Chapter 12: Charles & Nancy Ship on the Mohawk

Grant August 28, 1839, when she was 16 years old. These two families, Grant and Wyer, were the ancestors of George A. Grant and his sister Eleanor Baker Peirce, whose children are the third generation.

The son of George, Arthur Burbank Grant, was a sea-farer and ensign in World War I and, recently, owner of the fishing boat Madeline." His son, Robert Swain Grant, is a deep- sea fisherman and presently employed in the U. S. Fish & Wild Life Service with duties on the "Delaware" of Gloucester, Mass.

His second son, Philip Baron, is also a deep-sea fisherman and manager, with his brother-in-law, of a very successful seasonal fish market in Nantucket.

This is the background and the introduction to my sea-faring family.

(Written in 1957.)

Charles had enjoyed the life of a landlubber for over a year. Being ashore and at home was pleasant and it was gratifying to walk down the streets and meet old friends and receive the daily news.

The agents, P. & I. Macy, were not so willing to allow him these privileges. They were urging him every day to take another ship out for them.

Charles finally expressed his willingness to take the ship MOHAWK for a voyage. For some weeks he was kept busy in preparing for sailing. For First Mate he chose William Beebee; Second Mate, Benjamin Gorham; and Third Mate, James Cathcart.

The MOHAWK was a 350-ton ship built in Medford, Mass., in 1850. Her first voyage was from 1850-54 with Capt. Oliver C. Swain as Master. The second voyage was 1854-58 with Charles Grant as Master, when he sailed the ship around the world. Her next voyage was 1859-63 with Capt. George H. Swain, after which voyage she was sold to New York.

Nancy packed her chests and shipped with him, taking little Charlie who was now about four years old. One would think that, after the previous voyage, she would have had enough of privation! but she was a brave woman and really enjoyed the life on shipboard! It was far better for her to be with her husband than to he at home waiting and wondering when he would return.

There were many items to be packed for the use of little Charlie and for the new baby who would arrive before the voyage was over. Courage indeed was needed to face the possibility of storms at sea and sickness which might occur; and, in her condition of pregnancy, it was more than necessary to keep up that courage.

Nancy packed hooks and pencils for the little fellow and plenty of scrap paper, for he would have to be entertained for many waking hours. And, again, plenty of sewing materials for the preparation of a wardrobe for the new baby as well as keeping Charlie fitted out with clothes.

The ship cleared from Edgartown on the 15th of August, 1854. We had access to the log of this voyage and follow the ship from day to day in its course.

For the first three weeks all hands kept busy fitting out boats, making sails and fitting them, and regular ship's duties. Some bad seas were encountered and the larboard boat got stove in.

By the 27th of August they had reached the islands of Flores and Corvo; from these two islands, Charles took on seven Portuguese. Took on three passengers and then headed for Fayal. Three passengers were put ashore here and Charles went ashore and shipped three men.

Now he sets the course for Brava and he went ashore there and got a bullock, pigs, bananas, etc. This meant they would have some pork steaks and chops and, best of all, some fresh beef.

On the 24th of September, they sight the RALPH THOMPSON of London, which was short of provisions; Charles generously gave them bread and flour. Before the MOHAWK reached Trinidad, there were two men sick. On the 17th of October they sighted a wreck, sent a boat to investigate, and found she had still the remains of a cargo of wine.

The next two days they were busy loading wine. Before they finished they had 1200 gallons, which was all stowed down. One of the men fell from the crojack yard but was not seriously injured. On November 1st they were crossing the Indian Ocean and spoke and boarded the ship STEPHANY of New Bedford 87 days out, and kept company with her.

On the 12th, as there were no whales in sight, Charles ordered two boats down to give the men some exercise. When December came, they had hard luck. Anderson fell from the yard and broke his leg, which was set, and he was made comfortable. They had three men down sick, one of them seriously so, with what they called slow nervous fever. Anderson died on the 24th, and with the usual ceremonies, his body was consigned to the deep. This was a sad

Christmas for them all.

