Two Years Before the Mast · Chapter
Chapter XXV explained
The chapter describes the departure from Santa Barbara with a display of seamanship, the challenging rounding of Point Conception, and the arrival of a whaleship, the Wilmington and Liverpool Packet.
What happens
The chapter describes the departure from Santa Barbara with a display of seamanship, the challenging rounding of Point Conception, and the arrival of a whaleship, the Wilmington and Liverpool Packet. The crew engages in a rowing race to shore as a storm threatens, and the brig Ayacucho begins to drag its anchors.
Themes in this chapter
Hardship and Endurance
The crew endures a sudden gale while rounding Point Conception, requiring all hands to reef topsails and labor through heavy seas.
Labor and Economy
The chapter contrasts the efficient, disciplined crew of the Alert with the slovenly, inexperienced crew of the whaleship, highlighting different labor practices and economic pressures at sea.
Cultural Encounter and Otherness
The narrator's crew delights in drenching Spanish passengers with seawater, reflecting tensions and cultural differences between American sailors and Californians.
Characters to notice
- Richard Henry Dana Jr.
The narrator participates in the departure from Santa Barbara, the rounding of Point Conception, and the rowing race to shore.
- Captain Thompson
Captain Thompson commands the ship during the departure and the subsequent gale, ordering sail changes and directing the crew.
- Captain Nye
Captain Nye of the Loriotte is present in the gig during the rowing race and uses whaling exclamations.
- Bill Jackson
Bill Jackson, the handsome English sailor, steers the Loriotte's boat and alerts the crew that the brig is adrift.
- George Ballmer
George Ballmer is not mentioned in this chapter.
Key passages
“This was nuts to us; for we liked to have a Spaniard wet with salt water; and then the agent was very much disliked by the crew, one and all; and we hoped, as there was no officer in the boat, to have a chance to duck them; for we knew that they were such “marines” that they would not know whether it was our fault or not.”
The crew enjoyed soaking the Spanish passengers with seawater because they disliked the agent and knew the passengers were inexperienced sailors who wouldn't realize it was intentional.
Reveals the crew's playful but hostile attitude toward the Spanish agent and passengers.
“We were determined to show the “spouter” how things could be done in a smart ship, with a good crew, though not more than half their number.”
The crew wanted to demonstrate their superior seamanship to the whaleship by efficiently setting all sails despite having fewer men.
Highlights the pride and competitiveness of the Alert's crew.
“A sailor can always tell, by the sound, what sail is coming in, and, in a short time, we heard the topgallant sails come in, one after another, and then the flying jib.”
Experienced sailors can identify which sails are being furled just by listening to the sounds on deck.
Illustrates the sensory knowledge and expertise of seasoned sailors.