1847        "Auto-Biographical Sketches, by a Merchant Sailor, Illustrative of the State of the British Merchant Service." _The Nautical Magazine_ 16 (Feb. 1847): 73-8

This is at least part 3 of a series, started in volume 15 (1846). I wasn't able to ascertain exactly what years are being remembered. If it's the West India trade, I am guessing 1830s (?). Likewise, I'm not sure if Bay of Kingston refers to Jamaica or St. Vincent or...

Local Black stevedores at a capstan are described singing in a unique way.

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We arrived in the magnificent Bay of Kingston in the island of _____ after a very fine passage of twenty-nine days. Jemmy and his wife landed, with their traps, and took up. their abode with his relation, a planter, the mate was left in full charge, and I heard the master, among the last words he said, tell him to send to the consignee's store for any thing he wanted. We had no spirits ou board on the passage out for the crew, the master saying that it had been forgotten in Liverpool…
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To enable the reader to understand the events which occurred on board our vessel, during our stay, it will be necessary to explain the custom of the trade as regards loading the cargoes of produce. The sugar and other articles are all collected at the various estates by small cutters and schooners, carrying from twelve to twenty hogsheads; at some places they are loaded at small jetties, at others, the hogsheads are carried to the droger singly, in a boat constructed on purpose, and called a Moses boat. When there is a strong trade wind, the drogers cannot get the produce loaded in consequence of the surf being too high to permit the Moses boat to land. They, therefore, take every opportunity of procuring sugar during favourable weather, and, in order that no time may be lost, it is the custom for the ship's crew to commence taking in sugar from the droger whenever she comes alongside the vessel, whether Sunday or week-day, day or night. These drogers are all commanded by white men, respectable and trustworthy, generally old mates of vessels; they are well paid, and looked on as a very respectable class; the crew is-always composed of negroes, and always numerous from the heavy nature of the work, the hogsheads weighing often one ton each. When the droger goes alongside to commence discharging, the greater port of her crew generally go on board to assist in heaving the sugars on board, which is done by the capstan, (or, at least, was done at the time I am writing of, now, the double winch is often used, and some vessels have regular cranes, which they set up on deck when taking in or discharging,) the negroes singing the whole time a variety of songs, and beating time with their feet. Many of the negroes are improvisatoires of no mean talent, and many a severe remark is passed while singing, upon both mate and master, if not favourites. On some of the beautifully still, calm, clear, evenings enjoyed in the tropics, when no sound is heard save the chirping of the cricket amongst the rigging, or the dull murmur of the distant surf, the sudden commencement of the negro song, on board some vessel in the bay, taking in sugar, would rouse the mind from its lethargy, and recall the wandering thoughts to the realities around.
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