Whalers used different types of ships that were equipped according to their needs.The one whaler ship in the sense of the word did not exist but let's have a look at what the logbooks tell us about these types.
The largest one, was these kind of vessel - which was ship rigged. This means that it had three masts, each with top mast and topgallant mast, which were square rigged on all three masts.
The ships often carried four, sometimes five boats and had the largest number of crew members. There were six men per boat plus the stewards, men who stayed on board when the boats searched for whales. The steward, the cook, the cooper, the blacksmith or the carpenter were among the ship's attendants. There could be up to 37 people on board a ship. And they stay at sea for many years and also hunted in the arctic regions
Watercolour and pencil artwork by Joseph Bogart Hersey, American ( ca, 1843-51), shows the Ship Corinthian of New London, from Hersey;’s journal aboard the bark Samuel and Thomas of Provincetown September 12, 1846-April 13, 1848.
This type of ship has three masts, each with top and gable mast, which are squarely rigged on all three masts. The ships often carried four, sometimes five boats and had the largest number of crew members. There were six men per boat plus the stewards, men who stayed on board when the boats searched for whales. The steward, the cook, the cooper, the blacksmith or the carpenter were among the ship's attendants. There could be up to 37 people on board a ship and they
It was very similar to a ship's rig in that it was a sailing ship with three masts, square at the front and main mast and lengthwise at the mizzen mast. This type of rigging became very popular in the mid-19th century as it required less crew to handle the sails when the boats were whaling, thus saving the owners money.
Watercolour and pencil artwork, by Francis Allyn Olmsted, American (1819-1844), shows the bark North America of New London, from Journal of a voyage around Cape Horn, October 11, 1839 - February 5, 1841
The true brig had two masts, and was squarely rigged on both the fore and main mast. Brigs were mostly used on shorter voyages to the Atlantic Ocean and were in service throughout the 19th century.
Watercolour and pencil artwork by Joseph Bogart
Hersey, American ( ca, 1843-51), shows the Brig Franklin of Provincetown, from Hersey’s journal aboard the bark Samuel and Thomas of Provincetown, September 12,1846 -April 13, 1848
The smallest vessel among the whalers was the schooner. This was usually with two masts and four and aft rigged sails and had two or three whaleboats on board. Six months was the usual voyage duration and most schooners were used in the Atlantic.
Watercolour and pencil artwork, by Joseph Bogart Hersey, American (ca, 1843-51), shows the schooner H.N. Williams of Provincetown, from Hersey’s journal aboard the bark Samuel and Thomas of Provincetown, September 12, 1846-April 13, 1848
As can be seen from the logbooks, we are dealing with four different types which have also been used differently. To supply the industry with supplies as efficiently as possible.