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1871 Whaling Disaster
Whaling DisasterWhale Oil
A fleet of whaling ships were sent out to get whale oil and bone, and throughout this time there was a disaster of the 1871 whaling fleet. Four ships were destroyed, in just a few months. After a few days the fleet was rescued. -
The Oriole is wrecked
The Oriole was struck by a large piece of ice, and was to badly damged to be repaired. It was left behind by the crew. The remaining crew was distributed throughout the rest of the fleet. -
The Monticello starts facing difficulty
On June 16th the Monticello was crossing a narrow passage. While the Monticello was in the passage it was hit in the bow by a piece of ice. It makes it out and continues to capture whales. -
The Eugenia has troubles
On September 1st 1871 ice packs started to break away from huge masses. One of these small ice packs smashed into the Eugenia's anchor, sending them toward the beach. When they were almost three quarters of a mile away from the beach when they got another anchor and stopped the boat. -
The Comet's flag was put at half-mast
The day after the Eugenia's troubles the lookout of The Henry Taber spotted The Comet's flag at half-mast (a signal of serious trouble).The Henry Taber sent out some people on whaleboats to check it out, and what they saw was that almost their entire boat was shattered . The Henry Taber sent out more boats and they rescued the crew, and distributed the crew throughout the fleet. -
The Roman is crushed
On September 3rd the Roman was crushed on all sides by huge packs of ice. Soon the ship started to shatter and sink. After fourty-five minutes the ship was completely sunk, and the crew ran onto the ice. -
The Ashawonks was sunk
On September 8th the Ashawonks was destroyed by ice. Since it was in shallow water at the time it did not sink all the way and just floated half under. This was a brutal strike at the entire fleet. -
Fraser and his men go for help
The chances of surviving were slim, so on September 8th Fraser took a few men to go to Icy Cape to look for the part of the fleet that listened to the Eskimos. Fraser only took a few men, because if the pathway wasnt possible to cross he didn't want all 1,200 people to die. The channel was to slim to go through with a big boat so they had to use small whaleboats. -
Fraser returns
After four days Fraser returns. Fraser's report is that the seven ships are still in Icy Cape and will help them. Although they will be rescued the report also states that they only have about a week to get to the boats or else the channel will freeze. -
The boats are abandoned
Two days after Fraser returns the flags are put upside down on every ship, indicating abandonment. The night of the thirteenth barely anyone even slept due to the horor of knowing what would happen tomorrow. Now the entire fleet has to get on the small whaleboats, and cross the channel before it freezes over. -
The whalers are rescued
After two days of rowing the fleet finally makes it to the seven whaleboats in Icy Cape. It was a herioc and historical day, since over 1,000 people were saved that day. The seven whale ships made the survivors very welcome and some even gave up their beds for the wet and cold woman and children.