University of Virginia Library

18. Sharks and Water Spouts
BY Rev. George Whitefield (1737)[83]

My dear Friends,

Though I know no reason why you should be solicitous about anything that happens to such a dead dog as I am, yet as your love (O unmerited Kindness) abounds exceedingly towards me, I send you a full and particular account of my voyage.

Monday, Feb. 20, 1737. I spent the morning on board in writing letters to my dear friends in England. Went in the afternoon on shore to Gibralter, and was unspeakably delighted with the prospect of the place The seeing persons of all nations and languages gave me great pleasure.

Saturday, March 18. The weather being exceedingly fair, and the sea calm, I went with the Captain on board the Lightfoot. Dined with the gentlemen belonging to the ship; married a couple; dispersed Bibles, testaments and soldiers' monitors amongst the men. Exchanged some books for some cards which I threw overboard. Preached a sermon against drunkenness which God enabled me to finish yesterday; and returned in the evening highly delighted with seeing the porpoises roll about the great deep.

Monday, March 20. To-day the Colonel came to dine with us, and in the midst of our meal we were entertained with a most agreeable sight. It was a shark about the length of a mall. It followed our ship, and was attended with five little fishes, called the pilot fish, much like a mackerel, but larger.

These I am told always keep the shark company. And what is most surprising, though the shark is so

ravenous a creature, yet let it be never so hungry, it never touches one of them. Nor are they less faithful to him. For if at any time the shark is hooked, these little creatures will not forsake him. They cleave close to his fins and are often taken up with him. Go to the pilot-fish, thou that forsakes" a friend in adversity. Consider his ways and be abashed.

Tuesday, April 18. Was greatly delighted in seeing two water spouts, which ran along for several miles, and by the especial Providence of God escaped US. We saw one of them coming, and were surprised to observe a sudden calm for about six minutes.

The other parts of the sea boiled like a pot. But surely the everlasting I AM said to the sea at that instant, "Let there be a calm in that place." For by that means our ship was immediately stopped in her course. So the water spout passed by before we came up to it. Otherwise it would have torn our sail in pieces. God's hand was so visible in this, that several said they never beheld the like before.

Saturday, April 22. Fled as it were on the wings of the wind for three days past. I find that God generally sends us strongest winds when nearest our port.

Friday, May 5. This afternoon, after having lain about a week on this coast, we saw Savannah River, and sent off for a pilot. Oh what joy appeared in everyone's countenance!

Sunday, May 7. Last night, by the blessing of God, we cast anchor near Tyby Island about fourteen miles off Savannah. After this I took boat and arrived safe at Savannah, having a most pleasant passage, about seven in the evening.