Moby Dick; Or, The Whale

KAPITEL 22. Merry Christmas

This chapter, titled “Merry Christmas,” documents the final departure of the whaling ship Pequod from Nantucket on Christmas Day, as it begins its long voyage under the command of Captain Ahab, with port pilots Peleg and Bildad overseeing the initial departure process.

Pre-Departure Checks and Initial Orders

After the ship’s riggers are dismissed, the Pequod is hauled away from the wharf, and Bildad’s sister Charity delivers final gifts to crew members (a night-cap for second mate Stubb, her brother-in-law, and a spare Bible for the steward). Peleg and Bildad emerge from the cabin, and Peleg confirms with chief mate Starbuck that all departure preparations are complete before ordering him to call all hands aft, with Bildad advising against using profanity even in the rush of departure.

Rationale for Captain Ahab’s Absence from Deck

While Peleg and Bildad act as joint commanders on deck during the departure, Captain Ahab remains unseen below deck. The pair explain that Ahab is still recovering from an unspecified injury, and his presence is not required to get the ship underway, as that falls under the pilot’s duties; they note that many merchant service captains stay below to host farewell gatherings with shore friends before formally leaving the ship with the pilot.

Peleg’s Command and Departure Maneuvers

Peleg takes charge of issuing most departure orders: he first calls sailors lingering at the main-mast aft to the quarter-deck, then orders the ship’s whalebone marquee tent struck (a well-known signal on the Pequod that the ship is about to weigh anchor), and finally commands the crew to man the capstan and heave the anchor up, using profane, urgent shouts to push the crew to work faster.

Bildad’s Contradictory Conduct as Licensed Pilot

As one of the port’s licensed pilots (a role he obtained to avoid paying pilot fees for ships he has a stake in, as he never pilots other vessels), Bildad stands at the bow of the ship watching for the raised anchor, and intermittently sings a somber psalm to encourage the windlass crew. This conduct contradicts his order just three days prior banning profane songs on board, and his sister Charity’s placement of a copy of Watts’ hymns in every crew berth.

Peleg’s Crew Berating and Narrator’s First Kick

While overseeing operations at the stern of the ship, Peleg rages and swears so fiercely that the narrator fears he will sink the ship before the anchor is fully raised. When the narrator and Queequeg pause briefly on their handspikes, Peleg kicks the narrator in the rear, berating him and the rest of the crew as lazy and ordering them to heave with more force; the narrator suspects Peleg is intoxicated.

Ship’s Departure and Cold Christmas Night at Sea

Once the anchor is raised and sails are set, the Pequod glides away from shore, encountering a frigid, short Christmas night at sea. Freezing spray coats the ship’s hull like polished armor, large icicles hang from the bows like elephant tusks, and the ship soon plows through the stormy, icy waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean.

Bildad’s Psalm Singing and Narrator’s Hopeful Reflections

Bildad takes the first watch as pilot, and his steady singing of a hopeful psalm about verdant, peaceful fields beyond a flooded river brings the narrator unexpected comfort amid the harsh, cold, stormy conditions. Despite his wet clothing and the perilous weather, the narrator feels a sense of hope that the long voyage will end in pleasant, idyllic destinations.

Pilots’ Emotional Farewell and Final Departure

Once the ship has gained enough offing that port pilots are no longer required, Bildad is extremely reluctant to leave: he has thousands of dollars invested in the Pequod, knows the elderly Captain Ahab is facing a dangerous, years-long voyage, and paces the deck repeatedly, returning to the cabin multiple times for final goodbyes. Peleg is more stoic but also emotional, and he hurries Bildad into the waiting pilot boat after exchanging final well-wishes and practical reminders for the crew about provisions, ship maintenance, and conduct during the voyage.