperm oil from the heads and after that have a careful look for any possibility of ambergris. Remarkably enough, we have the carcasses of three male spermwhales.
I have promised the flensers 100 Kroner for each whale in which they find any of this precious commodity and I hope this will encourage them to make a careful search.
Friday 19 January 1906
Hauken has not been in today, so I assume that it is not hunting weather.
I have just finished reading Hanka's book. It is sad and unnatural. It is entitled Mouche, by Axel Lundegårde, a novel from his death bed. One of his poems, composed just before he died, and dictated since he could not write himself, is charming. He calls it Life and Death and I wish to write it down to record it for posterity.
Saturday 20 January 1906
Today the weather has been less good. We are working ashore on the spermaceti carcasses.
Hauken came in this evening without whale, and Søren reported that yesterday and today he had searched the area where earlier, whales had been shot, and had also steamed still farther out, but no whale were to be seen. It is to be feared that the majority of whales have gone for the meantime, and we are now thinking of leaving this place and trying at South Shetland for 4 or 6 weeks. When Ørnen returns we shall make a final decision.
Sunday 21 January 1906
At 4 this morning, Ørnen arrived with a fin whale shot 20 miles South-west of here — the only whale they had seen the whole way.
While investigating the nature of the Eastern coastline of Staten Island, they saw a blue whale which took off at full speed Southwards. Apart from that there were no other whales to be seen.
Ørnen reached Ushawaia on the 17th. Andersen delivered my letter and spoke over and over again with the Governor, but he would not give us permission to hunt whale in the area around there, nor for Admiralen to lie in a sheltered anchorage to flense and to render down blubber. He had orders from his superiors not to permit foreign nations to pursue whaling in that area. The Governor replied to the letter I had sent with Andersen, and a copy was sent to Christensen. I had also given Andersen a telegram for sending to Christensen, but there was no telephone there, as Christensen had said.
The Postmaster onboard the mail steamer lying there at the time, took the telegram and promised to send it from Punta Arenas on about the 22nd. The telegram stated ‘Whaling Falkland 850 Vesterlide New Island wire Stanley’.
Andersen brought very many letters, among them 2 from you, Hanna, one from Præstegaarden, and one from Christensen.
What a happy day I have had today.
Pages 147 and 148 of the diary are missing
. . . . . . . . . . . leave New Island for a time and prepare to make for South Shetland. We plan to return here at the beginning of March. I will let the Customs Officer live ashore with Mrs. Cull while we are away as it will be cheaper than taking him to Stanley, and we would have had to collect him from there on our return.
Andersen was sent a bundle of newspapers so we have been reading about the King's accession, and are following the events with interest. It is a great pity that you were not in Christiania to see that splendid sight. Today is King Oscar's 77th birthday. I have drunk a toast to him as I have always done.
Monday 22 January 1906
Today is Signe's birthday. She is 42 years old. May she know happiness in this New Year and may she and VaumundFootnote 10 live a better life together. I now believe that Signe must be as much to blame, as much mistaken as Vaumund.
Today the boats have filled their coal boxes with coal from the mid-ships hold here onboard. We have flensed the fin whale as well as fetching the sperm whale carcass from the shore.
A hurricane is raging worse than ever. We are hoping for better weather when it is over.
Tuesday 23 January 1906
We had decided to leave today, but the storm still rages, so we must wait until early tomorrow morning, which is as well, since we are able to take everything from ashore with us.
I visited Mrs. Cull this afternoon to say goodbye, and to pay for 20 carcasses of mutton. Yesterday Mrs. Larsen sailed out to us with the Manager, delivering the last 9 sheep. It was the first time that I had met her. She was an ordinary plain woman. She wept continually when her deceased husband was mentioned. He was the son of the lighthouse-keeper Larsen at Torungen by Arendal. The lighthouse-keeper died 2 years ago.
We have been here for a month. The catch so far is 40 whale, namely
24 Finn
1 Humpback
12 Sei
3 Sperm
Hauken's catch is 12 Finn, 7 sei and 3 sperm.
Ørnen's is 12 Finn, 1 humpback and 5 sei.
From all 40 whale we have rendered 1002 barrels of oil, namely 823 Grade 1; 69 Grade 2 and 110 barrels of sperm oil. We have again laid up empty barrels for use on our return.
Wednesday 24 January 1906 — Depart New Island for South Shetlands
At 4 this morning, at dawn, we began to weigh anchor, after having rowed in fresh water all night.
The weather is much improved and we have come a long way South by evening, with the North-westerly wind and sea behind us. We hope that the same weather will hold for another day yet, as according to our reckoning we are over the worst part.
Thursday 25 January 1906
The weather is fine for this part of the ocean. Naturally and inevitably, Admiralen rolls a lot, so I do not feel quite well, as I now have become unaccustomed to the rolling and pitching. We are proceeding Southwards at full speed, and fortunately the boats keep up with us well.
Friday 26 January 1906
Saw several whale today, as well as quite a few large icebergs. It is cold and raw, so ulster,Footnote 11 scarf and thicker clothing are put into use.
At 11–30 p.m., we believed that we saw land ahead, so we are now at slow speed ahead to wait for daylight, as we have an especially favourable current setting us to the Southward and we have had a faster passage than expected by the dead reckoning estimated. Many whale have been seen. The wind is freshening and the seas increasing, so we have had a more than fortunate passage.
Saturday 27 January 1906
At 1–30 in the morning we went to full speed ahead again, since with the coming of daylight we were sure that it was South Shetland that we had seen, namely North Foreland, King George Island.
By 4 a.m. we were entering Brandsfield Strait, amongst a mass of frozen ice floes and tall icebergs, which were much higher above water than Admiralen's mast-tops.
It has become cold. All the mountains are snow-covered. We realise that it would have been impossible for us to have come here earlier, so it is most that fortunate that we did not attempt to come this far South before. To enter a sheltered haven poses great difficulties as it looks as if all possible havens are full of drift ice.
Finally, we came into Admiralty Bay in King George Island, negotiating a passage through hundreds of frozen ice-floes. There are many glaciers constantly calving in the Bay. We anchored here at 3 in the afternoon, and flensed a humpback whale which Ørnen had brought in. I am doubtful however, if we can stay here, as I fear that it is compacted with too great a quantity of ice, added to the fact that it will be very difficult to obtain quantities of fresh water. At the head of the fjord, in the small bay where we have anchored, there are no less than 6 huge glaciers of which one must be a least 500 feet high.
