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Learn More about Proper Crew and Officer Legacies 

Who ran whaling? 'Creative Teams' of crew from throughout the 'whaling world.'  Who kept Annie safe and contributed the most to her resilience (and made her toys)? These family men from all over the world. These peoples who ran whaling – from often ancient, far-flung, thriving and creative communities keep their legacies are alive, below. in museums and heritage and cultural centers, and in a vast trail throughout Southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Wampanoag whalers from 'Mashpee to Cape Cod' and Gay Head, Nantucket, were among the greatest and most sought after crew and officers. "The Aquinnah Cultural Center aims to preserve, educate, and document the Aquinnah Wampanoag self-defined history, culture and contributions past, present and future."

The 'first stop' out of New Bedford, the Azores, was a lifesaver for sailors already in need of its fresh food and succor. Great Azorean whalemen might see family, or  rejoin as crew, while sailors would take some dry land (and sometimes desert). Then, the great tack east to Brazil would begin.

The vast scope of whaling made the industry dependent on recruiting (and retaining), the best sailors – from green hands to officers. Cape Verdeans, the furthest west on the routes from New Bedford, and from where some ships tacked east to South America, were invaluable.

Paul Cuffe is not only illustrious as a captain and ship owner, but as an entrepreneur, abolitionist, and advisor to other greats. At their family table he inspires his descendants – of his Wampanoag and Ashanti heritage – to create the Paul Cuffe Trail. Spend an hour, or explore this world for a week.

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