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Cuurtcsy ol Now HiMlfurtl Slandartl. Dedication of the Jonathan Bourne WhaHng Museum

The Jonathan Bourne Wlialing The museum, with its massive museum, which was dedicated this Georgian ^'tyle, harnioni;;es in its morning, is the gift of Miss Emily architecture with New Bedford tradi- Rowland Bourne, daughter of the tion. Mr. Vaughan, the architect, great whaling merchant in whose adapted his plan from the historic memory the unique structure is built custom house at Salem, Mass., in to the Old Dartmouth Historical so- which Nathaniel Hawthorne worked. ciety. The building stands on Bethel The. building is 118 feet long and 57 street, on that hill anciently known as wide, and measures, from ground to "Johnny Cake," opposite the Seamen's tip of the topmast of her whaleship Bethel (that Herman Melville visit- weathervane, 96 feet. It is con- ed just before he sailed on the menior- structed of red (Colonial) brick with able whaling voyage which gave us limestone trimmings and white wood- "Moby Dick, or The White Whale") work, and is crowned by a belfry, and the Mariners' Home, a structure from which a fine view of the har- of the 18th century. The museum bor may be had. was built exclusively to hold whaling The interior consists of a large, relics—and the half-sized model of main hall, in which stands the model the old bark Lagoda, one of Jonathan of the Lagoda. A barrel-vaulted ceil- Bourne's old whaling vessels. The ing arches over the topmasts of the museum itself cost about $50,000 and imprisoned ship, whose spars clear the model is estimated to have cost the arch by a few inches only. A fully $25,000 more. colonaded gallery, designed for the ex- The Standard on Jan. 9, 1915, an- hibition of relics of the whaling days nounced to the people of New Bedford and of articles pertaining to the Miss Bourne's proposed gift. On the whaling industry, passes round the 14th of March following, the houses hall at the level of the second story. numbered 12 and 14 Bethel street were From this gallery, the visitor looks sold at auction, to make room for it. upon the deck of the vessel, and into Henry Vaughan of Boston was its its rigging. Winding stairs mount to architect, and John Crowe & Co., of the belfry. The new Lagoda measures Fall River, the builder. 5 9 feet from figurehead to stern, and The staging was stripped from the 89 feet from her flying jibboom to completed museum about the middle her t'panker boom. The bowsprit of December, 1915. As soon as the measures 15% feet, and the fore and interior hall was completed, work on main yards 28 feet. the model of the old bark Lagoda be- Her first measurements were taken gan. The plans were made by Ed- from those of the original Lagoda, at gar B. Hammond. The bark was the custom house. No photographs built by Frank B. Sistare, aided by and no model of this wonderful his- William H. Crook, a master ship- toric craft exist. The whaling bark builder, who at various times worked Charles W. Morgan, which sailed last on the old Lagoda. Mr. Sistare also summer for the Antarctic, was known secured the services of several ship to be similar in many respects. Captain carpenters. The re.sult is not only Edward D. Lewis, who commanded the largest model of a vessel ever con- the vessel on three voyages was found structed under a roof, but one which at Utica, New York. Mrs. Lewis, who is complete for the whaling grounds with her husband attended the exer- down to the most minute details of cises this morning, spent ten years construction, of and fully equipped with her life on the Lagoda. Captain exact replicas of the old whaleship and Mrs. Lewis were able to supply- furnishings, the seven — whaleboats, many valuable facts concerning the harpoons and lances, buckets and old bark's rig. J . tubs, casks and all.

Bourne Memorial

The Jonathan Bourne Whahng that antiquity from which Henry museum, the gift to the Old Dart- Vaughan, ner architect, had borrowed mouth Historical society of his daugh- an inspiration for her. Those who entered ter, Miss Emil5' Howland Bourne, was the museum, felt as they did so, that here dedicated this morning, and the build- was a fitting monument in which of old whaang to preserve a perfect toy ing and the model the whaleship Laj:oda with beautiful cere- for future generations, and bark mentally thanked monies formally given to the society. Miss Bourne again for the gift she has given, Flags suddenly broke out from the —a gift not alone the society's but the world's as main and fore peaks of the last of the well,—the wide world's that will soon whaling fleet, this forenoon. The be making pilgrimages to the last of hush that had come when the mem- the whalers. bers of the Old Dartmouth Histori- Oliver Prescott presided. of Miss The cal society and other guests speakers included Lieutenant Emily Howland Bourne waited for Gover- nor Calvin Ccolidge, representing the this traditional rite to be performed, commonwealth; William was broken by applause. The bark W. Crapo, who spoke on the history of the La^^oda was duly "launched" again, whal- ing industi-y, and whose duty it was and the museum that contains it given to present the museum and the La- to the society for which it was built, goda to the Old Dartmouth Historical to the great w-haling as a memorial society in behalf of Miss merchant. Bourne; Her- bert E. Cushman, president of the or- soft air breathed across A Johnny- ganization, who fittingly responded, cake hill, as gentle as the of name expressing the deep gratitude, not of Bethel street itself,—"a weather the society alone, but of the entire' breeder" an old whaler said. The city for the great gift; Dr. Francis building of the ship was done; her Barton Gummere, professor of Eng- spars slung aloft, and her canvas lish at Haverford college, and himself tucked away ship-shape and according a former New Bedford man (having to the of sea. laws the No prophesies been the first head of the Swain Free of uncertain weather would have kept school.), who delivered a polished and the first Lagoda, Jonathan Bourne's scholarly address, and others. The gallant craft, the ways; old and upon Rev. William B. Geoghegan, pastor of neither and would gloomy headshakes the Unitarian church, offered the in- effect the new bark. For well her vocation, and the Rev. Raymond if her hull builders know that had Kendrick, rector of St. Martin's Epis- been completed below that calm copal church, offered the benediction. will wooden sea upon which she never Miss Bourne, the speakers, and Aliss be tossed or shaken, this Lagoda Bourne's guests sat on the bark's deck could have breasted the wildest gales amidships. With the speakers sat Dr. of the Pacific, and come riome at last John Wyeth, the noted New York treasure of golden oil. So the with a surgeon; Captain Edward Lewis I'last quiet voice of William W. Crapo, as master of the old Lagoda), Mrs. Fran- he gave the vessel into the keeping cis B. Gummere and Samuel Gum- of the Old Dartmouth Historical so- mere, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pierce, Mrs. ciety, could speak his confidence in Merriman, a niece of Miss Bourne's, the future and success of perhaps the and Mrs. Merriman's two childien; last whaling vessel to be built in New- Mrs. Emilie B. Michler, the daughter half-sized Bedford,—the model of the of Miss Bourne's sister, Mrs. Hunt; bark Lagoda. A. Kirtland Michler, Miss Joan The dedicatory exercises began at Michler; Henry Vaughn, architect; 11 o'clock. Miss Bourne, the donor, Henry H. Crapo; Benjamin Baker; and her special guests, and the speak- Senator Richard Knowles; the mem- ers, assembled on the Lagoda's decks. bers of the Apollo quartet (in the The Georgian front of the Whaling bow). There also sat on the deck those Museum itself never looked richer or who raised the flags: Seth J. Besse, finer than it did in the gray shadows Harold S. Bowie; Clifford W. Ashley,' of this overcast day. She seemed Edgar B. Hammond, Delano Dewint' already to be borrowing sentinient of and Alfred S. James. Ijieutenanl Governor Introduced. confined to New Bedford, but is shared by the whole Mr. Prescott, in introducing: Cal- commonwealth. It is fitting therefore that a representa- vin Coolidge, lieutenant of governor tive of the commonwealth should join Massachusetts, said: with us today in these dedication ex- "Miss Bourne, with her usual at- ercises. I have the privilege of in- tention to even the smallest detail, troducing his honor, the lieutenant has provided a presiding officer for governor of ISIassachusetts, Hon. Cal- these dedication exercises. As her vin Coolidge." father used to send his out- side m.^in out upon the wharf to superintend the final prep- arations for the voyage of the good ship Lagoda, so she has en- Calvin Coolidge. trusted to the chairman of this meet- The lieutenant governor spoke in ing the responsibility of seeing that part as follows: her plans for the starting of this La- goda on its successful career are car- "It is one of the pleasantest duties ried out. And truly, the putting of that come to those who are in public this vessel in commission is an im- life in our commonwealth, to be portant event, justifying the care brought more intimately in toucii with which has been given it. For while the highest ideals, the highest aspira- this vessel will not bring back to the tions, of the past,—the inspiration port of New Bedford the material from which makes for good citizen- wealth which the other Lagoda wrest- ship. The present, of course, is al- ed from the sea in such large meas- ways influenced by the past. Your ure, she will enrich the present and chairman has referred to the great all future generations by preserving industry which has made the name the memory of those strong, able, en- of New Bedford famous throughout terprising men, the New Bedford mer- the world, even beyond perhaps the chants who directed the whaling in- name of Massachusetts; and though dustry from their counting rooms those ships which made New Bedofrd along the wharves, and of those other great no longer sail the seas, and the brave and skillful men—the masters men who commanded them, the men and seamen who manned the ships and who manned them, and the men who sailed them on every sea in search of financed them are all now a part of their cargoes. the past,—the character of those mas- "It has been claimed with persistent ters, the courage of those men, and iteration, often in letters large enough the business sagacity and abihty of for him who speeds by in the train those merchants who carried on this to read, that it required the services of industry have left their influence upon a certain American timepiece to make the present. the American dollar famous. It may '.lonathan Bourne was one of the be claimed with much greater reason successful merchants of this city. Not that New Bedford has been an im- only was he active, however, in the portant factor in putting Massa- whaling industry, but a large part chusetts upon the map. For when the as well in other developments which New Bedford whalers were sailing have helped to make New Bedford about the globe in large numbers and what it is today. He was not a man were entering the ports of every con- who sought public office, but he did tinent, they carried with them painted consent to serve on the governor's on their sterns the words "Of New council." Bedford." And when people with in- The lieutenant governor, after prais- quiring minds in distant lands took ing Jonathan Bourne's character and down their atlasses to ascertain the his business sagacity, industry and exact location of New Bedford, they thrift, continued: "It is as the result found that it was situated in a little of these strong characteristics that we corner of the United States of are able to come here today to wit- America called Massachusetts. The ness these unusual exercises. It wealth which the whalers brought to seems to me that we are here, not New Bedford did not enrich New Bed- only to dedicate this enterprise to the ford alone, but it added also to the memory of the father, but we are prosperity and resources of the com- here also in grateful recognition of monwealth. The whaling merchants the kindly impulse which led Miss and masters were not only the prom- Bourne to bestow this great gift upon inent citizens of this locality, they her native city. were al.so among the leading men in "So that I take it we should dedi- the state, and did their share in di- cate this Jonathan Bourne Whaling recting its destinies. And so today Museum not only to the strength and the interest in his whaling museum character of the man whose name it and what It commemorates is not bears, not only to the charitable im- —

