Down to the Sea in Ships – A film Inspired by a Westport Whaling Master
Posted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone
“Down to the Sea in Ships” was a unique and highly popular film about whaling. Made in the 1920’s, it included many local people who had been directly involved in the whaling industry. The author of the script, John L. E. Pell, had been inspired by his visits to Westport Point in 1890’s. “We stayed at the Harbor House owned by Captain James Sowle, every night Captain Sowle and I would seek out a quiet corner and he would regale me with stories of his experiences.”
Among the locations in the film is the farm then owned by the Hicks family on Main Road. The man leading oxen hauling the whale boat has been identified as William B. Hicks.