Sea Shanties by Cindy Regnier

 Ever heard of a sea shanty? Of course you have. I remember singing them in vocal music in grade school. That’s where I learned it wasn’t an old shack sitting out on the ocean. Sailors sing and it’s been a part of that lifestyle as long as anyone can remember. But do you know the origin of sea shanties and how they are used? Let’s find out.

Songs that we would call sea shanties date back to at least the mid 1400s. They originated to accompany the work on board a ship. That’s the difference between a sea shanty and other sailor songs. A true shanty is a call and response song that sailors used to keep a rhythm with tasks that required all hands working together. It allowed them to coordinate the movements that were required in physical tasks such as hauling ropes and raising sails. Apparently they also helped relieve the boredom that often accompanied long, repetitive duties aboard a ship. 

Capstan

Ships of the day often had many variations in ethnicity of their crews so sea shanties are a mixed form of music and genres depending on the culture of the ship. One of the most popular trade routes of the 19th century was Liverpool to New York – two cities with large Irish immigrant communities. Therefore, we find a distinct Irish influence on many of the shanties and even today they are often song by Irishmen.

OK, but why are they called sea shanties? That term first came about in the 1800s, likely from the French word ‘chanter’ which means to sing. It is also linked to the English word ‘chant’ which also originates from the French word. North-American lumberman songs often began with the line ‘Come all ye brave shanty-boys’.

Hauling 

 As mentioned before, the shanties were often call and   response songs, with one singer known as the   ‘shantyman’ leading while everyone else replied with the   chorus. They generally have a regular and heavy rhythm with a constant tune and tempo but there could be dozens of verses, sometimes made up on the spot by the shantyman.

 The shantyman was hired for his seamanship, not musical talent. He was a crucial part of the crew and usually made a higher wage than the rest of the sailors. He stood at the lead position on the rope, while the sailors crouched along the rope behind him. The shantyman sang a line and the group responded in chorus, heaving on the rope at a given point in the tune. He chose the songs by the task at hand, making sure they had the right speed and rhythm for what was to be accomplished, then improvised verses, allowing the song to go on for as long as needed. If shantyman could rhyme his verses, all the better. A well-chosen song could make a big difference to the job at hand. 

Hauling with a Shantyman

Shanties are of different types as well. The capstan and pumping shanties are used relatively easy but continuous effort like cranking the windlass. Long haul (On a ship, hauling is the nautical term for pulling or tugging on a rope, line, or sail to operate the vessel) or 'halyard shanties' are for longer periods of pulling like hoisting sails. where the crew could rest a moment while the shantyman showed off his lyrical skill. 'Short drag' shanties were designed for short, hard bouts of pulling.

But, the arrival of steamships brought an end the days of the tall ships and the need for raw manpower. And so, by the turn of the 20th century, the sounds of the sea shanties were seldom heard. It would seem that sea shanties have made somewhat of a comeback in recent years, though. Have you heard any recently or do you remember any you may have learned as a child? 

Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance.

Soon May the Wellerman Come by Cindy Regnier

 

Have you ever heard the song about the Wellerman? Maybe you've wondered what in the world is a Wellerman. Let’s see what we can learn about it.

Weller Brothers was the name of a company formed by three English brothers, Joseph Brooks Weller, George Weller and Edward Weller. They founded their company in the 1830s for the primary purpose of operating whaling stations. The brothers were from a wealthy family in England that moved to Australia for health reasons and took advantage of the opportunities in whaling around Australia and New Zealand during the 1830s. They established multiple whaling stations on New Zealand shores and became New Zealand's most well-known merchant traders of that era. Their whaling ships targeted southern right whales and humpback whales, and their business inspired the ballad "Wellerman". 

The Weller brothers pioneered the commercial shore whaling industry in Otago, New Zealand and from their Sydney Australia base. Joseph, sailing on a ship christened Lucy Ann, established New Zealand's first permanent European whaling station at Otago which rapidly expanded into the country's most productive operation. They produced thousands of barrels of whale oil and bone for export. Edward later took over for Joseph when he died in 1835 from tuberculosis. Curiously, Joseph’s body was preserved in a barrel of rum for return to Australia which sparked new ideas for the Weller brothers who branched into the alcohol business, primarily American whiskey. George oversaw logistics and financing of their enterprises in Sydney. 

