Crew

Who really ran whaling?

Crew, such as those savvy enough to pick Amos, a 'lucky skipper' despite his vicious, conniving nature. We were taught that Amos stood at the gangplank, getting signatures, hiding the small print that he could keep them as long and in whatever sapacity he chose.

The only good thing Anie would ever say about voyages was that the crew saved her life and sanity at the same time, making her toys like the family men most were.

Aquinnah Cultural Center

Wampanoag whalers from 'Mashpee to Cape Cod' and Gay Head, Nantucket, were among the greatest and most sought after crew and officers. "The Aquinnah Cultural Center aims to preserve, educate, and document the Aquinnah Wampanoag self-defined history, culture and contributions past, present and future."

The 'first stop' out of New Bedford, the Azores, was a lifesaver for sailors already in need of its fresh food and succor. Great Azorean whalemen might see family, or rejoin as crew, while sailors would take some dry land (and sometimes desert). Then, the great tack east to Brazil would begin.

Azorean Maritime Heritage

Cape Verdean Museum

The vast scope of whaling made the industry dependent on recruiting (and retaining), the best sailors – from green hands to officers. Cape Verdeans, the furthest west on the routes from New Bedford, and from where some ships tacked east to South America, were invaluable.

Paul Cuffe is not only illustrious as a captain and ship owner, but as an entrepreneur, abolitionist, and advisor to other greats. At their family table he inspires his descendants – of his Wampanoag and Ashanti heritage – to create the Paul Cuffe Trail. Spend an hour, or explore this world for a week.

Cuffe Heritage Trail