 1860 - 1932 (72 years)
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| Name |
George Frederick Tilton |
| Title |
Captain |
| Birth |
12 Jan 1860 |
Chilmark, Dukes, Massachusetts  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Military Service |
U.S. Navy, WWI |
| He spent 4 years in the Navy during WWI. |
| Occupation |
He ran away from home at age 14, stowing himself aboard a New Bedford whaling schooner. He spent more than 40 years hunting whales eventually becoming a captain. In 1897 he was serving as third mate of the whaler "Belvedere". His ship became one of eight trapped in Arctic ice near Point Barrow, Alaska. 265 sailors were stranded. With the men in danger of starvation, Tilton stuffed his pockets full of crackers and set out to travel 3000 miles over ice using a dog sled and by foot. When the SS Charles W. Morgan was opened to the public he was hired to be her captain. |
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Ice Bound Whaler
The Daily Call, San Fransisco, California, Saturday, April 9 1898 page 1. |
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Ice Bound Whalers
The Daily Call, San Fransisco, California, Saturday, April 9 1898 page 2. |
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Ice Bound Whalers
The Daily Call, San Fransisco, California, Saturday, April 9 1898 page 12. |
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Marched from Arctic Wilds
The Daily Call, San Fransisco, California, Monday, April 11 1898 page 3. |
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SS Charles W Morgan.
The Charles W. Morgan is significant because of over 2,700 American whaling ships it is the only one that still exists. it is the oldest commercial ship in existence. Only the USS Constitution is older. |
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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. |
| Death |
4 Nov 1932 |
Newport, Newport, Rhode Island |
| Person ID |
I62055 |
Nagel |
| Last Modified |
12 Dec 2021 |
| Family |
Lucy Irene Look, b. 12 Sep 1869, Chilmark, Dukes, Massachusetts d. 8 Dec 1932, Chilmark, Dukes, Massachusetts (Age 63 years) |
| Marriage |
16 Jan 1900 |
Chilmark, Dukes, Massachusetts |
| Family ID |
F18865 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Last Modified |
12 Dec 2021 |
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| Event Map |
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 | Birth - 12 Jan 1860 - Chilmark, Dukes, Massachusetts |
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| Marriage - 16 Jan 1900 - Chilmark, Dukes, Massachusetts |
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 | Death - 4 Nov 1932 - Newport, Newport, Rhode Island |
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| Pin Legend |
 : Address
 : Location
 : City/Town
 : County/Shire
 : State/Province
 : Country
 : Not Set |
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