Cape Verde, Panorama of a Whaling Voyage: (Roll 2, Section 1)
The Panorama Explores Cape Verde, Capturing a Destructive Volcanic Eruption
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 13/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
In this section of the "Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World", the longest painting in North America, created by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce Purrington in 1848, you'll experience a portrayal of a whaling voyage that spans the globe.
Here, you will see the distinctive Lyon's Head Mountain on the Isle of Sal, visit the islands of Santiago and Brava in Cape Verde, and experience the massive eruption of the volcano Fogo.
Voyage MapNew Bedford Whaling Museum
"Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World"
This highlighted section of the voyage is depicted here on this line. Scroll through this story to continue the voyage.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 13/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 13 of 44
Beginning of Roll Two
A large American East Indiaman merchant ship sails bravely across the Atlantic Ocean.
About 1500 miles south of the Azores in the North Atlantic, a merchant brig passes the island of São Nicolau, Cape Verde Islands. This scene shows the most common sailing passage through Cape Verde from the north, passing between São Nicolau and the Isle of Sal.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 14/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 14 of 44
Isle of Sal
The voyage continues past Bird Island at the entrance to Mordeira harbor, Isle of Sal.
A full-rigged ship with studding sails set sails out to sea past the distinctive headland of Lyon’s Head on the Isle of Sal.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 15/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 15 of 44
Santiago
Ships are shown approaching the island of Santiago, Cape Verde
The important port town of Porto Praya at Santiago (St. Jago in sailor’s parlance) sits on a bluff overlooking the harbor. An American consul had been stationed at Porto Praya since around 1818 as the port was advantageous and important to American merchant shipping.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 16/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 16 of 44
Cidade Velha
Yankee whalers are shown at anchor off Cidade Velha, a town near Porto Praya. Cidade Velha was a center of the slave trade and such schooners were frequently employed as fast-sailing slavers.
Shipping is shown in the waters of the Cape Verde Islands.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 17/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 17 of 44
Fogo Eruption
The spectacular eruption of the volcano at Fogo, Cape Verde in 1847. Fogo, or the“mountain of fire” was described in published books of sailing directions as “burning continuously,” hence its name.
Rain or ash from the volcano falls from the sky over shipping in the waters between Fogo and Brava, Cape Verde Islands.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 18/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 18 of 44
Brava
Rain or volcanic ash falls as a whale ship “stands off and on” and a boat goes onshore for recruits at Brava Island, Cape Verde. This island was among the most important and frequent ports of call for recruits.
A whale ship lies hove-to, and a merchant brigantine “stands off and on” the coast of Brava.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 2, Section 19/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 19 of 44
In this major sperm whaling scene: the lowering of the boats to assist in the capture of a large, fighting spermwhale, the man at the mast-head on lookout, the ship hove-to, a dead whale waifed and awaiting retrieval, and the boats of other whalers involved in the hunt.
The waters between Cape Verde and South America included some very good whaling grounds. In this scene, the ship Trident of New Bedford is shown cutting in a whale, while fleets of ships and topsail schooners approach the coast of Brazil.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.