The Essex sailed from Nantucket for the Pacific on the morning of August 12, 1819, one of 34 vessels to depart on whaling voyages from the island that year. Built in 1799, the 238-ton Essex had made good financial returns on six previous voyages. Sailors considered it a lucky ship, even though it was now old and rather small. As the local whaling industry boomed, owners were investing in ships up to 100 tons larger than Essex, capable of bringing home more oil from longer voyages. Gideon Folger and Paul Macy, the principal owners, invested in some repairs to the ship in 1819, including expensive coppering of the thick oak hull below the waterline, but, for the most part, they did not spend more than was necessary on the old hull.
Floating Factories
Seventy-seven whaleships belonged to the port of Nantucket by the end of 1819. Designed as floating factories, each was able to sail to remote oceans, process killed whales into oil, and store that oil for return to Nantucket. Although a few local vessels still hunted in the Atlantic, most headed to the Pacific.
Whaling Crews
Whaling was a dangerous and dirty business, and ship owners constantly needed crewmen to work their ships. Although Nantucket vessels were almost always commanded by local men brought up in the business, crews were often ethnically and racially diverse. Any strong man willing to work was quickly signed on.
The Crew of the Ship Essex
21 sailed from Nantucket on August 12, 1819
9 Nantucket born or reared
12 off-islanders
6 recruited at Boston
at least 1 foreign born
14 white
7 black
MASTERS AND MATES
GEORGE POLLARD, JR.
CAPTAIN
28 years old
White
Born on Nantucket
Son and brother of whaling captains. Second mate of the Essex, 1815–16; first mate, 1817–19. Married nineteen-year-old Mary Riddell at the Second Congregational Church on Nantucket June 17, 1819, two weeks before sailing as captain of the Essex.
OWEN CHASE
FIRST MATE
21 years old
White
Born on Nantucket
Four brothers are also mariners. Sailed on the Essex, 1817–19. Arrived Nantucket,
April 14, 1819, and married Peggy Gardner at the Second Congregational Church
two weeks later. Sailed as first mate of the Essex four months later. Daughter
Phebe Ann born April 16, 1820.
MATTHEW JOY
SECOND MATE
26 years old
White
Born on Nantucket
Moved with family to Hudson, New York, in the early 1800s. Six feet tall, with a light complexion. A Quaker, but disowned by the Society of Friends for marrying Congregationalist Nancy Slade on Nantucket August 7, 1817. Daughter born in January 1820.
BOATSTEERERS
OBED HENDRICKS
BOATSTEERER
20 years old
White
Born on Nantucket
Youngest of three children of German- born George Hendricks and Hepsabeth Morselander of Nantucket. For the 1817–19 voyage of the Essex , he received $3.53 in wages. Boatsteerer for Captain Pollard.
BENJAMIN LAWRENCE
BOATSTEERER
20 years old
White
Born on Nantucket
Father & older sister drowned in a shipwreck in 1809. Three months afterwards, his mother gave birth to triplets on Christmas Day. She ran a dry goods store to support her seven young children. Joined the crew of the Essex in 1817. Boatsteerer for first mate Owen Chase.
THOMAS CHAPPEL
BOATSTEERER
Age unknown
White
From Plymouth, England
Joined the Essex in 1817. Boatsteerer for second mate Matthew Joy.
CREW
OWEN COFFIN
SEAMAN
16 years old
White
Born on Nantucket
Father died at sea in 1815. First cousin to George Pollard Jr.—his mother and Pollard’s mother were sisters.
ISAAC COLE
SEAMAN
Age unknown
White
From Rochester, Massachusetts
HENRY DEWITT
SEAMAN
Age unknown
Black
Place of birth unknown
Deserted the ship in Peru. Did not take part in the disaster.
THOMAS NICKERSON
SEAMAN
14 years old
White
Born in Harwich, Massachusetts
Moved to Nantucket when six months old. Orphaned a few months later, in 1806. Lived with Nantucket grandparents Robert and Patience Gibson. Youngest member of the crew.
RICHARD PETERSON
SEAMAN
About 60 years old
Black
From New York state
Oldest member of the crew. Married. Fervently religious. Recruited in Boston.
CHARLES RAMSDELL
SEAMAN
15½ years old
White
Born on Nantucket
Middle son in a family of three boys. Father died in 1816.
BARZILLAI RAY
SEAMAN
17 years old
White
Born on Nantucket
Middle of seven children. Father died in 1812, mother in 1816, and two older sisters in 1818 and 1819.
SAMUEL REED
SEAMAN
Age unknown
Black
Place of birth unknown
Recruited in Boston.
ISAIAH SHEPPARD
SEAMAN
Age unknown
Black
Place of birth unknown
Recruited in Boston.
CHARLES SHORTER
SEAMAN
Age unknown
Black
Place of birth unknown
Recruited in Boston.
LAWSON THOMAS
SEAMAN
Age unknown
Black
Place of birth unknown
Recruited in Boston.
SETH WEEKS
SEAMAN
16 years old
White
Born in Barnstable, Massachusetts
JOSEPH WEST
SEAMAN
Age unknown
White
Place of birth unknown
WILLIAM WRIGHT
SEAMAN
18 years old
White
From Barnstable, Massachusetts
WILLIAM BOND
STEWARD
Age unknown
Black
Place of birth unknown
Recruited in Boston.
From the NHA Collections
(Click on an image for more detail)