And the term Wellerman? The brothers ran supply ships to the remote whaling stations around New Zealand to not only enable them to keep working, but as payment for their labor since they received no monetary wages. "Soon May the Wellerman Come," tells the story of the sailors aboard the whaling ships eagerly waiting for the Wellerman to come to “bring us sugar and tea and rum.” (So I guess we know what supplies were most important to the whalers.) 

The chorus continues with the crew singing of their confidence that the "tonguing'" will be the last step in processing the whale. Tonguing in this context refers to the practice of cutting strips of whale blubber to render into oil. Sounds like a lovely job, huh? Seems to me that being a Wellerman may have been a far better occupation than being a Whaler man. What do you think?

Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance.

Labor Day - Was that with a C or an A by Cindy Regnier

When the first Monday in September arrives many Americans will enjoy a day off work courtesy of a thing called Labor Day. Just what is Labor Day and how did it come about? Let’s see what we can learn.



In a nutshell, Labor Day is considered as the annual observance of the contributions American workers have made toward the social and economic achievements of our country. It began in the late nineteenth century, when workers asked for recognition and appreciation for their part in strengthening American prosperity.



Before it became a federal holiday, Labor Day was first recognized by labor activists and even a few individual states. Some municipalities passed ordinances in the late 1800s designed to encourage state legislation to recognize the observance. New York was the first state to introduce the idea, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During that year, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York all passed laws establishing Labor Day as a holiday. By 1890, Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had joined in and by 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday. Based on the enthusiasm of the states, Congress passed a law in June of 1894 establishing the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.


Peter McGuire




Great idea. So now, who can we thank for the much-appreciated day off at the end of a long hot summer? That answer is debatable but most agree that two men can lay claim to being the Founder of Labor Day. Records indicate that in 1882 a gentleman by the name of Peter J. McGuire, a Missouri resident and labor activist of the time suggested a day be recognized as a "general holiday for the laboring classes" to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."


Matthew Maguire



But there was a man named Matthew Maguire from New Jersey, also a labor activist. In 1882, Maguire proposed the Labor Day holiday. According to the New Jersey Historical Society, after President Cleveland signed the law creating a national Labor Day, the Paterson Morning Call published an opinion piece stating that "the souvenir pen should go to Alderman Matthew Maguire of this city, who is the undisputed author of Labor Day as a holiday." Both Maguire and McGuire attended the country’s first Labor Day parade in New York City that year.
In the first years of the Federal holiday, Americans celebrated Labor Day with parades and parties similar to the proposals outlined by the proponents of the holiday, They suggested that the day should be observed with – a street parade to exhibit "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. Speeches by prominent labor representatives were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.



Today, Americans celebrate Labor Day as an end of summer festivity with parties, parades and other events. Who is attending a picnic or backyard cookout this coming Labor Day? Thank you Mr. McGuire and Mr. Maguire!






Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance.




 

 

A Whale of a Tale by Cindy Regnier

I will begin this story by saying the truth of it is highly debated and mostly considered to be a myth by folks knowledgeable on the subject. That said, it’s interesting and a similar Biblical account makes us want to believe it. Let’s dig into the story of James Bartley who, in his day, was nicknamed the modern-day Jonah.

In 1891, a sensational story appeared in the St. Louis Globe Democrat newspaper that caught everyone’s attention. According to the report, a young sailor named James Bartley got swallowed by a sperm whale, and when the whale was killed and his belly cut open, out popped Bartley. He was, blind horribly burned by the whale’s gastric juices, but alive. Several newspapers picked up the story and it became quite popular. The public “swallowed it” so-to-speak.

The event was reported to have taken place in February of 

1892 about two hundred miles east of the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic. According to the article, a British ship named Star of the East spotted a huge sperm whale about three miles away. The ship lowered two small boats and they began chasing the whale as was the practice in those days of whaling. James BartIey was in the first longboat to reach the side of the whale. The harpooner leaned over and drove his weapon deep into the whale’s vitals. The stricken beast began to thrash about in the foamy waters in agony. Bartley and the other oarsmen rowed frantically to get out of reach of the struggling animal, but its lashing upended the boat, throwing the men into the water. The second longboat arrived and picked up the survivors. But two men were found missing, and one of them was James Bartley.

