Though most visitors come to see the famous Whaleman’s Chapel for its cenotaphs and Herman Melville’s pew, the Old Salt Box down below is home to many unique artifacts and treasures of its own. This booklet, for example, is the original log book from the Two Brothers whaleship in 1823. It has survived numerous voyages and years aboard the Two Brothers and was a crucial tool in the ship’s journeys. George Pollard Jr. was her captain after surviving a horribly traumatizing experience with the famous whaling ship, the Essex. The Two Brothers had operated a little over a decade until her unfortunate sinking on February 11th, 1823 near the French Frigate Shoals. She was later discovered in 2008 and this log book was donated to the New Bedford Port Society by the family of J. R. G. Gelinas. We are very grateful to have the opportunity to display such an old piece of our history that has survived centuries and would love for others to see it firsthand.