It has been snowing heavily with a strong wind today, the weather is cold and wet. It has to be admitted that now and then I have felt the cold, and I have unfortunately got a pain in the stomach, luckily today I feel it only on my left side, and I hope that it will not develop in a similar way in my right side. Dear God, help me for the sake of Hanna and all the children.
The humpback whale is flensed, cut up and the blubber now cooking.
Would you believe that at 8 p.m. both boats came in, each with its bluewhale, of which Ørnen's is the largest, I think, that I have ever seen caught. Hauken had shot hers just outside the fjord, in the Strait, and Ørnen hers in the fjord, within sight of Admiralen.
Indeed, on the way in to the bay here, we saw 6 bluewhales, and when we anchored, a large bluewhale circled around us. All being well, it looks as if we shall be able to catch whale without the boats having a long way to tow them.
We have explored around and about on shore. There is fresh water, but we shall have to move a little further in. The Engineer, Markussen, and August were ashore looking for water. During their search they shot and killed 32 seal.
Yes thanks be to God, we have been lucky to get here. As far as we can see, the prospects of catching whale are good.
The whale boats will have a hazardous time navigating through the innumerable clusters of frozen ice floes. They will never be able to venture out in thick snow or in the dark.
Here the scenery is more magical than in Spitsbergen, and there is more snow and ice. There is not a bare spot to be seen. The mountains are not so extensive, or so high. Our position is Latitude 62 degrees 10 minutes South, and 58 degrees 30 minutes West.
Sunday 28 January 1906
We have had bad weather during the night with heavy rain showers, and around 4 a.m., the wind increased to storm, and a mass of drift-ice surrounded us. I had thought of flensing today, but the weather was too bad up to morning coffee time, and after then I let it be.
Andersen and 4 men left after the midday meal to go ashore and flay the 32 seals. They killed another 8 by clubbing, and these also were flayed. They returned at 9–30 in the evening. We will fetch the skins and blubber when there is an opportunity. It has fallen calm in the evening, so it is to be hoped that we shall have better weather in the morning.
Unfortunately I have a pain in my right shoulder and the little finger of my right hand is still weak. God forbid that I should have again the same illness and pain as in Spitsbergen. I ask God to spare me that, but it is doubtful if I shall get off scot-free, as I have well deserved it.
Monday 29 January 1906
Today began with fine weather but cold, and we got one bluewhale flensed at the after station by midday. We had just got Ørnen's large whale rolled over by midday, as it was not half-flensed, when the manila rope parted, and we had to reeve a new hawser. The rope from Linden berg is quite useless. Dahl's is much better. It is good that I bought a hawser from him. We have also brought into use today a new method of rolling over and cutting.
A storm blew up a little before midday, and developed into a hurricane. No one can have any idea of how the wind can blow here, without having experienced it. IT is impossible to flense, and we have had to let go our second anchor.
The boats have been in this forenoon, each with their humpback whale, and now at 1 p.m., are still out. God knows how they are managing.
No, here in Shetland the pursuit of whaling activities is not a pleasure, and only decidedly tough men can work in these regions. The air is very keen and the wind extremely cold and penetrating. Truly a dangerous place for sufferers of rheumatism. In the meantime we must be happy and thankful that we arrived here before the storm broke, and that we did not meet it on the way.
In the evening the whaleboats at last came in, but they anchored on the other side of the Bay in thick snow, and it blew so hard that spray went right over both boats. It is good that they are both in.
Tuesday 30 January 1906
During the night, the one humpback whale that was made fast aft, broke loose and drifted away, but I hope that it is lying ashore somewhere, as the wind is not in such a direction as to allow it to drift out of the fjord.
I hoisted a flag this morning to call the boats over to see if they were all right after the stormy night, and . . . . . . . . . . . The boats then came at once, and it was a pleasant surprise to see that Ørnen had a bluewhale, and Hauken a humpback.
The skippers thought they could do nothing at present, but would search for the humpback at the first opportunity. They anchored further in under the lee of a high mountain.
We began to flense after midday, but it became impossible to carry on, as the fourareenFootnote 12 boats filled with water in the high sea way. At 3–30 p.m., we took Admiralen farther in the Bay, and were able to flense a little until 7 p.m.
It still blows a hurricane. It is terribly cold and bitter, and the wind howls and blows so hard that one could almost think that the end of the world would soon be upon us.
Wednesday 31 January 1906
Today there is a dead calm, mild and fine, and I perspire without my winter coat, as the sun is scorching.
I was on deck at 5–30 this morning. Ørnen came across to Admiralen just then to report that the humpback whale was lying ashore at a place which Bernt pointed out. It was low water so he could not move it just yet.
I sent two men over to set a hawser on to it and make it fast to a large boulder, so that one of the boats could get a hold of it, when the opportunity arose.
Ørnen went out. Hauken had gone out previously. At 12, both boats came in, each with its bluewhale.
At 6 Ørnen came with a finwhale, and Hauken with a bluewhale. Both skippers are so eager now that they went out again, knowing that it would get dark at about 9 p.m. Sure enough, both boats came in during the night again, each with their whale.
Thursday 1 February 1906
Today Hauken got a humpback and Ørnen a bluewhale. Ørnen got coal from the after hold. We decided to move across the fjord to a haven on the other side, where Hauken had been before. This haven should be much better.
The skippers and Andersen drank a couple of glasses of toddy here this evening, and talked a lot of nonsense.
Friday 2 February 1906
At 4 this morning we left our former haven and anchored here around 8, where it is much better, as it is unlikely that we shall be hindered from flensing here. What is not so good is that it will be more difficult to get fresh water. I have rowed around inspecting the shoreline nearby.
Today the boats have got 2 whales each.
Position is Lat. 62 degrees 12 minutes South. Long. 58 degrees 39 minutes West.
We are flensing and cooking a lot now. Hauken has taken coal from the after hold. The stock there is dwindling and we can stow full barrels there now.
Saturday 3 February 1906
The new haven is definitely better. Søren thinks that it ought to be called ‘Hauken's Havn’, but I have named it ‘Hauk’ Harbour', as our previous haven had been called ‘Whale Harbour’.
We had to heave up 140 tubs of coal from the after hold, and empty them into the coal boxes. We now have been able to stow down 100 barrels of oil already, today. Tomorrow I will put 5 men onto the task of bringing up the remainder of the coal.
The boats have brought in 2 whales each, so since we arrived in Shetland a week ago, we have taken a total of 23 whale.
Sunday 4 February 1906
Today we have had tolerably good weather, but it looks as if it is building up for a change. Rheumatism is the best barometer. Have written for a couple of hours to Hanna this afternoon.
