Ascrimshontering
Note: Based on the journal (1842)
of LI seaman George Babcock.

In company with a ship from Sag Harbor,
see a gam of spurm whale and chase them
but cannot ketch them for there wild as deers
(the old man is afraid of his own shadow)
lower three times and start four a them
and not dart none and then back on board
we must pull ourselves about for hard work
all day long, and at night we stand a watch
and tell sum yarns to pass away the time
and sing tunes, Lady love, welcome me home …

Here's our luck: think we are seein land
and we are seein one seal and kelp.


P.S. On sighting Long Island after two years at sea,
Babcock said he felt "happy as a clam at hay water."

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