Kittredge Maritime Center Announcements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sturgis Library Acquires Rare Whaling Journal
New Acquisition to the Kittredge Maritime Collection
December 3, 1996--
Sturgis Library in Barnstable has acquired a rare whaling journal, written in 1841, detailing the daily habits and seagoing adventures of the crew of the brig "Mattapoisett," which sailed under Captain Henry R. Brightman from Mattapoisett for Atlantic grounds in March of that year.
The journal, which runs over 125 pages of fine, legible script, begins with the observations of the writer as he journeys toward his upcoming assignment on March 26, 1841. The journal-keeper made regular entries nearly until voyages' end, 80 miles south of New Bedford, returning late in the Summer of 1842. The identity of the seaman/writer remains unknown. Yet, his Melvillian observations of the whaling life in the mid-nineteenth century are carefully wrought and entirely original.
The events transcribed include a wide number of references to whales being caught, the types of whales seen, the weapons used, and the methods used to extract blubber and sperm oil from them. 430 bbls. of sperm oil were taken on the voyage. Exceptional descriptions of taking and trading teeth for use in scrimshaw work while onboard during the lonely months at sea, are reported in detail.
A particularly evocative excerpt reads: "The boat's crew fell to work on the whale's jaw and got each of them a tooth. Since was the likeliest of the whale the captain got two and then the captain wanted to see all and find out the two best and handed the rest to us and told us to take each one. I felt as mean as a setting hen but told no one of it but think I to myself whale's teeth are nothing but ivory and I do not care...We are now on the coast of Africa...We spoke the brig Cambrian of Boston...They appear to be all happy and full of tricks and jokes. They have taken the jaw of a small whale from the bone of which the men employ themselves in making busks and bodkins and other small articles. Whether for their sweethearts or grandmothers it matters not but I give them credit for it for the neatness in taste with which they execute. I gave them one large tooth and have another left which I calculate to scrimshaw myself."
Another entry ends simply, "Homesick."
This valuable addition to the Kittredge Maritime Collection of the Sturgis Library was made possible by gifts in memory of Dexter B. Leen, President of the Board of Trustees from 1971 to 1992, whose knowledge and love of maritime history and seagoing lore provided the impetus to make such a major acquisition. The Kittredge Collection is one of the finest maritime collections on the East Coast, with special emphasis on Cape Cod sea captains and vessels.
The original journal may be made available to researchers and maritime scholars on a limited basis, at the discretion of the Library Director. The library is planning to make excerpted copies of the journal available to the public, so that all those interested in learning about whaling life in mid-nineteenth century New England, will be able to read from a fascinating and true-to-life first-hand account.
For More Information Contact:
Sturgis Library
PO Box 606, Barnstable, MA 02630
Tel: 508-362-6636
FAX: 508-362-5467
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