The skippers had supper with me. The boats were lying alongside Admiralen. Just as we finished supper, a storm blew up, developing into a hurricane, so the whaleboats had to leave the side of the ship and anchor farther off. Here onboard we had to heave up all the pram and fourareens. The rain poured down and the wind became quite violent. Watches were set.
Monday 5 February 1906
The storm raged through the entire night and woke me at least 5 times. We could not flense before breakfast. The downpour of rain is violent. I bought a raincoat and a Sou'wester from Andersen. The boats have stayed in all day. At last we have got 4 cookers filled today, and work continued until 8 p.m.
It was the most difficult and unpleasant day that we have had. Every man had a good glass of rum at dinner, which created quite a stir. It was almost cruel to put men to work in that heavy rain and in that hurricane. It does not rain like that at home, but seems to come in torrents and lashes one's face so that it stings.
Tuesday 6 February 1906
Now and then today, we have had weather without rain.
The whale boats have brought in two humpback whales each. They have not seen any bluewhales, but they did not go further than 1 or 2 miles from the mouth of the fjord.
We have filled 4 cookers today.
Wednesday 7 February 1906
Clear and settled weather here in the Bay. The skippers say that there is fog out in the Straits.
Today we have flensed 7 humpback whale, 4 forward and 3 aft. Hauken has got 2 bluewhale and Ørnen one. Ørnen did not come in this night.
Thursday 8 February 1906
At 7 this morning, Ørnen came in without whale. Storm and fog are hindering the hunt. Ørnen is having a boiler clean. In the afternoon Hauken also came in without whale, because of the snowstorm. Hauken is also having a boiler clean.
Friday 9 February 1906
Today there is a snowstorm, and a bitter, freezing cold, wind, so the flensers had to work under hard conditions.
All whales have been flensed, and the last of the blubber is cooking now. Today the cooper has begun to make up barrels from staves. It is difficult work as we have little space to work in.
Unfortunately I have rheumatism and go to sleep in constant fear of suffering those same pains in shoulders and arms that I had in Spitsbergen last year.
Saturday 10 February 1906
Bad weather today as well. I sent an order onboard Ørnen to fetch the sealskins from our previous haven, in case Bernt had planned to go out and look for whale. He sent a reply saying that there was still a storm outby, and asked if he could get a couple of men with him, and so he left.
Hauken also eased up a little, and planned to fetch fresh water, and to take with him as well, our lifeboat, to take back some drinking water. However Hauken soon returned, though without success, as all the streams and places where we had seen running water, were now frozen over again, and there was only snow and ice to be seen. This was not good news, but we will, no doubt, get milder weather again.
Hauken then went outby again later just to see for himself if my judgement was right. However, when Bernt saw him go out from where Ørnen was lying, collecting the skins, he did not give himself enough time to gather them all, but raced back here at full speed with only 15 skins, put them onboard here, and set off outby by 12 midday. Hauken had left at 9.
Bernt was forthright about it, and of course inwardly cursed both the skins and me.
Indeed, in the evening, Hauken did come in with a bluewhale, and Ørnen none, but Søren said that if Ørnen had not arrived, and had killed the whale for him, he would have lost both whale and harpoon, as the storm had increased in strength to hurricane.
Now it raged like wildfire. The worst of snowstorms.
Have kept inside since after midday, as rheumatism has begun to plague me.
Sunday 11 February 1906
Last night there was a terrible storm with heavy snow, so it is now like midwinter, and on Sunday forenoon it raged like wildfire.
Of the 30 whale caught here at Shetland, we have cooked well, producing 1100 barrels of oil, so now we have a total of 2,100 barrels — still not half a cargo.
We left Sandefjord too late in the season, and consequently arrived too late at Falkland. We ought not to have remained at Falkland for the first month, and it follows that we arrived here too late as well. We should have come directly here.
Today August sat with me and we talked. I asked him to join me for the midday dinner and share the last roast of the mutton which we brought from Falkland.
In the afternoon both skippers came to see me. They thought that there was nothing more to achieve here, as there was so much stormy weather and no whale to catch. They also dreaded the voyage home, especially Bernt.
They would prefer to bring the catching to an end, but to that I replied that I could not justify taking such a decision yet, since there had been plenty of work for us to do since we had arrived here.
I am prepared for Bernt to refuse to go out any more or else to say that all 3 ships should go further South-westwards. The whaleboats will not go on their own — they want Admiralen to accompany them, which I think is foolish, but I have gone along with that, since it might be an opportunity for us to find another haven. I think we could lie where we are for the month of February, and then return to Falkland.
Monday 12 February 1906
The boats went out this morning, and sure enough, Hauken brought in a humpback and 2 bluewhale, of which one was found floating, and Ørnen a finwhale and a humpback — a total of five whales in one day. Now they think that the catching should finish. The reason is, I think, that the crews on the whaleboats, and the skippers, especially Bernt, have lost their nerve, and have misgivings about the return voyage home, after the last hurricane we experienced.
The whale that was found was the one Hauken lost 7 days ago. It is unusually large and is very much blown, so I am apprehensive about getting it rolled over to strip off the blubber. It is lying on its back as well, which makes it even worse.
Retired to my berth at 7–30 this evening — tired.
Tuesday 13 February 1906
Hauken a humpback. Both boats came in during the forenoon before the storm broke, and anchored over at the watering-place.
Fortunately we were successful in rolling over the large whale that was found afloat. The chain and rope parted twice, and hope of getting any good from the carcass diminished, but I got the smith to weld the chain, a new hawser was taken, and 5 heavy tackles set up, but what I believe tipped the scales was that I prayed fervently to God for help, and strangely enough, He heard my plea. Everyone had predicted that it would not be successful.
We have fetched 2 boat loads of fresh water for the water-tank (drinking water).
Wednesday 14 February 1906
Fetched another boatload of drinking-water this morning. The water tank is now full.
At 9 both boats went out as the weather cleared up a little. There was a snows storm and deep snow when we turned out this morning, and much snow had fallen during the night.
Not much wind. The barometer has risen. Ørnen has got a bluewhale and a finwhale, and Hauken a finwhale.
Everything has gone well with the flensing aboard.
Thursday 15 February 1906
Today we have fine weather in here. The skippers say that it is blowing a gale outside. Hauken had got a bluewhale and a finwhale, and Ørnen the same, so now there is only joy and gladness, and the despondency of the skippers has been brushed away for the time being at least.
