Evolution of the Whale Oil Lamp

wich Glassworks advertised a new type of lamp as a "high blown stem lamp." This led to the invention of a practical lamp for general purposes in which the flame would be 7-10 inches above the surface on which it stood. Now the light would shine down on the surface not simply across it. These new table lamps featured an elongated blown glass stem. At first, this central hollow shaft was rather awkward and fragile, so without lowering the height of the lamp, the shape and weight of the base were altered to make it less likely to tip. Next, the free blown spherical font was elongated to a pearshape and its base became a series of ascending steps. With time, the middle column was shortened until it was just a small hollow knob, and finally a solid, thin wafer, which then served only to attach the font to the pressed base.

In the 1840's both base and font were pressed and joined while hot with a glass wafer; and by 1876, Atterbury in Pittsburgh, advertised that they could finally press lamps in one part, which made them "stronger."

The evolution of the detachable burner, which began as a cork insert to hold the wick vertically, later became a tin, brass or pewter threaded burner which screwed into a collar affixed to the glass font. Fluid lamps were often elaborately made but worked on a simple principle. Oil rose through the wick by capillary action and was consumed with much odor and smoke. They were made by many companies; however, the two most prolific were New England Glass Company of East Cambridge, Mass. (established 1818), and the Boston and Sandwich Glass Co. of Sandwich, Mass. (1825).

There were no design patents for these lamps, so attribution after 1825 becomes rather complicated. From 1828 onwards, with the American invention of the glass pressing machine, lamps were manufactured in a staggering number of patterns.

The whale oil lamp was an essentially American innovation which combined ingenuity and practicality in a utilitarian object of unique importance to the history of lighting devices in America. For nearly fifty years it had an enormous impact on the quality of light - and life.

Chapter 10 - addendum PITCAIRN ISLAND AND ITS PEOPLE

For Ship POTOMAC

Obituary

Captain George Palmer, a worthy citizen and ship master and most highly respected citizen, died at his home on Orange Street in July 1880, in his 73rd year. He rose to the quarter deck at an early age and commanded the PACIFIC of New Bedford, afterward the MARINER, from Nantucket and lately the NAVIGATOR, in which ship he made two successful voyages.

Retiring from the sea in 1854, he has enjoyed a quarter century of ease and retirement, but has for some time past been in failing health. Obituary

Captain Reuben Hobbs was a native of Rhinebeck, New York. As a young man, he learned the trade of miller and at 21 drifted to Nantucket. He sailed his maiden voyage on the POTOMAC, with Captain Isaac Hussey. The next voyage was with Captain Oliver C. Swain,as 2nd mate. Later he sailed his third voyage with Captain Charles Grant, as 1st mate. He was later Master of the ISAAC HOWLAND and then the ABBY BRADFORD, Captain John Murray of Nantucket. After retiring from the sea in 1870, he became keeper of the Bug Lights near Polpis, Nantucket Island. He died in 1905.

Chapter 11 Cruising on the Grounds

While Nancy had been living in this little Paradise, Charles was cruising on the grounds. He and Captain Palmer left this island on the 19th of July and headed for Easter Island.

They raised Easter Isle and sent two boats ashore for yams "off and on for a few days and bringing potatoes and yams on board." All through August he was in company with several Nantucket and New Bedford whalers - the REBECCA SIMMS, ROSCOE, Bark MARY FRASIER, CATAWBA, SPARTAN, and he spoke of the NAVIGATOR, which had taken 60 hbls. since leaving Pitcairn. Mr. Chapman, the 4th Mate was discharged and went on the CATAWBA.