pulses which have led the daughter Their skill, daring and endurance de- to make this splendid gift; but we serve our hearty praise. are here also to dedicate it to com- Yet we should not forget the men mercial enterprise and to every worth- in the counting room. The jnen who while enterprise in life, in order that planned the voyages and we may go forward together to a hap- who ri.-^ked pier and more prosperous day." their fortunes in the ventures. The men who procured the ships, adapted them for their special service and pro- vided the equipment, munitions and outfits for the long voyages. The men who designated i-i William W. Crapo. what oceans, seas and bays the ships must make William W. Crapo was the next their cruising grounds, and who, after sp'-aker, and in behalf of Miss careful deliberation, selected the of- Bourne presented to the Old Dart- ficers and rren who were to execute mouth Historical society the me- the undertaking. The motive power morial mu.seum and the bark, after of the enterprise in its inception from a resume of the whaling industry. Mr. start to finish was the man to be Crapo was introduced by Mr. Pres- found on tho wharf or in the counting cott as follows: room. In some of the earliest log books there may be seen "This magnificent museum is to written on the fiy leaf, or stand for all time as a memorial not pasted on the inside of the cover, a only of the whaling industry of New communication signed by the managing owner Bedford but also of a man who in his addressed to the master and officers. It time was one of its leading spirits described the contemplated one of the captains of the industry. voyage and the manner in which it must be There are but few men left who were conducted There were suggestions themselves in close touch with the and advice in the event of casualties. The instructions whaling industry when it was in its and directions were prime and who also had a close per- as positive and ex- plicit as a law written on the .•statute sonal acQuaintance with Jonathan books and Bourne. But even though there were probably as faithfully ob- served. Indeed it a multitude thus qualified by experi- was a common saying along the wharves—"Obey or- ence to speak, I am sure there would " ders even if it breaks owners." be no man who could do it as appro- priately and as gracefully as the man whom Miss Bourne has asked to speak The Ea7-liest Days. for her in the presentation of her gift today,— her old friend and neighbor In the early days of the colony the William W. Crapo." men who had settled near the siiore, not satisfied with the scanty returns obtained from the somewhat sterile Williani W. Orapo'.s Spotfli. soil, sought to gather harvests from the ocean. In boats and small craft William W. Crapo's historical ad- they cruised along the coast and dress in its word pictures of the whal- taking a whale towed it into this or ing village of years ago and of the another harbor, and by the use of men who built up the whale fishing in- tri-pot on the beach the blubber was dustry one of the most interesting was rendered into oil. As the years went features of the day's program. Mr. on there were larger vessels and long- Crapo said: er voyages, but progress was slow The picturesque figure in the .-ap- the fishermen and farmers of the ture of the whale is the man standing hamlet lacking capital. in the bow of the boat, who, with a brave In the year 1765 Joseph Rotch of heart, steady nerve and strong right Na.ntucket, realizing that the island arm thrusts the harpoon into the hody could not afford a seaport adequate of the monster of the sea. The whale for a large maritime commerce, vis- in its efforts to escape plunges deep in ited the mainland. He came to Dart- the ocean, and, as the line attached to mouth, the ancient town, before its the harpoon leaves the boat, rt-pid- territory was divided and sub-divided ly passing around the loggerhead, the into separate municipalities. He harpooner is proudly conscious that say the splendid opportunity that was the boat is fast to the whale. The offered by the Acu^shnet river in pro- oarsmen are exultant for they have viding a safe and commodious har- outrowed their companions in the bor with easy access to the ocean. He chase, and when the whale arises to purchased of Joseph Russell, a large the surface they will have the ad- landed proprietor, ten acres of land vantage of position in the i^o'iflict in that part of the town known as which must end in the dea<:h of the Bedford Village. This tract, starting whale or the destruction of the boat. from the river, near the foot of Can- ter street, extended westerly up the Great Britain had enacted a law hill nearly to the present line of which in effect prohibited the im- Pleasant street. Later on there came portation of American caught oil into his son, William Rotch who, in the the kingdom. The purpose of the interval, had carried on a whaling? law was apparent. The New England business both at Nantucket and this catch was in excess of the demand place. He brought with him his son, for home consumption, and unless V7illiam Rotch, Jr., and his son-in- there was an outlet for the surplus law, Samuel Rodman. which had been largely through Lan- don there could be no extension of Men of Large Wealth. the industry, and the surplus thrown upon a market which did not require They were men of iarge wealth at it the return would be unremunera- estimated in those days and with an tive, which would lead to reduction unquestioned credit. They erected of the fleet and the possible abandon- their mansions and had their gardens ment of the enterprise. Great Britain on this ten acre lot, as it was familiar- did not pass this law for the purpose ly called for many years. On the of protecting an existing British in- shore they built wharves and im- dustry, nor to encourage or promote brought proved landing places. They a new British industry. Far from it. many of their ships to this harbor, The words of Edmund Burke in his where their cargoes were discharged famous speech in parliament, a few and prepared for market, shipping years before, when remonstrating some of the product in their vessels against the war with the colonies back arti- to European ports, bringing were still ringing in the ears of the the cles of merchandise needed by Britons. He told them of a people the ship Dartmouth, colonists. It was living on the New England coast, few Rotch, that carried owned by William in number, surpassed in mari- harbor that was who the tea into Boston time adventure the people revolution- and daring thrown overboard by the every entered up- of nation in Europe. With rare ary patriots. These men and impressive eloquence he had por- of the whale fishery on the transaction trayed their marvelous triumphs on with intelligence at Bedford Village the peo- furnished employment ocean. He said they were a and vigor. They ple equinoctial heats did not shipwrights, ship- whom to many artisans, disturb, nor the accumulated winters sparmakers, riggers. sail- smiths, of the poies. That there was no and coopers. makers, boatbuilders ocean that was not vexed with their officered and manned Their ships were vessels and no climate that did not from the town and sur- by young men witness their toil. He spoke of them country. The little village rounding as a people still in the gristle as it became a thriving community. Water were and not yet hardened in the street from Union street, formerly bone of manhood. England was am- to Wil- called King street, extending bitious to be the mistress of the seas liam street was the center and finan- and she feared that the new nation business activities, cial heart of the should it become strong and powerful and the busiest spot of all was the might some day challenge her sov- site now occupied as the home of the ereignty ol the ocean. Hence she Old Dartmouth Historical society and would throttle and destroy at the out- the Whaling Museum. set an industry that bred such a race of seamen. A Stunning Blow. William Rotch went to London. He interviewed the leading public men of William Rotch was a great mer- that time. He met members of chant, broad-minded and far-sighted. parliament and urged the repeal of It may not be amiss to mention an the obnoxious law. He was received incident in his life that recalls an with coldness. After long and vexa- event which was of absorbing inter- tious delay, the matter was referred est to those then living here. The to the first lord of the admiralty. Lord war of the Revolution had crippled Hawksbury. Realizing that he could but not destroyed the whale fishery, not obtain the annulment of the law, and when peace was declared there Mr. Rotch still hoped that some was great rejoicing for the villagers agreement would be reached whereby were ready and eager to resume in to secure the continuance of the New their fullness their various occupa- England whale fishery. He suggested designated tions, and they were cheered in the that an English port be expectation of an expansion of their where American whaleships could en- to purchase busines.s. But almost at the out-set ter to make repairs and for their there came a stunning blow which the equipment and supplies brought dismay and forebodings of voyage, thereby furnishing employ- and profit grave disaster. ment to English workmen THE WHALESHIP IN THE BOUHAE MEMORIAL. Courtesy of New Bedford Standard. —

