Part 1 Chapter 5 Summary

On June 30 the Abraham Lincoln encounters the Monroe, a whaling ship. The captain wants to borrow Ned Land, who happily harpoons two whales for him. On July 6 near Cape Horn the Abraham Lincoln is speeding in smooth waters with good weather when some sailors think they spot something. Nothing comes of it. On July 20 they crosse the Tropic of Cancer and then travel for three months in the North Pacific. Everyone is discouraged. On November 2 Captain Farragut announces they will search only three more days for the monster and then, turn back home.

On November 5 the frigate is less than two hundred miles from Japan. By nightfall everyone is looking for the monster but it is not sighted. Aronnax teases Conseil that he should receive the reward money but there is no comforting Conseil. He wishes they were in France. Conseil...