Lewis Family

We not only learn more about the privileges whaling captains possessed but also commemorate the Lewis family and the crew of the Viola who perished far too soon. It was on September 4th, 1917 that Captain Joseph Lewis embarked on a whaling voyage with his wife Laura M. Lewis and his four year old daughter, Dorothy L. Lewis. It was mainly whaling captains who were only allowed to bring their close families along as room and provisions were limited. About half of a year went by with no word of the vessel and Laura’s sister, Amelia Nansett Trask grew worried. The family had owned property, specifically 223 North St. in New Bedford and its occupants had not been home for its upkeep. Many had speculations as to what happened. The first theory was that the ship itself had capsized somewhere between New Bedford and Cape Verde. The second, more popular belief is that the Viola had been sunk by a German submarine. During this time, World War I was in full swing, causing terror and fear at every point. There were reports of German submarines in the same waters with the Viola however other whaling ships in that area seemed to not fear being attacked. Though it was never discerned what really occurred, Captain and Mrs. Lewis’s will was presented in Probate in January of 1919. Then seventeen years later in September of 1936, Amelia Trask reached out to the New Bedford Port Society requesting to memorialize her family. It was decided after a conference with Mrs. Trask the best way was to craft a custom cenotaph which was later dedicated on February 21st, 1937 and resides in the Whaleman’s Chapel today.