10 to English tradesmen, and on the accumulated wealth was the whale completion of the voyages such ves- fishery, and now, after fifty years, a sels might reenter that port and dis- goodly sum of this wealth is awaiting charge their cargoes, which would be distribution to the descendar.ts of sold and distributed by English mer- Gideon Howland through the thought- chants who would receive a liberal fulness of his granddaughter Sylvia compensation for their service. Mr. Ann Howland, who was a partner in Rotch had in mind, if this concession the firm. were granted, that the ships owned in Then followed what might be called Dartmouth and Nantucket would still the golden era of New Bedford when vessels in and ton- fly the American flag and be manned its v.haling number with American sailors. nage exceeded the combined fleets of Would that some of our statesmen all other whaling ports and New Bed- as the foremost of today were moved by the same pa- ford became known of world. triotic spirit and instead of repelling whaling port the and obstructing would encourage the In this customs district in 18 5 6 display of the nation's flag on the there were registered at the customs ocean. house 418 vessels employed in whal- The concession was not granted, ing, and of this number 368 hailed Lord Hawksbury scornfully saying from New Bedford and Fairhaven, "Mr. Rotch, we do not want your the remainder sailing from Westport, ships. England builds ships. What Mattapoisett and Wareham, and these we do want are your men." vessels were manned by nearly 15,000 And so he went to France. He met sailors. This vast business was con- there members of the ministry \nd ex- ducted by a score or more of manag- plained to them what he wanted to ing owners, as they were called, whose accomplish and asked for certain priv- counting rooms and storage buildings ileges and protection. These were occupied practically the entire water granted to him by the gove>'nment. At front from Hathaway and Luce's Dunkirk he established a business for wharf at the foot of Walnut street to the marketing of American oil which the Parker block at the foot of Middle he placed in charge of his son Ben- street. They were men trained to jamin. Returning to this country work. They had the benefit of a he ever afterwards lived in New Bed- hundred ye.:)rs of the experience of ford, which had separated from the their predecessors, during which time mother town, and never ceased his ef- there had been devices which ren- forts for the success of the whaling dered less hazardous the service on industry for the community to which the ocean. There had been improve- he had attached himself. ments in the manipulations of the In the succeeding generation the crude material, newer uses for the prominent whaling merchants were product and wider markets. The busi- John Avery I'arker and George How- ness was lucrative. It is true there land, Senior. They were able men were disappointments. There were with full knowledge of all matters per- perils from ice in the Arctic and from taining to The fishery. They were en- typhoons in the Indian ocean, and at efficient terprising, venturesome, and times whales were not found in plenti- ships successful. They added many ful numbers on the usual cruising fleet they greatly increased to our and grounds. But in the aggregate the in- the wealth of the town. dustry was exceptionally prosperous the men of that period who Among and profitable. It was the intelligence, important part in our special had an sagacity, eflicicncy and foresighted- industry was Isaac Hov/land, Jr., the ness of these whaling merchants founder and active manager of the that made the New Bedford that and firm which bore his name. His firm was laid the foundation of the New Bed- is remembered by the magnitude of ford that is. I need not repeat their its operations and the gainful re- names. of sults. Its ships plowed the seas and Some them were known to returned with rich cargoes. Then and are remembered by many who more ships and more cargoes, and are present, but there was one among when the limit of prudent manage- their number, a prominent leader*, ment had been reached their earnings who is in our thoughts today and to were invested in revenue bearing se- whose memory we pay a tribute of curities. The firm was a family af- regard. fair and its members retained the After leaving school Jonathan plain and simple manners of former Bourne came to New Bedford from a years and were immune from the ills nearby town He found employment of wa.stefulness and extravagance. The as clerk in a grocery stoi'e. In a few firm ceased to exist upon the death years he was its proprietor. He was of all of its members and when the diligent in business, attentive, active books were closed the assets figured early and late, for he was ignorant of In millions. The corner stone of this the modern limitation of working 11 hours. He was successful, and his drawn the vessel from his further savings he invested by becoming a service on account of age. Ships like part owner in sailing vessels. In 1836, men deteriorate with age. Under his when 25 years of age, he purchased control and direction the Lagoda had for himself and others the bark Ros- sailed the seas for 44 years, during coe which he, a.3 managing owner, which period it had made 12 voyages, fitted out on a whaling v'oyage. Other the shortest was two years, lacking a ventures followed, and his name soon few days, and the longest was four became prominent in the list of whal- years and eleven months. In the final ing merchants. summing up of these voyages from Mr. Bourne was forceful and self- accounts accurately kept and com- reliant, positive, earnest and untiring. piled carefully and correctly, there Havmg carefully formed an opinion he appeared a balance of receipts over was slow to relinquish it. A notable expenditures that showed a net profit quality of his business methods was which had been paid and distributed thoroughness. There was no detail to the owners amounting to $652,000. so insignificant that it did not have It has been the wish of the Old his personal supervision. He appear- Dartmouth Historical society to have ed to have an innate and intuitive a representation or exhibit typical of knowledge of men, was quick to dis- a whaleship, not a painting or a pic- cover their weak points and their ture, but a model in wood and metal strong points, and when a position was and other materials, showing the com- to be filled and the selection made, plete vessel and its appurtenances, the the result showed the accuracy of hull, masts, spars, rigging, sails, the his judgment. His ship masters and boats hanging on the davits, the try- officei's were loyal to him and they works on the deck, the crow's nest at were rewarded with promotions al- the mast-head for the lookout, and ways based absolutely upon merit. A the other implements used in its em- man before the mast whatever his ployment. This wish has been grati- birth or early surrounding's, if he fied. You have before you a fac- showed ambition and excellence in the simile, half size, exact in all its de- discharge of his work, was moved step tails and dimensions of the Lagoda as by step through the grades of promo- she appeared in the lower harbor tion till he reached the quarter deck. ready to start out on the ocean In sending a ship to sea he did not voj^age. Its presence here is a dis- count good luck as an asset, his reli- tinction which worthily belongs to the ance was upon completeness of i)rep- Lagoda. aration. Mr. Bourne is remembered not only It has been said that the importa- as the merchant but as an influential tions of oil and bone into this harbor citizen, taking an active part in move- by Mr. Bourne were not exceeded in ments for the welfare of the com- value by any other individual or firm munity. He promoted by his capital During his long service he was sole and advice the introduction of the or managing owner of a large num- new industry to take the place of the ber of vessels and at one time there old which he foresaw was destined to were fourteen ships and barks sailing decline through causes which could in various jmrts of the globe that car- not be prevented. During five years ried his private signal, a larger num- he served the city as alderman and ber than could be claimed by any during another period of five years he other whaling merchant. was a member of the governor's coun- Among his early ventures was the cil, acting under two governors. I re- Lagoda. Ships have a certain per- call the commendation made by Gov. sonality. Their names appear on the Robinson in speaking of the excellent pages of the ledger in the count- service rendered to the commonwealth ing room. An account is opened in by Mr. Bourne through his business the name of the ship the same as experience and practical knowledge with an individual and the ship is in the inspection of the state institu- charged with its first cost and all ex- tions. He took a lively interest in penditures in connection with the ves- local, state and national politics. sel and her employment, whether Three times he represented this dis- made at the home port or abroad, and trict as a member of Republican na- the ship is credited with the proceeds tional conventions, and in 1860 as a of the inward voyages. Mr. Bourne delegate he cast his vote for the nom- had larger vessels, of greater ination of Abraham Lincoln for tonnage, more modern in con- president. Mr. Bourne was a man struction and equipnient, but of action, not a dreamer, intense, the one which he prized above all never timid or evasive. others was the Lagoda. In a conversa- This Museum has been erected in tion one day he told me the story of honor of the men on land and sea his favorite. He was in a reminiscent who cominenced and developed and mood and it was after he had with- prosecuted with remarkable success THE STERN OF THE "LAGODA.*' Courtesy of New Bedford Standard. 13 the American whale fishery. It At the conclusion of Mr. Crapo's ad- bears the name of one who was a dress, Mr. Prescott said: conspicuous factor in the work. It "It is fortunate for any community comes as the gifts from his daughter, when it has a benefactress with the Emily Howland Bourne. It has been will and the means combined to pro- filial affection prompted by and the vide it with such a splendid posses- in to her desire that a memorial sion as this Whaling Museum. It is shall be father there some represen- also fortunate when it has in its midst tation of the industry with an institution well fitted to be en- which his long business life trusted with the care and custody of was so closely connected. It is such a possession. That the Old n.oreover expression of her an Dartmouth Historical Society is today regard for the city of her birth. Its strong enough and vigorous enough beneficiaries are the people, present to undertake this responsibility is due and future, of this locality who will largely to the energy, enthusiasm and it pride study it look upon with and ability of its president, Herbert E. with satisfaction, and in the years to Cushman." come the student who desires to know more about an industry once flour- Mr. Cushman said: ishing and prosperous, but which in "Duty becomes a pleasure when it the lapse of years has faded away, an calls upon the president of the Old industry whose exploits in far off seas Dartmouth Historical society to accept and among islands inhabited by sav- in behalf of its officers and members age tribes abounds in romance and this beautiful building and fine bark tragedy will find here the most com- Lagoda. plete and perfect collection of whal- "We all have dreams of what we ing data in the world. While the really wish. It is seldom that those Museum has a certain public signifi- dreams are realized. Less frequently cance since it is for the gratification are they idealized. Our dream was of of all who choose to visit it, its cus- a building on historical Johnny Cake city tody has not been entrusted to the hill, located on the land which we government. Its care, keeping, man- owned, about 50x30, in which to place a2:ement and ownership has been be- the apparatus having to do with the stowed upon the Old Dartmouth His- whaling industry, which we had col- torical society, an institution organ- lected. You have only to look about ized to keep alive the story of the you today to see how far beyond that past, organized to collect and pre- dream is the reality. serve and hand down to the future the "No one can add one word to what evidence of the events in our local has already been said by our venerable past, to tell of the men and woinen friend and ex-president, William W. who have lived here and labored her(^ Crapo, of the industry which this and what they did and what they building will commemorate, or the to save from the accomplished, and man to whose memory it has been destructive and consuming tooth of erected. time the traditions, documents, "It was not my privilege to know manuscripts, correspondence and Jonathan Bourne, but I only have to even the sayings and the articles look at the bronze face yonder, and in early days that illus- used the from what I hear from people who trate the industrial, social and knew him, to know that he was a home life of those who have pre- man who was thorough in every ceded us. The present owes much to detail, and when he fitted out a ship, the it re- the past for inheritance it was complete from truck to keel. ceived in the example of fortitude "Is there any question in your and self-denial, of sturdy integrity, mind today but what the spirit of the the example of frugality and sim- father has certainly descended upon l?licity and of courage to meet and the daughter? We extend to her our overcome difficulties. It is in histori- sincere thanks and appreciation. cal societies and museums that the "There are many who with their present is helped to recognize its hands and with their minds have obligation to the past. helped to bring about the results that What is asked of the Old Dart- you see before you, and they are here mouth Historical society in its accept- to enjoy it, but there is one whose ance of this gift is a pledge of fidelity, presence we miss—the first one to faithfulness m its keeping and man- bring to our good friend the suggestion agement and maintenance, and faith- as to a whaling museum, and one fulness in its protection and preserva- who would have been as proud and as tion, that it shall l)e held as a cher- happy as any of us if he were here. ished treasure and that its administra- You all knew him and loved him. I tion sliall be in harmony with the en- refer to the Rev. Matthew C. Julien. lightened purpose and kindly spirit Let us pause in the midst of our joy, of its generous donor. out of respect to his memory. 14

"Miss Bourne, as president of the "It should not be assumed that the Old Dartmouth Historical societj\ I people of New Bedford in the old accept in behalf of its officers and whaling days thought only of whale members this beautiful building, and bone and blubber. On the contrary express to you our sincere gratitude. they took an active interest in the "When your father was ready to higher things of life. The whaling mer- fit out a ship, they tell me he was chants and masters and their wives careful in the selection of his captain, were men and women of keen minds and that when the ship was ready by no means dull to the appeal of the for sea. everything complete, he best in literature and thoroughly alive turned the ship over to that captain to the advantages of learning. The and gave to him his utmost confidence, New Bedford Free Public Li- and his command was to take the brary, which had its begin- ship and do the best that he could ning in the whaling days was with it. one of the very first in the country. "In that spirit, we take command Lecture courses on serious subjects of the good bark Lagoda today, were well attended. The Lyceum promising to make it do its best to flourished. The people of New Bed- industry, commemorate the whaling ford in those days believed thoroughly father's and to do honor to your in the necessity of sound education. in this generation, and we memory William Rotch, Jr., one of the leading with will pass that same command on whaling merchants in the early years generations that enthusiasm to the of the last century, founded the are to come. Friends' academy, for the better in- friends of the Old "Members and struction of the youth of the com- Historical society: I know Dartmouth munity. In later years another New full well how much you appreciate Bedford citizen, William W. Swain, es- this gift, and how strongly you desire tablished the Swain Free school as an to in some way express it; and in order institution for the higher education of that you may do so, I will kindly ask the people. This school has done much you to rise for a moment." for New Bedford, but it never per- Mr. Prescott in introducing Profes- formed a greater service than when sor Francis Barton Gummere, said: it brought Francis B. Gummere to the city and kept him here among "In the early days of our country us for several years. The occasion that when our forefathers were engaged in brings him back again, if only for a their struggle to make the thii teen day, is a happy one and I can assure colonies one of the free and indepen- Dr. Gummere that New Bedford has dent states of the world it was the forgotten hiin in great nation France which came to not the many years elapsed their assistance at a critical period which have since he left us." with men and ships and assured the Mr. Prescott then presented Profes- success of the American Ilevolution. sor Francis B. Gummere. It is not for us who profited by the gift to question the motive of the giver. We know that there were some P'rench- least shed their blood on men at who Prof. Gummere's Speech. American soil who were actuated only tiy the love of liberty. In later years, Professor Francis Barton Gummere, as Mr. Crapo has pointed out, when professor of English at Haverford, the prosperity of our whaling invlus- and the first director of the Swain try was seriously threatened, it was school in this city, came back today to France again who came to the rescue speak at the dedication, and his ad- by giving us the hospitality of her dress was listened to most attentively, ports. Today as we watch the fright- as he spoke of the history and romance ful conflict which is raging across and glory of the old industry. the Atlantic our hearts go out in sym- Professor Gummere spoke as fol- pathy and admiration to the men and lows: women of I'^rance who are giving of Miss Bourne, Mr. President, ladies their life and treasure without stint, and erentlemen: not only for their own country but to preserve the liberties of all the peo- It seemed on the whole unlikely, ples of Europe, yes and of the whole though possible, that for the sake of world. As a symbol of the ties which what is called local color, one should bin

15

like this jest, or yellow like this impli- It is not the familiar scenes, how- of cation, should be shunned. And that ever, that move to such sentiment past, rather those old familiar wholly surprised and spontaneous re- the but faces which I do not see, and for ply, must have occurred to which which the quest is vain. You remem- many a speaker under similar circum- ber certain beautiful and haunting- stances—that he rose, spouting, not to lines of Stevenson about the high- the spur but to the harpoon of the oc- lands, the country places, where the casion—should also be unsaid, were it kind old men have ruddy faces, and not for its serious side. The spur of the youth and maidens quiet eyes this occasion has a harpoon's trick of Perhaps it would be better to say of striking deep. It is a complicated task, the maidens of New Bedford four and both in dedication and in memorial, to thirty years ago, when I first saw stand thus, armed with a little brief them, that their eyes were rather dis- authority of speech, linking the future quieting than quiet (local papers with the past. It is doubly hard, after please copy' ) ; but of the kind eld men the lapse of a full generation, after there can be no manner of doubt. I the roll-call of your worthies has used to wonder whether it was their been revised so oftrn and so far, to personal and ancestral trafl^c with the avoid the elgaic note. That ubi suit seven seas that put the wide and tol- of the pious chanson keeps ringing in erant and kindly look into those eyes one's ears. Where are they all? The of theirs. In any case it wa,s the of of those kind old men, hundred or so teachers in your city thought one who still look out upon us from quiet schools, for example, whom it was so places of memory, that linked for me, delightful to meet, in or out of the lec- happily enough, a very early exy:>eri- ture-room, thirty years ago, are surely ence of mine, as citizen of New Bed- not all teaching still though I know — ford, with the amiable task which your habit so persistent no as the peda- thoughful and generous benefactress, gogic. Myself, moi qui vous parle, am •—today easily your "first citizen" doing forty-second year of what is my has entrusted to my hands. called "time;" indeed Dr. and Holmes Many of you doubtless recall the said teachers lived once so long be- kindly face of the elder William C. cause they drew their pay with such Taber, one of mine own people, the soothing regul.arity. people called Quakers. Him I met But this is no matter for jests. It of a fine Sunday morning as 1 was is well not to joke about roll-calls or on my way, not to divine worship, to coquet with ubi sunt; although that which came later, and not to golf, iTiotto of the Paris Figaro is in point, which came later in another sense, but taken from the namesake drama of to the postoffice,—a secular errand Beaumarchais: "I make haste to which our highly religious modern laugh at things for fear I should else government has put out of the list of have to weep at them." And we are our temptations. As his way and mine not going to be lachrymose. Not lay for a little time together—I think even ihe scented handkerchief of rem- we were on Fourth street—I joined iniscence shall be waved in excess. him! and, mindful of the fact that Yet it is out of the question, under I was now in that New England where these circumstances, not to feel at conversation is inevitably upon the the heart an irresistible pull to the high culture levels, —although the past. Life was simpler in many ways converser cannot rival the American thirty odd years ago; it seems in girl abroad who always began a con- retrospect as if characters, too, were versation, and always began it with a simpler. The census then gave the repartee,-—-I girded myself for an in- city only six and twenty thousand in- terchange of positively brilliant habitants; and with the smaller num- thoughts. Now, thought I, for lumin- bers went a larger familiarity of man ous ideas in adequate expression. with man. It is true that the familiar And this, as nearly as I can recollect places, the cari luoghi, seem now it, was the portentous and polysyllabic much the same as then; although if question which I fired, full liroadside, I wished to get the real flavor and at this quiet and inoffensive citizen: sensation of old days, I should go "What," I asked, "What, Wil- where they are tearing up the streets. liam C. Taber, in thy opin- And that reminds me—dear and men- ion, are the causes, primary and dacious old phrase—of a story I got secondary, cf the amazing decline the other day fresh from the great which is so noticeable in that great war. An Irish soldier, brought back industry which has made New Bed- wounded from the front, passed ford famous throughout the length through Dublin, where some of the and breadth of our land, I mean the streets are in sheer ruin from the whaling industry?" And this, in a late rioting. Looking at these ruins voice slightly touched with a falsetto in surprise, Pat exclaimed: "I didn't of age, possibly—why not?—of hu- know we had home-rule already." mor, was his reply: —"No whales."

