Northwest & Fiji, Panorama of a Whaling Voyage: (Roll 4, Section 2)
The Remaining Fragments of the Panorama Conclude at the Northwest Coast and Fiji
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 4, Section 41/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
In this final known 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 witness epic whaling scenes.
Ships can be seen boiling whale oil through the night as the voyage passes by the North West Coast and the islands of Fiji, capturing the intensity and endurance of life aboard a whaling vessel.
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 4, Section 41/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 41 of 44
Whaling in the Northwest Coast
The ship Omega of Fairhaven, Henry D. Gardner, master, with three of her boats down after a hard-fighting right whale. Between May 19 and June 21, 1845, the Omega saw whales 23 times, lowered 19 times and lost 14 whales for a variety of reasons, saving only 5.
Russell aims to show the intensity and dangers of whaling in a region he spent months in. The violent stove boat scene highlights the notorious black whales of the Northwest Coast, known for their bad temper, difficulty to catch, and tendency to sink once killed.
The ship in the foreground is bringing a full head of whalebone onboard. The baleen of the right whale fishery drove a significant part of the commodity market.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 4, Section 42/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 42 of 44
Russell goes into great detail here showing the cutting-in process for both whalebone and blubber.
He also captures the appearance of ships boiling oil at night and the determination of whaling masters to lower boats for whales even though night is falling.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 4, Section 43/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 43 of 44
Fiji
The warm equatorial waters of the central Pacific, including the sperm whaling grounds "On the Line" and around New Zealand, were winter destinations for whalers. Long voyages with poor food, harsh discipline, and dangerous work took a toll.
On November 6, 1842, three crew members mutinied on the Sharon of Fairhaven, killing Captain Howes Norris. They brandished weapons onboard while men in boats tried to retake the ship.
The Fiji Islands are the final port of call. In this view of Ovalou, however, not much stands out separating it from other island views. Most prominent are the canoes, described by period visitors as "superior to those of the other islands".
The artists outline the architecture, with pronounced ridge poles, steep roofs, and fences. These structures differ from those found elsewhere in the Pacific being substantial structures specially fabricated by house carpenters whose life’s work is to build them.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 4, Section 44/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 44 of 44
There is a visible seam in the painting and the remainder of the scene bears only little relevance to what went before. What is meant to be shown could be a childbirth scene, as Fijian women were often segregated either alone or with a midwife during childbirth.
End of Roll Four
The final view of this steamer remains unidentified.
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