Whaling - Falmouth Museums on the Green

Curtis Martin, American Whaling in the Age of Sail

This talk is designed to introduce the audience to the subject of the US whale fishery from the 17^th to the early 20^th century through a survey of the different facets of the industry. Mr. Martin discusses historical development, the purpose of the fishery and its economic importance, risks associated with whaling, the most important species hunted, the products of whaling, the whale ships, the crew and life on ship-board, the hunt, capture and processing of whales, the leisure arts of whale men, and finally the decline and death of the industry in the US.

Anne Barrett as Mary Chipman Lawrence: “Life Aboard a Whaling Ship”

The morning of November 25th, 1856, Mary Chipman Lawrence set sail aboard the whaling ship Addison bound for the Pacific on a voyage that would last three and a half years. In this performance, Mary will bring forth from her meticulously kept journal, the joys and tribulations of life at sea with her husband, Captain Samuel Lawrence, and their daughter Minnie.

The sights and sounds of foreign ports and their inhabitants, the sailors’ sea shanties, the surprisingly robust social life amongst whaling ships, and the challenging everyday details, all will come to life as Mary takes you on a journey so real, you’ll feel the pitch of the ship and the spray over the rails.

Come join us as re-enactor Anne Barrett takes you through the adventures of Mary Chipman Lawrence!

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