Ganges (1809 whaler)


Ganges, was a whaleship from Nantucket, Massachusetts, launched in 1809 in Massachusetts, that operated in the Pacific Ocean from 1815 to 1853. It was probably the vessel reported to have found Gardner Island in the Phoenix group. Although Barzillai Folger, the master of the ship during its voyage of 1835–39, is sometimes credited with being the first to discover the right whales of the Northwest coast, the Frenchman Narcisse Chaudiere, in Gange, preceded Folger. Chaudiere cruised on this ground during the summer of 1835, while Folger didn't leave port until October 26 of the same year.

Discovery of Gardner Island

Capt. Joshua Gardner, reportedly on board the whaleship Ganges, discovered an island in 1825, located at, and named it "Gardner's Island". His discovery was reported in the Nantucket Enquirer, December 1827. However, contemporary Joshua Coffin is sometimes credited with the discovery, naming the island after his ship's owner, Gideon Gardner.

Voyages

Between 1815 and 1858, Ganges made 11 whaling voyages:
DepartureReturnMasterSperm oil Whale oil Notes
1815, Aug1817, OctRay, Isaiah1785139
1818, Jun1821, JunRay, Isaiah16160
1821, Aug1824, MarCoffin, Joshua18230
1825, Jun1827, NovCoffin, Joshua16650
1828, Aug1831, MayCoffin, Joshua16600Visited Pitcairn Island
1832, Jun1835, AugBodfish, Russell S.14670
1835, Oct1839, MayFolger, Barzillai T.16440
1841, Jul1845, MayPitman, George732476
1845, Jul1849, JunNichols, James19100
1849, Sep1853, JulCoffin, Thomas M., II18130
1853, Oct1857, MarNicholson, John Beard8500