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 1810 - 1846 (35 years) Submit Photo / Document
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| Name |
Luke Williams Avery |
| Title |
Captain |
| Born |
1 Dec 1810 |
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Rufus Avery Family Records.
Rufus Avery Family Records. Groton, Connecticut vital records. |
| Gender |
Male |
| Library book: The Groton Avery Clan |
03407 |
| Occupation |
Luke was the Captain of the whaling ship "Allbee". |
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Port of Lahaina - Arrived.
The Polynesian (Hawaii), Saturday, August 15, 1846, Page 51. |
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Port of Honolulu - Arrived.
The Polynesian (Hawaii),Saturday, October 24, 1846, Page 93. |
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Thar She Blows! (11)
While many cultures and countries engaged in whaling this page is concerned with the history of the New England whaling industry. In no way should this be seen to justify modern whaling.
Commercial whaling in the United States began in the 17th century in New England. The industry peaked in 1846–1852 when the availability of petrochemicals and over-hunting made the practice increasingly impractical.
At one time whale oil was absolutely necessary. It's main uses were for household lighting and lubrication of machinery. There were alternatives to whale oil, but they were inferior in performance and cleanliness of burn. While the oil was the primary driver there were secondary products. The baleen some whales used to strain food from the sea were a secondary harvest. They were used in applications that would be accomplished in the modern world with plastic or steel. Simply put whale hunting allowed civilization to grow and prosper. |
| Died |
15 Aug 1846 |
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Luke Williams Avery Death
Polynesian (Honolulu, Hawaii) 24 Oct 1846, Saturday, Page 3 |
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Luke Williams Avery Death
The Friend, Honolulu, Hawaii, November 2, 1846 |
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Luke Williams Avery Death Location.
According to the location listed in his obituaries he was off the coast of the island now known as Iturup, which is Russian territory. |
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Sperm Whale Attack.
The death of Captain Avery is still being researched. However given what we know this is likely what the last moments looked like. We know it was a violent event by the condition of his body. Given that he choose to leave the ship and be on the scene of the hunt it's likely because it was a Sperm Whale which would have been the most valuable of the whales they hunted. It would also be the most aggressive. A sperm whale's jaw is on the bottom of it's head. To attack something on the surface it would roll over and strike up-side down.
This picture is from the book; The Cruise of the Cachalot : Round the World After Sperm Whales by Frank Thomas, Bullen, pace (facing) 234. Published 1906. While we don't know for sure this is likely what any one who witnessed the incident saw. |
| Buried |
Colonel Ledyard Cemetery, Groton, New London, Connecticut, United States  |
- Captain Luke was buried at sea. The stone at Colonel Ledyard Cemetery is a cenotaph.
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Luke Williams Avery & Guerdon Latham Avery Headstone.
Luke Williams Avery (cenotaph) & Guerdon Latham Avery headstone. |
 Siblings |
3 siblings |
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| Person ID |
I43054 |
Nagel |
| Last Modified |
17 Sep 2019 |
| Father |
Rufus Avery, Jr, b. 7 Mar 1785, Groton, New London, Connecticut |
| Relationship |
Birth |
| Mother |
Caroline Latham, b. 25 Jun 1783, Groton, New London, Connecticut , d. 14 Nov 1813, Groton, New London, Connecticut (Age 30 years) |
| Relationship |
Birth |
| Married |
2 Sep 1804 |
Groton, New London, Connecticut |
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Rufus Avery Family Records.
Rufus Avery Family Records. Groton, Connecticut vital records. |
| Family ID |
F13065 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family |
Hannah Morgan Mitchel, b. 18 Dec 1814, Groton, New London, Connecticut , d. 17 Nov 1903, Groton, New London, Connecticut (Age 88 years) |
| Married |
5 Sep 1835 |
| Type: |
| Last Modified |
11 Sep 2019 |
| Family ID |
F13748 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Event Map |
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 | Buried - - Colonel Ledyard Cemetery, Groton, New London, Connecticut, United States |
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| Pin Legend |
 : Address
 : Location
 : City/Town
 : County/Shire
 : State/Province
 : Country
 : Not Set |
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