continued from part 1. "After several months of preparation, filling the hold with empty oil barrels and food supplies, replacing torn sails, signing on a capable crew, -- some being veritable old sea-dogs and others mere stripling lads not yet out of their teens, the bark 'Emigrant' was pronounced 'fit and seaworthy' by her captain, James Sherman, about the first of November, 1844. On the tenth day of the same month practically the entire population of Bristol gathered at the wharf to wave a last goodbye and shout a final 'bon voyage' to the departing crew. Mothers and sweethearts wept, old mariners who knew the hazards of whale hunting, especially in the swirling waters of the Indian Ocean, shook their heads in fear. They would be gone at least two years, perhaps more, -- and as the 'Emigrant' hoisted her sails, swung into a light breeze and disappeared down Narragansett Bay, the loved ones on shore shuddered and offered inward prayers to the Almighty, while even the most daring members of the crew bit their lips in silence, all trying to fight a common thought, -- 'we may never meet again.' Getting under way about eight o'clock in the morning, it took the bark nearly six hours to reach Newport. While sailing across Newport harbor there was a booming thud, the ship creaked at every joint and lurched heavily to one side, -- orders were given to reef the sails at top speed. Everyone on board realized what had happened, they had charged upon a hidden rock. Captain Sherman rushed down the ladder into the forward hold expecting to see the water spurting through a jagged gash in the bow, but, to his surprise, the rugged plank siding had withstood the sudden shock. After being cleared in two hours by a rising tide the 'Emigrant' was once again ready for the open sea." continued in part 3.