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A Whaling Master's Adventuresome Life The Autobiography of Captain Alexander Macy
(Continued from the July issue) "IN THE MORNING it was quite calm and the captain of the brig, with two passengers, came on board. Gapt. Chase took them over the ship to examine our crippled state and proposed to the captain of the brig to take us in tow and endeavor to get us into port. After viewing the situation, he declined, but said if we wished to leave the ship he would take us on board. Capt. Chase thought it best to abandon her. "The captain of the brig then requested us to transfer water and provisions sufficient for the additional crew. Capt. Chase went on board the brig; their long boat was sent to us and I received orders to send water and provisions. I complied with these and the orders for things most valuable, clothing, nautical instruments, etc., which used up the day. About sundown, a slight breeze sprung up. All were now on board except one boat's crew and myself. I sent my men into the boat, and finally, with much regret, went over the ship's side myself, for I still held the hope to the last of working the wreck into port. Such was the end of the General Lincoln, as fine a ship as ever floated. She was after wards seen nearly under water. "After four days of pleasant weather, the brig Telegraph arrived in New York about the 15th of November. Thence we took passage in a sloop to Nantucket. After I arrived I was called on by a merchant of this place who told me that he had been awaiting my arrival from New York and wished me to go to Boston and see Israel Thorndike and confer with him about taking one of his ships to Havre in France. I was to procure a French flag and sail as a French ship on a whaling voyage, under a decree of Louis Philippe, King of the French, the gov ernment at that time offering a large bounty to the owners of the ship. "I agreed to the proposal and took command of the ship Columbus, bringing my officers from Nantucket. We sailed on Jan. 4, 1819, and reached Havre; thence sailing for the coast of Africa; thence to the Brazil Banks. After a voyage of 17 months, I returned with a full ship in August, 1820. "When I arrived in Havre, I found letters from Mr. Thornaike, my owner, to consign my cargo to 'Wells, Williams and Green' for sale, and, if I thought it best, to fit the ship for another voyage; but, if the prospect was not good for another whaling voyage, he wished me to advertise for freight for New York or Boston. If I could not obtain freight, to sell the ship.
