Previously little known history unfolds as the authors relate the workings of the 19 th century whaling industry and its dependence upon the skill and knowledge of its workers, including African American whalers. They document the connection of the East Coast whalers to the abolitionist movement, the Underground Railroad, and the Civil War. A quote from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick opens the account which contains black-and-white reproductions of archival documents, selected artwork, and historic photographs. This important account includes information about the whaling towns in New England, along with a description of what it was like to sail on a whaling ship and how it must have felt to be a first-time whaler. Scrimshaw is briefly discussed, as are sea shanties. The appendix includes information about various types of whales, important dates and an index. (Ages 12-16)

During colonial times, the whaling industry developed along the eastern coast. Nantucket and New Bedford, Massachusetts, were the centers where ships were built and outfitted, and where they returned laden with their precious cargo. These whaling ships supplied 80% of the oil used by Americans for well over a century.Because whaling was so dangerous, captains and crews of the whaling boats set themselves apart from ordinary seamen. Despite the challenges of the sea, runaway slaves we eager to enlist; they were used to hard work and willing to accept lower pay than other sailors. Free black seamen signed on because of the career opportunities; one day they might be a first mate, a captain, or even an owner. Additionally, there was less prejudice onboard a whale ship than on land because everyone had to cooperate for the common good of all. As one black seaman wrote, "The sea was an equalizer of men, therefore the captain chose his crew based on who could do the job best."This book details the lives of such well-known figures as Paul Cuffee, ship owner and captain; Crispus Attucks, a whaleman killed in the Boston Massacre; Fredrick Douglass, a leading abolitionist who was once a caulker of ships in New Bedford harbor; Joe Hershey, a well-known ships' blacksmith; and Lewis Temple, who invented the toggle harpoon. Information on lesser known individuals is also included. Readers will follow a complete voyage of a whale ship, from signing on at the docks, to the hunt, and the return home.