Journey into the heart of 19th-century American whaling through Margaret S. Creighton’s meticulous research. This essential exploration of maritime history, spanning 1830-1870, unveils the rich social fabric of life at sea based on over 200 personal testimonies. Delve into the daily experiences of sailors and the authority of shipmasters, discover unique seafaring rituals, and understand the vital, often unacknowledged, roles of women in shipboard culture. A must-read for students of social history, maritime studies, and enthusiasts eager to understand the profound human stories behind a defining era of global seafaring.