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The logbook transcription initiative of the NHA

The Nantucket Historical Association has recently started a long-term project, in which they ask a world-wide audience for voluntary transcriptions of their entire whaling logbook collection.1

Throughout the last centuries, they have amassed an extraordinary collection of ships’ logs and shipboard journals that open a window into the rich maritime heritage of the 18th and 19th centuries. These documents, primarily kept by captains or first mates, offer daily accounts of life at sea. They meticulously record a vessel’s position through latitude and longitude readings, detail weather conditions, list other ships sighted, and note ports visited during their voyages.

In the context of whaling expeditions—a predominant theme in this collection—the logs provide invaluable insights into the industry that once thrived in Nantucket and New Bedford, Massachusetts. They catalog encounters with whales, noting those seen and successfully captured, which was crucial information for the economic success of the voyage. Beyond these operational details, some logs enrich their pages with crew lists, cargo inventories, and even personal touches like poems, drawings, and candid observations that bring the seafaring experience to life.

Complementing the logs are shipboard journals often penned by captains’ wives, passengers, or crew members. These narratives delve into the human aspects of maritime journeys, recounting events such as accidents, illnesses, and the daily challenges faced aboard. They also describe leisure activities, interactions during port visits, and encounters with Native peoples in foreign lands, painting a vivid picture of the cultural exchanges that occurred.

The collection is particularly strong in documenting voyages that embarked from Nantucket and New Bedford, regions that were once bustling centers of the whaling industry. The majority of these logbooks focus on whaling voyages, highlighting the significance of this trade in shaping the local economy and community identity.

For historians, researchers, and enthusiasts of maritime history, this assemblage offers a treasure trove of firsthand accounts. It not only preserves the operational aspects of historical sea voyages but also captures the personal stories and experiences of those who lived them. Through these logs and journals, the Nantucket Historical Association provides an enduring link to the past, allowing us to appreciate the adventures and hardships of life at sea during a pivotal era in American history.

  1. Nantucket Historical Association Transcription Initiative, in: from the page, https://fromthepage.com/nharl/logs [last Access: 1.10.2024]. []

Behind The Brush, Behind the Brush, Series 2, Episode 1: Te Tai Tokerau

 

This blogpost introduces a specific documentation entitled “Behind the Brush, Series 2, Episode 1: Te Tai Tokerau”1 which had been produced by Awa Films in 2010. This episode delves into the captivating portraits by renowned artist Gottfried Lindauer, focusing on the significant figure of Pomare II (also known as Whetoi). Gottfried Lindauer was a Czech-born artist who immigrated to New Zealand in the late 19th century. He became celebrated for his detailed and respectful portraits of Māori individuals, many of whom were prominent leaders and figures within their communities. Lindauer’s work is more than mere representation; it is a visual record of Māori society during a time of significant change and adaptation.

The episode takes the viewers on a journey through Aotearoa New Zealand’s Northland region, an area steeped in Māori history and tradition. The documentary examines how Lindauer’s portraits serve as historical documents that preserve the stories, lineage, and mana (authority) of Māori ancestors.

Central to this episode is the portrait of Pomare II (Whetoi), a prominent rangatira of Ngati Manu and a key figure in early 19th-century New Zealand history. Pomare II played a significant role during a period of intense interaction between Māori and European settlers in the first half of the 19th century.

To deepen the connection between past and present, the producers invited Arapeta Hamilton, a descendant of Pomare II and a member of Ngāti Manu, to share his insights. In a brief but poignant interview, Hamilton reflects on his ancestor’s legacy and the importance of Lindauer’s work in keeping that legacy alive. His perspective offers a personal dimension to the historical narrative, emphasizing how the stories and values of forebears continue to influence Māori communities today.

Lindauer’s portraits are invaluable to both Māori and non-Māori audiences. They provide a window into the identities, attire, and statuses of individuals from a bygone era. The documentary highlights how these images are not just artistic expressions but are imbued with cultural significance, serving as anchors for whakapapa (genealogy) and identity among Māori people.

Enjoy watching!

