When hubby and I were last in Maui, we went to the Whalers’ Village Shopping Center just to visit the Whaling Museum there. It was fabulous! We learned much about this topic and were fascinated even though I don’t think either of us have whaling ancestors.
In this museum I found many original papers framed and shown along the walls. Many were the “papers” that the captain carried to prove and show his mission. I scribbled down notes from this one to share with you:
Whaleman’s Shipping Papers: From a framed document in the Whalers Museum in the Whalers Village Shopping Center in Ka’anapali,Maui:
“It is agreed between the owner, master, seaman and mariners of the Bark Cape Horn Pigeon of New Bedford, Mass, now bound from the port of New Bedford, Mass, on a whaling voyage not exceeding 4 years in duration….”
Then followed eleven points/articles to which they agreed; many were pertaining to conduct and payroll.
Signed: 1 Sep 1884, Edward F. Potter, Managing owner/master…signed first, then 31 others
On a note dated 28 Oct 1885 and attached to the bottom corner of the page, signed by the Consulate General of the U.S. in Honolulu….verifying some business and proving that they were there.
The men had signed and indicated their nationality. They were from Germany, U.S., Sweden, Wales, Cape Verde Islands, Mexico, West Indies, Prussia and Norway. A most international crew and I had assumed they’d all be from New England.
A seaman could expect to pocket $54.17 at the end of his 4-year commitment; the captain received $380.00. And when a seaman signed his shipping papers, “he crossed the dotted line from personal freedom to unconditional obedience…..”
It took three days to butcher, cut up, try out and cask the oil from one whale….. three days of blood, slippery decks, oil and stench…… three days of hell. And the ship and crew did this day after day for months and years. Amazing to me that the little ship could store so much oil. Amazing to me that men wanted to do this.
These “whaler’s papers” caught my eye because of the Edward F. Potter, Captain, listed. Since this is my maiden name, I had to look for him. Did look for him in the 1880 and 1900 census for New Bedford; negative. He’s not my ancestor so I stopped there.
Do you have ancestors who were whalers from New England? Do you have any letters or accounts from them? Have you ever read Moby Dick? Or see the movie with Patrick Stewart from Star Trek as the demented captain?
Donna, aka Mother Hen, until next peek.