Bernt was here for a couple of hours in the evening, and got a glass of toddy, and talked of whale and Iceland. Both he and Søren are more self-confident now, that is certain.
Friday 16 February 1906
Today sister Kitty would have been 47 years of age, if she had lived. To think that on 27 April next, it will be 8 years since she died. Kitty was kind and always very conscientious and faithful — perhaps too much so, as she herself was left the poorer. She had in reality, a sad outlook on life, I think, her Vestland nature, and the circumstances of her life there were not favourable for her. We two always had a good relationship with each other, but I did not see her so often in later years. I remember the last time very well when she was quite dismayed to see that I had become stout, but admitted that she also was the same. Yes, blessed be that memory of her.
Today we have had a radiant day of fine weather, absolutely dead calm in here, and outby it has also been a fine day, as Hauken has brought in 4 whale and Ørnen 2 whale.
Saturday 17 February 1906
Yesterday Ørnen lost a whale when the line parted as they were heaving in. Half the line, the forerunner, and the harpoon, were lost.
Today Ørnen came in with the largest bluewhale we have caught so far.
We now have a storm, and the flensers have drifted astern a couple of times when the fourareens filled with water. Should the storm decrease, and with tomorrow being Sunday, on Monday there will be difficulties in capsizing that whale, as in the meantime it will have blown up considerably.
In all today, the boats have brought in 4 whale, so now we have a total of 54 whale that were taken here, namely 22 bluewhale, 11 finwhale and 21 humpback, which will probably yield 2,100 barrels of oil, so when the 7 whales lying astern are rendered down, we shall have, including the yield from the Falkland catch, about 3,100 barrels of oil. Hope to have 4,000 barrels before we leave Shetland.
Sunday 18 February 1906
This forenoon I have written to Hanna.
Fine weather. August has been ashore and has brought back onboard some specimens of rock. At 4 we began work, as a large quantity of blubber was lying on deck together with tongues and other loose stuff.
The skippers came onboard and had supper with me. They were very dissatisfied with their earnings, as they will not earn as much as they did at Spitsbergen, and that was not taking into account that the whales are fatter here, and that the humpback whales are much better than in other places and that for these they only get 20 Kroner. They were somewhat more satisfied when they left at 8–30. I had to promise them 1.000 Kroner extra in wages for winter fishing in Vesterlide Footnote 13 and that helped.
Christensen will not like that when he sees it in the accounts in due course.
Monday 19 February 1906
Today we had filthy weather, so after midday there was no possibility of flensing. Before the midday meal we flensed enough to fill a cooker. The flensing fourareens filled several times with water, and when the No. 2 flenser, Anton Borgersen fell into the water, the men became apprehensive and wanted to stop work, which was only right.
Anton was caught up in a loop of rope, with the waves washing over him. He shouted and complained when it took a little time for help to come and they could get him hauled up.
Immediately after, a sea came and washed over the fourareen again and threw him and another man into the water. Then he swore a couple of times. I told him he ought to be ashamed of himself, and instead of cursing, he should thank God that he had been saved. He calmed down and was silent.
Ørnen brought in a bluewhale and a humpback whale today, and Hauken a really large bluewhale.
Tuesday 20 February 1906
Still the same bad weather.
The boats are sheltering in here. Have had to halt the flensing several times, and the flensers are very displeased. We have nevertheless flensed enough to fill 5 cooking boilers today. Several times seas washed right over the whales and filled the fourareens, so the flensers got as wet as crows. At 5 we had to stop, as the storm increased, and we had to let go the second anchor so as to lie secure during the night.
Wednesday 21 February 1906
Last night it blew worse than ever. I was woken up by sudden gusts of wind throughout the night, and I hear that it was the same with every man onboard. Well, that was a hurricane without comparison and it is deplorable that the last week of our stay here, should be so bad.
To keep things going, I had to be on deck, which has not done me any good, since this evening I have such rheumatism in my right shoulder. I never learn to be careful, but I think it is my duty to be out on deck when required. It has rained and blown a gale all day. The boats have been lying in today as well. We have flensed now and then.
Thursday 22 February 1906
This morning Hauken came alongside to coal, as it was stormy. Ørnen went out to try her luck at midday. Hauken has had to stop coaling and go to anchor, as there was too much of a sea running. She got only 162 tubs of coal from the coal-box. Ørnen arrived at 6 with a finwhale.
The skippers came onboard to say that they believed that we must see about leaving this place and asked most earnestly that we should leave when this hurricane had abated, and not wait until the next hurricane was over.
I decided then to finish, and to leave when the finwhale had been flensed, and the storm had abated.
Our entire catch at Shetland now totals 58 whale, namely 24 bluewhale, 12 finwhale, and 22 humpback, of which Hauken had brought in 14 bluewhale, 5 finwhale, and 11 humpback, and Ørnen 10 bluewhale, 7 finwhale, and 4 humpback. From these 58 whales, we will probably have a yield of about 2,200 barrels of oil, when all is rendered down.
Friday 23 February 1906
Not until after midday, could we begin to flense the finwhale, as the seas hindered us from getting at it from the fourareens.
Hauken has got 91 tubs of coal and Ørnen 150, and we have filled 2 cookers with blubber, which I will wait to cook until our arrival at Falkland. The weather this afternoon has been better, and I have made up my mind to leave tonight to take advantage of the better weather, in case there might be a change for a couple of days.
Saturday 24 February 1906
At 2 this morning we weighed anchor and steered out of the Bay and out of the fjord, and headed Eastwards through Bransfield Straits in tolerably good weather, with innumerable tall icebergs around. By 9–30 we were abeam of Cape Foreland, and set course for New Island.
Wind and seas are still from the North-west, and Admiralen rolls to such an extent that water comes onboard on either side. The stomach does not like this motion which does not permit rheumatism to hold its peace either.
Sunday 4 March 1906
Today I have read the newspaper published in Port Stanley, for January.
It reads thus:
‘The Norwegian Steam Whalers.
In the account given of the Norwegian Expedition last month, there were one or two errors, which we hasten to correct. The manager is Mr. Alex. Lange, of Sandefjord. Norway, a genial and pleasant man, whose acquaintance we were pleased to make.
Captain Andersen of the Admiralen was here some years ago, with Captain Larsen, late of the Antarctic, who now commands a similar enterprise at South Georgia. The colonisation party of the Consort found Captain Larsen established at the latter place, when they went down there lately. He had met with a considerable amount of success.
The Admiralen and the two boats left a couple of days before Christmas for a cruise around the island, before going to the South Shetlands, and en passant, landed mail at Fox Bay. Mr T. Newing went out as Customs Officer.