Ladies and gentlemen, my good old The old order changeth—not the kindly friend said "no whales"; he problem or the strife. The old did not say "no whalers." And here weapons grow obsolete, but not the lies such point, or such moral, as these heart and hand to wield them. True, words of mine, on this happy occasion, one says, and trite. But the attitude of are intended to convey. There were modern thought towards ancient still whalers at that time in both methods, discarded means of attaining senses of the term, and men. I ships the external and superseded machin- went over one of Edward D. Mandell's ery of accomplishment, precisely ships, just home from a two years' such things as this museum is meant cruise; and I think saw and smelt to keep before the eyes enough to know something of the of men for "a life beyond life" this attitude, T glorious truths of that calling. — say, involves too often a state of inind Ten years later, by the bye, I saw which can be translated only into that same ship, or its mate, beached such words as must demand a con- at Atlantic City, and open to the in- tradiction spection of the cheapest of cheap and prompt an affirmative very far removed from what is trite. trippers CI went over it again myself) at ten cents a head. But those base In our contempt for ridiculous and in- adequate uses had not been imagined in the machinery we involve the year 1885. Moreover, the human machinist; and we think we have nothing to learn him. Tell whaler was still in evidence. My from the friend and colleague of that time, the class in history about those clumsy muskets of late Nathaniel Hathaway—another infantry used by face untimely lost from view—took the soldier, three centuries or me once to an old sail-loft, not far, more ago; how each man I think, from this very spot, where I had to carry with him a sort of stand saw sundry mariners, home forever or unipod which he planted in the from sea, solacing their declining ground for support of the piece he years with the most extraordinary was going to discharge. Clumsy and games of euchre that it was ever my ridiculous, they say; and then the ad- fortune to behold. It was not hard to jectives are insensibly transferred to induce these heroes, after the violent the soldier himself, and so to his exertion apparently necessary to this time. Then we pass to the inevitable gaine—for every card was raised to phrase about "the wonderful age of arm's length, and then deposited on invention in which we live;" and so the table with a desolating slam,—it to the concluding and offensive dox- was not hard, I say, to get from these ology which praises God because he veterans sundry yarns of their old has made us so much wiser and bet- trade. Yes, I know what sailors' yarns ter than our sires. To combat this are, and what measure of exaggeration mood, one does not need to quarrel is dealt out to the credulous lands- with inventions, or to agree with Ras- man; but you and I also know how kin, in his famous comment on the much solid truth lay under the neg- railway which spoiled a pet landscape, ligible flourishes of those whalers' that the only good it did was to al- stories. And you and I know, also, low a fool in one town to play the fool what the truth of those yarns be- in another town an hour sooner than tokened in attestation of the glory of he could have done in coaching days. American seamanship in days before We do need, however, to combat the our Civil war. History and romance fallacy of inference from tool to have alike done justice to that breed workman. We need to remem- of brave men; we are now concerned ber that men who read by the only with the whalemen's share in our light of whale-oil did not sit in other ancient pride of the sea. No, my darkness of the intellect. We need to kindly friend could not sa.y that there substitute for the offensive doxology were no whalers left. of self-praise that s-plendid old bid- Both of his own and even of a ding prayer of Ecclesiasticus. "Let younger generation, they were there: US now praise famous men and our he met them daily on the street and in fathers that begat us." the counting-room, potential if not ac- We need to reflect in the same tual masters of the harpoon, and fit words of wisdom, that "Some there to sail a ship around the world. But be which have no memorial," and to what of one generation, of the next, make good, as our generous friend and of the next again? Do we, our has done here, the defect, the oblivion, children, our children's children, know the shame. We need more history. The the whalers; and do we keep in mind so-called romantic school, in which the lesson which they taught? I am the great historians of the preceding not going to to labor the point, obvi- century were born and bred, laid, per- ous as it is, but there is good reason haps, too great stress upon lessons of to apply it. the past and neglected too much the

19

as he was most of economic interests of the present. I ornery all the tim.e Such is the praise which President Wilson, then .governor the time." heard wo;it to spend upon men and his address at the we are of New Jersey, in past. Philadelphia by the things of the dinner given in Surely we know a more excellent flout this doc- periodical publishers, way, and this occasion as earn- trine of security on our national past. knowledge. Time the est of our We must not, he said, stand at circumstance have swept state and steer and stern of the ship of away one of the great types of by the wake. True. our Ainerican manhood, along with a " as But it is well to steer by a chart which courage, re- Monter- handicraft in well as by a compass; and sourcefulness, agility, clear eye, and quien, the real founder of republican- nerve, were the very common- of steady ism and incidentally, of our form the calling. The individuals no places of government, said that he knew have gone forever with the passing of state could chart by which that ship of their trade; but the type is not to chart of be steered if it were not the vanish from memory. Out of sight history. Vet w-e discourage all en- of mind; love left un- famous is indeed out thusiasm born of praise for shown, as Shakespeare prettily tells past. In what I make men of our us, is too often left unloved. And so, to think the most "Ro- there has bold to think in thi."-- city of the whaler, "Latin poetry, not man" passage of all stood, for some years, in plain view of Marcellas episode on even barring the all who go to and fro, the figure of Horace, epicurean, the sixth .^neid.— that hunter of the seas in his typical Horace, tries to practical, up-to-date act of courage, energy and skill. call back degenerating Rome to its And here, now, for all to see who civic duty by telling civic pride and will see, is to stand a memorial and familiar story of in splendid verse the faithful copy of the whaler's floating Regulus. Did some Alexander sa- home, here are the tools of his trade, piens of the day, I wonder, snub Hor- point of his habit and disci- "The Real Regu- the focal ace with a life of pline, the scene and the secret of his our youth a "real" lus"? We give daily life. Washington, a "real" Jefferson, a merest glance shows that he not only The "real" William Penn, to show to the sea, not in hotels everything went down that they didn't know or palaces, but in ships; and that m that they didn't down in Judee, but the great waters he did not pleasure down in Virginia do much of anything but business,—business perilous and I told that or at Valley Forge. am grim. What he learned, and what he been written by one of a book has :ust came to be in the course of this busi- professors to say that our university ness of his, he brought back to his (Jhildren should not iearn American civic and national life. What he con- spoils their efflcion- history, because it tributed to that life no man may not be made to respect cy, and should measure. It is impossible to draw the for that would ruin their elders even, ultimate circle of influences for good their Independence. It is notorious development which had kinds are now in American that standards of all beginning when the keel of the first suspect, and that so-called classics whaleship struck the want no checks New Bedford have no value. We foam. either in arts or in let- on eccentricity us be done, then, forever, with going to build up our Let ters; we are deplorable fad of blackwashmg centrifugal forces alone. the world by our past and depreciating old types authors are dead. If you wish Dead of manhood. Let us rather idealize to give your neighbor's very dog a them. It is right to do this. No na- name, call him mid-Victorian. bad tion ever lived on its contemporary Such praise as is left to mer. and greatness; it needs to keep its stand- of the past is like the doubtful things types, its classics ever in elegy pronounced over a ards, its eulogy or And classics are not always farmer whom we may call Eli- mind. Maine preserved by printer's ink. Is not this phalet. In rural regions there, a building, this memorial a classic, a friend tells me, it is custom at a fun- faithful transcript from the life after the religious rites are eral, was so full of what is best m before the grave is filled, for which done and the memory of it must not to utter, one after the life that the neighbors is the dedication some kindly word of farewell iterish? Fitting, too, other, the name of that sterling merchant, praise for the deceased. But when in and at the time of his death, owned vvas laid away, no neigh- who, Eliphalet tonnage in this industry than stepped forward; silence reigned; more bor firm or individual of his day. the situation grew tense. At last ;iny and old Puritan and Pilgrim type kindly old man, who could bear it The one in many a classic, now set longer, came out and ST)oke. we know no verse, and now carved in "Well " he said, pleadingly, "we kin down in stone As fine as any is Whittier's say of Eliphalet that he wan't as riii: now i»i im; >ioi>i;i, \\ ii \i.i;siiii 'ourt.'sy f.r N.-w li,.,|f„r

