INVREF#CL5-46

You're bidding on a true piece of maritime history. This Signed 1857 New Bedford Mass Whaling Ship Empire Captain Andrew Hicks Ship Note was drawn as a promissory note from the Bank of New Bedford in 1857 just 2 years after building the legendary "Mermaid" whale hunting ship. Fully signed by Andrew Hicks. Auction comes with the original 1857 and all research documents. Autograph is 100% authentic and guaranteed to pass any 3rd party authentication process.

THE WHALING EMPIRE OF ANDREW HICKS

Andrew Hicks became one of Westport’s most prominent and enduring entrepreneurs in the whaling industry, owning 9 vessels registered at Westport. He was born in Westport in 1799, the eldest son of Barney and Sarah Cook Hicks. In 1836 he fitted out his first vessel, the President and his success continued for the next 50 years throughout the rise and fall of the whaling industry. He died a wealthy bachelor at Westport Point in 1895. Among the vessels in which he had primary interest were: Andrew Hicks, Champion, Elizabeth, Mermaid, President, Sea Queen, Sea Fox, United States, Platina.

Mermaid

Built in 1855 for Andrew Hicks, the Mermaid was one of the last large vessels to be built in Westport. She made six whaling voyages from Westport between 1855 and 1876. She was eventually transferred to San Francisco and in 1880 was lost in a gale at Unalaska. The stern carving of the Mermaid shown here is now in the collection of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.