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THBBILL OF SALE FOR THE INFAMOUS NANTUCKET WHALESHIP "PLANTER", Dated April 15, 1857 14" x 8.5" folded.
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LiveAug 7, 2025
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- Lot Description
BILL OF SALE FOR THE INFAMOUS NANTUCKET WHALESHIP "PLANTER"
Dated April 15, 1857
Double-sided folding pre-printed document with handwritten notations. For a one-quarter share of the vessel "as she returned from her last voyage" for the sum of $1,300 by Edward G. Kelley (1818-1901), a silversmith, merchant, real estate speculator and shipping agent active on Nantucket from the 1830s to the 1850s. Notes ownership interests including Benjamin Coffin, Robert Gardner, David Edwards, Joseph Edwards, George Gardner, R.B. Folger's estate, Benj' Folger's estate, Edwin Hammond, William Gardner, Chase Folger, E.W. Gardner, Elisha Parker, Susan Macy and Ed' R. Folger, all of Nantucket. "Nantucket" mentioned at least nine times throughout the document. Differing images of spread-wing eagles at the top of two pages.
14" x 8.5" folded.
Reference:
"Shipyard Arson" by Amy Jenness in "Yesterday's Island, Today's Nantucket: Nantucket History & People", October 1, 2015.
Notes:
The "Planter" was built in 1818 in Middletown, Connecticut. She was first owned and managed by the Coffin family and successfully navigated the many perils of the sea for decades before running into a streak of bad luck: she went aground during a storm on Nantucket in 1841, and her second mate, Andrew Brock, and two men drowned after their boat capsized in 1844.
Most notoriously, in 1850 the crew left its captain, Issac B. Hussey, in Micronesia after he shot and killed a crew member during a mutiny. The ship had departed Nantucket in 1847 and three years into the voyage a few rebellious crew members threw a cask of beef overboard to express their displeasure at being served spoiled food. Hussey announced no more beef would be served until those who committed the act came forward; the crew members responded by refusing to work. As recalled by his nephew, the decisive Hussey shot ringleader William Clark in the head. The mutinous crew left Hussey in the South Pacific and Joseph Fisher, the first mate, took command. Once home on Nantucket, Fisher was charged with aiding Hussey with Clark's murder, but the case was dismissed. Commissioner George S. Hilliard said the crew had acted with insubordination and Hussey committed no crime in ending the escalating mutiny and taking back control of his ship.
Hussey left Micronesia in 1852 in command of the San Francisco brig William Penn and headed for America, but off the Gilbert Islands on November 6 the crew mutinied and killed Hussey and the ship's cook. The mutineers stole everything on the ship and were never apprehended.
The Planter sailed from Nantucket to the Pacific one last time in 1852. By that time, Nantucket had lost its domination of the whaling industry. A devastating fire in 1846 destroyed the downtown, docks and many ships, shifting sands created a sand bar at the entrance of the harbor, making ship passage difficult, and a number of men and vessels were lost to the California Gold Rush. Planter was one of only 13 whaleships to set out that year, and six of them would be sold or destroyed before returning home.
Planter's career came to an end October 26, 1859, when an arsonist torched and destroyed her while she was dry-docked in a Brant Point shipyard, where repairs were being made to the hull.Condition
Creased, as would be expected. Very light soiling but generally well-preserved.
The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction. - Shipping Info
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SHIPPING: We require prompt payment and removal of your purchases as stated in Paragraph 12 of our Conditions of Sale. Arrangements to pick up or ship your purchases must be made within seven (7) days from the close of the auction. All items must be removed from Eldred's facilities within fourteen (14) days of the close of the auction. All items remaining after fourteen days may be subject to a $5/per item/per day storage fee. No items will be released unless storage fees are paid in full. Items remaining over thirty (30) days from the close of the auction may be sold for the buyer's account minus auction and storage fees. SHIPPING OF PURCHASES Shipping is not included in the purchase price. Eldred's is happy to help coordinate and recommend shipping agents. PICK-UP OF PURCHASES If you plan to pick up your purchases, please call ahead and we'll make every effort to have your items ready. Items in this auction may be located at an outside storage facility, so please call ahead.
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