Mr Lange hopes to be back here from the South Shetlands about March.’
Tonight a terrible wind has been blowing, and the bad weather raged the whole day, so I have not seen anything of the skippers.
Monday 5 March 1906
Still bad weather, and the boats are sheltering. Hauken is having a boiler-clean. The skippers came onboard in the afternoon. Early tomorrow morning, they will go to see what is doing at Fox Bay, and if they catch whale, they will tow them to a haven named Lucas Bay. If we do not see any sign of them tomorrow, we will leave for there on Wednesday morning.
Today we have filled our drinking water tank, and taken onboard empty barrels — some of them.
Have been prevented from rowing ashore several times.
Tuesday 6 March 1906
This morning Ørnen left at 4, and Hauken at 8, after finishing her boiler-clean. Here the wind has been blowing fiercely all day as well. Have got all the empty barrels onboard and also water.
An elderly gentleman, Mr Waldron, from Beaver Island, has been onboard this afternoon, visiting. He was accompanied by two of Mrs.Cull's children, a widow, and a sister of her's from the same island, and 3 of Waldron's workers. They wanted to see everything, and were greatly interested — most of them had never seen a steamship before. Mr Waldron was a very pleasant man. He is from London, and must be quite wealthy. Afterwards, Andersen and I, with Waldron, called on Mrs.Cull, and had supper with her. I was able to settle up with her for the potatoes and mutton. She charged us £33 for all that we had from her.
They were all very saddened that we were going to move to another area. The Customs Officer also visited with us. We returned onboard again at 11 in the evening, in rain, and in the dark.
Wednesday 7 March 1906
At 7 in the morning we left New Island. We met a strong wind and heavy seas as soon as we came out of the shelter of the island, and it worsened as the day progressed. Admiralen rolled quite heavily, as the forward ballast-tank is empty. We anchored in Lucas Bay at 2 in the afternoon, where both the whale boats were already at anchor. They had no whale as they have had nothing but bad weather. Bernt came onboard, but I saw nothing of Søren.
This haven seems to be good.
Now it will have to be seen if water can be found, since that we must have, as we cannot make use of the evaporator now that we have so little coal.
Still a strong gale with rain and showers of hail.
Thursday 8 March 1906
Unfortunately there is no water to be found anywhere here, so one of the boats will have to look in Albemarle Harbour nearby, and see what the prospects for water are there, and if we have to move again.
The boats went out in the morning. Only Hauken has been in with a seiwhale. Ørnen has not been in. Markussen and August have been ashore and shot about 20 geese. We have the same storm conditions here today so the boats cannot get out past the island which lies off the entrance to this Bay.
Friday 9 March 1906
Ørnen has come in with 2 seiwhale, shot in Falkland Sound, where this species of whale can be found, but no other. The sea is full of plankton there, so that should bring in more whale, we think. Still stormy.
Andersen and August have been ashore and have shot 30 geese. Søren missed 2 shots today.
The remains of a shipwreck are to be seen on the exposed weather coast of the island.
Ashore we have found the tooth of a sperm whale so a whaling operation must have been going on here years ago. Some whalebones were seen half-buried in the sand along the shore.
Saturday 10 March 1906
Fine weather today. Hauken anchored here in the bay, they lost their anchor and 15 fathoms of chain. The cause is not known. Presumably the bolt in the shank fell out when the cotter-pin became loose. A buoy was dropped where it was lost, so an attempt will be made to find it, but there will be little hope of that. The insurance company will have to pay.
The Engineer and August have been ashore and have shot 30 geese. They had a 3 hour walk, as I wanted them to have a look in Albemarle Harbour to see if there was water to be found there. Luckily they found water enough there, so it would be as well to move there, if we are not going to Port Edgar, a haven near Fox Bay, where most whales are now to be seen.
Sunday 11 March 1906
There has been quite a strong wind all day, though not enough, I thought, to prevent the boats from going out in the afternoon, and shooting for themselves a couple of sei whales, close up the land, as the wind was off the land.
This morning Hauken tried to find their anchor and chain, but without success. All they could haul up was tang.
The skippers have held their peace, each onboard their own vessel. I have not seen anything of them. They understand for sure, that I am not especially pleased with them. They are like big goslings, who will only so what they themselves want to do.
I have written to you, Hanna, and this evening Andersen and the Customs Officer sat with me for a while and chatted.
Monday 12 March 1906
Strong wind blowing off the land today. Hauken 2, and Ørnen 1 seiwhale. Agreed with Søren that he should leave for Port Edgar, and convince himself that water was obtainable there and if so, he should return here to let us know. We would then leave for there tomorrow morning. We should have flensed the 2 seiwhale which we had lying astern, by this evening. We would also have emptied the coal hold and have stowed down about 100 barrels of oil, which would help stabilise the vessel. Since the one large boiler is having a clean, and we do not have enough fresh water to fill it, we shall only have the steam from one boiler to propel the ship so we shall not be able to steam at more than half speed. Little pleasure will be derived from that.
Tuesday 13 March 1906
At 5 this morning Hauken came to report that water had been found at Port Edgar. I was on deck when Søren came in. He got harpoons and grenades, and went out again at once. He had towed 2 seiwhale into Port Edgar yesterday. We flensed the other 2 seiwhale in the forenoon, stowed the rest of the coal in the main hold, and stowed down 106 barrels of oil. Anchor was weighed at 1, and we anchored again in Port Edgar at 4 in the afternoon. The boats came into us there with 2 seiwhale each, and so now we have 6 of these small whales lying astern.
Andersen and the Engineer rowed ashore to investigate the practicalities of getting at the water. Happily they seemed good.
Ørnen got 106 tubs of coal in the evening.
Wednesday 14 March 1906
Stormy today, so the boats are staying in. Ørnen is having a boiler-clean. Hauken got 92 tubs of coal. The seas in here are so heavy that Hauken could no longer lie alongside, and had to anchor, so she did not get all the coal she needed.
Had finished with the 6 seiwhale before coffee-time.
Have laid down water conduit pipes ashore so that Ørnen can get fresh water for her boiler. This haven will be very good. The ocean swells cannot reach us.
Thursday 15 March 1906
Today the boats got 2 sei whale each. Bernt has sat here for an hour, talking. Not another black whale has been seen. The prospect of getting a full cargo of oil, with the amount of coal we have remaining, looks gloomy. Too little oil from each seiwhale.
Heavy seas prevent the boats from going out. Have begun to row water out from the shore.
