Waterpower

Waterpower was key to the Head’s development in the 1700’s and to its involvement in the whaling industry. The river, which dropped nearly 40 feet just before the Head, provided consistent and abundant energy to power mills. George Lawton, one of the first to exploit this natural phenomenon, built a saw and grist mill north […]

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The Head of Westport – A Waterway to the World

It is hard to imagine today, but 200 years ago, the Head of Westport was a dynamic community of merchants, millers, shipbuilders and sailors. It epitomized the entrepreneurial spirit, more so than any other part of Westport. The Head of Westport was perfectly positioned for the whaling industry, located on a fortunate natural confluence of […]

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Whaling Vessels out of Westport Point

Westport’s whaling activities consisted of over 300 voyages made by Westport registered vessels over a period of about 100 years between 1775 and 1879. By 1855 Westport was homeport for between 18-22 whaling ships, employing hundreds of men. With the discovery of petroleum in 1859, the whaling industry gradually declined. The voyage of the Andrew […]

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George and Mary: Burned!

George and Mary was purchased by the New Bedford Veteran Firemen in 1896, and burned as part of a celebratory bonfire on Crow Island. Bill of sale for George and Mary [Photograph showing George and Mary intact NBWM] [Photograph showing the George and Mary bonfire NBWM]

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Whaling bark Catherwood: Shipwrecked!

Whaling bark Catherwood of Westport was totally lost on the Island of Narbio, one of the Galapagos group. Capt. Oliver states that she went ashore about 1AM in thick fog and dead calm. They commenced towing the vessel offshore but the swell was so heavy that in less than half an hour she struck and […]

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Whaling ship President: Attacked by Natives!

There are conflicting reports of this incident. Some reports identify a different whaling ship (not from Westport). So please do your research before assuming that this story is historically accurate!! Crew of the whaling ship President [of Westport] attacked by natives of Easter Island just as they had reached the shore to trade. Mr. Robert […]

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Champion: Lost!

The British Barque Raja Bassa picked up the boat of the American whaling barque Champion [of Westport], with Capt. Gifford and several men on board. The boat had been separated from her companions while engaged in the pursuit of three whales, off the Isle of Ascension. Capt. Gifford and his men were on board the […]

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Janet: The Crew Member’s Account

THE STORY OF A SURVIVOR In the winter of 1849, the northeastern coast of America was visited by one of the most destructive gales recorded in the history of that section. From Prince Edward’s Island to Montauk Point, the whole coast was strewn with wrecks. More than one hundred sail, large and small, went to […]

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Janet: The Captain’s Account

THE MERCURY NEW BEDFORD, OCT 17-18,1849 Dreadful Suffering At Sea- We have received a letter from Capt. Hosmer, later master of the whaling barque Janet, of Westport, furnishing an account of privations and sufferings of a boat’s crew belonging to the Janet comprising the captain and five others, which is almost without parallel in the […]

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