 voyage around Cape Horn to San Francisco, and then to Calcutta where they found other Brewster captains. They saw Bengal tigers at the zoo, were distressed at burning bodies, and then sailed for China both becoming ill, probably with cholera. There was delirious fever and dysentery, according to Bethia's journal, and entries were skipped. She was becoming weaker and weaker. On September 16, she was miserable at times and didn't know what to take for a cure. On September 23, Elisha wrote in plaintive words: "Died. Made a coffin for Bethia". Her gravestone in Orleans reads, "age 20".
Some of these stories share the zest of life, according to Coogan, and are uplifting, but mostly they struck him as sad. He also recommends reading Petticoat Whalers by Joan Druett to learn more about what part women played in the 19th century maritime industry.
See the Presentation Notes Index for summaries of other presentations given at the Society's monthly meetings.