Roscoe, with Captain G. H. Macom- "In July, 1873, I sailed as master of ber," says Captain Lewis. "L,oum the bark Lagoda, Jonathan Bourne, Snow & Son were her owners, and Mrs. owner, on a four-year vojage sperm Macomber and two sons were with us whaling on the Xew Zealand grounds. all the voyage. Two daughters were When three years out Mr. Bourne born on the voyage, one at Fayal, asked me to stay out two years longer, Azores, and the other at Paita, Peru. making the voyage five years. When the youngest was a little over "I wrote him that I would, provid- one year old, she died at Valparaiso, ing he sent my wife out to join me, Chili. She was put in a metallic and he agreed to do so. I met her in casket, and we carried her for over a the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. year, and when we got home she was When the four years were up 1 had to buried in Westport. When three years discharge my crew or go home, as out the third mate was discharged, their voyage was up. I found that it and 1 took his place for the remainder was impossible to ship another crew, so of the voyage. We came home in the 1 came home, arriving in New Bed- fall of 1864, having been gone nearly ford October, 187 7, having been gone four and a half years. ft)ur years and three months. "June, 1865, I sailed in the Roscoe "I sailed again in December, 1877, as second mate with Captain Macom- as master of the Lagoda on a four-year ber, for the Arctic ocean. On July \o\age sperm whaling in the North 2 we ran into a cake of ice and had and, South Atlantic oceans. We cruised three timbers and live planks stove in on the Commodore Morris ground her starboard bow. We managed to and down to the River Platte. Mrs. get her down to St. Lawrence bay for Lewis was with me all this voyage and repairs. We got back to the whaling we got home October, 1881. We were grounds late in the season and got one away thi-ee .\'ears and ten months." whale. We then went down to On his eighth, and last voyage. Honolulu and repaired ship. We Captain Lewis sailed in the spring of cruised between seasons on the line, 18 82 as master of the Lagoda on a and took 2 00 barrels of sperm oil. four-year voyage sperm whaling in "The next season we went to the the Pacific ocean. The Lagoda cruised Arctic again and got 12 whales, mak- on Chile and the off shore grounds. ing 1,200 barrels of oil and 22,000 Mrs. Lewis was with her husband on pounds of whalebone. We went down this voyage. The Lagoda arrived home to San Francisco and shipped our oil in June, ISSG, having been gone four and bone home. The first mate was years. discharged and Ishipped in his place for the remainder of the voyage. Mrs. Macomber joined us there and was with us the remainder of the voyage lOditorial Morninj; Mercury. sperm whaling on the off shore ground. We were gone nearly live Nov. 24, 1916. years and made a big voyage. We came home May, 1870. The sadness of that melancholy day, Octo- 1 sailed on my fifth voyage in not many years distant, when the last ber, 187 0, as master of the bark Roscoe of our whalers will have gone to its on a four-year voyage sperm whaling in the Pacific. When one year out we la.st port, will be ameliorated by the went to Panama to ship oil home, and fact that in the Jonathan Bourne there received orders from while Whaling Museum on the historic hill- luoum Snow, the agent of the Roscoe, of to go to the Arctic. On August 2 6th, top, we have a reproduction of one 187 2, the ship was crushed in the ice the most representative types of whal- total off Point Barrow, and was a ing bark, with an outfit complete in wreck. every detail. A few years hence it "As I was the youngest captain in the whaling service at that time, being would be irn])Ossible to construct such only 30, I thought my career was at an a model. The last of the whale crafts- I went from my ship to the Live end. men have been employed in reproduc- Oak, Captain Weldin, and 36 hours later she was badly stove. She was ing the Lagoda. There are tricks of saved, and my crew left her and went rig in an old whaler that will be a the Jireh Perry, Captain on board lo.st art but a little later. In fact it Owens, and were taken in that ship to San Francisco. On arriving there 1 was dimcult even now to find artisans found a letter from Jonathan Bourne, familiar with the building, the rig and for me to come home, as he would equipment of a whaleship. Those have a ship for me. I arrived in New looked in upon the work Bedford December, 1872, having been who have gone two years and two months. in its progress have realized the 23 situation for the specialists on the whaler which brought us fame and job were mostly old men. The visitor gave us a place in a brave chapter was further struck with manifestation of history. The opportunity came to of enthusiasm over the work. The Miss Bourne to create a unique me- old whaleman loved to fashion ship's morial to her father, the late Jonathan models. There was a time when the Bourne, one of the whaling mer- shop windows in the sailor quarter on chant princes of New Bedford, a Water etreet displayed full rigged man who owned at one time, more models of wood and ivory, perfect in ships than any man in New England. the most intricate detail. The build- This museum will impart distinction ing of this larger model has gratified to New Bedford and will give a sight- the love of the whalemen for the seeing attraction to the city that pastime which occupied his idle hours will bring visitors from all the world. aboard ship. These are the days of The exercises at the dedication yes- wire rigged ships and steani hoisting terday were an education to New Bed- apparatus. The technique of an old ford people for the younger genera- whaler is infinitely more complicated tion has little idea of the importance and we no longer create sailors with of the old industry. Any occasion the shiftiness to fashion knots, not which gives us an opportunity to have to mention whittling with a jackknife an address from William W. Crapo is a quadrant, tear off the rim of the worth while. Mr. Crapo's story of compass focal for an arc and break the creation of our first industry, and up a five cent mirror for a speculum his tribute to the merchants, pro- with which to navigate in an emer- vided an entertaining recital of local gency. history which the younger generation Generation.s to come will be grate- .should know. ful for the chance to see the type of

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First Meeting in the Jonathan Bourne WhaHng Museum

standing on the main deck of the Howland of New Bedford, Giles P. Slo- good bark L,agoda in the Jonathan cum of New Bedford, Gilbert L. Smith Bourne Whaling Museum Saturday of Vineyard Haven, J. F. Avery of New afternoon, President Herbert E. Cush Bedford and E. D. Lewis of Utica. man called lo order the first meeting N. Y. of the Old Dartmouth Historical soci- The ushers were William C. Hawes, ety to be held in the fine new build- A. P. Smith, Andrew Snow, James O. ing that has just been donated as a Thompson, Jr., Eliot H. Wefer, May- memorial of whaling. Aboard the hew R. Hitch, W. Kempton Read, Wil- bark were nineteen of the sturdy cap- liam T. Read, and George E. Briggs. tains who sailed from this port for The men's reception committee con- many years and carried New Bedford's sisted of Henry H. Crapo, Arthur Grin- name to the farthest corners of the nell, Oliver F. Brown, Walton Ricket- earth. son, Edward L. Macomber, Robert The value of the whaling museum C. P. Coggeshall, and Harry L. Pope. to New Bedford was presented in an The women's reception committee address by Mayor Kdward R. Hath- included Mrs. Frank Wood, Miss Mary away, its value as a memorial to the K. Taber, Miss Elizabeth H. Swift. whaling industry was discussed by Miss Florence L. Waite and Miss Edmund Wood, and its value to the Mary E. Bradford. Old Dartmouth Historical society was Mayor Hathaw^.y said in addressing set forth by George H. Tripp. To the society: the large audience of members of the society seated on both sides of the ves- Major Hathaway. sel, the exercises were very impres- sive, and their enthusiastic apprecia- It is pleasant in the midst of the tion of the gift that they have re- rush of present day business to pause ceived was .

26 tablished through them by the whal- Edmund Wood. ing merchants of New Bedford played We are having a revival in New small part in establishing the no Bedford—a renewal of interest in the foundation for the foreign trade of the whaling industry. United States today. The historical colebi'ation of this There was a time when the whale week has brought up so vividly the glorious oil from New Bedford was the prin- remance of those early whal- ing days, that the to cipal instrument in lighting the world past seems be present. after sun-down. Everyone who burned A new ship has been built, ap- a whale oil lamp was dependent upon parently as complete in its whaling the fearless enterprise for the doughty gear and outfits as any that ever captains and sailors of the New Bed- sailed forth hopefully from the harbor ford whalers for their supply of fuel. of New Bedford. People are talking In fact, it was this point that is so of the huge profits taken from the fittingly the basis for the city seal ocean. We already begin to feel rich which we are using today. with the psychological wealth of a The march of progress in time promoter—that feeling uf riches which sounded the knell of the whaling in- comes from hearing of the vast for- tunes dustry, but not before the name of the accumulated by other people. city of Xew Bedford and the reputa- Our loyalty and our pride is not tion of her citizens had been so well present prosperity of our city is not established that it endures today. The diminished in any way by this tem- fortunes that were built up in those porary lapse into the past. We have days form the foundation for the a past that we can take pride in wealth of the city today. The courage and it is profitable that we recall it and enterprise which served so well on occasions like this. in the whaling industry made it pos- We have received a beautiful gift of sible for the business men to turn to a building and a ship which will stand the cotton business which today has in all future years—not only as a brought to the city new laurels. reminder of the bountiful giver—not only as a monument to the father, the It is fortunate indeed that the in- dustry which was so largely responsi- successful whaling merchant, but al- so as a the ble for the prosperity and culture of memorial to whaling in- dustry, the source of city's the city should be commemorated. It our early pride and most of its wealth. is well that the future generations be The reminded by this splendid memorial, mayor of the city has told us what of the days when New Bedford gen- this gift will do for New Bedford, and tlemen wrested their wealth from the in the sense that this building and seas, and visited every foreign sea in ship symbolize the whole industry we the pur.suit of the whaling business. are brought naturally to the inquiry: What has the whale fishery done for It is fitting that this museum should New Bedford. Why! to put it strongly, bear the name of Jonathan Bourne, whaling is responsible for New Bed- greatest of Bedford's one of the New ford. Without the impetus and the merchants. His name is whaling development which whaling gave to large not only in the whal- written us at the beginning why should we but in the history of the ing industry be much bigger or prouder than no other name would more city, and Dartmouth' or Fairhaven or Matta- appropriately represent the fearless poisett? The industry centered on this pioneer spirit which fired the whal- side of the Acushnet rivei-, and we ing industry and made the name of have expanded with it from a small Bedford so widely known. New fishing settlement, which existed as A worthy daughter of a worthy sire a mere outlying suburb of the gov- has presented this splendid memorial erning center in old Dartmouth, we to the public. I am sure that there expanded from Bedford Village into is not a person in the city that does a separate town, and then into a pros- not have a deep feeling of appreciation perous city. for gift. Fortunately the we have an We like to say that it was the sturdy organization which is able and willing character of our early citizens that to take over the building, and its con- expanded and built up New Bedford. tents, care for it its and develop use- But it was the i)eculiar nature of this fulness to the highest point of effl- whaling business that developed the ciency. hardihood, the endurance, the initia- New Bedford is to be congratulated, tive of our people, while the romance the Old Dartmouth Historical society of whaling broadened their horizon Is to be congratulated, and each and and stimulated the imagination. every person in New Bedford is in- And, of course, it was the profits finitely richer as a result of the gener- yielded by the whaling industry that osity of Miss Bourne. created our wealth, and this was con- STERN A IKW OF THE MODEL WHALESHIP. irtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 28 siderable. For many years New Bed- This ship that we help to dedicate ford was the richest city per capita in today is worthy to be located in a the United States. We reveled in that historical collection for it is historical- reputation. ly correct. The faithful reproduction of every detail is surprising. It engaged in a hazardous We were would have been easy to get the ef- business, but it was more than that. fect, and less expensive and difficult greatest of It was one of the games inaterials would have lasted indefinite- steadilj' chance ever organized, and ly under this roof and with faith- played. It not only appealed to the ful care. But no. This ship is a side of nature, but it romantic our memorial, and as such it is an honest had all the fascination of a lottery. example of the best work and materi- We picked out our favorite captain, als of the time. Our old whale- or we selected a ship that had the men who are present today will bear name of being lucky, and we bought testimony to the stanchness and sea- a small interest in it, a 16th or a worthiness of this craft,—at least 32nd or a 64th, and then we watched above the waterline. They will see the revolution of fortune's wheel, and more about the vessel and on the deck waited with patience one, two, or than you will see. Days and weeks three years for her return with a good and many months have engraved on catch and abundant profits—or a their vision the routine of the life on broken voyage and the loss of a large this deck. To their eyes the sliadowy part of what we had put in. It was forms of the past are moving here a gamble for all concerned. The cap- before them. It is the second dog tain and the crew were paid on shares, watch. The captain paces the weath- or, as it was called, a lay. The own- er kuarter, and the mate stands on ers received their proportion only. It the lee quarter and converses when was the custom for the mechanics of the captain speaks first. The sec- New Bedford, the carpenters, the ond, third, and fourth mates stand coopers, the riggers, the dealers in in the waist by the main fife rail and ship stores, to take a share in the swap yarns of old days in Nan- vessel in return for selling the goods. tucket and on the Vineyard, Everyone bought on long credit and or in Fayal and Pico Pike. The car- waited for their ship to come in be- penter and cooper are scrimshorn- fore they paid their bills. ing at the bench, the Ijoasteerers are up in their boats taking off tho When we consider the desperate sheets and lances and harpoons to risks of whaling and the training of test the sharpness of the cutting edge.i our whole people in the calculation of The lookouts are still aloft in the chances win or lose, double or noth- — rings hoping that the last minutes of ing I wonder sometimes that all — fading daylight may yet reveal a wel- their descendants do not crowd around spout; and forward on the bow- the brokers' blackboards and buy and come sprit heel and windlass bits the crew sell pieces of the ship Bethlehem are gathered. The low music of .-i Steel or of tiie Eiectric Boat as their concertina is heard, and there is some only occupation in life. shufl3ing of feet on the deck, but there And ships were not always success- is not much noise and things are quite ful. There were disasters and fail- subdued, for they have not seen ures and total losses. I can remember whales for several weeks, and the the keenest disappointment of ir.y early older sailors glancing aft don't like youth; what seemed at the time a the looks of the old man. The sun tragedy to me. I was promised a sets low below the gorgeous red banks complete chest of carpenter tools of clouds, the round disc cut by the when the good ship Brewster returned. sharp horizon the dark comes at The vessel had been reported as nearly — once. Sail is shortened for the night. full of oil. One inore short season Eight bells sounds loud and clear in and she would sail into our harbor the quietness, and the starboard watch with a notable catch, and the price of goes below. oil extremely high. Weeks and months passed. Other ships came in Only once before in my life have I and gladdened their owners ami wait- spoken on the deck of a whaleship, ing tamilies. But no shij) Brewster and that was when a very young man and no chest of tools. And she never I read the service and said a few came. Nor did any report of ship or words at a burial at sea. The cabin crew or valuabale cargo ever reach steward had hung himself in his own New Bedford. It remained and will pantry within a few feet of me as I remain one of the unsolved mysteries slept, and the captain was angry be- of this uncertain and perilous pursuit cause he did it. He said he had mild- until such time as the great deep, cruel ly chided the steward because he and remorseless, shall give up its wiped his hands on his dish towels, dead. and he didn't deserve a decent burial. 29 and ordered him thrown overboard. I changed. Our attractive and roman- rather timidly remonstrated with him tic past was not only fogotten. It was and said we had plenty of time and actually rej)udiated. We were on plenty of room to give him a funeral. with the new love. We were irritated Finally the captain sulked and went to be reminded of our long continuer! below and said I might bury him if amours with the old. The Board of I wanted to, but he would have noth- Trade actually became incensed be- ing to do with it. After consulting cause some one alluded to New Bed- with the mate the body was nicely ford, the new born queen of fine tex- sewed up in canvas and lay on the tiles, as an old whaling town,—almost portion of the rail taken out at the as much incensed as when some P!os- gangway. All hands were piped aft ton newspaper alluded to us as lo- and stood at attention while in a cated on Cape Cod. drizzling rain I went through the ser- This was the extreme that we reach- vice. AVhen it was finished, at a sig- ed in our infatuation with the rrew, nal, the plank was slowly raised, and when we tried to forget the parents the body, weighted at the feet with a who bore us, the industry which not cannon ball, shot down into the depths. only gave us the sinews for the newer Then suddenly I had a demonstration competition, but the industry that had of the natural impulses of the untu- developed our manhood, had fitted us tored man. for any contest, which had given us a reputation for hardihood, for courage, The crew was made up of all sorts, yes, for reckless daring, throughout Malays, Filipinos, Kanakas and Portu- the known and unknown seas. guese. They had stood perfectly still and attentive, but at that moment Gradually we came out from the they all leaped as one man to the rail infatuation of our new success enough to see that body sink. to recognize again our noble heritage and the allegiance we bore to an hon- But of the success much and the ored past. glory and the romance of whaling vanished with the discovery of coal Three events have happened in the oil. What should we put our money more recent history of New Bedford into, for New Bedford had its money which bear testimony to this av*^aken- it had only lost its occupaition. It ed recognition of what we owe to those was a tinie of groping. We had only early days and to the whaling indus- learned one trade, and we didn't at try, and it is these three events which once succeed in teaching ourselves by the forces which they exert and new tricks. Some of us remember the life that they recall will serve an unsuccessful glass works, two to keep us ever mindful and loyal in shoe factories, an iron rolling mill. the years that are to come. and so forth. Finally capital gave up The first was the founding of this attempting home industries, and our historical society. It is not for me money flowed west to develop new to speak now of what our society has lands and construct great railroads. done to gather and preserve the treas- ures of our early history and to record the darkest This was time for the the virtues of our illustrious forbears. old city of New Bedford. We were It is enough to say that here is an drifting into that stagnant life, the active working memorial to those ear- chief occupation of which was to lier times. recall the glories of the past, and to The second was the gift to the city worship it. were not alone. We We of the bronze figure of the Bed- were running with Nantucket and New ford Whaleman first Salem and Newburyport. With them by the honored president of this society. we were satisfied to say we were a This imposing statue, located on beautiful city to live in. one of our main thoroughfares will, Then it was that the superior char- through the coming time, be our fit- acter of our people asserted itself and ting memorial to the saved us. The sturdy stock which men who manned had sailed uncharted seas and had our ships, who braved the sea and its braved every danger, refused to settle leviathan, who wrested fortunes from the treacherous into a life of rust and decay. The ocean, and helped to Wamsutta Mills had been successful, found, the prosperity that we now en- —so we tried a new Potomska and an joy. Acushnet. Capital came flowing And the third event which will hold More mills followed with almost un- us steadfast, lest we forget, is the varying success, and it seems only a erection of this magnificent building, few years and we were the second and this ship which stand as a mem- city in spindles, the first city in the orial to the successful whaling mer- United States in weaving fine goods. chant. The owner of the ship, the We had finally struck our gait. More man with money who was willing to mills followed. Outside capital was risk it, the man of courage, above all attracted. Our population rapidly the man of faith who believed in his a

