American Whaler, Schooner CARRIE W. CLARK of Providence, Massachusetts"
Three Voyages, First under Captain Elisha Burch, Commencing the 20th of March 1876 to Sept. 19th, 1877; Second Voyage, Captain Marshall, November 6, 1877 to May 30, 1879, & Ship Sailing, August 6th, 1881 to September 12, 1881.Written by Captain Elisha S. Burch, Mate George M. Tarr of Rockport, & another hand.
American Whaling Schooner of 116 tons owned by the Central Wharf Company of Providencetown, Mass.
A member of the last age of American Whaling enterprise, the Schooner CARRIE W. CLARK faced the evolution of the discovery of petroleum drilled from the earth and the technical innovations of the distillation of kerosene, gas and oil. Whale oil was still considered superior for lighting and machinery even after the American Civil War.
The log book has the workman-like consistency of recording the prevailing weather for each day's beginning and end, with coordinates and ship duties. It shines in the account of the fish taken and encountered, as well as recording which other vessels are interacted with by her crews. Best of all, there are whale stamps in the pages, visually marking the successful catch of the aquatic mammals. A factual written account of a fading yet important chapter of nautical and American history.
