From Thomas Waters Jr. to his mother Elizabeth Waters (December 25, 1843)

[Thomas Waters to his mother, Elizabeth Waters]

addressed to Mrs Capt Waters R.M., King Street, Woolwich, Kent,England

Christmas 1843 Talkauana.South America [Talcahuano, Chile]

Dear Mother

After eight months absence from the Fawn I take this opportunity of writing to you having three days ago returned to port after being discharged from the ship George Washington an American sperm whaler on board which I had ship’d in Huaine [Huahine] one of the Society Isles where I had left the Fawn for the second time having been up in the mountains three days alone.  All the officers with the Captain like me very much and want me to ship again for the passage home to the United States. The Captain and Chief mate are both from Nantucket noted for the greatest whalers in the world they both have offered me several times if I will go home with them a boatsteerer’s berth but I refused their offers as I do not like whaling. We captured only three hundred lbs of Sperm oil, being unfortunate in seeing whales, my share of which when paid off at this port amounted to 25 dollars out of which I received ten dollars worth of clothes which you may guess are dear.  All the clothes I possess are two pair of duck trousers rather the worse for wear, two cotton shirts ditto, one old cap, neither bed or blanket. with these I have stood the rain and cold of eight months but have still been more comfortable than when I had plenty but discontented.  I have enjoyed good health and spirits and but for my small stock of garments should go round the Horn [Cape Horn] in the George Washington, all I want is a monkey jacket, thick trousers and a pair of shoes.  I intend if possible to [sic] in some craft trading along this coast until I can raise enough clothes to weather the Horn for America or Europe . I hope you all enjoy good health. I wish my dear Mother and Father a happy Xmas and a merry new year to you and to all my sisters and brothers as I know you wish to me.  This is I think the worst Xmas I ever spent in my life, the people here are Spanish who keep up such days by gaming and fighting, neither of which amusements are to my mind. Since I have been in this port living ashore we have had a slight shock of an earthquake an occurence common on this continent.  I have been twice off Pitcairnes island and once ashore there.  It is a rugged looking island containing about 120 inhabitants, the offspring of the mutineers of the Bounty, but one of the old settlers is living and that one is a woman a native of Otaheite [Tahiti]. I went to their burying ground and saw the grave stone of John Adams.  We refreshed our ship there with sweet potatoes, yams and fruits. it is a bad landing place with boats on account of the rocks and heavy surf, the boat I was in, on coming off got stove though not badly. I have told you all the news I can think of at present, in fact I am sitting behind the bar of a grogshop or sailors boarding house where I am stopping until I get another ship, surrounded by drunken men cursing and singing enough to stun anyone so that no doubt I have forgot some things which otherwise I should not.  Still I do not forget my dear Father and Mother. I think of you at sea and wish in vain that I was with you.  I hope Mary John Ben.m Eliz Sarah and little Nancy are quite well.  I hope my dear Father has returned home to you. remember me to Mrs Nichols and to all enquiring friends

I remain

  Your son

         Thomas Waters

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