Commercial whaling in America started as early as the 1650s and lasted until whaling in the United States was officially outlawed in 1971. In America the commercial hunting of whales peaked between the years of 1846 and 1852. Though many whales were hunted, there was a special emphasis given to the hunting of the sperm whale whose oil was especially prized.
The journal of Robert R. Weir documents his voyages on the whaling ship Clara Bell between the years of 1855 and 1858, just after the peak of the whaling industry. These entries include details and illustrations of both daily life on a ship at the time, and about hunting and processing the whales.
The editor, Andrew W. German, described this book best in his introduction, “What follows is a transcription of a journal, which due to its illustrations and its breezy manner, is a favorite among the many logs and journals preserved in the G.W. Blunt White Library at Mystic Seaport.” In addition to Wier’s journal and illustrations, German has added a thorough introduction, postscript, and contextual notes. German’s notes make this publication appropriate for readers both new to the study of the whaling industry and returning researchers.
German’s introduction to Weir’s journal is thorough and well researched. Through this introduction reader’s learn to truly appreciate where Weir came from and put his journal into context, specifically his drawings. The illustrations that are supplied by Weir of life on the ship Clara Bell and the whaling industry are what truly set this publication apart from other published journals of whalers. Faithfully reproduced and shown near their associated entries, these illustrations help bring to life the experiences that Weir describes.
The contextual notes supplied by German make the text appealing to readers with varying familiarity with the whaling industry at the time. Even those that are experts in the field will find these illustrations illuminating, and may even pick up on some new details regarding daily life on a whaling vessel.
An example of German’s contextual notes includes an explaination for when Weir refers to “black fish” in his journal entry from Monday, September 24. German succintly explains, “Blackfish was the whaleman’s name for the pilot whale, a small-toothed whale that swims in pods.” This eliminates any confusion for the reader regarding what the crew was hunting, that it was infact a whale and not a fish, which the crew will later hunt as well. Interestingly, later in his journal Weir will refer to the “dolphin” that the crew caught, which German clarifies in his notes, “Here Weir means the fish. Noted for the color its scales it gave off as the fish died, the dolphin fish was valued as food on board ship…”
In conclusion, it is no surprise that Weir’s journal is considered a favorite at the G.W. Blunt White Library at Mystic Seaport. German’s additions to the journal through his notes and explanations have made this publication a much more enjoyable read and a great resource.