Friday 16 March 1906
Today I have been ashore visiting Manager Dickson, who is the sole inhabitant here at the far end of the bay. The Customs Official was with us. Markussen and Hans rowed us, and we sailed part of the way as well.
There we met the schoolteacher Wilson. Dickson is married with 5 children. Both are respectable and friendly people, and we had dinner with them. I will be able to get mutton from them, but it does not look as if I shall be able to get potatoes. They all appear to be happy and contented, in spite of being so isolated. The man was born in Scotland, and his wife in England and they both follow our whaling activities with interest.
The return trip was not pleasant. The strong wind and heavy rain were against us. When we got back, we were as wet as crows, especially the Customs man, who did not have a coat. I did not offer to row. We had to change our clothes, as we were soaked to the skin.
Hauken has brought in 2 seiwhale. Ørnen has not come in this evening, Bernt must have anchored in a haven somewhere or other.
Saturday 17 March 1906
The same stormy weather. Nevertheless, the boats have 2 seiwhale each so we have flensing for a quarter or a half-day, daily, which is not enough, but it could be worse. We will, all the same, lie here and see if a Right whale can be found in the vicinity.
Sunday 18 March 1906
This forenoon, I took Hauken, and went down to the Manager to fetch him and the schoolteacher, but indeed, the whole family were ready on the jetty, as his wife and all 5 children wanted to come, as well as a boy from Port Stephens. The smallest child was only one year old, and had to be carried by a parent.
They had a midday meal onboard and thought that it was all extremely interesting. The Dicksons said that the children had enjoyed themselves very much, and that they will speak of their visit for years and years to come. They looked at all the photographs in my cabin and thought they were interesting. At 2–30, they boarded Hauken again, to be taken back home, but when Hauken went out through the entrance to the haven, we onboard Admiralen could see that they turned and altered course. I presumed that Søren had seen a whale just outside. Sure enough, at 5, Hauken came in with a seiwhale while the whole family were still onboard. The two men had thought it very interesting to watch the hunt, said Søren. The others had been seasick.
When Ørnen saw that Hauken had gone out, she also went out, but it was too late, and she returned without whale.
It is incomprehensible that the boats will not give up hunting whale on Sunday afternoons at the very least.
Monday 19 March 1906
Notwithstanding the bad weather, the boats have taken 2 seiwhale each today. I have written to Christensen and sent him a telegram giving a total of 3,600 so far, and a letter to you, Hanna, and to the Manse.
Tuesday 20 March 1906
Today there is a severe storm, and we are glad to be lying to 2 anchors. Even so, Ørnen got a seiwhale at breakfast time. Both of the boats are in. One of the whales was driven ashore as we watched.
It would be inadvisable to go to Fox Bay today, so I will leave early tomorrow with Hauken, and I cannot do other than believe that I shall arrive in good time to catch the outgoing mail.
Wednesday 21 March 1906
At 4 a.m., I left onboard Hauken, and hunted some whale outside, but got none. The Customs official was with me. Hauken put us ashore in Fox Bay at 6–30 in the morning. I let her go out again at once, as the schooner carrying the mail had not arrived. Hauken was ordered to return to pick me up when they saw the schooner, or on the following day.
I then went up to the Doctor's house, where I met the stoker, whose toe was fortunately better. He liked the place so much, that when he heard that he would have to stay there for another week yet, he was delighted. I thought that the toe still looked bad, and the Doctor still had to change the dressing every day.
The Doctor and his wife turned up, and were very kind and friendly. We had breakfast together, and they came with me to see the farmer, Mr.Backworth, who has a kind of shop, where I bought meat, some goods, and borrowed some paraffin. Backworth was away, but his wife was home, and we were asked in for tea, and there I met another farmer, Mr.Stickness and his wife.
I had midday lunch at 1 with the Doctor — soup and a whole cold roast, with potatoes and sauce.
Dinner was at 7, and I was aghast to see that the Doctor came to the meal in a black evening dress suit with jacket and with white tie and starched shirt, collar and cuffs. Earlier in the day, he had gone about in a woollen shirt, like me.
His wife was dressed as if for a glittering party, in a velvet gown, with short sleeves and a décolleté neckline. She wore gold chain wristlets on both arms and both wrists, and a gold necklace around her throat, as well as many gold adornments on her dress and with plenty of rings on her fingers.
Can you believe such opulence in such an out-of-the-way place?
I had to ask for forgiveness for my wardrobe. The Doctor told me that his wife would be having a baby, and this was also apparent to me. They had been married for 6 months. She was a well-built and plump woman, similar to Mrs Wald, I think, who was a bathing guest of Olsen's in Grønli.
The Doctor was as thin as Toffe,Footnote 14 but not nearly so tall, so they were, in reality, an odd pair.
I also noted that strangely, his wife sometimes called him ‘My boy’, though of course this is a common expression used by the English.
In the evening we drank a glass of toddy, and sat talking until 10–30 p.m.
Thursday 22 March 1906
At 8 in the morning, the Doctor knocked on my door to say that the schooner had just arrived with the mail. I got up, and we had breakfast, and in the forenoon, the Doctor and his wife were fully occupied with their mail.
I got a packet of letters for Admiralen, Hauken, and Ørnen and it was gratifying to receive your good letter of 4 February — the only one I got. Oh yes, I got one also from Christensen, in London, with the contract for coal, so it would seem that he believes that by now we should have a full cargo.
From Hanna's letter, I see that Christensen had interpreted my telegram from Ushawaia, of 15 January, to mean that by then we had got a total of 850 tons of oil, that is, 5100 full barrels of oil, while I obviously meant 850 barrels, and I cannot understand that Christensen could believe anything so absurd. It would have been utterly impossible to have achieved that quantity in such a short time. He would be much reproached for making such a report known, in order to deceive others, and he cannot have intended that.
I cannot see that I have done anything wrong, as in my opinion, and from what I can remember on that last day at Kamfjord, the orders from Christensen were to telegraph the number of barrels of ordinary oil, with the quantities of sperm and bottlenose in tons. On the slip of paper he gave me and which I obviously still have, nothing is stated about how I should telegraph the quantity of ordinary whale-oil, but however, he had written the following:
SPERM and BOTTLENOSE
SPERM — STATE IN TONS LIKE THIS:-
For 30 TONS SPERM OIL, TELEGRAPH ‘30 SPERM’
I believe that if it had been Christensen's intention that I should telegraph all oil in tons, it would not have been necessary to draw special attention to a directive that sperm oil be declared in tons.
