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 instructional activity, students research the whaling...
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.