Member-only story

The Voyage of the Moore and Other 19th Century Whaling Accounts

Elmer Powell

·18.9k Followers· Follow

Published in The Voyage Of The F H Moore And Other 19th Century Whaling Accounts

4 min read

100 View Claps

15 Respond

Save

Listen

In the 19th century, whaling was a major industry in the United States. Ships from New England ports sailed to the Pacific Ocean in search of whales, and the crews often spent years at sea. During this time, many whalers kept journals or wrote letters home, describing their experiences. These accounts provide a valuable record of life on a whaling ship and the challenges and dangers that the crews faced.

The Voyage of the Moore

One of the most famous 19th century whaling accounts is the "Voyage of the Moore," written by Frederick Debell Thomas. Thomas was a young man from New Bedford, Massachusetts, who joined the crew of the whaling ship Moore in 1841. The Moore sailed for the Pacific Ocean, and Thomas spent the next three years at sea.

"The Voyage of the F.H. Moore" and Other 19th Century Whaling Accounts

by G. Lawrence

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2204 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	216 pages

During his time on the Moore, Thomas kept a journal in which he recorded his experiences. He wrote about the long days of sailing, the dangers of whaling, and the camaraderie of the crew. Thomas's journal is a vivid and detailed account of life on a whaling ship, and it provides a valuable insight into the lives of the men who worked in this dangerous industry.

Other 19th Century Whaling Accounts

In addition to the "Voyage of the Moore," there are many other 19th century whaling accounts that provide valuable insights into the lives of whalers. These accounts include:

Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
The Whale and Its Captors by Frederick Debell Thomas
Narrative of the Shipwreck of the Whaleship Essex by Owen Chase
The Cruise of the Cachalot by Frank Bullen

Life on a Whaling Ship

Life on a whaling ship was hard and dangerous. The crews often spent months at sea, and they were constantly exposed to the dangers of storms, icebergs, and whales. Whaling was also a physically demanding job, and the crews often worked long hours in harsh conditions.

Despite the dangers and hardships, whaling was also a rewarding experience for many of the men who worked in the industry. The crews often developed strong bonds of camaraderie, and they were proud of the work that they did. Whaling also provided a good living for many of the men who worked in the industry, and it helped to support the economy of New England.

The Decline of the Whaling Industry

The whaling industry began to decline in the late 19th century. The development of new technologies, such as the kerosene lamp, reduced the demand for whale oil. In addition, the whaling industry was also affected by overfishing, which led to a decline in the whale population.

By the early 20th century, the whaling industry was largely extinct. However, the accounts of the whalers who worked in the industry provide a valuable record of this important period in American history.

The 19th century whaling accounts provide a valuable glimpse into the lives of the men who worked in this dangerous and rewarding industry. These accounts offer a unique perspective on the challenges and dangers that the whalers faced, and they help us to understand the role that whaling played in the history of the United States.

"The Voyage of the F.H. Moore" and Other 19th Century Whaling Accounts

by G. Lawrence

5 out of 5