January 17, 1820 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

17th. saw whales in abundance–of the size of this animal I had no conception before I beheld them. Of the animal kind they are the greatest curiosity that I ever saw. Samuel saw one (for nothing of the marvelous escapes his notice) which he called one of the first settlers. his head being covered with moss and seashells. resembling a craggy rock. We are visited every day by Albatrosses and Cape Pigeons. The former is a large bird resembling a goose only in its wings. which. when spread. extend 10. sometimes 15. feet. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

Jan. 17. We have thought best to proceed in a systematic all manner. Each one to form a planned, and divide his time as is most for his convenience; appropriating two each portion some particular duty or employment, that no part of it may be wasted or misspent. Concluding you will like to know how I spend my time, I will give you my calendar for the day.
5 to half past 7, private and family devotions, and the use of my needle.
Half past 7 to 9, breakfast and exercise.
9 to 12, writing and study.
12 to 1, recitation and conversation.
1 to 2, dinner, and private devotion.
2 to 5, writing and reading.
5 to 6, study of the language
6 to half past 7, tea, conversation, and exercise.
Half past 7 to half-past nine, private and family devotions.
Half past 9 to 5, meditation and sleep.
In this manner I intend to spend my time for the present should nothing prevent. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

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January 18, 1820 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

18. – The pen with which I now write has made was made from a quill which I have just drawn from the wing of an Albatross, a bird peculiar to this country & the Cape of Good Hope. The writing part of the quill is about 5 inches long & is superior to a goose quill. The bird measured 10 feet from the end of one wing to the end of the other. Four of them have been shot but we could get none till today. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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January 19, 1820 – Just obtained the first sounding since we left Boston, in 65 fathoms of water, off cape Helena. Three vessels are now in sight. Two of them appear like men-of-war and the third is a Brig. Whether friends or foes we know not: but we are always gratified to see a sail, and when one appear we never fail to think of home. – P.M. A huge spermaceti whale has just appeared and approached very near our Brig. His head seemed to be covered in part with sea-shells. After elevating the upper part of his head and monstrous back above the surface of the water repeatedly, and through the large orifices on the back part of the head, blowing up the briny spray, he descended and passed our stern, and after rising again to the surface, tossed his broad tail high into the air, and went down again to the chambers of the deep, thus he obeys the voice of God. – The maneuvering of the three vessels indicate that they are whalemen, probably English. (Thaddeus Journal)

Jan. 19th. We have been driven back from the 45° and have not yet passed it. This morning it was thought bottom might be found—sounded and found it 65 fathoms.
In Lon. W. 60°. Just now three sails appear off towards the coast—supposed to be Spanish. We find different emotions, almost at the same moment, at sight of a sail.
2 o’clock. A monster of the deep has just presented itself to full view. There is a calm and the vessel is lying to. I found a little nook, behind one of the sails let down, where I was enjoying a few turns before commencing my after—noon studies, when my eye was suddenly turned by a dashing in the water, and, much to my gratification, caught a huge whale whose hump back was quite above the surface. He spouted as if in a frolick. All eyes were soon turned towards him, while he advanced, jumping up and down, till he came along side the vessel, when at once all was still and smooth. Every one was upon the watch, but nothing more was known of him till he had passed silently along a great distance, the other side of the vessel. His monstrous head appeared as if covered with shells, and on the back part of it were orifices through which he spouted the water. We have been much gratified with the sight of those noble birds, called Albatross; within a few days. Previous to a gale they are about our vessel, moving with majestic wing.
When it is a calm they sit upon the water along its side, like tame geese. One was killed, last week, and brought on board. It measured, from the extremities of the wings, about ten feet—its bill was long and hooked—its feathers white, spotted with black, and very numerous.
I am writing with one of its quills. (Sybil Bingham)

Jan. 19. We are now in latitude 45° S and are pleasantly sailing along the coasts of Patagonia, 6 miles an hour. The sea is calm, and the weather moderate. The motion of the vessel is but gentle, so that I can write very well. Sometimes it is almost impossible to use my pen we are in such unpleasant motion. We have had much boisterous weather of late, and a pleasant day is hailed with gratitude. We feel a peculiar pleasure, when our family are able to be about and enjoying comfortable health. Brother Ruggles, Sister Holman, and Sister Loomis, have been quite gone well most of the time. Indeed Brother R has scare seen all well days since he left America. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

19. – We have not had a pleasanter day since we left Boston. Fast approaching Cape Horn. The north & east winds warm, the south winds cold & dreary. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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January 20, 1820 – Another whalesman appeared but we had not the opportunity to her though we passed very near her. (Thaddeus Journal)

Jan. 20th. Sounded and found it 65 fathoms. We are about 40 or 30 miles from the South American coast; Lat. 45. Long. 60. our Lat. is the same as it was last sabbath. I have been viewing our track which Capt. B. has marked out on the map, and think it must bear a striking resemblance to that which the children of Israel pursued, while in the wilderness. Hay we have no disposition to indulge a murmuring thought against him who rides upon the stormy winds and manages the seas. Surely if our Pilot and guide is possessed with infinite skill as we know he is, we will not fear tho’ the earth be moved, and the mountains be carried into the sea. (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

Jan. 20. This morning we sounded, and found 65 fathoms of water. It is the first time we have found bottom, since we hoisted anchor. Soon after three vessels appeared in sight which at first we suspected to be a privateers; but as they do not approach us, we clone conclude they were out on a whaling excursion. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

Jan 20. – This day sounded & found 65 fathoms. The first time we have found bottom. I should like to go onshore exercise a little get some fresh water, fruit, & make the Patagonians a short visit. Three ships discovered today: at first we supposed them to the pirates, but by their movements afterwards concluded they were whalemen. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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January 21, 1820 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

Jan. 21st. I have been on board thirteen weeks, and have never seen the prow of the vessel till this noon.
I have been out to have my walk as usual, and have ventured, among all the things, with Mr. B—, to that end. We have scarce ever sailed at the rate we are now sailing, —about nine knots an hour. It appeared, when I looked over, to give me a pretty just idea of “plowing the Main”. We shall soon be at the Cape, if prospered with the present winds. (Sybil Bingham)

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