Editorial: Portrait of Captain Laban Russell

Portrait of Captain Laban Russell 5

Presented by Fred Gardner

A FINE PORTRAIT of a successful Nantucket whaling masterCaptain Laban Russell-has been presented to the Nantucket Historical Association by Fred Gardner, of Nantucket and New Canaan, Conn. It is now on display at the Peter Foulger Museum. The artist is not recorded but it is the work of an experienced craftsman, and in all probability was painted in England, where Captain Russell commanded whaleships out of Milford Haven, Wales, and London, before returning to his homeland.

Captain Laban Russell was born in Nantucket on October 10,1780, the son of Hezekiah and Hepsabeth (Allen) Russell. His parents joined the migration to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where the Nantucketers established a whaling port after the Revolutionary War. In 1792, most of this whaling colony removed by invitation to Milford Haven, Wales, where they again launched a whaling fleet. Young Russell worked his way from ship's boy to officer and at the age of 25 was given command of the ship Charles, of Milford. In 1802 he had returned to Nantucket to marry Mary Hayden.

With the tides of fortune settling against Milford, he went to the port of London, and became the master of the whaleship Hydra, which sailed in February, 1817, for a 3-year voyage to the Pacific Ocean. At this time his wife, Mary Hayden Russell decided she would accompany her husband on the voyage, together with her 12-year-old son, William. This marked the first time a woman had gone on a whaling voyage with her husband. The voyage was a fine one, and Captain Russell was given command of a new ship, the Emily, of London, and when she sailed Mrs. Russell again was on board, this time with two of their sons, William and Charles.

The story of these experiences is recounted in W h a l e s a n d D e s t i n y .

Fred Gardner acquired the portrait over two decades ago, and has graciously donated it to Nantucket's whaling story. Upon viewing the painting even the most casual of visitors must be struck by the strong face of Captain Laban Russell. It reveals both confidence and determination-the very spirit of the young shipmasters who made Nantucket famous in two centuries of whaling throughout the watery world.

-Edouard A. Stackpole