24
Whaling Museum Report When I took over from Ripley. Nelson as chairman last Octo ber I broke out in a cold sweat, induced, I am sure, by an almost total ignorance of both whaling and museums. I am still perspir ing freely, but at much closer to normal body temperature now that I realize what should have been obvious from the start: the great reservoir of experience, talent, and good old-fashioned elbow grease that were at my disposal merely for the asking. First and foremost, "Rip" has responded with unfailing generosity to all requests for information and guidance drawn from his 20 years of dedicated and highly productive leadership. He couldn't have made me feel more comfortable about -calling on him. Charlie Sayle, "Bud" Egan and Marriott King, all long-time members of the Advisory Committee of the museum, each went over plans with me on the ground and gave me their encourage ment and helpful suggestions. If I were a more sensitive man I would be downright embarrassed about the heavy demands I made on Charlie's time. He spent many hours working with me at the museum and also gave me some much needed basic educa tion in Nantucket whaling lore. At least a little of what he told me did sink in, if I do say so myself. I now know the difference between a whaleship and a whaleboat! As new members of the Advisory Committee, Paul Madden and Barbara Johnson are bringing us a high degree of compe tence and personal interest and they have already made valuable contributions to our planning and its implementation. Paul is not not only a knowledgeable antiquarian but he will roll up his sleeves and hang a picture correctly without the use of a slide rule or strong language. Barbara has been a collector of all things whaling for many years and is in great demand as a lecturer on the subject. I am sure that the museum will benefit a great deal from their active participation. Finally, Ed Stackpole, George Jones and Roy True have all done their best to keep me out of serious trouble. I have made it a point to touch base with one or more of them before making any decision I felt to be important but, in retrospect, not even I myself like everything I have done and it stands to reason that, even if they haven't said so, none of them does either. All of which sounds as though I had turned the museum upside down and had to be physically restrained from tearing it apart. To this I plead "not guilty." I have an ex-banker's respect for a healthy income account and an instinctive reluctance to fool around too much with a winning combination. Besides,.
