
Many Nantucketers died from the actions of angered sperm whales and some perished due to the poor judgement of their captains. But disease and shipboard accidents were also leading causes of death among Nantucket whalers, as well as among Nantucket fishermen and merchant sailors more generally. Research carried out at the NHA has identified over 1,100 seafarers lost aboard Nantucket vessels between 1724 and 1896. Their sacrifices stand as a testament to the human cost of whaling, fishing, and trading from a small island community. Learn more
This searchable database was developed to remember these brave individuals, listing their names and what we know about them.
Contact the NHA Research Library at library@nha.org if you have additional information on Nantucket mariners in the database or any not included.
LEGEND:
*Â denotes individuals who were residents of Nantucket
” ” denotes content from source material
Sources include Account Book 54 (NHA Manuscript Collection), the Barney Genealogical Record, The Inquirer and Mirror, and the Nantucket Journal.