Press Releases

SAILOR SERIES CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF EXPLORATION AT THE NEW BEDFORD WHALING MUSEUM

2010 Series launches February 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Museum Theater

(NEW BEDFORD, MA) – Celebrating its 20th year, the Sailor Series illustrated lectures feature topics on a wide range of experiences and adventures by individuals with lifelong commitments to sailing, boats, and the sea. "The Whaling Museum is extremely pleased to mark this 20th anniversary of the Sailors Series with an exciting group of speakers with presentations themed around the world's great cruising grounds for both man and whales," said James Russell, museum president.

This year's series of four lectures launches on Tuesday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Museum Theater with former New Bedford Mayor, John Bullard presenting "Two Voyages North." President of the Sea Education Association (SEA), John Bullard has sailed and raced extensively. In 2007 he sailed on SEA's research vessel, Corwith Cramer, from Bermuda north to Nova Scotia and then joined Ned Cabot's Ceilita for a trip from the Shetland Islands to Svalbard, passing north of 80° latitude. John will focus his discussion on these two voyages and will share his experiences of climate change, remote places, science, and adventure through engaging stories and striking photography.

On March 23, the series continues with Victor Pinheiro presenting, "The Azores: From Whaler's Refuge to Sailor's Destination." New Bedford whaleships regularly stopped in the Azores to replenish their supplies and take on additional crew members. Today, the Azores are a popular destination for sailors and tourists seeking pleasant sailing and picturesque scenery. Victor Pinheiro, President of the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society, will trace the historical relationship between New Bedford and the Azores and highlight the cultural ties that still bind the two locations. He will engage the audience with tales of Azorean life and culture, sailing around the Azores and planning maritime regattas.

On April 20, the third lecture features Dr. Ned Cabot's "Weathering Cape Horn: An East-to-West Passage Under Sail." Known as the "Whaleship Graveyard," Cape Horn was a treacherous passage for whaleships traveling to the Pacific hunting grounds. Ned Cabot, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Sea Education Association and a member of the Board of Directors of Sailors for the Sea, has recently returned from a voyage around Cape Horn from the Falkland Islands to the west coast of Chile aboard the 64-foot sloop Ocean Watch. He will use photos and anecdotes to deliver an engaging talk about his adventures cruising in the area. Ned is an accomplished surgeon, educator and sailor and has sailed to many fascinating locations around the world. In the summer of 2005, he sailed trans-Atlantic on a northern passage from Nova Scotia to Scotland via Labrador, Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. And in 2007 he sailed from Scotland to Spitsbergen, topping out above 80°. Ned is a member of the Cruising Club of America and has published a number of articles on sailing in the North Atlantic.

On May 25 the series concludes with Astrid Tollefsen's "Following the Waters: Voices from the Final Norwegian Emigration." Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts and the daughter of a Norwegian fishing captain, author Astrid Tollefsen, M.Ed. served as a teacher, naval officer and senior executive in both educational and non-profit organizations. Her experiences and drive to connect with her father's heritage led her to write her first book, Following the Waters: Voices from the Final Norwegian Emigration. The book chronicles the lives of courageous twentieth-century Norwegian emigrant fishermen and their families, known as "pendlers." These men and women settled in New Bedford, where they used their exceptional maritime skills to help found the scallop industry and improve the fishing industry. Astrid's lecture will focus on the Norwegian emigration to the United States in the 20th century, along with its inherent dangers, complications, triumphs and tragedies. She will illustrate her talk with handouts and selected readings from her book. A book signing will follow the lecture. All lectures start at 7:30 p.m. in the Museum Theater. A reception at 6:30 p.m. is held in the Jacobs Family Gallery prior to each lecture. Admission for the series is $50 for members, $75 for non-members. For individual lectures: $15 for members, $20 for non-members. To reserve tickets, please call 508-997-0046 ext. 100.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world's most comprehensive museum devoted to the global story of whales and whaling. The cornerstone of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located at 18 Johnny Cake Hill in the heart of the city's historic downtown and is open daily. For a complete calendar of events, visit the Whaling Museum online at www.whalingmuseum.org. Join the Museum's online community at flickr.com www.flickr.com/photos/nbwm, facebook.com http://www.facebook.com/whalingmuseum, Twitter www.twitter.com/whalingmuseum, and blog at www.whalingmuseumblog.org.