Many people are familiar with the whaling history of Nantucket and New Bedford. Fewer, however, know the rich and fascinating history of the Martha’s Vineyard fleet and its mariners. Never as big as its more famous whaling rivals, it nevertheless played a role in America’s nautical history as a port. But more importantly, the Vineyard produced great whaling captains and mates. Some of them, such as George Fred Tilton, were among the most famous sea ícaptains ever.
Tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 10, íat 2 p.m. at the Oak Bluffs library, author and journalist Marc Songini will discuss these men — and in some cases, their wives, who came on whaling voyages with them. The discussion is titled íVineyard’s Heroes: Great Whaling Masters and Mates of the Island.
During the lecture, he will offer brief biographies of a number of whaling men, including Abraham Osborne, who lost the first Union whaler to the infamous Confederate raider, Alabama. He will also cover Jared Jernegan, who faced a mutiny with his wife and children on the Roma and later, coped with disaster in the great 1871 Freeze-in off the coast of Alaska.
Mr. Songini also will cover the almost unbelievable story of George Fred Tilton, who crossed 2,000 miles of Alaskan wilderness and water in one of the greatest feats of Arctic endurance of all time. He will also discuss Hartson Bodfish — who amputated his own toes on one voyage.
Mr. Songini is the author of The Lost Fleet: A Yankee Whaler’s Struggle Against the Confederate Navy and Arctic Disaster.