What can the handwritten logbooks of 19th-century whaling ships tell us about today’s changing climate? Through groundbreaking collaborative research, oceanographer Caroline Ummenhofer from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Professor of History at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Timothy Walker are uncovering how weather observations recorded aboard New England whaling vessels more than 200 years ago are now helping scientists reconstruct long-term changes in global climate and ocean wind patterns.
Their work draws from thousands of pages of historic whaling logbooks dating from 1790 to 1910, preserved in the collections of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Nantucket Historical Association, and Providence Public Library. Written by sailors traveling across some of the most remote oceans on Earth, these records contain daily notes on wind direction, storms, sea conditions, precipitation, and changing weather patterns—captured decades before modern meteorological instruments and satellites existed.
By transforming these descriptive observations into scientific climate data, researchers are gaining new insight into historical wind systems, ocean circulation, and long-term environmental change. The project demonstrates how maritime history and archival research can directly contribute to modern climate science, offering valuable context for understanding today’s rapidly changing world.
Admission: $10 per person / $5 for members
Must be 21+ to sample beer; IDs will be checked at the door.
Enjoy craft beer from our sponsor, Cape Cod Beer, along with cheese, crackers, water, and non-alcoholic beer options.
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Please Note: History on Tap features a different speaker every two weeks. Be sure to double-check the date before booking your ticket to ensure you’re registering for the lecture you want. If you have any issues, 508-815-4149 to book directly.