The ship waited to see if the whale would survive. Just before sunset, the carcass of the whale rose to the surface only a few hundred yards from the ship. The crew fastened a line to the whale and winched it to the ship’s side. The men immediately began cutting open the whale and peeled the blubber off its back. Late that night, when the crewmen tried to remove the stomach, they noticed movement inside the large sack. Believing some large sea animal was trapped inside, they sliced open the stomach and instead discovered that it was the missing sailor Bartley.

The ship’s doctor had Bartley drenched with sea water, which restored his consciousness but not his reason. He floundered about and babbled incoherently. He was confined to a cabin for several weeks and bound with ropes so he could not injure himself. Gradually Bartley regained his senses. Eventually he was able to relate what had happened to him.

 Bartley said that as he fell into the water, he saw a tremendous mouth open over him and he screamed as he was engulfed by it. He then felt sharp stabbing pains as he was swept across the teeth and then slid feet first down a slimy tube that carried him to the whale's stomach. He could breathe, but the hot, fetid odor soon rendered him unconscious and the last thing he remembered was kicking as hard as he could at the soft, yielding stomach.

As a result of his fifteen hours inside the whale's stomach, Bartley lost all the hair on his body and was blind for the rest of his life. His skin was bleached to an unnatural whiteness that gave the appearance of being bloodless, although he was physically healthy.

James Bartley never made another trip to the sea and settled down to shore life as a cobbler in his native city of Gloucester, England. He died eighteen years after his remarkable survival and terrifying adventure.

On his tombstone in the churchyard at Gloucester is a brief account of his experience at sea and a footnote, which says: James Bartley -1870-1909 - A Modern Jonah.

Could a man really survive for fifteen hours inside a whale’s stomach? Scientists say no. While there have been a handful of instances where sailors and divers had fallen into the mouth of a whale (to be spit out), nobody has passed through the esophagus and into the stomach. Some say it is physically impossible because a whale’s throat is very narrow, about the size of a human fist, and can only stretch to about 15 inches in diameter to accommodate a bigger meal. Others say it is possible, especially if this was a sperm whale, whose throats are much wider than a blue whale.

The naysayers point out that even if a person did manage to survive the swallowing and slipped into the stomach, he would find himself in a hostile environment. Sperm whales have four stomach chambers, like a cow, full of digestive enzymes. Besides, there is no air inside the stomach, which would make survival an impossibility. But the Biblical Jonah…?

So there you have it. What do you think? True or ‘sailor’s yarn’? Personally, I believe the Biblical story of Jonah without question, but James Bartley? Hmmmm……

Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood.

Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance.

 

250 Years Ago by Cindy Regnier

In a few days Americans will celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday. I have been known to lament that our founding fathers signed the declaration in the dead of summer instead of, say, mid-January. We could skip the heat wave, watch fireworks at dark and be back home by 7:00 pm. But I digress. Have you ever wondered what really happened on July 4th 1776, besides what’s in the history books? Let’s see what we can piece together.

Jefferson

July 4th 1776 in Philadelphia was a cool morning according to Thomas Jefferson who recorded a temperature of 68 at 6:00 a.m. in his daily weather diary. Apparently, it warmed to the 80s before the day was over but still not overly hot. That was probably a good thing as in that time the men wore clothing and accessories that only added to the heat. Powdered wigs, breeches, a waistcoat (what we might call a vest,) a frock coat (worn over the shirt and waistcoat that reached down to the knees,) woolen stockings and tricorn hats (usually made of felt or fur.) Sounds hot to me.

On July 2, 1776 the Continental Congress voted for independence. John Adams, in his writings, even noted that July 2 would be remembered in the annals of American history and would be marked with fireworks and celebrations. The written Declaration of Independence was dated July 4, but many of the signers weren’t present that day. Most historians believe some of the founding fathers signed on July 4th, but then signed again along with the rest of the delegates on August 2, 1776 once the document had been engrossed on parchment. Fifty-six delegates eventually signed the document.