A misunderstanding exists, and Christensen obviously believes that he had given me orders to telegraph all oil in tons.
I will submit the slip of paper to Wegger and Dahl, and I am certain that they will be in agreement with me.
It is extremely deplorable, and I cannot say how grieved I am. Later on, I was so annoyed that I had to take an hour's walk in a frightful gale, to reach a calmer frame of mind.
I am happy to see that you were the only one who was sensible, and it was absolutely correct of you to tell Christensen that it was impossible for us to have produced such a large yield in such a short time.
Here we are, a long way from home, working hard and striving day in and day out to produce as much oil as possible, and now Christensen will cause me much stress and shame, as it will probably be me who will get the blame, until the time comes when I can enlighten everyone about the actual circumstances and state of affairs.
At 1 midday, Hauken called. I left at once and arrived here at 2–30. Hauken got 200 tubs of coal. Yesterday Ørnen got 200 tubs. Both boats brought in 5 seiwhale yesterday, and one each today. Since then we have had a gale.
Friday 23 March 1906
The same storm continues today.
Ørnen 2 and Hauken 1 whale.
August was out with Hauken today, to get the promised shot, but he did not get a whale. The harpoon bent, so it is presumed that it hit the whale. Søren shot the next, so they came in with whale, and August returned onboard here. Ørnen is in this evening. Hauken on the other hand, is not, so I presume they are lying in Lucas Bay tonight.
Saturday 24 March 1906
Today I have had to take the decision to begin pumping oil into the ballast tank, as the cooper cannot keep up with the demand for empty barrels. We have only 5 or 600 barrels ready for use. About 35 barrels have been pumped in today. We have cooked two fills of the boiler, which will give 50 barrels of oil to be pumped in tomorrow. The tank will take about 650 barrels altogether, so it is taking a risk to start filling it, but there was nothing else I could do. I hope that we will get enough whale after this, to fill it, since full it must be, before we can leave here, and if necessary I will have to pump oil into it from some of the other tanks.
The storm is worse than ever today. Ørnen only 1 seiwhale, Hauken none. Both boats lying in.
Sunday 25 March 1906
Still storm. Will not use either of the whale boats to take us to the local house where we were invited to dinner, as the wind is blowing too hard, and making too high a sea for us even to take the sailboat, so I will stay onboard and write.
Monday 26 March 1906
Today the wind is stronger than ever before. We are keeping up a head of steam, and have warmed the engine, so that we can use it immediately if we are driven towards the shore. I do not think that we have had a storm of such severity before. When daylight came today, we saw that the boats had steam up, and were steaming up to their anchors. Andersen has been on deck since 2 in the morning.
At 7, the boats were right up to the head of the Bay where the houses are, and anchored there, where there was more shelter from this direction of wind.
Tuesday 27 March 1906
Outside there are heavy seas following yesterday's hurricane, but even so, Hauken got 2 seiwhale, though Ørnen got none. Each boat also fired two shots that missed.
We cannot recover the whale that drove ashore, without the help of one of the whaleboats. 8 men have been ashore and tried.
The water-boat that was driven ashore, has been brought back again, and fortunately it does not appear to have been damaged.
Virik sailed up to the houses today to fetch 10 sheep and 2 sacks of potatoes.
Wednesday 28 March 1906
Hauken got the stranded whale off today at high water. Still stormy. the boats have got a seiwhale each. Have kept inside since midday.
I have drawn up a summary of all disbursements made since our departure from Sandefjord up until our return there, and have arrived at a resultant total of 190,000 Kr.
Therefore, if we can attain a total of 4,500 barrels of oil, and the price at home being 30 øre per kilo, we would come to a total of about 240,000 Kr. as the value of the catch — a surplus of about 50,000 Kr. This is 20%, which would be good, but I doubt if we would do so well another time.
Thursday 29 March 1906
The boats 1 seiwhale. Heavy seas outside.
The skippers sat in here this evening with me for supper.
A pipe in Hauken's boiler has burst, and has to be repaired.
Something happened onboard Ørnen. The rear-sight on the harpoon gun moved up by half-an-inch, so when Bernt went to fire it on the 27th, the shot missed, and at least one whale was lost thereby. The following morning he shot again and missed. This he found curious, and thought that something was amiss. Under closer scrutiny, he found that the sight had been altered. That is indeed disgraceful and outrageous. It must have been done by one or another onboard, presumably to damage the skipper's reputation, or to take revenge on him. We have a suspect, but it will be a difficult task to prove, though I will attempt it.
Friday 30 March 1906
Ørnen 2 seiwhale today, Hauken 1. Both boats came in during the evening after it got dark.
After breakfast, Andersen, August, Markussen, Olaf and the Customs Official, went fishing and came back at 6–30 in the evening with over 300 large fish, so the boats, as well as ourselves, will have enough for every man to have fish and fish soup tomorrow.
Saturday 31 March 1906
Today we have tolerably good weather. Both boats came in before midday, each with their whale.
Ørnen's winch has broken down. The rotating drum on the starboard side has broken right across.
We got it off so that the smith could make a new one, while Ørnen went out to look for whale again. It will be possible to use the remaining half winch — the drum on the port side — for another time or two.
Hauken has come in, but not Ørnen however, and I think that Bernt may have anchored in Fox Bay this evening to collect the stoker, who should by now have recovered enough to rejoin his ship.
To date we have taken 157 whale, yielding about 3970 barrels of oil.
Sunday 1 April 1906
Today, for a change, there is fine mild weather, with sunshine from early morning.
Markussen asked for the use of the sailboat to go sailing a little. Permission was given, and August went with him, but if they become aware of smoke and a bonfire ashore at the settlement, they will have to return at once, as that would be an indication that the Manager at Port Stephens had arrived, and wanted to be fetched.
At 11 they returned, and August, quite breathless, came in to see me as I sat writing, to report that there was smoke to be seen on shore, and that he had also seen flames. I had a look through the telescope, but could see nothing. There was a possibility that it was an attempt to play an April 1st joke on me, as the others believed, but I thought not, as I do not think that August would venture to do this.
I told him and Markussen to go off again as far as they could, to investigate, and they would not have to be back until 2 p.m., with the message that no bonfires had been lit.
At 4, Ørnen came in with the stoker onboard, and with a seiwhale taken on the way from Fox Bay. He was almost well again. An hour later Hauken came in with a whale.
