We’d like to acknowledge and pay our respects to William Henry Fales, a courageous whaleman who boarded the Brig Sarah Louisa 183 years ago.
William was just 23 years old when his adventure began. Like many others at his age, the prospects and benefits of whaling was alluring, despite the dangers and hazards that came with it. At the time, William lived with his family at 42 Hill Street in New Bedford where his father was a well respected watchmaker. Whether it was to seek more funds or for the sake of adventure it self, William embarked on the Brig Sarah Louisa with Captain Ray G. Sanford and the rest of his crew.
Their time on the open seas were proven to be like that of any other whaling vessel, facing sickness, hunger, and most of all an unforgiving amount of waves. It was on May 29th, 1841 that tragedy struck as William was unfortunately lost overboard and drowned. As William was not only a vital crewmate but friend also, grief spread amongst the vessel while they sailed. Finally at home, Captain Sanford and his crew visited the Seamen’s Bethel and together erected a cenotaph in William’s name. Though the loss of William Henry Fales was heartbreaking for the community, his memory still lives on and his contribution never forgotten.