When you think of Nantucket, you think an intimate New England island, bike paths, beaches, white picket fences and clapboard buildings. You’ll find all of this on ACK (the airport code for the island and thus referred to as such by insiders), but many forget the island’s history as the whaling capital of the world.
We visited the island’s Whaling Museum, a small but fascinating stop in our day of lounging. The lives of the men who spent years at see hunting sperm whales for oil, and the process that went into their battles at sea? While I certainly am happy whaling is no longer a viable industry in America, I’m amazed by the process. These men risked life and limb, while their wives and children stayed at home, hoping for their safe return. “Moby Dick” was inspired by a true tale of a sperm whale that attacked and eventually sank a whaling boat. The oil of the whale was so valuable, every last drop was taken. This meant young boys and the smallest men were even lowered into the heads of sperm walls, to scoop out the oil. There are whales of tales at this museum, and if you visit the island this summer, definitely make a point to stop in.
Nantucket’s Whaling Museum
