251: Thar She Blows: The History of Whales and America

Whale deaths are reaching record numbers in 2019. According to
the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association, gray whale
deaths are “notably greater than the average” and have led the
NOAA to declare the occurrence an Unusual Mortality Event (UME).
In addition, NOAA considers the death rates of North Atlantic
right whales an urgent conservation crisis leading the U.S. to
begin working with Canada this month to help protect the species.


 


This week, BackStory revisits our two episodes on the history of
whales and America. We’re re-releasing part one, “Thar She Blows”
on July 31. In this episode, Brian, Nathan and Joanne explore how
Native American whalers faced stereotypes within the industry,
how whaling went from boom to bust, and learn how a real white
whale named Mocha Dick became the inspiration for Herman
Melville’s novel.


 


In part two, “Thar She Blows Again” (releasing on Aug. 2), Ed
joins the rest of the team to uncover the story of Cabin Boys who
were women in disguise, find out why a traveling whale was turned
away from a Midwestern Town, and learn all about the Black whaler
and entrepreneur who became one of the wealthiest men in
America.

Images: Ep 1 - Jonathan Fisher woodcut, published in the 1833
book "Scripture Animals," courtesy of the Jonathan Fisher
Memorial, Blue Hill, Maine.

Ep 2 - "Whalers Heading Towards A Whale" Source: The New York
Public Library Digital Collections

BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep
the episodes coming by supporting the show:
https://www.backstoryradio.org/support