30

ship that he had built, in the captain to start on a successful career another he had personally selected, in the great industry whicli in the flood of crew he had shipped, and in the years has again made New Bedford a whaling enterprise he was engaged in. leader of enterprises; it means that Here is a fitting monument — the youth of New Bedford can here beautiful tribute from the daughter to see the history of their city as it was her father—a cenotaph at once to the successful merchant and to the whal- made during the century that is past. ing industry, which is symbolized by There was danger that the boys of the shiD. this city would grow up in ignorance We have met in this new addition of their romantic heritage. Gone are to our home to express our gratitude the picturesque days of 50 years ago. to the donor for her most generous Boys then were indeed fortunate. It gift; to honor the name and the ex- has always seemed to me that boys ploits and the success of the merchant, living away from the coast were to the loving memory of whom has in- be pitied, and now as I assume the role acti the spired tlie filial gift; and while doinj; of laudator temporis this to express anew our obligations feeling is intensified. What glorious as citizens of this community for this days were they when we could watch rich inheritance which has come down the ships building on the stocks from to us from those brave men, who on the time the keel was laid and th-i land and sea prosecuted the whale great white oak ribs were hewn out fishery. and put in place—the carpet of fra- grant chips covering the ground some- times to the depth of a foot—to George H. Tripp. the launching day when at the risk of being late at school were invited The Old Dartmouth we Historical so- to clamber on the deck and run back ciety has been peculiarly fortunate in and fortli to give the initial start to the gifts which have been bestowed the sliip as the blocks were cut away since it was organized thirteen years below, and the great hull finally ago. In the very infancy of the so- slipped into the water. What thrills ciety we were presented with an is- as the ship slid down the ways! How land with a monument to the first pleasant in retrospect even our task English explorer who attempted to as we would turn the grindstone to make a permanent settlement in America, Bartholomew Gosnold. This sharpen the tools which shaped the staves which were assembled into the was the first piece of real estate which casks to hold the oil which the ships the society owned, and it will always were to bring be a notable possession. Within a few home; how we loved to years we were given the building pack the casks of hard-tack, being al- .standing on Water street overlooking lowed to stuff our jackets with thy sweet smelling biscuits as they the seat of the whaling industry as it came thrived fifty years ago. The building hot from Jonathan Buttrick's oven; presented by Mr. Rogers has served how sweet to the memory was the most admirably the purposes of the fragrance of the tarred rope; how museum, and as a headquarters for melodious the song of the caulking the activities of the organization, and mallets as they pounded the oakum now this week the wonderful gift of a into the seams of these stout craft; whaling museum with a full rigged how the boys would climb the rig- ship, perfect in every detail, presented ging of the vessels at the dock, ex- to the society by Miss Emily H. plore the hold, the forecastle, and Bourne as a memorial to her father, even the after-cabin. Then what joy the most successful whaling merchant to ride down the harbor on the ferry- of his time, a man whose resourceful- boat when it was requisitioned as n ness and great ability maintained for towboat! Often in those happy days years a large fleet of whaling ships when we would go to take the boat that sailed in every quarter of the to cross the river, we would have the world bringing golden harvests to New chance to sail down to Clarks Poinc Bedford. towing a ship out of port. We in What does this museum with the imagination followed the ship on her model ship mean to this society? It voyage buoyed up by promises of rich means that the history of this waning rewards wlum our father's ship cam-i' industry will be preserved forever; it home. In those care-free days we had means that students and historians not learned to differentiate the New can here find all the implements of England housewife's love of a clean the labor that made New Bedford hearth, and the dismay to the ship famous, of the industry so profitable owner on the rejiort of a "clean" ship. that when at the turn of fortune it We were joyfully unaware of philo- had to be relinquished, the capital ac- logical distinctions. If the memories cumulated in this pursuit was ready of the boys of those days are so pleas- —

31 ant, how rich in retrospect must be from a historical and traditional the thoughts of the men who actually standpoint. So when a locality has a worked on the buiiamg of thesy name attached to it, quaint and sig- staunch ships, and of the captains nificant, that name should be retained. some of whom are present here to- In New York, the Bowery, Maiden day—who guided tliese vessels upon Lane, Coenties Slip will probably al- their successful voyages. How proud ways be kept as historical names; must they be to behold this perfect Fleet street, Thread-Needle street, model of the whaling craft which Cowcross street. Mincing lane, and made our city famous. No wonder the hundreds of other old-time names in successful carpenter wlio has been London in the same way preserve the working so faithfully on the new La- atmosphere and literary suggestive- goda has voiced his sentiments that ness of those localities. We should he wanted to hand down to his chil- be unwilling to lose such names as dren and grandchildren the proud Nonquitt, 'Sconsett, Sconticut, Nasha- tradition that he had worked on this wena, Naushon, Acushnet. So let us vessel which should show to all the as a society insist on Johnny Cake hill. kind of ship that carried New Bedford When these visitors to New Bed- sailors—the modern Argonauts ford finally view the "ship that will through the seas from the Arctic to never sail," they can study every de- the Antarctic. tail of a full-rigged barque with the peculiarities that distinguish the whal- In future days, visitors to New Bed- ing ship from every other. Here she ford arriving at what has been called stand.s, with her bowsprit ever point- the civic centre of the city will see ing to the open sea, this noble gift the spirited whaleman statue, pre- eixpressing the filial affection of sented by the first president of a our daughter to the greatest whaling mer- society, will see the noble figure of the chant of all time. harpooner poising his harpoon, which It would not require points towards the harbor. Following too great a stretch of the imagination to fancy the direction of this harpoon on the during the midnight watches shades parallel of 41 degrees 4 minutes lati- of bygone captains of olden tude, within a few days ap- minutes they will pearing upon the quarter deck reach the Whaling to have Museum, and a friendly gam, to renew acquaint- here they will find this ship, perpetual- ance and recount the deeds of valor, ly docked in this most sumptuous the wonderful catches, berth on Johnny the glorious Cake hill. e-scapes of those olden days when they It should be an unwritten law that each commanded some one of the 400 no one should refer to this location vessels that made New Bedford their as Bethel street. All honor to the home port. What better trysting place Bethel and its great work for the for congenial spirits. sailors, but the locality is known as Yes, the gift of the building means Johnny Cake hill, and that should be much to this society. It should mean its designation on signboard and docu- a great increase in its active member- ment. The modern habit of changing ship. Every able-bodied man and old names to new ones of little or no woman should be glad to sign the significance is unfortunate, and the papers for a lifelong voyage. The Historical society should set the ex- wonderful success of the parent ship, ample correcting this perverted the golden treasure ship, the first tendency. Who would want to change Lagoda, should stimulate great activ- the local names to conform to the ver- ity and eagerness to embark on the nacular of the twentieth century? In voyage with the new Lagoda. Even an early paper read before our society the most timid need not fear the rigors Mrs. W. N. Swift was very emphatic in of the wind, or wave, or tempest. protesting against the village of Dart- They will be assured of pleasant ad- mouth being called Padanaram, Dart- \entures with delightful companions, mouth being peculiarly appropriate and a generous "lay."

