Today’s little illustration was inspired by…old whaling journals!
In the 19th century, travelers on whaling ships would record daily events in official logbooks and personal diaries. Sea routes, ship repairs, weather conditions and daily activities were documented in pen and ink–oftentimes accompanied by the most charming artwork. I could lose myself for hours in those tattered pages. Links below in the captions, where you can go down the rabbit hole yourself… Auction websites are also great resources for perusing pages of some privately-owned beauties.
Log of the Ship Washington, 1842. Source: Nantucket Historical Association.
Journal of the Bengal out of Salem, 1832. Source: Providence Public Library.
Logbook of the Lewis of Dorchester, 1835. Source: New Bedford Whaling Museum.
Journal of the Kate Cory out of Westport, 1861. Source: Providence Public Library.
Log of the Ship Indian Chief, 1842. Source: Nantucket Historical Association.