Abby Jane Morrell sailed with her husband Benjamin on a voyage between 1829 and 1831 aboard his schooner Antarctic. Both wrote books describing the voyage although Benjamin was considered less than truthful and it is his wife’s account that has survived. At that time the whaling industry was reaching its peak and New England ports sent out a steady stream of vessels on whale catching and sealing expeditions, when the value of a single cargo could cover the cost of a new ship’s construction, fitting out, crewing and stores, but still provide a generous profit.
