William Martin's 1887 Whaling Voyage Main Menu William Martin Biography of William Martin The 1887 Voyage Whaling in the 19th Century Acknowledgments and Site Information Providence Public Library

Occupations aboard a whaling vessel

1
A whaling vessel required individuals to fill a variety of roles, from manning the ship to processing captured whales*. Positions aboard a vessel were hierarchical, with master and mates at the top (and earning a larger share of profits), through harpooners, craftspeople and ordinary crew, down to greenhands (those taking part in their first voyages) at the bottom of structure of pay and respect.**
The following occupations are listed in documents from the Eunice H. Adams' 1887 voyage:

Owner (Samuel Osborne)
Master (William A. Martin)
Mate (Arthur O. Gibbons)
2nd Mate (Phillip Sylaveiro)
Boatsteerer (Joseph Gomez, Benjamin Hazzard, Domingo Fleming)
3rd mate (Phillip Sylaveiro)
Steward (Thomas Taylor)
Cook (Joseph Lopes)
Ordinary Seaman
Seaman
Green Hand
Shipkeeper (Joseph Lopes)
Carpenter (George Ridson)
 

This page has paths:

  1. Whaling in the 19th Century Jordan Goffin

This page references: