Chapter 98, Stowing Down and Clearing Up

The whaleman takes his handful of lamps to the copper cooler at the try works, and replenishes them there as mugs of ale. He makes his berth and aladdin's lam and lays him down in it, so that in the pitchiest night, the ship's black hull still houses an illumination. See with what entire freedom. For now, ex officio, every sailor is a cooper at length. When the last pine is casked and all is cool, then the great hatchways are unsealed, the bowels of the ship are thrown open, and down go the casks till their final rest in the sea.