  1. Behind the Brush, Series 2, Episode 1: Te Tai Tokerau. Directed by Arahanga, Julian. New Zealand: Tawera Productions and Black Pearl, 2010. https://search.alexanderstreet.com/view/work/bibliographic_entity|video_work|3369891, [last Access: 24.09.2024]. []

African American whaling captains

In January 2014, Skip Finley wrote an article about captain William Martin of Edgartown in Marthas Vineyard, who is known to have made it as one of a few recorded whaling captains of African American background.1

In the annals of maritime history, few figures stand out as remarkably as Captain William A. Martin of Edgartown. Born in 1827 on Martha’s Vineyard, Martin was one of the rare African American whaling captains—a testament to his extraordinary talent, determination, and resilience in an era fraught with racial barriers.

Martin’s lineage traces back to his great-grandmother, who was born in Guinea, Africa, and brought to Chilmark as a slave in the mid-1700s. His grandmother, Nancy Michael—affectionately known as “Black Nance”—was a beloved figure in the community. Revered by local children and adults alike, she was remembered in her 1857 obituary in the Vineyard Gazette as someone to whom “few among us who have not at some time been indebted.” Raised by Nancy after his mother, Rebecca Ann, faced personal struggles, William grew up under the guidance of a woman admired for her strength and character.

In his late teens, Martin embarked on his first sea voyage, likely aboard the Almira. Despite the prevailing norms of the time, which saw few Black individuals attaining literacy, Martin received a quality education from the Edgartown School. This education enabled him to serve as a log keeper on several early voyages—a role that required not only literacy but also meticulous attention to detail.

His competence quickly became evident. As the cooper and boatsteerer on the Waverly in 1851, Martin earned more than the first mate, a rare achievement that underscored his exceptional skills. His career progressed as he became the first mate and log keeper of the Europa, and later, joint first master on the Eunice H. Adams. By the 1870s, he had ascended to the rank of captain of the Clarice, a monumental accomplishment for an African American man in the 19th century.

Over the course of at least nine voyages before 1887, Captain Martin’s vessels harvested more than 2,658 barrels of prized sperm whale oil, along with valuable cargoes of other oils and whalebone. His final command was the Eunice H. Adams, which met with a severe storm that resulted in the ship’s damage and his injury. His success was not just a personal triumph but also a significant contribution to the whaling industry, which was a cornerstone of the economy during that period.

In 1857, Martin married Sarah G. Brown of Chappaquiddick, a woman of African American and Wampanoag heritage. Their marriage, which spanned over 50 years, was a partnership that withstood the test of time. According to the July 11, 1907 edition of the Vineyard Gazette, they celebrated their golden anniversary just months before his passing in September 1907 at the age of approximately 80.

Captain Martin’s legacy lives on in Chappaquiddick, where he is buried, and where his and Sarah’s home still stands—a silent testament to a man who navigated not just the turbulent seas, but also the societal challenges of his time.

Captain William A. Martin’s story is one of perseverance and excellence. In an occupation fraught with danger and uncertainty, he rose to the pinnacle through sheer talent and hard work. His journey from the grandson of an enslaved woman to a respected sea captain serves as an inspiring chapter in maritime history and a powerful reminder of what can be achieved against the odds.

 

  1. Finley, Skip (2014): Not your average Ahab, in: Marthas Vineyard Magazine, https://mvmagazine.com/news/2014/05/01/not-your-average-ahab#comments [Last Access: 15.08.2024]. []

Melville, Maury and American whaling

I would like to share with you a very fascinating blog post that has been on my bookmarks for a while. The post is entitled “Data narratives and structural histories: Melville, Maury, and American Whaling”1 and the author demonstrates the potential of combining whaling logbooks with digital visualisation tools and techniques to map and reconstruct the itineraries and journeys of whaling voyages.

Data visualisations transcend the realm of mere graphs and charts; they manifest as narratives in their own right. They have the extraordinary ability to offer interpretation without imposing it, allowing us to uncover hidden insights that might otherwise elude our perception. Like a compelling story, a skilfully crafted data visualisation has the ability to breathe life into mundane information, transforming it into a compelling narrative. Historians in particular are drawn to the allure of data visualisation because of its remarkable ability to make historical structures instantly accessible, much as narrative illuminates individual stories.

In a gripping exploration, the author delves into the meticulously digitised ship logs of climatologists, focusing intently on the voyages of American ships in global waters. Through the lens of visualisation, the intricate patterns and routes traced by these ships reveal compelling stories waiting to be told.While historians typically weave narratives around individual protagonists, unravelling systemic narratives proves to be a formidable undertaking. Nevertheless, data visualisation is emerging as a powerful tool that enables historians to effectively communicate these broader narratives that have indelibly shaped history.The art of historical storytelling often falls into the trap of cliché, where well-worn narratives are told over and over again.Data visualisations, however, have the inherent potential to breathe new life into history, offering fresh perspectives and captivating audiences seeking a deeper understanding of systemic processes beyond the confines of individual accounts.