There could not be much celebration of Christmas for Charlie, except that he could hang his stocking and receive some gifts. No doubt the men in the crew had made some toys or gadgets for him to play with.

Now it is January 1855, and they were entering the Pacific Ocean. By the 18th, they were steering for the harbor at Bay of Islands, N.Z. There were six ships here at anchor. The two sick men were put ashore and also a raft for water. Now the crew has a chance to get ashore. One day the starboard watch goes on liberty, and next day the larboard watch.

On the 24th, three men deserted from the larboard watch on shore; however, they were caught and brought on board and put in irons. On this same day the EDWARD CAREY came in port, fresh from home, eight months out, with Capt. Perry Winslow and his family. This meant gamming between the two ships as the Winslows were very good friends of the Grants.

On the 26th, the ship MARIA sailed for the Sandwich Islands. Next day, the ship BEN TUCKER sailed for home, and the JAMES ARNOLD sailed out. The DESDEMONA came in and anchored. All ships were wearing the ensign at half mast for the death of the Second Mate of the ship LANCASTER, the cause of his death being "going below too soon after smoking out the ship for rats." His body was carried ashore. On the last day of January, the MOHAWK is preparing for sea. The Second Mate was sick so Charles raised the Third Mate in his place and shipped a Third from the DESDEMONA. The ship SWIFT arrived and the ELIZABETH sailed, both of New Bedford This had been a regular gala time for the captains and their wives.

The Bay of Islands is a busy port and all skippers like to put in here. The American whaling was started at South Island in about 1834, at Cloudy Bay, and the Bay of Islands was the general calling place of American vessels for mail and supplies.

After this, the New Zealand waters were invaded with American whalers. Capt. Smith of the DESDEMONA in 1850 reported his ship at Port Nelson, and he wrote that Port Nelson was far superior to the Bay of Islands as a place for recruiting crews for whale ships. Recruiting was cheaper and the inhabitants appeared more anxious for trade. Capt. Smith thought there should be an American consul or consular agent appointed, as there were no American residents.

It was at this time that Nancy felt that she should remain here at the Bay until after her baby came. The log of the ship LEX-

INGTON, kept by Mrs. Peter Brock, who was with her husband and their son, Joseph Chase, a small boy, is of particular interest right here, as she kept a very intelligent journal of the days' happenings. To quote from this journal:

Feb. 12th, 1855. At Bay of Islands' PLANTER, GANGES and ENTERPRISE here. The MOHAWK gone out. Mrs. Grant on shore here. The decks were swarmed with natives, men, women and children, all bare foot and bare head. They swarm up and down the sides of the ship like cats. Loaded down with peaches. Capt. and Mrs. Nicker son of the GANGES on shore. She has an infant 6 weeks old, staying at Dr. Fords. Ben Gorham, late Mate of the MOHAWK, on shore sick. Eggs 50 cents a dozen, very dear. Onions $6 a bbl. Board for three - $4.00 a day. The Russell Hotel, kept by Mr. Evans and his wife, English people, has been here for twelve years; got burned out once.

Feb. 14 - Mrs. Grant well and in good spirits. A German teacher played and sang very sweetly, a very distinguished singer. Feb. 18 - St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the natives at 8 a.m. and the whites at 11 a.m. and 6 in the evening. This church stands in the grave yard, a beautiful spot, full of trees, two large cactus trees and many rose bushes. Saw a great many stones, one lately set. Sacred to the memory of George B. Sherman, who died on hoard the ship LANCASTER. 2nd Mate aged 30 years in 1855, a native of Rochester. Nobly he did his duty here below, but now he has gone aloft."

They had smoked ship for rats; this man was left on board to look out. When the Capt. went on board the next day, they went below and found him lying dead on the cabin floor; they supposed he must have gone down in his sleep.