Rush

In an 1811 letter Benjamin Rush recounted the signing describing it as a scene of "pensive and awful silence". Rush said the delegates were called up, one after another, and then filed forward somberly to subscribe what each thought was their ensuing death warrant. He related that the "gloom of the morning" was briefly interrupted when the rotund Benjamin Harrison of Virginia said to a diminutive Elbridge Gerryof Massachusetts, at the signing table, "I shall have a great advantage over you, Mr. Gerry, when we are all hung for what we are now doing. From the size and weight of my body I shall die in a few minutes and be with the Angels, but from the lightness of your body you will dance in the air an hour or two before you are dead." According to Rush, Harrison’s remark "procured a transient smile, but it was soon succeeded by the Solemnity with which the whole business was conducted.”

John Hancock, President of the Congress, signed the document with a large, bold signature. The other delegates signed beginning at the right with the signatures arranged by states from New Hampshire to Georgia. 

 

A few delegates, including Robert R. Livingston of New York, a member of the drafting committee, never signed because, quite simply, they ran out of room.

Forty-eight of the 56 signers were born in America. Edward Rutledge (age 26) was the youngest signer, and Benjamin Franklin (age 70) was the oldest signer. By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain even though the Revolutionary War continued into 1783.

The British Government tried to dismiss the Declaration as trivial and full of flaws. They tried rebuttal but had no success with what they referred to as “grumbling Americans.” But what the Declaration immediately accomplished was recognition by friendly foreign governments, establishing trade and enabling America to withdraw further from Britain. The document was moved often and heavily protected during the Revolutionary War and wars that followed. The document is currently held in Fort Knox.

 

As time progressed, many other historic events followed on July 4th of various years. In 1817 Massachusetts declared Independence Day a holiday. In 1817 construction began of the Erie Canal. 1855 saw Walt Whitman publish Leaves of Grass. Susan B Anthony addressed Congress on July 4th in 1876. The Statue of Liberty was presented to America in 1884 and America the Beautiful was published in 1895, all on the fourth day of July.

So this year on the 250th American Independence Day, take a moment to remember the brave men who risked their lives for the free country we live in today. And even though they did sign in the hottest part of the year, I’m very grateful to them. 

Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance.

 

The Summer it was Winter by Cindy Regnier

Mount Tambora

On a sweltering day in mid-summer, have you ever wished for winter? How about just temperatures that were a little cooler? If we had been alive in 1816, we might have experienced this phenomenon known as a volcanic winter, and from all reports, it wasn’t a good thing. Let’s find out what happened.

On April 5, 1815, Mount Tambora, a volcano located in Indonesia, started rumbling beginning with small tremors. Then, on the evening of April 10 1815, a massive eruption took place, blowing apart the entire mountain. The event was catastrophic in Indonesia causing clouds of hot, poisonous volcanic gases called pyroclastic flows and tsunamis that killed over 10,000 of the island people and destroyed more than 35,000 homes. Several feet of volcanic ash floated on the surface of the ocean in the region causing ships to have to plow through it to move. 

Pyroclastic flow

The smaller particles spewed by the volcano were light enough that they spread through the atmosphere over the following months and had a worldwide effect on climate. In Ireland torrential rains flooded crops and in India, a new strain of cholera killed millions along with starvation. Across the ocean in Europe and North America experienced what is known as volcanic winter. Summer never arrived that year. Snow fell in the New England States in June. Crops were killed by frost and a lack of sunshine. Food became scarce.

The fishing industry suffered as the water never warmed enough for many species of fish to spawn. Feeding horses and other livestock became very expensive increasing travel costs. Frozen birds dropped into the fields. Farmers in Vermont who had already shorn their sheep tried to tie their fleeces back onto the cold animals, but many froze to death. In Salem, MA July 4th was extremely cold. Chauncey Jerome wrote that it was hard to feel patriotic while watching men play quoits in their heavy overcoats.

