Whalers of the African Diaspora: A Review

by Claire Spina
Claire interned at the museum during Summer 2023.

Claire poses next to a painting of whaler Pyrrhus Concer.

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The Whaling Museum’s current exhibition, “Whalers of the African Diaspora,” brings to light an important yet largely unrepresented aspect of Long Island’s history. The two-year special exhibition employs artifacts, videos, and art to explore the history of African American mariners and their contributions to the whaling industry.

The show was curated by Eastville Historical Society’s Dr. Georgette Grier-Key, whose scholarship seeks to preserve and celebrate Long Island’s BIPOC heritage. Asserting the whaling industry as one of the first true meritocracies, “Whalers of the African Diaspora”  provokes a dialogue about upward mobility in the power of oppression.

The exhibition is an immersive celebration of African American whalers, without which, the whaling industry would be at a disadvantage. Highlighting the pivotal voyages, inventions, and discoveries pioneered by Black whalers, the show strives to emphasize a previously overlooked, yet highly influential demographic.

Most importantly, “Whalers of the African Diaspora” shines a light on the discrimination that permeated the industry, despite the opportunities it offered. The inclusion of these details can be dark and uncomfortable, but their presence is a necessary step in confronting our past. Illustrating these notions are the show’s wide array of artifacts. Harpoons, letters, and footage of sea shanties create a fascinating narrative of life for African American whalers. The show does not shy away from the harsh realities of racism in Long Island, featuring accounts of prejudice aboard whaling ships and advertisements calling for the capture of those who fled enslavement. The show uses these items to bring a contemporary understanding to Long Island’s history, pertaining both to race and the whaling industry. The intersection of these two facets is an essential detail to acknowledge when considering the
trade’s impact on our region’s economy and culture. The raw nature of this exhibition is powerful, both in its ability to lay bare Long Island’s history, and to call attention to the significance of whaling as a transformative process.

At the center of the exhibition’s narrative is Pyrrhus Concer, an accomplished whaler from Long Island who became the first African American to visit Japan. Concer’s story exemplifies the powerful contributions of Black whalers, and the rare opportunities presented by the maritime industry. The formerly enslaved Concer began going on whaling voyages at the age of 18 and quickly rose to prominence among his peers. His extensive skills and experience allowed him to excel despite the discrimination prevalent in American society. On display in the museum are artifacts from Concer’s Southampton home, each fragment indicative of his life. House tools, medicine bottles, and porcelain shards paint a picture of Concer’s autonomy, health, and success. The inclusion of such objects is not only a testament to Concer’s outstanding skills, but an act of resistance against the oppressive
circumstances he was forced to overcome.

New York artist Hulbert Waldroup captures Concer’s heroism in a two-sided portrait painted on salvaged ship wood. One side shows Concer at work, bravely aiming his harpoon at a whale. On the opposite, he stands along a shore, grinning as he extends a hand towards us. Waldroup’s piece allows viewers to interact with Concer in two different environments, one that demonstrates his remarkable courage and professional success, and one that emphasizes the valuable spirit of Concer as an individual, beyond his achievements at sea. In employing this duality, Waldroup communicates the importance of Concer’s contributions, without reducing him to a token or statistic. “I give the viewer the opportunity to find and reshape the spaces where they find themselves,” says Waldroup in his artist statement. His rendition of the story acknowledges the unlikely circumstances of Concer’s success while maintaining a sense of optimism and endurance that bears relevance today.

This balance is a persistent aspect of “Whalers of the African Diaspora.” Despite the heavy subject matter, an inspiring narrative runs through the exhibition, highlighting the unique contributions of every whaler, innovator, and artist involved. The show extends beyond those at sea, honoring the impact of African Americans on spirituality, culture, labor laws and innovation. Each artifact on display – from ship parts to scrimshaw carvings– are powerful symbols of Black whalers’ presence in the industry, both on and offboard. As Grier-Key puts it, “My hope is that the viewer comes away with new knowledge that is a deeper understanding of not just remarkable achievements but the ordinary spirit of service and justice that is within all of us to bring about change.” Given the show’s inspiring subjects and stories, Grier-Key’s statement rings true. By celebrating those who changed the course of the whaling industry, “Whalers of the African Diaspora” offers everyone the opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference.

Archeological findings from Concer's home.