Christmas Day with Mary and Minnie Lawrence [1856 - 1859]
As you read through these entries, you may notice that Christmas on board ship seems little different from how Christmas might be celebrated on land. However, bear in mind
that Mary, her daughter Minnie, her husband and the crew are thousands of miles from home and in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean headed for Cape Horn, the Pacific and numerous other whaling grounds in many different oceans. Additionally, to get a true appreciation of preparing a proper Christmas dinner at sea, you need to be reminded of the extensive chores involved for the same while on land. Now, imagine making all those luscious courses while standing in a space measuring about 6′ x 6′, using a cast iron, wood-burning stove as the ship rocks and rolls over the ocean’s waves….get my
