William Wells (whaling master) explained

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William Wells (1815 - 1880) was an English whaling master (1844 to 1867), harbour master of Hull, and advisor to explorer Benjamin Leigh Smith.^{[1] [2]}

Career as a mariner

William started his career as an apprentice at the age of 12 in 1827, aboard the Abram. He completed his apprenticeship in 1835 and worked as a seaman in merchant ships and whalers until 1842. On 15 February 1852, he was admitted as a younger brother of the guild of masters and pilots of Trinity House.^{[3] [4]} In December 1867, after 26 years as a whaling master, William became harbour master at Hull and advisor to explorer Benjamin Leigh Smith.^[5] He retired in 1876.

Commands

Wells' first command was for the merchant ship Ann in 1842; he went on to captain many whaling ships: Helen (1844–45), St George (1846–49), Ann (1850–1853), Truelove (1854–1860 and 1866–1867), Emma (1861–62), Diana (1863), and Narwhal (1864).^{[6] [7]} He was one of the last two whaling masters sailing from Hull.

See also

• Hull Maritime Museum

Notes and References

1. Web site: Truelove: From War to Whaler - Hull Museums Collections. Hullcc.gov.uk. en. 2017-11-04.
2. Web site: William Wells. Hullwebs.co.uk. 2017-11-04.
3. Book: Hepton, Philip. Captain William Wells and the last years of the Hull whaling fleet: 1844–1869. 1984. Malet Lambert H.S.. Hull ([James Reckitt Ave., Hull HU8 0JD]) . 17443572 . English.
4. Book: Hepton, Philip. William Wells, master mariner: 1815–1880. 1982. Malet Lambert High School. Hull ([c/o A.G. Bell, James Reckitt Ave., Hull]) . 16604869 . English.
5. News: How the Truelove spent 130 years at sea . 2017-04-12. HEY Today. 2017-11-04. en-GB.
6. Web site: Whaling Masters - P to S. Brigham. Alan. Hullwebs.co.uk. 2017-11-04.
7. Hepton. Philip. January 1983. William Wells, Master Mariner and Whaler, 1815–80. Polar Record. 21. 133. 383–386. 10.1017/S0032247400019264. 1983PoRec..21..383H . 128938688 . 1475-3057.