—

History of the Bark Lagoda of New Bedford, Mass., One of New Bedford's Most Successful Whaling Vessels.

{Talxcn from a historij of "The Jonaihan Bourne Whaling Office and

Some of Those (Jonnceieel With It," bjj Benjamin Beiker).

When vessels were "iiieky" in the whaliny inchistry, money rolled in and up fast, as witness the following returns from the Bark Lagoda, the most profitable of ^Ir. Hourne's whaling vessels. This Bark of 371.15 gross and ;352.r)!) net tons, 107.5 feet in length, 26.8 feet l)eam and 18.3 feet dei)th, was ])uilt at Scituate, ]Ma.ss., in 1826 by Seth and Samuel Foster, and was further des(*ril)ed as of billet head, square stern, two decks and three masts. Her owners were Ezra Weston of Duxbury, Thomas Otis, Seth Foster, and Samuel Foster of Scituate, ]\Iass., and Daniel W. Brewster was the first master. As there are no records of this vessel engaged in whaling previous to 1841, she was pi'obably built for the merchant service. Mr. Bourne purchased this ship in T>pston, August 3rd, 1841. In 1860, he changed her rig from that of a ship to a bark. The "Lagoda" arrived hoiiK^ June 3rd, 1886, under command Captain Edward D. Lewis and on July 10th, of that year, was sold by Mr.

Bourne to John ^Icrullough for .^2. 475. 00 who. in turn, sold her to William Lewis and others who continued the bark in the whaling busi- ness, the vessel sailing from this port ^lay 10th, 1887. for the Arctic Ocean. She Avas condennKMl as luiseawortliy August 7th. 18!)0, at Yokohama, Japan, Theodore A. Lake, then ))eing in command. Here follows various data of the twelve voyages, with Mr. Bourne as

managing owner and agent : : : : : ;

34

FIRST VOYAGE.

Sailed Oct. 0th, 1841, for New Holland, Indian Ocean grounds, Ed- mund Maxfield, master with the following officers:

Thomas S. Dexter, 1st mate. Francis Russell, 2nd mate. Joseph Sylvester, 3rd mate.

Her owners then were

Jonathan Bourne 3/8ths. Clement P. Covell .'VSths. O. & E. W. Seabury l/8th. Edrmmd Maxfield l/8th.

8/8ths.

The vessel arrived home in September, 1843, having been absent one year, eleven months and six days (the vessel's shortest voyage) with a catch of

600 bbls. sperm oil 2,100 bbls. whale oil 17,000 lbs. whalebone.

The outfits for tliis voyage were $28,919.45 and the owners received $37,498.09, showing a profit to them of 29.6 per cent.

SECOND VOYAGE.

Sailed Nov. 8th, 1843, Henry Colt, master, for North AVest Coast, witli these officers

William ^I. ^laxfield, 1st mate. John B. Winslow, 2nd. mate. Edwin ]\Iayhew, 3rd mate.

This voyage ended ^Fay 26tli, 1846, and covered a i)eriod of two years, six months and eighteen days. The owners were charged with llic following outfits and received the lijindsotiic iv'tiirns here shown, ;i prolit (if 120.r)7 per cent on the venture.

Owners. Cost Outfits. Divisions ]\Iade. $5,119.96 $11,293.03 5,119.96 11,293.03 1,706.66 3,764.35

1 .706.65 3,764.34

8/8ths. $13,653.23 $30,114.75

: —

36

FIFTH VOYAGE.

B. B. Lamphier, ^Master. Sailed Nov. 8r(l. 1853, with these officers:

George "W. Arrington, 1st mate. Prince A. Fish, 2nd mate. James Keating, 3rd mate.

Arrived liome ^lay 26th. 1856. the voyage having lasted two years, six months and twenty-three days. The outfits were $31,635.47, and as a result of the thirty-one months' voyage the owners shared in a division of $62,570.12, a profit of nearly 100%.

SIXTH VOYAGE.

John D. Willard, master. Sailed Jnly 19th, 1856, with tlie following officers

George P. Smith, 1st mate. Hiram Smart, 2nd mate. Frank Sylvia, 3rd mate.

Arrived home June 28tli. 1860. this voyage having lasted llirec \"eai's. eleven months and nine days.

The outfits were $24,134.46 and the owners received from lliis voyage $47,518.08, showing their profit to have been 96.89%.

SEVENTH VOYAGE.

Zebedee A. Devoll, master. Sailed Aug. 27tli, ISiiO. witli tlie I'ullow- ing officers :

E. H. Cranston, 1st mate. J. C. Vanderipe, 2nd mate.

A. II. Baxter, 3rd mate.

Arrived home April ISlh. 1864. having Ixmmi absent tlu'cc^ years, seven months and twenty-one (la\s.

The vessel's outfits were $2().nr)!).;)l . divided jiniong these owners:—

Jdiinlhan I'xnii-ne. '.\ Kitlis. $11,789.6(1 Kdnnnid .Maxfiebi, 2/16ths. 2,619.92 — ^

S7

Taber, RuacI & Co., 2/16tlis. 2,619.91 Zebedee A. Devoll, 2/16ths. 2,619.92

Lemuel I\[. Kollock. l/16th. 1,309.96

$20,959.31

The sum of $97,159.10 was divided among the owners as the result of this forty-four montlis' voyage, which gave a monthly profit of 8i/4'7' or 363i{.% for the voyage. Gross a?uount of voyage was $138,15().19.

EIGHTH VOYAGE.

Charles W. Fisher, master, sailed July 25th, 1861:, with these ofificers :

Peter C. Laft'ray, 1st mate. Samuel Sylvia, 2nd mate. Henry R. Williams, 3rd mate.

Arrived home ]\Iay 26th, 1S68, this voyage having lasted three years, ten months and one day. The outfits were $37,167.77 and the profits divided among the owners 46 months later were $118,631.94, or 219% from their investment. Gross amount of voyage was $200,755.68.

NINTH VOYAGE.

Stephen Swift, master, sailed July 25th, 1868, with these officers:—

Raymond Rogers, 1st mate. Wm. B. Ellis, 2nd mate. John P. Smith, 3rd mate. John Matthews, 4th mate.

This was the "Lagoda's" longest voyage, for on her arrival liome on June 5th, 1873, she had been absent from port four years, ten months and ten days.

Following will show cost of the outfits and the owners' receipts from the voyage. 38

Owners. Cost Outfits. Divisions ]\Iade. Jonathan Bourne, 10/16ths. Edmund Maxfield, Estate Z. A. Devoll, L. M. Kolloek, Alden Besse, Stephen Swift, James V. Cox,

A profit of 1151/4% foi- tlic voyage. —

39 TWELFTH VOYAGE.

Edward D. Lewis, master, sailed April 15tli. 1882, with the following

officers :

'John Edwards. 1st mate. Aaron Burnham, 2nd mate. George H. AVlieeler, 3rd mate. Alexander Wilson, 4th mate

Arrived home June ;ird, 1886, having been gone four years, one month and eighteen days. Gross amount of voyage was $33,991.43. Without doubt the settlement made with the officers and crew for this, the vessel's last voyage, was the only example of its kind that this office ever furnished. Mr. Ellis, for many years Mr. Bonrne's con- fidential clerk, could not remember a similar case. It was usually expected that some allowanee must be made in settling a voyage, ahvays taking into consideration the fact that the crew must have their money before the catch was sold. Whether the ship arrived on

a weak and falling market made no difference to them ; they wanted their share at once, the only time they were willing to allow, being the necessary days in which to break out and discharge the cargo, gauge and grade the oil, and clean and bundle the whalebone. Sperm oil might be $1.10 asked and $1.05 per gallon bid, in which case the bid price would be the one to settle by. A certain proportion of the oil might be found sour, burnt and of a very dark color, when an allow- anee thereon was made. As the owners often stored and held the catch for months, entailing added cost of storage and insurance, besides loss from leaking, some consideration was very i)roperly due them. When the Lagoda arrived in June, 1886, the sperm oil market was very quiet and the first sales reported on the 28th were at 73c per gallon, while humi)l)ack oil was sales at 27c per gallon.

Here is the settlenuMit made June 17th, 1886, with the crew :—

1882 Nov. 6—Sales shipment home 3.417 galls, sperm oil (rd $1.05 $3,587.85 1886 June 7—Balance interest on above to date 755.62 1885

July 13—Sales 478 lbs. whalebone (a' $3.00 1,434.00 July 13—Sales Si/o lbs. whalebone cuUings @ $1.62 V2 13.81 Interest to date 85.28 — :

40

1886 June 7—Brought home: 31,458 galls, sperm oil @ 75c .$23,593.50

6,542 galls, sour sperm oil @ 72e. . . . 4,710.24 2.820 galls. broAvn and dark oil @ 65c 1,833.00

121 galls, lean oil (cv 50c 60.50 5 galls, sales @ $1.00 5.00 30.202.24 3,983 galls, humpback oil @ 26c $1,035.58 3,798 galls. No. 2 hunip])ack oil @ 25c 949.50

6,569 galls, dai-k and sour oil @ 24c. . 1,576.56 3,561.64

$39,640.44 Less expenses on cargo 638.91

Balance to share in $39,001 .53

The owners held the sperm and whale oil ])rought home in June, 1886, until August, 1887, in the case of the whale, and until September, 1888, when the sperm was sold. The following sales were made on this account Aug. 23, 1887—14,165 galls, whale oil @ 28c $ 3,966.20 Sept. 15, 1888—40,400 galls, sperm oil @ 60e 24,240.00 120 galls, lean oil (cv 40c 48.00

$28,254.20

They had settled on arrival of \\\v ship with llic crew on a l)asis of

$33,758.88 for these two lots of oil, which gave the owners a loss of $5,504.68 on the transaction, to say nothing of the loss for interest.

During the 44% years this vessel was managed by Mr. Hoiii-nc Ikm- catch and gross receipts from sales of same were as follows:

245,844 galls, sperm oil sold for. . .$262,127.45—an avg. of $1,066 per gall. 740,461 galls, wlialc oil sold for.. 494,781.94—an avg. of .668 per gall. 1,618 galls. l)lack lish oil sold I'of 1,979.65—an avg. of 1.22 per gall. 253,337 lbs. whalebone sold foi- 198,889.56—an avg. of .785 per lb.

612 lbs. walrus ivory sold for. . 214.00— an avg. of .349 per lb. pci' lb. 133 lbs. whales tectli sold for. . 53.20—an avg. of .40 Slush sold for 2,830.61—an avg. of 15.00 yw hbl.

.$960,876.41 —

41

The above catch of 987,923 galls, covering the sperm, whale and black fish oil, amounted to 31,362 barrels.

Of the Lagoda's twelve voyages, from her purchase, Aug. 18-41 to July lOtli, 1886, when the vessel was sold, but two were unprofitable. Starting with the cost of tlie vessel, her outfits, together with interest and insurance are charged, and are then, at the end of the voyage, de- ducted from the net profits of same and interest also allowed on this balance to sale of vessel in 1886.