Søren caused a frightful row, and was insolent to me in front of everyone. He complained again about the harpoons, and now said that the smith was to blame as he had ruined all the harpoons. I told him to be quiet, but that only made him worse, so I told him to lay Hauken alongside Admiralen and bring the condemned harpoons onboard, when he would be given new ones in their place, and when that was done, he was to report to me in my cabin.
He came in due course and was somewhat calmer. I handed him a written note saying that I would not tolerate such conduct, and told him further that both he and Bernt had been asked repeatedly as to how well the smith had straightened out used harpoons, to which they had always replied that they were good, and that they had no complaints about his work.
Now, on April 1st, Søren comes along and says that the smith is incompetent.
Bernt has not complained at all about the harpoons, and it would be extraordinary if a faulty harpoon had never come aboard his vessel at some time or another.
I have said in the past, and I said again today to Søren, that there could be something wrong with Hauken's gun, but he will not countenance that.
Monday 2 April 1906
The boats went out this morning, but came in again around midday, since nothing could be accomplished outby.
Hauken got 92 tubs of coal, and Ørnen 90. I did not speak with Søren. Bernt came here and had supper with me in the evening. He had no complaints to make about the harpoons.
Tuesday 3 April 1906
Storm. Ørnen got a whale before breakfast.
Have now taken 160 whale. Both boats lying in. August sat here with me in the evening, and had supper with me. There is something not right with his eyes. We played a little Two Men's Whist for the first time. I understand from him that his father had not written to say that he would be in Buenos Aires to arrange matters, so he would not stay there as he could not pay his own way, he said.
I asked him if he wanted to go onboard a whaleboat in Port Stanley again, and I think that is what he will do. If it happens, he will be able to learn some English during those 5 months, since I can introduce him to some gentlemen in Stanley so that he can get to know people with whom he can associate.
Wednesday 4 April 1906
Today is Petra's birthday. She is 44 years of age, and is an old maid now, no doubt dissatisfied with her lot, and will probably try more and more to reform those of the male gender, who, from her own experiences in life can be much improved. On the other hand, however, her own gender do not need any improvement, to judge by what, up to now, has been her main interest.
Hauken has got 3 seiwhale, Ørnen none. Storm. Hauken was lucky in finding a whale just outside the entrance, so we could all watch the hunt.
Thursday 5 April 1906
Today we have had fine weather, especially up until 2 p.m. Ørnen has indeed brought in 4 seiwhale, and Hauken 2. I have spoken with Bernt each time he has brought in whale, and have recorded it. On the other hand, I have not been present when Hauken delivered its whale, since the day Søren caused a row and was insolent. Whether for his sake or mine, I want to avoid any possible repetition.
Friday 6 April 1906
Still fine weather today, as the boats brought in 5 whale. Ørnen got 70 tubs of coal this evening.
As it was hunter Ellefsen's birthday, I invited him, Søren and Bernt to have supper with me, and afterwards Andersen and the Customs Officer came in as well. I opened Dahl's case of punch and treated them all to a glass.
Saturday 7 April 1906
Today we have again had fine weather for the time of year, and for this latitude.
AkkenFootnote 15 celebrates his 12th birthday today. Good luck, my dear Akken, and well done to you, Hanna, for having brought him along so well. Akken has always been a kind and obedient boy, clever at school, and his and Titti's friendship is touching. I am certain that Akken will give us pleasure in the future. His affection for you, Hanna, is very great.
Ørnen has got 3 and Hauken 1.
Things have all gone wrong for Søren today. He complained about a wet and heavy forerunner, and got a new coil. He does not want to complain about harpoons any more, I think, as I have laid aside all those that he rejected, for inspection when we return home.
Hauken got the rest of the coal, only 55 tubs. Now we have scarcely enough coal to spare for the boats, so it is uncertain whether they will be able to hunt until Maundy Thursday.
Sunday 8 April 1906
Tolerably good weather. I was onboard Hauken for a short time. Søren declared that he would never come South here again, to which I replied that he was bound by agreement, for one year yet, but this was in jest. He will leave whaling altogether, he said, which, however, I do not believe a word of, as he is no good at doing anything else.
Monday 9 April 1906
Today is Father's 76th birthday. It is strange to think that this will be the last time that day will be celebrated in the Manse. They will all be gathered there today. Yes, Father has done a tremendous amount of good in Sandeherred, and it is incredible how each day he worked from early morning until late at night. Everyone likes him so very much. Father has no enemies.
Everyone has had a glass of toddy this evening, and Bernt and Andersen had supper with me. Afterwards, ordinary crew members came in and we drank a skål to Father in punch. Today Ørnen has got 3 whales and Hauken none.
Tuesday 10 April 1906
Today is Mother-in-law's birthday, and I wish her good luck. I am not quite sure how old she is today, but I reckon that she is about 68, that is, born in 1838. She was married on 18 February 1858, and I presume that she was 20 then, but perhaps she was younger.
She has always been very kind and charming to me, and I have always admired her patience and her ability to work.
Father-in-law, with all his good qualities, was not just the easiest man to satisfy. He and Mother-in-law were also very different, and I fear that in his later years, their life together was not entirely happy.
The boats were in sheltering from the storm today. Andersen sat here with me this evening. We drank a skål to Mother-in-law.
Wednesday 11 April 1906
Fine weather today, and the boats have been out all day, without any results. Hauken came in at 5 p.m. with a seiwhale, which was flensed at once.
I went with Hauken to Dickson, and paid for the potatoes and mutton. Returned at 7, when Ørnen came in with a whale which we will flense early tomorrow.
Have decided to stop the catching. We have no more coal now than will get us to Port Stanley.
The final result of the hunting is as follows:
24 Blue, 3 Sperm, 36 Fin, 23 Humpback, 97 Sei
Total 183 Whale, of which Hauken caught 93,
namely:- 14 Blue, 3 Sperm,17 Fin,11 Humpback, 48 Sei
93.
and Ørnen 90, namely: 10 Blue, 19 Fin, 12 Humpback, 49 Sei
90
Thursday 12 April 1906
Today is Maundy Thursday.
Flensed the last whale this morning and left at 8 o'clock. When we came out of the Bay, we decided to go through Falkland Sound, with the intention of anchoring on the North side of it, in the evening, but when it looked as if the weather would be fine, we carried on in Admiralen. Meanwhile the whaleboats decided to wait, and anchored in a haven on the West side, which the skippers will come to regret.
They decided not to risk a voyage along the coast at night.
Friday 13 April 1906
Today is Good Friday. Arrived off the approaches to Port Stanley at 4 in the morning, and lay stopped for a couple of hours off Pembroke Light, until dawn.
