Call Number:

Item 0044

Repository:

University of Delaware Library Special Collections

Extent:

1 volume (152 pages)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

MSS 0097, Item 0044, George S. Johnson, Journal of a whaling voiage [sic] in the Atlantic ocean on Board Schr Antarctic, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.

Date:

1881 november 10-1884 july 11 (inclusive)

Creator:

Johnson, George S., active 1881-1884

Form:

Ships' logs

Abstract:

Ship's log kept by Georg [George] S. Johnson aboard the schooner Antarctic documenting two whaling voyages out of Provincetown, Massachusetts, between November 10, 1881, and July 11, 1884.

Whaler Georg [George] S. Johnson served on the schooner Antarctic based in Provincetown, Massachusetts. He kept the ship's log for two whaling voyages between 1881 and 1884.

The first whaling voyage into the Atlantic lasted from November 10, 1881, to July 27, 1883, under the shipmaster Newton P. West. The second voyage lasted from October 31, 1883, to July 11, 1884, under shipmaster John [Jno] Bell. Some day's entries are headed in bold letters "SPERM WHALE" which denotes the importance of this type of whale to the crew. The sperm whale was the most sought after type of whale because its head contained spermaceti, a white waxy substance that was worth significantly more than any other whale oil.

It is not known how long the Antarctic served, however there are several historical registries where the schooner is listed: The New Bedford Public Library Whaling Collection Archives has a registry entry for the vessel dated 1852, while Mystic Seaport's G. W. Blunt White Library has journals covering 1828-1831 as well as registries with data on the ship from 1861 to 1894.

"Antarctic (Schooner)." Mystic Seaport Library. http://www.mysticseaport.org (accessed January 12, 2007)."New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library Logbooks and Journals." New Bedford Free Public Library Whaling Collection Archives. http://www.ci.new-bedford.ma.us/services/library/whalingproject/whaling.htm? (accessed January 12, 2007)."Overview of American Whaling: How Whales Were Processed." New Bedford Whaling Museum. http://www.whalingmuseum.org (accessed January 21, 2007).Additional information derived from the collection.

This logbook documents two Atlantic Ocean whaling voyages aboard the schooner Antarctic occurring between November 10, 1881, and July 11, 1884. The log primarily contains navigational data, weather reports, and notes about the health of the crew.

The log is a bound volume, circa 150 pages, filled with ink entries and pencil drawings of whales and parts of whales. There are many small illustrations of whales or parts of whales. According to the author, an illustration of an entire whale next to a day's entry indicates that a whale had been caught, while an illustration of only a fin indicates that a whale has been sighted or a whale already on board had been butchered. The account of the second journey begins on p. 110 of the volume. In the back of the volume, lists of provisions for the journey are recorded.