What Did Whalers Have to be Thankful For?

By Casey Nyvall
PR & Collections Intern

Now that the holiday season is underway, it is common practice for many of us to take a moment and reflect on what is most important in our lives. In that spirit, for this Thanksgiving, let's take a look back at what 19th century whalers had to celebrate! The life of a whaler was not easy. The hours were long (sometimes five years long), the work was hard and dangerous, the cabins were cramped, and the social scene was almost non-existent. While the life of a whaler was rather difficult, there were a few things that they could celebrate: 

A galley on a whaling ship.

An undated memo for food totaling $321.66. Items on the list include potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, onions, pickles, barley, peaches in sugar, rice, eggs, and cabbage.

Equal Opportunities for Crewmembers of Color

Whaling was America’s first integrated industry at a time when racial discrimination against Americans of color was normalized. It was very difficult for many to find meaningful and well paying employment on land, however, the business of whaling was one in which race was not as relevant. Marginalized groups were still stereotyped into specific roles. Indigenous whalers frequently found themselves taking on “hunting” positions as spotters in the crows nest or as harpooners during the chase. Whalers of color, more often than not, were initially placed in more service oriented positions on board, such as cooks or cabin boys. Even so, many found it a little easier to climb through the ranks and be validated for the passion and effort they put into their work than they would have on land. Whalers of color were generally able to enjoy the same standards of living as their white shipmates of the same rank on board.  Americans of all shades and backgrounds found themselves on a whaler, and many foreigners did as well. Because dissertation was so common, captains found themselves replacing large portions of their crew with each call to port. Even with such a diverse crew, with an entire ship sharing the same goal, many whalers saw each other not so much through the lens of race, but by their work ethic and skillsets. 

Six whalers on a ship.

Close-Knit Communiy

Whaling was often a local undertaking, it was not uncommon for entire families or even communities to see their brothers, fathers, uncles, and neighbors all go out to sea. Whalers came from all corners of the world, but once aboard the crew did not often interact with people who were not fellow whalers, except when the ship stopped for supplies and provisions. As a result, there was a sense of camaraderie and even friendship among whaling crews, which we can see in the records and literature from the time. Personally, I recommend reading Moby Dick to get a sense of the dynamics that occurred between crewmembers. Of course, the book is an excellent depiction of whaling life in general, as Melville himself was a whaler!

Special Meals

Although the food on whaling ships was infamous for its less-than-gourmet status, being provided with steady meals could be an incentive to join a whaling ship. The captain and those in higher-ranking positions, such as the ship’s mates, were able to eat better quality dishes than the lower-ranked crewmembers. The captain and his family ate first, followed by the ship’s officers. They could expect to enjoy the finer things, such as butter and sugar, on china plates! Skilled workers, like the harpooners, coopers, and blacksmiths, ate next. Their food was usually similar to what the officers ate, except they got molasses instead of sugar. The whalers ate last, usually from a wooden tub. They were not given any sugar or molasses to sweeten their food or drink. Holidays were recognized at the Captain’s discretion, but when holidays were celebrated the crew could expect to enjoy food that was a little nicer and more flavorful than the usual fare, such as donuts (fried in whale oil, a special treat after a successful hunt), duff (a steamed pudding with dried fruits), and dandyfunk (sea biscuits baked in molasses). 

Whalers lining up at mealtime.

A whaler at mealtime.

Thanksgiving didn’t become a national holiday until 1863! If you would like to read about why whalers celebrated Thanksgiving, you can check out our post from Thanksgiving 2020!
From everyone at the Whaling Museum, have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

An illustration of the ship Maria, of New Bedford. According to the original caption, when this print was published in 1854, the Maria was the oldest ship in the United States.