Cask Leak Discovery and Standard Hold Inspection Procedure
During routine morning pumping, the crew discovers a significant oil leak from the casks in the hold. The narrative explains the standard procedure practiced by sperm-whalemen with substantial oil cargo: every few days, seawater is hosed into the hold and drenched over the casks to maintain their tightness. The water is then pumped out at intervals, and any deterioration in the withdrawn water’s character alerts the mariners to serious leakage in their precious cargo.
Ahab Reviews Oriental Navigation Charts in the Cabin
The Pequod approaches the waters between Formosa and the Bashee Isles, near the China Sea’s tropical outlets into the Pacific. Starbuck finds Ahab in his cabin studying a general chart of the oriental archipelagoes and a separate map of Japan’s eastern coasts—Niphon, Matsmai, and Sikoke. Ahab, with his white ivory leg braced against the table and a pruning-hook jack-knife in hand, is intently tracing his old navigational courses, absorbed in planning his pursuit.
Starbuck Reports Hold Oil Leak to Captain Ahab
Starbuck enters the cabin to report the oil leak, recommending immediate action: “We must up Burtons and break out.” Ahab initially rebuffs him, demanding to know why they should heave-to for a week near Japan to repair old hoops when they are so close to their hunting grounds. Starbuck argues that continuing to lose oil at the current rate would waste more than could be made good in a year, emphasizing that the purpose of their 20,000-mile voyage justifies saving the cargo.
Ahab Rejects Hold Repair, Dismisses Owners’ Concerns
Ahab dismisses both the practical concerns and any consideration of the owners’ interests, declaring himself metaphorically “all aleak” with leaks cascading from himself through the casks to the ship itself. He famously declares that the only real owner of anything is its commander, and that his conscience resides in the ship’s keel rather than in the distant owners. He tells Starbuck to let the leak continue, refusing to halt their progress for the owners’ sake.
Starbuck’s Cautious Entreaty and Parting Warning to Ahab
Starbuck, with remarkable restraint and a daring that manifests as respectful caution, ventures further into the cabin to appeal to Ahab’s better nature. He suggests that a better man might overlook what he would resent in a younger, happier man. When Ahab responds by leveling a loaded musket and declaring there is one God and one captain over the Pequod, Starbuck masters his emotions and offers his parting warning: “Let Ahab beware of Ahab; beware of thyself, old man.”
Ahab Orders Burtons Hoisted for Hold Leak Repair
After Starbuck leaves, Ahab reflects on the mate’s warning with sudden awareness—“there’s something there.” Despite his earlier resistance, Ahab changes course and orders the crew to furl the t’gallant-sails, close-reef the top-sails, back the main-yard, and hoist the Burtons to break out and repair the hold. The narrative suggests this reversal may stem from either a flash of honesty or merely prudent policy to prevent open disaffection in his chief officer.
KAPITEL 110. Queequeg in His Coffin.
Ishmael recounts how the crew searches for a leak in the ship’s hold, going deeper and deeper among ancient casks and tierces of supplies. The ship becomes increasingly top-heavy and unstable as they excavate, echoing like empty catacombs beneath their feet.
Discovery in the Hold
The sailors break out deeper and deeper into the hold, disturbing the huge ground-tier butts. They go so far that the puncheons appear corroded and weedy, almost suggesting ancient Noah’s wine casks. The deck becomes piled with provisions until the hull hollows and rolls dangerously in the sea.
Queequeg’s Fever
During this dangerous period, Queequeg, Ishmael’s close friend, falls ill with a fever that nearly kills him. Working as a harpooneer, he must not only face living whales but also descend into the hold’s gloom to handle heavy casks, a laborious confinement that weakens his constitution.
The Harpooneer’s Toil
Among whalemen, harpooneers are called “the holders” and face both the rage of living whales and the dead whale’s back in rolling seas. Queequeg toils bitterly all day in subterraneous confinement, manhandling the clumsiest casks and ensuring their stowage, with dignity and danger inseparable until one becomes Captain.
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