Feb. 18 - Went to church with the Fords, the pastor was Mr. Williams. Feb. 19 - Mrs. Grant well. Called on Mrs. Cook: Feb. 20 - Mrs. Grant not very well. Feb. 22 - Went to see Mrs. Grant. Took tea at Mrs. Fords. Mrs. Grant well but lonesome without Mrs. Nickerson. Feb. 23 - Little Charlie Grant came on board to spend the day with Joseph Chase. Sunday, Feb. 25th, 1855. Note from Mrs. Ford says Mrs. Grant was confined this morning at 5 o'clock and requested me to come directly on shore. Spent the day with Mrs. Grant; found her and left her very comfortable. A very beautiful baby daughter, Eleanor Baker. Felt bad parting with her, knowing it will be a long time before we meet again, if ever; she is a very fine woman, one I dearly love.

This ends the part of the journal which is of interest here.

This first- hand information of the birth of Nancy's baby is invaluable. Would that more logs told a little of the personal life of

the captain and his wife on board ship!

Logs as a whole are dry reading - mostly wind, weather, taking in sails, etc. Of course, whales are reported seen and caught, but not too much of the daily life on board, so the journals kept by the wives or the captains themselves have proved to be of great interest and value.

Nancy was most happy to have a little baby daughter, and the name Eleanor (Ella) Baker was given her for a good friend, Mrs. Baker of New Bedford. She was the wife of a captain, and herself had a baby born in Russell sometime in later years.

Ella, as she was always called, was destined to live for one hundred years. She married and had a family of nine, and .always lived in New Bedford. When she had her one hundredth birthday, the family gathered at her residence to help celebrate. The writer was among those present. She was gay and happy, although she had lost her sight, but her mind was keen and she thoroughly enjoyed the birthday. Her living children numbered four; she had lost her oldest son, who was seventy-five, just a short time before. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren were present at her party.

Ella made only one voyage, otherwise remaining at home while her parents were at sea. She recalls only that on board ship she was given a ride in a box strapped to a large tortoise, on the deck of the MOHAWK.

Nancy had a happy time ashore with her good friends, the Fords, and Charlie had a good time playing with the children on shore. When he went on board the LEXINGTON to play with Joseph Chase Brock, how little he knew that in years to come Joe Brock was to become a well-known character on the streets of Nantucket. Both were to be sea farers also.

Charles was cruising all through the months of February and March. He was having rather bad luck again, as on the 11th of Feb. there were two boats down chasing whales. They got one, but it came on a bad storm and the whale was tied up. The wind increased so much that it stove the bow boat and carried away the cranes and bearers. The next day, the whale, which was still tied up, parted the ropes and broke away, but they got it back again; toward evening, they started cutting in and boiling. The whale made 50 bbls.

The Second Mate was off duty with a bad cut. Busy days were then the order of the day, as there were repairs to be made, after the storm.

On the 20th, the bark CAROLINE was spoken and boarded; Charles shipped two Kanakas from her. Two days later, he discovered a man stowed away; he had been a prisoner on the

CAROLINE and had deserted.

An interesting letter from a mother in Nantucket to her sons, who was at sea, might be of interest here.

Nantucket, Mass.

August 14, 1856 Dear Children:

I shall write a few lines to let you know that we are well at present, thank God, and hope these lines will find you all the same. Ship DANIEL WEBSTER came in and landed your oil in good order, about 570 bbls. It is all stowed in the shed on account of warm weather and no demand from abroad yet.

Oil is down to $1.50 a gal., by oil being forced into the market to settle voyages. Capt. Starbuck and wife came to see me. Capt. Pease has got the ship PLANTER and sent me the letters and things you sent us and wrote me he would be in, in a few days. Joseph Chase has been home for some time. Got married and his wife had a child, four weeks ago; he just went to New York to get a voyage. Telegraph news brought us said he was taken with yellow fever and died.

Telegraph wires are put up from Town to Great Point and the cable arrived yesterday in a steamer called the JANE BLEW(?). She runs from here to New York; this cable will be led from Great Point across the sound to Sandy Point, then we will get the news quick. Nantucket is coming up, if you boys get the oil.

I have this day sent a box by express to New Bedford to be put on board the AMERICA, going out with a boat-load of provisions for ships, to Upolu, to Capt. Grant and others. J. and L. are going to New Bedford and are in a large fitting store.

