New Bedford, Panorama of a Whaling Voyage: (Roll 1, Section 1)
See how the Panorama begins in the heart of New Bedford
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 1, Section 1/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
The Panorama depicts the story of American whaling and cultural contacts born of this global industry now ingrained in the unique multi-cultural landscape that makes New Bedford.
Every museum has its iconic treasures, which are often qualified by superlatives: the oldest, the biggest, the smallest, the grandest, the rarest, the best example of its type. The New Bedford Whaling Museum’s Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World is not only a superlative – the Longest Painting in North America! – it is in fact a rich tapestry of fascinating narratives inherent to our mission which delight, inform and, in this case, entertain.
The ArtistsNew Bedford Whaling Museum
The Artists
Benjamin Russell (1804-1885) & Caleb Purrington (1812-1875)
Local artists Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce Purrington completed the Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World in 1848. Russell spent forty two months (1841-1844) on a whaling voyage aboard the ship Kutusoff of New Bedford on a sperm and right whaling voyage to the Indian Ocean and the North Pacific.
When he returned, Purrington joined him in creating this magnificent painting as a commercial enterprise for public entertainment. Performed as a moving panorama, the 1275' long and 8' high painting was separated onto alternating spools and scrolled through in a theatrical setting. It depicts in fascinating detail the voyage of a typical mid-1800s New Bedford whaleship on its journey “‘round the world” in pursuit of whales.
Voyage MapNew Bedford Whaling Museum
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World"
This highlighted section of the voyage depicts New Bedford. Scroll through this story to continue the voyage.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 1, Section 1/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 1 of 44
Beginning of Roll 1
The Grand Panorama of A Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World begins looking west across the Acushnet River toward the Acushnet Heights section of New Bedford.
New Bedford
The railroad passes the Wamsutta Mills cotton cloth factory at far right and a farmer’s windmill dominates the heights. The mansions of whaling merchants line County Street along the hilltop, and the City Common green space falls away beneath them.
In the foreground is Mrs. Charlotte Pope’s house. Her husband, Edward Pope who built the house on Pope’s Island, was town constable. Behind it is the Pearl Street Railway Depot. Traffic crosses the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge, an important conduit between the two seaports.
The smoking stack of the New Bedford Steam Mill Company rises in the middle distance. Samuel Rodman, Jr. built this factory to manufacture cotton cloth in 1846.
The stack of the Acushnet Iron Foundry on Fish Island also rises prominently while whaling merchant John Avery Parker’s red brick counting house sits at the foot of the bridge.
This view highlights the city center, including the churches identified by their steeples (left to right,) the First Baptist Church, the North Congregational Church, the North Christian Church, and the Pacific Congregational Church.
The U.S. Custom House, with its grey granite pillars, sits in center of the business district. Coastal and small craft ply the waters, whale ships tie up at several wharves, offloading cargo, outfitting for another voyage, or “hove-down” at wharf-side undergoing repair.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 1, Section 2/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 2 of 44
With the Unitarian Church at the head of Union Street, this view also shows much of the city center, specifically the courthouse on the hill, and the flag marking the site of the Seamen’s Bethel.
South of Union Street there are more neighborhoods including churches, residences, commercial structures, the steam ferry wharf, and still more wharves.
Anchored in the stream is a U.S. Revenue Cutter, probably meant to represent the USRC McLane which was stationed at New Bedford in the 1830s. The working harbor is full of small craft including two men in a rowboat towing a raft of logs.
Further south, the marine traffic includes an outbound whaler, the ship Courier, shown hove-to in the stream preparing to receive the last of her crew.
A full-rigged ship at anchor, the ship William Hamilton, is shown taking her crew onboard preparing to sail on a whaling voyage to the Indian Ocean.
In the background two men in a rowboat are towing a schooner upriver. A tall signal flag on shore announces the arrival of a whaler in the outer bay.
The south end of the city is largely residential, and the austere granite Greek Revival façade of the Joseph Grinnell mansion is shown in its place on the hilltop. The Grinnell mansion still stands today.
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