ltwilliammowett

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Pilot Schooner leading the Way, by Donald Demers (1956-)

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The secret behind Logbook stamps

If you look at the logbooks of whalers, they are often not only nicely illustrated but also have a lot of stamped pictures. However, these were not only for decorative purposes, behind each stamp was information that was important for the ship owners to see how successful their captain and crew were. Therefore, there were different stamps, each with a different purpose.

There were stamps for different whale and fish species. Like sperm and right whales which were caught. If it looked like on the right side below, only the fluke upwards, that meant the whale was hunted but not caught. 

Left the page from the ship Iris, the  logbook records the number of whales caught, kept by First Mate Richard E. Norton from 1843 to 1847 (x) Right a page from the ship Wabash, kept by First Mate Thomas G. Nickerson from June 23, 1832 – April 11, 1833 (x)

“ to late to lower them saw at sunset or a little after" the whale was gone (x)

Fluke stamped across meant the animal escaped without harm and only the head up, harpooned but escaped. If a whole whale looked down or a head was stamped across, it was killed but sank.

Logbook page of the ship Erie, 1850 (x)

Pages from logbook of the ship William Baker kept 1838, here the whales and boats are drawn not stamped, but they mean the same (x)

Pages of the ship Sharon, with ships and whales 1841-45 (x)

Ships always had been sightings but also contact with other ships and an anchor meant that one was in port at that location, a coffin meant the death of a crew member. However, many also tended to add additional information, because a stamp was sometimes used in a different context.

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Whaler ships

Whalers used different types of ships that were equipped according to their needs.The one whaler ship in the sense of the word did not exist but let’s have a look at what the logbooks tell us about these types.

The ship rigged vessel

The largest one, was these kind of vessel - which was ship rigged. This means that it had three masts, each with top mast and topgallant mast, which were square rigged on all three masts.

The ships often carried four, sometimes five boats and had the largest number of crew members. There were six men per boat plus the stewards, men who stayed on board when the boats searched for whales. The steward, the cook, the cooper, the blacksmith or the carpenter were among the ship’s attendants. There could be up to 37 people on board a ship. And they stay at sea for many years and also hunted in the arctic regions  

Watercolour and pencil artwork by Joseph Bogart Hersey, American ( ca, 1843-51), shows the Ship Corinthian of New London, from Hersey;’s journal aboard the bark Samuel and Thomas of Provincetown September 12, 1846-April 13, 1848.

This type of ship has three masts, each with top and gable mast, which are squarely rigged on all three masts. The ships often carried four, sometimes five boats and had the largest number of crew members. There were six men per boat plus the stewards, men who stayed on board when the boats searched for whales. The steward, the cook, the cooper, the blacksmith or the carpenter were among the ship’s attendants. There could be up to 37 people on board a ship and they

The bark

It was very similar to a ship’s rig in that it was a sailing ship with three masts, square at the front and main mast and lengthwise at the mizzen mast. This type of rigging became very popular in the mid-19th century as it required less crew to handle the sails when the boats were whaling, thus saving the owners money.

Watercolour and pencil artwork, by Francis Allyn Olmsted, American (1819-1844), shows the bark North America of New London, from Journal of a voyage around Cape Horn, October 11, 1839 - February 5, 1841

The brig

The true brig had two masts, and was squarely rigged on both the fore and main mast. Brigs were mostly used on shorter voyages to the Atlantic Ocean and were in service throughout the 19th century.

Watercolour and pencil artwork by Joseph Bogart Hersey, American ( ca, 1843-51), shows the Brig Franklin of Provincetown, from Hersey’s journal aboard the bark Samuel and Thomas of Provincetown, September 12,1846 -April 13, 1848

The schooner

The smallest vessel among the whalers was the schooner. This was usually with two masts and four and aft rigged sails and had two or three whaleboats on board. Six months was the usual voyage duration and most schooners were used in the Atlantic.

Watercolour and pencil artwork, by Joseph Bogart Hersey, American (ca, 1843-51), shows the schooner H.N. Williams of Provincetown, from Hersey’s journal aboard the bark Samuel and Thomas of Provincetown, September 12, 1846-April 13, 1848

As can be seen from the logbooks, we are dealing with four different types which have also been used differently. To supply the industry with supplies as efficiently as possible. 

[ltwilliammowett]

https://omeka2.hrvh.org/exhibits/show/a-new-age-of-sail/the-technology-that-changed?

The Hudson River Maritime Museum is only about an hour and a half south of me. I hope to get down there to see the exhibit.

Looks exciting, if you were there would you like to let me know how it was?

[ltwilliammowett]

Walking the dog in northern Germany

Yes, I have a big dog

Source

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Tablet sundial with nocturnal amd compass, French, maybe 18th century

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A sailor made anchor and chain Love Token. In the manner of a Welsh Love Spoon. Dated "1878" and intialled "A+A".

[ltwilliammowett]

What could the "b-slur" possibly be, besides "British" or "Belgian"? I love seeing your posts on my dash, they always make me happier. Don't let anon hate get you down

Hi, let's put it this way, the word is an insult to Mexican people. I had to look it up first because I didn't know what it meant and yes, it's not nice. But as I said, it was a typo, I apologised and that's it.

So please let's not spread the word and I'll see where I accidentally wrote that. And in what context the whole thing is, I strongly assume that I wrote something in German and misspelled it. I'm no stranger to misspelling letters, no matter which language.

[ltwilliammowett]

Navigation Lantern (Port), by William Porter. Used aboard USS Monitor, 1862

Recovered in 1977, this lantern was discovered lying in the sand near USS Monitor's turret.

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A massive Lake Erie wave walloping the West Pierhead Lighthouse.

Photo: inthe216 on Instagram

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Interestingly framed view of ‘Europa’ at the ice, by Dun Iroise

[ltwilliammowett]

You're putting the bslur on my dash? Much respect lost. Your blog is usually a breath of fresh air and maybe it was just a typo but just so you know, it feels like a slap in the face. If it continues I'll have to unfollow which is so sad bc I otherwise really enjoy your blog and share your passion for historic sailing boats and culture.

Hi,

This is definitely typographical error. It is never my intention to insult or discredit anyone.

I am very very sorry that something like this happened, and to explain it i have a German keyboard and i am dyslexic, so I have made a spelling mistake.

If any of you find something in a post please let me know so I can correct it.

Wish u all a good day.

[ltwilliammowett]

The Frigate Shtandart by Nico photographie LR

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Dutch warships off Gibraltar, c.1650, by Arnold de Lange (1968-)

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The ‘I Love You’ signal is now also available as a sticker - X

[ltwilliammowett]

Overwhelm...

We actually only know this term from the emotional or mental realm. That is, when someone is overwhelmed by their feelings. But originally it had a different meaning.The term comes from the middle english word whelven, which means to turn upside down, a vessel is said to be overwhelmed when she has capsized or has turned upside down in the water. 

(x)

In the 17th century, the term capsized appeared more and more, until it finally replaced overwhelmed in nautical terms and this term slipped into the emotional world.

[ltwilliammowett]

Portable equinoctial sundial, by Ludwig Theodatus Müller (1710-1770) - Augsburg, Germany - mid-18th century