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Whaling

James Eights: An Albany Artist-Scientist Who Explored Antarctica in 1830

May 15, 2022 by Peter Hess 1 Comment

portrait of James EightsIn the late 1700s and early 1800s, there were a growing number of adventurers anxious to explore the sea, find new lands, chart new islands, and if they made their fortune while doing it, all the better.

There were also those just trying to get away from home and signing on to a whaling ship seemed the adventure of a lifetime. [Read more…] about James Eights: An Albany Artist-Scientist Who Explored Antarctica in 1830

Filed Under: Arts, Capital-Saratoga, History, Nature Tagged With: Albany, Albany County, Albany Institute For History and Art, Geography, Geology, James Eights, Marine Life, Maritime History, painting, Rensselaer County, RPI, Science History, Whaling, Wildlife

Russell Ormsbee’s Oil Adventure

March 3, 2022 by Guest Contributor 3 Comments

Drake oil wellThe Drake oil well drilled in Venango County, Pennsylvania in 1859 is widely known as the first oil well in America, however, many wells before the Drake well were producing petroleum oil.

Well drilling was common with many recent improvements by the time the Drake well was sunk, although most were drilled for salt brine (a source of salt). Oil was sometimes found in these wells and pumped as an unwanted by-product, but by the late 1800s, several changes made oil more valuable.

Whaling had been the primary source for illuminating oil (lamp oil), but whales had been over-hunted and were becoming scarce, and the cost of harvesting them was increasing. Also, by the 1850s, scientist had discovered the potential for manufacturing kerosene from crude oil which was found to be an ideal replacement. [Read more…] about Russell Ormsbee’s Oil Adventure

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History Tagged With: Greenfield, Industrial History, Oil Industry, Saratoga County History Center, Saratoga County History Roundtable, Saratoga Springs, Whaling

New York’s Whaling Industry: Some History

April 10, 2021 by Guest Contributor 1 Comment

whale watching courtesy Newport Coastal AdventureIn 2011, the nonprofit Gotham Whale recorded just five humpbacks spotted off New York City. Since then, the number has soared. By 2018, sightings had jumped to 272. Less than a year later, 377 whales of different species were observed.

A recent Discover Magazine article cites two main factors that drive the increasing presence of whales. [Read more…] about New York’s Whaling Industry: Some History

Filed Under: Nature, New York City Tagged With: Maritime History, nature, New York City, Roosevelt Island Historical Society, Whaling

Gruesome, Lucrative: Long Island Whaling History (Podcast)

May 8, 2020 by Chris Kretz Leave a Comment

long island history project logoOn this episode of the Long Island History Project, we speak with Brenna McCormick-Thompson, coordinator of the Whaling Museum and Education Center in Cold Spring Harbor. You’ll hear how she works to tell the story of Long Island whaling through objects, historical records, and even the streets of Cold Spring Harbor itself. [Read more…] about Gruesome, Lucrative: Long Island Whaling History (Podcast)

Filed Under: History, Nature, New York City Tagged With: Long Island, Maritime History, Podcasts, Whaling

Early Whaling on Long Island

November 12, 2018 by Chris Kretz Leave a Comment

long island history project logoA whaling frenzy gripped the East End of Long Island in the mid-1600s. Prominent settlers in the area fought the elements and each other to pursue this often brutal, bloody, yet extremely profitable trade. And the most sought-after crews were drawn from the local Native American population: Shinnecock, Unkechaug, and Montauketts.

Dr. John Strong, professor emeritus of Southampton College, documents this history in his latest book, America’s Early Whalemen: Indian Shore Whalers on Long Island, 1650-1750. Combing records and primary sources from across the Island, he pieces together a portrait of a neglected period of American history. [Read more…] about Early Whaling on Long Island

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Indigenous History, Industrial History, Labor History, Long Island, Maritime History, Native American History, Podcasts, Whaling

Hunting the Whale: A Southampton Industry Exhibit

March 27, 2018 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Pyrrhus Concer, African American whaling sailorAn exhibit on the whaling industry in 19th century Southampton is now on display at Rogers Mansion, 17 Meeting House Lane, Southampton, until August 4th, 2018.

The exhibit is open Wednesdays to Saturdays, 11 am to 4 pm, admission is $4, free for members and children 17 and under. [Read more…] about Hunting the Whale: A Southampton Industry Exhibit

Filed Under: History, New Exhibits, New York City Tagged With: Southampton Historical Museum, Whaling

James Eights: Albany Artist, Explorer

April 19, 2017 by Peter Hess Leave a Comment

Aqueduct Bridge at Rochesters James Eights 1823 (Albany Institute of History & Art Gift of James Eights 1836)In the late 1700s and early 1800s, there were a growing number of adventurers anxious to explore the sea, find new lands, chart new islands, and if they made their fortune while doing it, all the better. There were also those just trying to get away from home and signing on to a whaling boat seemed the adventure of a lifetime. [Read more…] about James Eights: Albany Artist, Explorer

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Albany, Art History, Science History, Van Rensselaers, Whaling

New Whaling Exhibit at the Southampton Historical Museum

February 8, 2017 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

sperm-whale-in-a-flurry-by-louis-ambroise-garneray-c-1840An interactive and inclusive exhibit, Hunting the Whale: The Rise and Fall of a Southampton Industry adds new discoveries to the accumulation of documentation and artifacts collected over more than 100 years to illuminate Southampton Village’s prominent role in the whaling industry at its mid-19th century height.

Whaling tools, maps, illustrations, archival images and text will be displayed with an eye toward making the exhibit accessible to audiences of varied interests and all ages. Among those whose roles will be highlighted are local indigenous people, slaves, servants, whaling captains, and the families that were sustained by the whaling industry.

[Read more…] about New Whaling Exhibit at the Southampton Historical Museum

Filed Under: History, Nature, New Exhibits, New York City Tagged With: Maritime History, Southampton Historical Museum, Whaling

Wreck of the Whale Ship Essex Illustrated

January 23, 2016 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Wreck of the Whale Ship EssexOwen Chase was the first mate on the ill-fated American whaling ship Essex, which was attacked and sunk by a sperm whale in the southern Pacific Ocean in 1820.

The crew spent months at sea in leaking boats and endured the blazing sun, attacks by killer whales, and lack of food. The men were forced to resort to cannibalism before the final eight survivors were rescued. [Read more…] about Wreck of the Whale Ship Essex Illustrated

Filed Under: Books, History, Nature Tagged With: Herman Melville, Literature, Maritime History, Whaling

New Illustrated History of Hudson, NY

February 21, 2015 by Editorial Staff 2 Comments

Hudson NYA new pictorial history authored by Lisa LaMonica, Hudson (Arcadia Publishing, 2014) features over 200 images depicting scenes of the City of Hudson and it’s surroundings’ history.

In vintage photographs, Hudson covers a history that includes the story of the Mohicans, whaling, and the multitude of factories in the Industrial Age, as well as the city’s modern-day transformation. [Read more…] about New Illustrated History of Hudson, NY

Filed Under: Books, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills Tagged With: Columbia County, Hudson, Maritime History, Photography, Whaling

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