The Descendants of Whaling Masters: Preserving America’s Maritime Legacy

The Descendants of Whaling Masters (DWM) is a hereditary and historical organization dedicated to preserving the memory of the men and families who led one of America’s most iconic industries — the whaling trade. Established in the mid-20th century, the Society celebrates the courage, seamanship, and cultural impact of those who commanded whaling vessels during the height of the industry from the 18th to the 19th centuries.

From the bustling ports of New Bedford and Nantucket, Massachusetts, to Sag Harbor, New York, and New London, Connecticut, whaling masters were among the most skilled and daring mariners of their era. Their descendants continue to honor this rich maritime legacy through research, preservation, and education.

Formation of the Society

The Descendants of Whaling Masters was founded in 1974 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. by Dorothy Leavitt Howland, widow of whaling tales author Chester Scott Howland. The best-selling writer’s father was Captain George Lyman Howland of the New Bedford whaler Canton, and his elder brother was James Lyman Howland, whose daughter Ellen became the Descendants’ first chairman.

The Society was formally incorporated in Massachusetts as a nonprofit, with the dual purpose of honoring whaling heritage and connecting descendants across the country. Its founders emphasized that the whaling industry — often romanticized in literature such as Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick — was not just an adventure, but also a highly skilled, dangerous, and vital enterprise that powered the young nation’s economy through the trade of oil, bone, and other maritime products.

Mission and Purpose

The mission of the Descendants of Whaling Masters centers on preservation, education, and fellowship. Specifically, the organization aims to:

Honor the memory and achievements of whaling masters and those associated with the whaling industry.
Preserve and promote the history of American and international whaling through research, archives, and historical partnerships.
Encourage genealogical research among descendants of whaling captains, crews, and shipbuilders.
Support maritime education, historical scholarship, and museum exhibitions that document the industry’s legacy.

Through this mission, the Society seeks to maintain a living connection between modern Americans and the maritime pioneers who once circled the globe in pursuit of whale oil and adventure.

Membership

Membership in the Descendants of Whaling Masters is open to:

Descendant – direct descendant of a whaling master
Relative – ndirect relationship to a whaling master or crew; i.e. niece, nephew
Crew– direct descendant of a whaleman
Associate – spouse of a descendant, relative or crew member
Family – descendants, relative or crew, spouses and their direct family members under the age of 21
Contributing – interested Individuals

The Society has members from across the United States and abroad — including descendants of American, British, Portuguese, and Polynesian whalers who contributed to the global reach of the industry.

Activities and Contributions

The Descendants of Whaling Masters is an active organization with a strong focus on education, public history, and fellowship. Its key initiatives include:

Annual Meetings – These events feature maritime historians, genealogists, and museum curators discussing the history of whaling and its cultural impact.
Partnership with the New Bedford Whaling Museum – The DWM collaborates with the museum to preserve artifacts, ship logs, and personal papers of whaling families.
Genealogical Resources – The Society maintains a database of whaling masters and their voyages, assisting descendants in tracing their family histories.
Scholarships and Educational Outreach – Supporting students pursuing studies in maritime history and museum curation.
Publications and Exhibits – Members contribute to exhibitions, books, and newsletters that explore whaling routes, ships, and crew life.

Through these programs, the DWM ensures that the maritime traditions of the past continue to inspire scholarship and pride in New England and beyond.

The Broader Legacy of Whaling Masters

Whaling masters were among the most accomplished navigators of the 18th and 19th centuries. They charted unknown oceans, managed multi-year voyages, and developed sophisticated shipboard economies. Many were also early naturalists, keeping detailed records of ocean currents, weather, and marine life.

The whaling industry itself was a cornerstone of early American economic growth — providing oil for lamps, bone for fashion and tools, and employment for thousands. It also had a profound cultural and ecological impact, influencing everything from literature to global trade routes.

By documenting this history, the Descendants of Whaling Masters preserves the legacy of courage, innovation, and endurance that defined an entire maritime generation.

Conclusion

The Descendants of Whaling Masters stands as a bridge between the daring mariners of America’s whaling past and the historians, genealogists, and families who keep their memory alive today.

Through preservation, research, and education, the Society ensures that the courage and skill of these seafaring pioneers — men who sailed from the ports of New England to the farthest corners of the world — will never be forgotten.

In honoring the whaling masters, their descendants also honor the spirit of exploration, endurance, and enterprise that helped shape both America’s maritime identity and its global legacy.