American whalers at San Francisco, USA harassed by deserting crew members according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 2 October 1847

The New Pictorial and Illustrated Family Magazine established for the diffusion of useful knowledge, 

vol. III. Robert Sears editor, New York 1846.

An item reported the arrival at Lahaina, Hawaii on 30 September by the American whaling ship Cherokee master Cleaveland 17 days of San Francisco stating that at that port the bark Iris master Spooner of New Bedford 1.400 barrels oil, Copia master Taber of New Bedford 2.100 barrels oil, California master Fisher of New Bedford 1.700 barrels oil and Euphrates master Edmunds of New Bedford 2.300 barrels oil to leave on short time for these Islands had lost a large number of their crew members, on one single day 45 men deserted from 5 ships.