New Bedford in Bristol County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Whaleman’s Memorial

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 9, 2007

1. Whaleman's Memorial Marker

Bronze by Bela Lyon Pratt (1867–1917). Sculpture is approx. ten feet tall.

Inscription.
“A Dead Whale or a Stove Boat”

In honor of the whalemen whose skill, hardihood and daring brought fame and fortune to New Bedford and made its name known to every seaport on the globe. • Gift of W.W. Crapo • 1913

Erected 1913 by William Wallace Crapo (1830–1926), New Bedord lawyer and congressional representative 1875–1883.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 41° 38.11′ N, 70° 55.628′ W. Marker is in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in Bristol County. It is on Pleasant Street. It is at the New Bedford Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 613 Pleasant St, New Bedford MA 02740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in the South Coast.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Trading Places (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam Veterans Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick Douglass (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Theodore (within shouting distance of this marker); Admiral Forrest P. Sherman U.S.N. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rescue of Six Fenians (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Liberty Hall (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Bedford.

More about this marker. Architect Nat C. Smith was responsible for the foundation and the rainwater drainage of the boat. New Bedford whaler Richard Lewis McLachlan posed for the figure.

Regarding Whaleman’s Memorial. The word “stove” in the inscription is the past tense and past participle of “stave” which means to crush or smash. “A dead whale or a stove boat” was a chant of the whaler. A flick of the whale’s tail could smash the small wooden whaleboat to splinters.

Inscription on back of the monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 9, 2007

2. Inscription on back of the monument

Whaleman's Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 9, 2007

3. Whaleman's Memorial

City Seal on back of monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 9, 2007

4. City Seal on back of monument

Lucem Diffundo translates as I diffuse light.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,022 times since then and 241 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 11, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.