Here follows a list of the Lagoda's twelve voyages:

Made up to Master Profits Losses

Nov. 25,1843 Capt. Edmuud .Maxfield .+6,546.14 Oct. 10, 1847 Capt. Henry C^olt 51,118.33

July 1, 1850 Capt. James P'inch 22,358.56

July 1, 1853 Capt. Asa S. Tobey 108,188.03 Nov. 1,1856 Capt. B. B. Lamphier 71,174.65 Aug. 30,1862 Capt. John D. Willard 28.594.15

Jan. 1, 1865 Capt. Zebedee A. Devoll 185,522.16

Jan. 1, 1869 Capt. Charles W. Fisher 154,912.62

March 1, 1874 Capt. Stephen Swift 41,843.93 xMarch 1, 1878 Capt. Edward D. Lewis $14,460.47 Jan. 1,1882 Cai)t. Edward D. Lewis 6,414.44 July 10,1886 Capt. Edward 1). Lewis 10,253.55

$676,673.01 $24,714.02 Less loss 24,714.02

Net profits the twelve voyages $651,958.99

Taking the ten most successful whaliug voyages made by Mr. Bourne's vessels, and the Bark Lagoda furnishes two of the same, ranking fifth and last in said list. The first of these two voyages was oue of forty-six months to the Pacific Ocean in 18()4-1868 with Capt. Charles W. Fisher in command.

Value of this voyage was $200,755.68 Average catch per month 4,364.25 Average catch per day 145.47 Average catch per hour 6.06 — —

42

The second of such voyages, was one of forty-four months, also to the Pacific Ocean in 1860-1864, under Capt. Zebedee A. DevoU, when the

Value of the voyage was $138,156.19 Average catch per month 3,139.91 Average catch per day 104.66 Average catch per hour 4.36

The largest catch did not always mean the most profitable voyage for the owners as, for instance, the Bark Lagoda's leading voyage in amount of catch did not show the largest percent of profit as witness the following two of this vessel's whaling ventures: Value Lays Paid Owners % Master Voyage Capt. & Men OiiKils Received Profits Profit Chas.W. Fisher $200,755.68 $38,694.20 $37,167.77 $118,631.94 $81,464.17 219.18 Z. A. Devoll.. 138.156.19 26.717.(n 20.959.31 97,159.10 76,199.79 363.57

So while in total catch and amount of lays paid, Capt. Charles W. Fisher's voyage M'as the largest, that under Capt. Zebedee A. Devoll showed a much larger percent of profit for the owners. The Bark Lagoda, Capt. Stephen Swift, in company with the Barks Daniel Webster, Capt. George F. Marvin; ]\Iidas, Capt. Charles Hamill; and Progress, Capt. James Dowden, of New Bedford, and the Europa, Capt. Thomas JMellen, of Edgartown, Avere the five vessels selected to bring down the 1200 seamen from tlu^ thirty-three vessels wrecked in the Arctic ice in the early days of Se})t ember, 1871. The New Bedford Shipping List of Nov. 7th, 1871, under headlines of "Terrible Disaster to the Arctic Fleet," "Thirty-Three Vessels Lost," "Safety of the Crews," "Twelve Hundred ]\Ien Brought to Honolulu in Six Whalers," "Loss at Least $1,000,000," "Four Only of New Bedford's Vessels Saved, the Daniel Webster, ]\Iidas, Progress and Lagoda,—first three belonging to AVilliam 0. Brownell and tin- latter to Jonathan Bourne and the pAiropa of P]dgartown, belonging to Sam- uel S. Osborn," gave its readers brief notice of the Whaling Industry's heavy loss and in its issue of Nov. 14th. 1S71. Inid iiH)re complete details,

as follows :

"Since our last, we have been able to gathei- the following particu- lars:—The vessels commenced arriving at Cajx' Thaddens on the first of May. The first of June, the ice opened and let the tleet np with- in sight of Cape Navarino. The fleet woi-king noi-thward, fonnd more whales crossing the sea of Anadii- nnd in lieliring Sea moi-(» and plenty,

but exi)erience(l nnidi tronlile from ice; :inil wlim tlie fleet ai'vived at —

43

Cape Behring and Plover Bay, the whales had passed into the Arctic Ocean whither the fleet followed, meeting with fair success until about the first of Septendjer whea the ice floes and bergs to a great extent commenced drifting down; and by the lUth, a number of vessels had sunk and the bulk of the remainder were ashore. On the second of

September, the Brig Comet of Honolulu sunk : on the seventh, the Bark Roman of New Bedford was drifted bodily out to sea by two floes and crushed like an egg shell. The crew narrowly escaped. The Florida and Victoria of San Francisco were also crushed. On the 13th, the Captains of the fleet hemmed in between Point Belcher and Wain- wright Iidet, held a meeting and resolved to abandon the vessels in order to save the lives of the crew^s, which was done and twelve hundred men took refuge on board the remainder of the fleet which had been fortunate enough to escape outside before the ice closed in the vessels. The ice drove down from the northwest forcing the fleet on the mud banks in the ice, grounding in four feet of water. The number of vessels crushed or al)andoned were thirty-three, of this number twent}^- two belonged in New Bedford, two in Edgartown, two in New London, three in San Francisco and four in Honolulu. The valuation of the

New Bedford vessels with outfits as the> sailed, is as follows :

Awashonks J. & W. R. Wing $48,000.00 Concordia George & Matthew Howland 75,000.00 Contest Swift & Perry 40,000.00 Elizabeth Swift Swift & Allen 60,000.00 Emily Morgan J. & W. R. Wing 60,000.00 Eugenia Swift & Allen 56,000.00 Fannie Swift & Allen 58,000.00 Gay Head James B. Wood & Co. 40,000.00 George Gideon Allen & Son 40,000.00 George Howland George & ]\Iatthew Howland 48,000.00 Henry Taber Taber, Gordon & Co. 55,000.00

John Wells William 0. Brownell . 50,000.00 Massachusetts Swift & Allen 46,000.00 Minerva Thomas KnoAvles & Co. 50,000.00 Navy James B. AVood & Co. 48,000.00 Oliver Crocker James B. AVood & Co. 48,000.00 Oriole Edward C. Jones 48,000.00 Reindeer Edward AV. Howland 40,000.00 Roman William Watkins 60,000.00 Senaca Loum Snow & Son 70,000.00 Thomas Dickason George & Matthew Howland 50,000.00 —

44

The following taken from the report of the Committee on Claims of the National House of Representatives, contains a very complete ac- count of this disaster and of the (luick and generoiis response made to assist those in distress:

"These memorialists show that, early in the mouth of September, A. D. 1871, all of said vessels were prosecuting whaling voyages in the Arctic Ocean, at a point about ten miles northward of Blossom Shoals. The vessels had been fully and completely efpiipped for the business at great expense, and were then u})on \hc whaling-ground, fully and completely prepared for the successful prosecution of their voyage.

That the season for taking whales upon that ground is from the 1st of

September till the middle of October, and they had just commenced to take whales, wliidi were plenty, and available to capture, there being every prospect of a successfvd cateh. amoniiting to a practical cer- tainty, as near as may be. That while thus i)rosecuting their voyages the masters of said ves- sels received fi'om the masters of some tliirty American whaling vessels, which were lying about 60 miles farther north, a letter, a copy of which is hereafter given, announcing Ihal their ships were hemmed in by an impassible barrier of ice which the winds had packed up. and they would be oljliged to abandon them; thai tlicir provisions wi-rc insufficient to support the ship's companies until the next sunnner, even if they could withstanil the rigors of the Arctic winter, and that their only chance for life Avas with the ships above luimed. which were out- side the liari'icr. The letter is as follows, sent IVoiu said distressed ships:

"Ship Champion.

Off Point 15clchcr. Sci)teiiil)ci' 12th. 1871.

Til the niastci's of the ships in clear water south of ley Cape:

(!ent Icmcii : I >y a boat expedition wliieli went out to exploi'e the feasibility of a shii)'s passage to clear \\ater. report there are seven vessels south of Icy Cajjc in clear water whaling.

liy ;i meeting of all the masters of the vessels which are embargoed

liy the ice along this shoi'e. as also those that ha\'e lieen wrecked. 1 am

i'e(pi(!s1e(l to mak'e know n to nou our (li|>lor;il)le situation, and ask\voui' assistance. We have for the last lii'tei'n days been satisfied that there is not tiu' slightest possibility of saving any of oin- shii>s or their propei'ty. in 45 view of the fact that the northern barrier of ice has only a narrow belt of water from one-qnarter to one-half mile in width, extending from Point Belcher to sontli of Icy Cape. In sounding out the channel we find from Wainwright Inlet to about five miles east-northeast from ley Cape the water in no place of sufficient depth to fioat our lightest- draught vessel with a clean hold, in many places not more than three feet. Before knowing your vessels were in sight of Icy Cape we lightered the brig Kohola to her least draught, also brig Victoria, hoping we should be able to get one of them into clear water to search for some other vessel to come to our aid in saving some of our crews. Both vessels now lie stranded oft' Wainwright Inlet. That was our last hope, until your vessels were discovered by one of our boat expeditions. Counting the crews of the four wrecked ships, we number some twelve hundred souls, with not more than three months' provisions and fuel ; no clothing suitable for winter wear. An attempt to pass the winter here would be suicidal. Not more than two hundred out of the twelve hundred would survive to tell the sutferings of the others. Looking our deploral)le situation squarely in the face, we feel con- vinced that to save the lives of our crews a speedy abandonment of oui- ships is necessary. A change of wind to the north for twenty-four hours would cause the young ice to make so stout as to effectually close up the narrow passage and cut off our retreat by boats. We realize your peculiar situation as to duty, and the bright pros- pects you have for a good catch in oil and bone before the season expires, and now call on you, in the voice of humanity, to abandon your whaling, sacrifice your personal interests as well as that of your owners. and put yourselves in condition to receive on board ourselves and crews for transit to some civilized port, feeling assured that our Government, so jealous of its ])hilanthropy, will make ample compensation for all your losses. We shall commence sending the sick and some provisions tomorrow. With a small boat, and near 70 miles for the men to pull. we shall not be able to send much provisions.

Feeling confident that you will not abandon us,

We are, respectfully, yours,

Henry Pease. 'Jr. With thirty-one other masters." — —

46

The memorialists say that but one answer could be made to such an appeal, and that after consultation the masters of the ships thus ad- dressed determined to abandon their voyages and receive the ship- wrecked crews, trusting in the justice and generosity of their govern- ment to properly compensate them for their losses and expenses thus to be incurred for flu- pui-jxtse of rescuing shipwrecked American seamen. Preparations Avere immediatel\' made for that purpose. The cutting- stages were taken in. the cutting-falls unreeved, casks shooked, and the vessels taken to an anchorage south of Blossom Shoal. That on the nth day of September and days following the shipwrecked sailors were taken on board and the vessel proceeded with tln-ni to Honolulu."

The owners of the five vessels bringing down these wrecked seamen, presented to Congress their claims for damages from the loss of the season's whaling, showing these amounts due the following vessels:

Bark Daniel Webster $50,762.50 Bark Lagoda 900 barrels whale-oil. at 75c per gal $21,262.50 16.000 pounds whalebone, at $1.75 per lb 28.000.00 Loss and damage to outfits and ships 120.75 Loss of anchor, 2,500 pouiuls. at 6 cents 150.00 51,033.25

Bark Europa 71.100.00

Bark :\ridas 51.052.90

Bark Progress 51 ,094.30

The l)ill as finally passed by \he First Session of the Fifty-first Con- gress on Aug. 29th, 1890. and later by the Senate and approved by the President Feb. 21st, 1891, made the following awards on the basis of the men brought down on each vessel:

P,;irk :\Iidas 14:1 men (a> $138.89.. $19,861.27

Bark Daniel Webster 155 juen (a) 138.89.. 21,527.95

Bark Lagoda 170 men (ci) 138.89.. 23.611.30 liark Progress 188 men (o) 138.89.. 26.111.32

Ii;irk Europa 244 men (r? 138.89.. 33,889.16 $125,001.00

900 47

These amounts were to be i)aid over to the owners for the benetit of themselves ; and of such of the officers and crews of said vessels, respectively, as were engaged in that particular season of the cruise in the Arctic Ocean during which said rescue was made, and such moneys should be distributed by the owners between themselves and said of- ficers and crews in the proportion to their respective lays, and in the same manner as the ordinary earnings from the said cruise would have been distributed. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

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