A. Hyatt Verrill, "The Real Story of the Whaler" (1916):


Twas a love of adventure and a longing for gold,
And a hardened desire to roam
Tempted me far away o’er the watery world,
Far away from my kindred and home.

With a storm-beaten captain, so fearless and bold,
And a score of brave fellows or two,
Far away to the hardships, the hunger and cold,
Sailed this fearless and jovial crew.

Have you ever cruised on Diego’s bold shores,
That are washed by the Antarctic wave,
Where the white-pluméd albatross merrily soars
O’er many a poor whaler’s grave?

Did you ever hear tell of that mighty sperm whale,
That when boldly attacked in his lair,
With one sweep of his mighty and ponderous tail
Sends the whaleboat so high in the air?

Did you ever join in with those heart-ringing cheers
   With your face turned to Heaven’s blue dome
As laden with riches you purchased so dear
   You hoisted your topsails,—bound home?

Verrill (1871-1954) was one of those amazing forgotten characters: illustrator, inventor, explorer, naturalist, and author of more than 100 books. Once on the West Indies he salvaged a Spanish galleon sunk in the 1600s.

The Introduction to the book credits Pemberton H. Nye, of New Bedford, for "advice, information, and suggestions such as could only have been obtained from one who has actually taken part in the scenes described."

Nye (1870-1946) was Massachusetts ship owner who had been a whaling industry agent in the 1890s.