Six whaling ships sat in Bressay Sound in Shetland, with a host of smaller vessels and fishing boats bobbing on the sheltered water. Captain Fairweather allowed his men to go ashore while Lancelot took on fresh water and provisions for the forthcoming voyage.
LancelotWatters joined the laughing whaling men as they headed for the inns and pubs of Lerwick, Shetland’s largest town. The veteran Greenlandmen men knew where the best publics were and guided the Greenmen, with a few veterans looking for the local women.
Lerwick was well used to whalers and other nautical visitors and welcomed them with open arms. Ever since the days of the Norse, and possibly long before, seamen had landed on these islands, and islanders had sailed to trade, plunder, and fish the seas.
“I’ll see you lads later,
