Curated OER
Moby-Dick
Students take on the persona of a sailor or a captain of a whaling vessel in New England in the 1800s and write five journal entries as that person. In this Moby Dick lesson, students research the whaling industry in 19th...
Other
Martha's Vineyard Museum: Laura Jernegan: Girl on a Whaleship
Six-year-old Laura Jernegan, who kept a journal of her three-year voyage aboard a whaling ship (1868-71), left an enduring legacy of her time. Laura's journal follows the experiences of her family's journey and draws many memorable...
Curated OER
National Park Service: New Bedford Whaling Historical Park: History & Culture
This national park site offers insight into the economic stimulus whaling brought to New England and has left behind a strong history for that region.
Other
New Bedford Whaling Museum: Norman Fortier Photo Images of Sailing Vessels
Features a collection of photos pertaining to the whaling industry by Norman Fortier that were exhibited at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
Curated OER
National Park Service: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Read about the lives of the men and women in New Bedford. Massachusetts, in the heyday of whaling.
Other
New Bedford Historical Society: Lewis Temple
Biography of African-American Lewis Temple, whose toggle iron radically improved the harpoon used by whalers in the 19th century.
Other
Salariya: You Wouldn't Want to Sail on the Whaling Ship Essex!
This online book for younger readers tells pitfalls of sailing on a New England whaling ship. Although a cartoon format, it contains valid and useful information about whaling in New England.