Posted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone

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]

Posted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone

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 […]

Posted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone

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 […]

Posted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone

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 […]

Posted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone

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 […]

Posted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone

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 […]

Posted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone

Westport’s most gruesome catastrophe befell the crew of the Janet in 1849. While chasing a whale, the master and several members of her crew were separated from the ship and left to drift in their small whaleboat for 2 weeks. Two survivors wrote an account of their ordeal, one written by Captain Francis Hosmer and […]

Posted on April 26, 2008 by Greg Stone

Westport suffered its share of disasters. The peak of the whaling industry in the 1850’s was matched by the peak in shipwrecks and other disasters. . . .