hide-curing

Updated: May 13, 2025

All these we began discharging, from both gangways at once, into the two boats, the second mate having charge of the launch, and the third mate of the pinnace. For several days, we were employed in this way, until all the hides were taken out, when the crew began taking in ballast, and we returned to our old work, hide-curing. Saturday, Aug. 29th. Arrived, brig Catalina, from the windward.

Richard Henry Dana - Two Years Before the Mast

All these we began discharging from both gangways at once into the two boats, the second mate having charge of the launch, and the third mate of the pinnace. For several days we were employed in this way, until all the hides were taken out, when the crew began taking in ballast, and we returned to our old work, hide-curing. Saturday, August 29th. Arrived, brig Catalina, from the windward.

Richard Henry Dana - Two Years Before the Mast

I had become experienced in hide-curing, and everything went on smoothly, and I had many opportunities of becoming acquainted with the people, and much leisure for reading and studying navigation; yet practical seamanship could only be got on board ship, therefore I determined to ask to be taken on board the ship when she arrived.

Richard Henry Dana - Two Years Before the Mast

I had become experienced in hide-curing, and everything went on smoothly, and I had many opportunities of becoming acquainted with the people, and much leisure for reading and studying navigation; yet practical seamanship could only be got on board ship; therefore, I determined to ask to be taken on board the ship when she arrived.

Richard Henry Dana - Two Years Before the Mast

They made an addition to our society, and we spent many evenings in their tent, where, amid the Babel of English, Spanish, French, Indian, and Kanaka, we found some words that we could understand in common. The morning after my landing, I began the duties of hide-curing.

Richard Henry Dana - Two Years Before the Mast

This addition gave a change and variety to our society, and we spent many evenings in their tent, where, amid the Babel of English, Spanish, French, Indian, and Kanaka, we found some words that we could understand in common. The morning after my landing, I began the duties of hide-curing.

Richard Henry Dana - Two Years Before the Mast

I bore it off, and for two days I was up early and late, reading with all my might, and actually drinking in delight. It is no extravagance to say that it was like a spring in a desert land. From the sublime to the ridiculous so with me, from Mandeville to hide-curing, was but a step; for Wednesday, July 18th, brought us the brig Pilgrim from the windward.

Richard Henry Dana - Two Years Before the Mast

On Sundays we had absolutely no work to do, unless it might be to kill a bullock, which was sent down for our use about once a week, and sometimes came on Sunday. Another advantage of the hide-curing life was, that we had just so much work to do, and when that was through, the time was our own. Knowing this, we worked hard, and needed no driving.

Richard Henry Dana - Two Years Before the Mast

I bore it off, and for two days I was up early and late, reading with all my might, and actually drinking in delight. It is no extravagance to say that it was like a spring in a desert land. From the sublime to the ridiculous so, with me, from Mandeville to hide-curing was but a step; for Wednesday, July 18th, brought us the brig Pilgrim from the windward.

Richard Henry Dana - Two Years Before the Mast

Reading, mending, sleeping, with occasional excursions into the bush, with the dogs, in search of coati, hares, and rabbits, or to encounter a rattlesnake, and now and then a visit to the Presidio, filled up our spare time after hide-curing was over for the day. Another amusement, which we sometimes indulged in, was "burning the water" for craw-fish.

Richard Henry Dana - Two Years Before the Mast