Give our respects to Mr. Coffin and Mr. Sandsbury; tell them their family is well and call to see us. Flour was $13.50 abbl., now $10.00 I sent you a little shoe box to be kept at Bay of Islands. Ship RICHARD MITCHELL is in and a ship MASSACHUSETTS. The PHOENIX is fitting and the LEXINGTON and MARY.

Joseph's ship is on the way, and ship PLANTER, also, for repairs.

Yours with respect,

On the 31st of March, Charles headed for Bay of Islands. He was recruiting here for water, potatoes, onions, apples, peaches, and wood. The log of the MOHAWK reads for April 2nd:

Twenty-five men ashore on liberty, must be celebrating the birth."

It was at this time that the steamboat arrived from Auckland with supplies for the MOHAWK.

When Charles was ready to sail, Nancy and Charlie and the new baby had to be gotten aboard and another problem was facing them. Charlie was becoming somewhat of a problem, as all small children

are, in trying to find ways to entertain him. He would go forward in good weather and the men would keep him entertained, but when it was too stormy to go on deck, then Nancy had her hands full. They played games and she taught him his ABC's, and read to him. Baby Ella was good as could be, but she needed much care and Nancy was kept busy.

The ship called the 6th of April, 1855, and on the 15th, spoke and boarded the JAMES ARNOLD, Capt. Thomas Sullivan, another great friend of the Grants. Also spoke the OCEAN and the EDWARD CAREY. Capt. Perry Winslow, of the CAREY, had his wife with him and there were many pleasant chats, back and forth. The two ships kept in company and cruised off Macauley's Island, between there and French Rocks. No whales being caught yet. Steering north, they sight RARATONGA, lying off and on, trading with the natives. Got fresh fruit, oranges, bananas, pumpkins, etc., here. The CAREY, GANGES, and OTHELLO are all here.

The log of the EDWAED CAREY reads for this time: The GANGES just came along here to bury the Captain's child." . Having reached Hervey Island by the 15th of May, Charles goes ashore to try to get some hogs, but could't get them without waiting until the next day, which he didn't want to do.

On the 7th of June they are in despair of ever getting a whale, but got a few blackfish. Later, they got one 20 bbl. whale. Got another 20 bbl. whale the 30th. As they arrive near Jarvis Island, the boats are sent ashore and returned with a few fish, hut the eggs they brought were all rotten.

During the next week in June they spoke the POTOMAC, Charles' old command. At McKean Island, they all go ashore. The EDWARD CAREY was there also. They saw the wreck of the ship CANTON, of New Bedford, which had been entirely stripped. They spoke and boarded the ALFRED GIBBS of New Bedford.

Now they are twelve months out and whales are scarce. During the first two weeks of August, they struck and killed three but lost one; he went off with two good irons, the line, and a bomb lance. He will surely die, but we won't get him," writes the log-keeper Spoke the MONTTCELLO and the SWIFT of New Bedford. Lowered into a school of whales on the 14th of August; got five, which were saved.

It was near sundown, and two of the boats were out of sight Ship went in the direction last seen, but did not find them; finally at daylight, they saw them tied up to the ship SWIFT, with their whales alongside. For the next few days they are more than busy Three days later, they saw and struck one whale, but he stove the

boat and made off with the line.

During the period from Aug. 17th to 31st, they got four whales, and had another boat stove. Spoke the ATLANTIC, and the OCEAN, and were in company with the COMMODORE MORRIS for a week. Surely, these sea- faring men have ample opportunity to gam with their friends; they were seldom out of sight of some ship. No wonder Nancy liked the sea life; she saw more of her friends than she would if she remained at home.

In September, Mr. Cathcart got his collarbone broken when a cask of bread fell from the sling; the bone was set and he got along very comfortably. The last day of Sept. they were out 13 1/2 months and had stowed down 600 hbls. of sperm and 80 bbls. of wine.

During the month of October, they were off Roaches Island trading with the natives for cocoanuts. All ships were lying off and on for a week. There were COM. MORRIS, bark FRANKLIN, E. CAREY, GANGES, bark JOHN A. PILOT.

On the 26th, the moon was in total eclipse." On the 27th, in company with the ATLANTIC, they struck six whales, two of them the irons drawed, one stove a boat, so had to cut him loose; altogether they took three, the ATLANTIC one.

As they lay off the Isle of Caitapu, sent boats ashore to get 30 pigs, load of cocoanuts, trading mostly with files; iron hoops were also very good trading articles. Found plenty of water there. Next day at the Rotumah Islands, beat up to the island and got water and traded for yams, hogs, and bananas. Discharged a sick Kanaka on this island. On the 21st discharged the Second Mate, and shipped two natives from the island.

Norfolk Island was in sight after a few days and they go in to land. Sent boats ashore and found the island nearly deserted. Charles and Nancy took the children and went ashore for a few days. Traded here for hogs and sheep; find plenty of fresh meat but no vegetables. All on board the 5th of Dec. and steer south. Spoke three ships during the remainder of the month.

Mr. Beebee, the Mate, was taken sick early in the year 1856 and the MOHAWK headed for the Bay of Islands. They arrived there about the 24th and put Mr. Beebee ashore.

Six ships went to sea from there on the 28th. On Feb. 1st they hauled alongside the ship AMERICA, of New Bedford, to discharge oil to be freighted home. In a few days, the boatsteerer was put in irons, because he made a fuss about unloading oil.

The steward is discharged and Mr. Smith was shipped as Second Mate. Mr. Beebee was better and returned to the ship, but next day was ill again and returned to shore. All liberty was stopped because

Alexander Carpenter had deserted. On the 20th, the Grant family were all on board and the ship put to sea. Charles put up a bounty of $20 for 50 bbls. of oil at sunset, but no whales were seen. On the 2nd of March they spoke the HOPE and the ALFRED GIBBS, both on the way to the Bay to ship their oil home. By the 5th no whales were seen, so Charles put up another bounty of $90 for 100 bbls. of sperm.

On the 15th, they sight North Cape of N.Z. and go into port at the Bay. Charles went ashore with Mate and stayed all night, the ship lying off and on. The next day the boats came out with some things and the Mate came off in a shore boat and took Nancy ashore.

The ship was going to cruise, and Charles and Nancy were to join them a few days later; they were going out on the SEA GULL, with their good friend Capt. Charles Nichols. Next day Mr. Beebee came aboard very much better and the ship sailed, leaving the family ashore. They had orders to cruise about 80 miles north of Cape Breen.

On the 22nd of March the Mate of the MOHAWK sighted a ship to the leeward and ran down to her and found she was the SEA GULL with Charles and Nancy aboard. All were transferred to the MOHAWK and settled down again.

Now April has come around again. By this time, Charlie was nearly six years old and baby Ella was about 14 months old. Nancy was feeling fine and everything was going well on board. She did the customary sewing, making calico sacks for herself and dresses and aprons for Ella and little suits for Charlie.

When all was right, she would make peach, apple, or pumpkin pies and gingerbread and cake. When visiting friends came aboard, they were always treated to cake, pie, or some other goody and coffee or tea, or wine as the case might be.

On April 14th, they spoke and boarded the YOUNG HERO, of Nantucket, and were delighted to get some mail from home. On the 18th, they are at Raratonga Island. Charles and family go ashore.

They called at the home of the missionary, Mr. Buzzacot. The family were all there, fine folks, very pious. The daughter, Sarah, was a very amiable girl who had been born on the island. She had been educated in England, being there for nine years.

This is a beautiful island - forests of trees, mostly citrus, high mountains, delightful scenery. A new church had just been built by the natives, who are very friendly folks. The men, women, and children all sit on the ground, thick as bees.

When Mrs. Brock of the LEXINGTON was there in March 1854, she shook hands with the queen; she was dressed in a white robe

with a long red belt around the waist. She also saw the chiefs and their women. Very hot there and mosquitos were thick.

Rev. Mr. Harchi, missionary at Upolu, had two daughters, Charlotte and Sarah, staying at the Buzzacots to be educated. Nancy never forgot the cordial welcome they received. Charles recruited here at the island, taking off 40 bbls. of water and ten bbls. of oranges, pumpkins, etc. Discharge two natives and ship two others.

On the 30th of the month, there was a little trouble; the Mate gave an order to the boatsteerer which he refused to obey. They collared each other, the boatsteerer made some resistance and struck the Mate, who grabbed up a claw hammer and struck the boatsteerer on the head. He was afterwards put in irons. The next day he admitted he was wrong, and he was put back on duty.

May 4th. Looking sharp for whales as we are getting on the grounds, we expect to see them soon; there is 500 bbls. somewhere that will have to give up the ghost to us this season. So ends. Still no whales.

All hands are eager to get the bounty of $20 which Charles has put up for 50 bbls.

On the 12th of May they hear breakers and find they are near Jarvis Isle. Next day, send a boat in to get some eggs. They reported seeing a notice reading that an American guano company had taken possession of the island.

In the year 1843, there appeared an article in a paper as follows: This article (Guano) which is coming into great use as a manure, is found on Latham's Sandy Island or Shoal, situated about 35 miles to the southwest of Zanzibar in Lat 6-54 so., Long. 39-56 east. This island is about 3 miles in circumference and is covered with the ordure of birds to the depth of twenty or thirty feet - a deposit that in all probability has been increasing ever since the bank was first elevated above the surface of the ocean. This island is generally made by navigators bound to Zanzibar from the southward. The number of birds resting on the island, and flying in the air over it, are as countless as the sands on the shore.

No land being nearer than Zanzibar and the coast of Africa, it follows that these vast multitudes have no other resting place than this little island, which is destitute of other inhabitants, and hence, it must be the receptacle of their ordure, accumulating as it has been for ages."

Spoke the ELIZABETH on the 29th and were busy breaking out a cask of wine to put on board the ELIZABETH.

Catching whales and speaking ships was the order of the day up to July 15th. On that day, the log reads, Employed in thinking, talking

and looking."

During the next month or two they were trading for cocoanuts and hats at Byron Island and spoke the E. CAREY and Charles, Nancy, and the children spent the night on hoard with the Perry Winslows; the next day the Winslows went on board MOHAWK to spend the day. Charles gave the CAREY 6 hbls. of provisions.

The ship's chronometer stopped for some unknown reason, and a few days later they spoke the SEA GULL and got a chronometer and a spy glass and 19 bhls. of water.

Now it was November, and after cruising, the ship made for Norfolk Isle. The deckhands were all busy with ship's duties and scrimshonting.

They arrive at Norfolk and find the Winslows are there. Mrs. Winslow not feeling very well. After loading wood and water, they send a cask of flour and two bbls. of salt ashore, and set sail on the 6th. It was the 23rd before they struck whales. Four boats were lowered and one of them struck a whale and he promptly stove the boat and rolled over another; the other two boats came up and struck the whale; the fifth boat was lowered and went to the assistance of the two helpless boats.

Christmas time and no mention is made of any celebration.

The year 1857 had arrived - and what an eventful year this year was to be! How eager they are to hear news from home and speak the EMPIRE from N.B. Five months out. Later they speak the MONTICELLO of Nantucket. Charles is very anxious to get one more whale before he puts in at the Bay.

The POTOMAC arrives on the scene, and on the 24th the MOHAWK was beating in to the Bay. After anchoring the ship, boats are sent ashore for water and they haul alongside the ship JOHN A. ROBB of Fairhaven to load 352 bhls. of oil to be freighted home. On the 18th, the ship AMERICA arrives with a small lot of provisions and then they sail out of the Bay the 23rd. Through the next few months they are catching whales aplenty. A new problem had arisen when Nancy announced tht she was to become a mother once more.

With a brief stop at Tutuilla in the Samoan group of islands, boats were sent ashore to trade and Charles headed for the island of Upolu. The watch was sent ashore on liberty and so the whole Grant family did also. It had been decided that Nancy would stop here until after the birth of her child. This was the last of June, 1857.

To be continued in the January 1989 issue of "Historic Nantucket .''

A view of the Nantucket Whaling Museum with the Peter Foulger Museum just begond it.