The cold persisted into late summer, in what should have been harvest season. In July, lakes and rivers were frozen as far south as northwestern Pennsylvania, while frost remained in Virginia into late August. Temperatures fell from normal summer temperatures to near-freezing within hours, all because of a volcanic eruption on the other side of the world.

On September 13, a Virginia newspaper reported that corn crops would be one-half to two-thirds short and lamented that “the cold as well as the drought has nipt the buds of hope”.

Amongst all the tragedy and hardships were a few bright spots. Feeding horses was so expensive that a German named Karl Davis was inspired to create the bicycle. Staying indoors was the impetus for a competition to see who could write the most frightening story. Mary Shelley penned her classic Frankenstein and Lord Byron wrote the poem Darkness, which begins, “I had a dream, which was not all a dream. The bright sun was extinguish’d.” Farmers gave up trying to make a living in New England and started heading to Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, hoping for a better – and warmer – life. As a result, there was a dramatic population shift in the west, so much so that this influx of people would lead to Indiana becoming a state in 1816, with Illinois gaining statehood two years later.

It took about three years for the weather to fully return to normal and even longer for the economy to strengthen again in the New England States. Next time you see a record low temperature on a summer weather forecast, just remember that most record keeping systems didn’t begin until 1880. It stands to reason that the summer of 1816 just might have been the lowest of all in the northeastern United States. 

 

 Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance.

Former Slave to Union Spy by Cindy Regnier

 In war, it was not uncommon for women to want to have a part in the war effort, even before they could be included in the military. Many women actually became spies. They had the advantage of being beyond suspicion in the eyes of military men simply because they were women. Elizabeth Van Lew was one such woman. She became a Union espionage agent during the Civil War while living in the Confederate capital of Richmond. Her parents were Northeners that relocated to Richmond where her family lived in a mansion in an astute neighborhood and made every effort to assimilate fully into southern society, even acquiring as many as twenty-one slaves. But Elizabeth privately abhorred the notion of slavery and freed many of her slaves after the death of her parents. Van Lew, who never married, chose to stay in Richmond after the South seceded, believing that she could be of use to the Union army in her present position.

 At first, Van Lew secretly helped Union officers in the nearby Libby Prison, helping them to escape by bribing Confederate prison guards, but after Jefferson Davis imposed martial law, she could no longer visit the prisons. She’d have to find another way. Van Lew became a leader of the interracial spy network known as the Richmond Underground. In this capacity she helped Northern sympathizers flee the Confederacy and find refuge in the North by means of safe houses, disguises, secret guides and even made her family mansion into a safe house to protect   the fleeing fugitives.

Van Lew House

 But Van Lew’s most noted contribution   to the Union cause was her relationship with a black woman named Mary   Jane Richards, a former slave of the Van Lews, who  used the alias of Mary Bowser. Van Lew was able to get Mary Bowser a job as a servant   in the Confederate White House. In this capacity Mary saw and heard   confidential plans and information being discussed by Confederate officers as she meekly served tea and refreshments in the rooms where they met to discuss war plans. They all ignored her, presuming her to be an uneducated black woman, and giving her no credit for intelligence or her ability to memorize important documents she caught glimpses of in those meeting rooms. She opened cabinets in Davis’ office while he was absent and scrutinized his papers, uncovering military details of great use to the Union army.

Confederate White House

Mary passed information to Union army officials through Elizabeth and the Van Lew Spy network. Her work enabled General Grant to strike devastating blows at the Confederate army as well as providing valuable insights about the movement of Southern troops and supplies.

When an investigation was finally launched against Elizabeth Van Lew, it was found that she was unfriendly to the Southern government but that she’d never done anything to “infirm the cause" beyond "talking freely" of her opinions among her friends. No action was taken against her by men blinded to the idea that a frail spinster lady could be capable of significant disloyalty.

I have not included a picture of Mary (Bowser) Richards in this post as many images from the past are said to be Mary Bowser but most likely are not. She had so many aliases and disguises that Mary’s history is next to impossible to piece together. One fact is agreed upon however. Both Mary and Elizabeth had an important (and dangerous) roles as Union Spies and played a significant part in the ultimate victory of the Union armies over the Confederacy.

Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance.