The Azores, Panorama of a Whaling Voyage: (Roll 1, Section 4)
Sailing Through the Atlantic Ocean, the Panorama Reveals the Many Islands of the Azores
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 1, Section 8/44 (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 encounter a rough storm in the Atlantic Ocean that will bring you to the Azores, where you will encounter the islands of Pico, Fayal, and St. Miguel.
Voyage MapNew Bedford Whaling Museum
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World"
"The 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 1, Section 8/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 8 of 44
The Gulf Stream
These sections show shipping in the Gulf Stream making very heavy weather of the storm.
These sections show shipping in the Gulf Stream making very heavy weather of the storm.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 1, Section 9/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 9 of 44
As the storm clears, an English paddle steamer Sirius is shown making the first Atlantic crossing entirely under steam in 1838. Russell obviously intended to comment on this historic ocean crossing.
This scene shows sperm whaling off the Azores Islands at sunrise.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 1, Section 10/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 10 of 44
Pico island
The Azores archipelago lies 2300 miles due east of New Bedford. The first island in the group to be seen when approaching from the west was often the volcanic peak of Pico Island. Pico and Fayal both rise dramatically and are painted with great and accurate detail.
Fayal Island, Azores, is shown with the whaleship Charles W. Morgan in the channel and an unidentified British merchantman under sail. The mountainous islands of Sao Jorge and Graciosa are visible in the distance.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 1, Section 11/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 11 of 44
Fayal Island
The ship Marengo of New Bedford flying the red, white and blue house flag of Jonathan Bourne, is shown at anchor at the port of Horta, Fayal.
The clock tower, Torre do Relogio, the main parish church, the Matriz, the Franciscans convent, the Angústias Parish Church, the old Flemish windmill, the Conceição church, and the fort Forte de Santa Cruz along the front of the harbor are all rendered carefully and accurately.
Ships leaving Fayal sailed past the old Fort of São Sebastião guarding the entrance.
"The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World" Roll 1, Section 12/44 (1848) by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Pierce PurringtonNew Bedford Whaling Museum
Section 12 of 44
In this scene a whale ship is shown hove-to for sperm whales. One whaleboat approaches a large sperm whale head-and-head, while another waits its chance to get fast off the island of St. Miguel, Azores.
End of Roll One
Here a whale ship is shown hove-to for sperm whales off the island of St. Miguel, Azores.
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