The Whaling Ship Essex

You sign up as cabin boy aboard the Essex for a 2-3 year voyage to the whaling grounds of the Pacific. You join three of your young friends who sign on as sailors. The 21-man crew is a mixed group of experienced whalers and ‘green hands’ – those who have never sailed on a whaling ship before. You aren’t paid wages, but have to negotiate a share, or ‘lay’, of the future profits for the voyage. The last cabin boy’s lay was about $150 for two years’ work!

THE ESSEX
With an overall length of 29 yards (26.5 m), the Essex has 12 sails and carries several smaller whaleboats that are launched whenever a whale is sighted.

The ship has already completed several successful whaling voyages before you sail from Nantucket harbour on August 12, 1819.

THE CREW
Below, in charge is Captain George Pollard. There are also two mates, three boatsteerers, a steward, 13 sailors and a cabin boy (you). The sailors include seven African Americans, one of whom deserts the ship on the outbound voyage.

YOUR FRIENDS: below right, aged 14, you are the youngest member of the crew. Your friends are also still boys: Charles Ramsdell (age 15), Barzillai Ray (age 18) and Owen Coffin (age 17). Coffin is the captain’s cousin.

HANDY HINT
Take your own clothing. The captain will charge you for any clothes he supplies to you. He will charge you interest too and take it from your share of the profits. Don't forget, because whaling can be a dirty, smelly business.

Based on the book, You Wouldn't Want to Sail on a 19th-Century Whaling Ship!
Copyright 2004 - the Salariya Book Company