Journal of the Margaret Rait, 1840-1844

Jerry McDonnell was a teacher and librarian the F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham, Ontario.

It is difficult to imagine the life of the sailors on this voyage, who left home for four years and had no contact with their families during that time. They sailed south from St. John, New Brunswick, rounded Cape Horn, and spent the majority of their time whaling in the Pacific. Once out of sight of home port, the Captain was totally in charge and also totally responsible for the welfare and success of the vessel, the cargo, and the crew.

The overwhelming impression given by this book is of long periods of inactivity and boredom when no whales were caught or sighted. Only so much maintenance can be done on a ship. This sense of ennui becomes very clear even in this edited version of the journal. Of course, the point of view is always that of the master; it would be interesting to contrast the views and experiences of crew members.

Anyone interested in whaling voyages or in life on a sailing ship will find this an easy and interesting read.