Mutiny

With lengthening voyages under the command of demanding officers, meager wages and a dwindling supply of less than appetizing food, it is not surprising that there are accounts of occasional mutinies on whaleships. One of the most noteworthy mutinies on whaling ships was that of the Globe of Nantucket in 1824. It had sailed from Nantucket in 1822 with no signs of trouble from the crew for over a year but after a boatsteerer named Comstock was beaten in a wrestling match with the third mate, he became insolent and aggressive, muttering threats to kill the captain. No one gave much attention to Comstock's threats until one night in January of 1824 when he and four companions entered the cabin, killing the captain and first mate while they slept. Aroused by the noise, the second and third mates barricaded themselves in their cabin but Comstock managed to shoot them both and throw them overboard. He and his companions were now in control of the ship which they steered toward Malgrave Island where they began to strip and loot all the goods they could find. In the end, Comstock was killed by his crew in a drunken quarrel over the spoils of their plundering and the vessel was eventually turned over to the American consul in Chile.

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