Traditionally, the crafting of narratives that encompass systemic sagas has been challenging, but data visualisations offer an innovative remedy.While their integration into arguments may involve greater complexity than traditional prose, these visualisations serve as gateways to alternative insights that enrich our understanding. A thought-provoking example is the contrast between a video depicting European shipping patterns, suggesting the beginnings of globalisation, and a more complex visualisation depicting the intricate routes of American ships.

Delving deep into history, the author examines ship logs from 1785 to 1860, with a focus on whaling voyages.
Through visualisation, the migratory patterns of these ships through the seasons come to life, revealing shifts and movements that tell their own stories.Whaling emerges as an extraordinary industry that challenges conventional narratives of systemic interconnectedness, instead offering a glimpse into a world characterised by resource depletion, labour struggles and industrial dynamics.

The compelling choreography of whaling voyages stands in stark contrast to the linear trajectories of commercial shipping routes. Unlike the straightforward trajectories of conventional trade, whaling ships congregate around specific regions and embark on methodical journeys intertwined with the ebb and flow of natural cycles.The industrial essence of whaling narratives dares to challenge the dominance of network-centric narratives.Derived from ship logs and transformed into vivid visualisations, the data provides fertile ground for narratives to flourish.Whaling emerges as a saga of industrial exploitation, resource depletion and the relentless pursuit of a precious resource.The visualisations paint a vivid tableau of ships caught up in predatory behaviour, scouring the seas until the once teeming hunting grounds are left barren.
Remarkably, while whaling did not lead to the demise of whales, it did present its own formidable challenges.

Visualising these data opens a window into the systemic actions that drive resource depletion. The behaviours that trigger such depletion become visible, paving the way for mapping and understanding aggregate behaviour. Harnessing the power of data is imperative for humanists seeking to fathom collective action, thereby expanding the narrative framework beyond stories fixated on individuals.

 

  1. http://sappingattention.blogspot.com/2012/10/data-narratives-and-structural.html [Last accessed: 10.07.2024] []

Extracts of a presentation given to the TransMare plenum in December 2023

On 11th December 2023, the TransMare Institute in Trier invited its members and research project to come together. With an evening programme, the institute presented ongoing research projects, new arriving researchers, and also invited the associated PhD researchers to briefly introduce their work within five minutes. With this blogpost, I share parts of my presentation with you.

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Hello everybody, thank you for giving me the opportunity to introduce my research project to you. Before I begin, I would like to add that I stammer occasionally.

The title of the presentation Kidnapped Whalers and Destroyed Taverns is based on a case study from my research. In August 1839, the two American and British ambassadors in New Zealand reported the destruction of a pub by several whaling captains and their crew. The reason for this attack were two Brazilian sailors who were being held by the owner of the pub or were hiding from the captain in order to escape the harsh conditions on board. However, as the captain did not want to give them up, they wanted to state an example of them.

Whaling ships suffered from a chronic shortage of skilled labour, which meant that the captains needed all the manpower they could get and often had a very diverse crew. Incidents such as these form an important facet of my work when it comes to reconstructing the interactions in the context of the whaling industry in the Pacific.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, whale oil was a coveted resource to light street lamps and maintain the machinery of early industrialisation. (3) During this period, Quaker family businesses in the small harbour towns of Nantucket and New Bedford in the British colony and later USA dominated this industry, sending their whaling ships first to the Atlantic and increasingly to the Pacific from the 19th century onwards. They hunted and processed whales on their multi-year transoceanic voyages and interacted with Pacific Islanders such as in Tahiti or Hawaii as well as the Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand during stopovers.

My focus is on the Bay of Islands, which became an important stopover in the early 19th century and ultimately laid the foundation for the colonisation of the country by the British with the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. I argue here that whalers in the 19th century spent decades trying to transfer to the Pacific a socio-economic system that they had already successfully established in the Atlantic with the Native Americans and slaves in the 18th century.

In my research study, I want to analyze and reconstruct, if and how Maori seamen were integrated into the same working conditions in the whaling industry. In this regard, I also want to show the balance of power in the interaction spaces at the Bay of Islands and to show the transoceanic transfer process of the whalers. In this way, I combine maritime history with settler colonial studies.