Biography of Joseph J. Fuller
Joseph J. Fuller (1839-1920), originally from Danvers, Massachusetts, was a whaling and sealing captain who sailed out of New London, Connecticut, during the last half of the 19th century. He eventually specialized in the branch of this industry that hunted sea elephants for oil, principally at Heard and Kerguelen “Desolation” Islands in the Indian Ocean. In 1880 Fuller was wrecked at Desolation and spent a year there with a mutinous crew, under conditions in which differences of language, race, and color exacerbated a normally harsh existence. (For further information see Joseph J. Fuller, “Master of Desolation: The Reminiscences of Capt. Joseph J. Fuller,” edited by Briton Cooper Busch, Mystic, Conn., 1980.)
Restrictions
Restrictions on Access
Available for use in the Manuscripts Division
Restrictions on Use
Various copying restriction apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts Division.
Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the G. W. Blunt White Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Corporate Bodies (Including Vessels):
Pilot’s Bride (Schooner)
Places:
Danvers (Mass.) Indian Ocean
Kerguelen Islands–Description and travel
Subjects:
Seafaring life
Sealing
Shipwrecks–Kerguelen Islands
Southern elephant seal
Whalers (Persons)
Whaling
Whaling–Connecticut–New London
Document Types:
Memoirs Scrapbooks–Connecticut–New London
Occupations:
Shipmasters–Connecticut–New London.
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Administrative Information
Coll. 104, Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Volumes; 1880-1920.
| Volume | ||
| 1 | Diary entitled, “Reminscences of the Life of Capt. Joseph J. Fuller”; ca. 1890. Images | |
| 2 | Scrapbook, clippings of New London area ship masters, etc; ca. 1920. | |
| 3 | Diary/journal entitled, “Reminiscences of Schooner PILOTS BRIDE at Kerguellen Island,” by Capt. Joseph J. Fuller; ca. 1920. Images |