Captain Pollard

Nantucket has played a major role in several areas. Gardner is one of the original (1/2 so) families.

With the recent release of Ron Howard's movie, a few links to related detail might be in order. The book that motivated the movie can be browsed via Google.

In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex (2000) Nathaniel Philbrick 

George Pollard, the captain, of the Essex was a Thomas Gardner descendant as were, probably, a lot of the crew. George's experience was an inspiration for Melville's Moby Dick.

The next ship commanded by the captain, the Two Brothers, had Eben Gardner as 1st Mate.

The Smithsonian Magazine had an article, recently: How Nantucket Came to Be the Whaling Capital of the World.

Remarks: Modified: 03/19/2021

12/22/2015 -- While researching for additional material concerning the book (see review in Article III of The Gardner Annals, Vol. II, No. 2), I ran across the child actors who were in Moby Dick with John Barrymore. Jay Berger was the nephew of one of the in-laws mentioned in the book. These types of circles make for interesting stories and can be found everywhere.

01/20/2016 -- Nantucket sendoff.

10/26/2018 -- Add this to the image index: TGSoc.org

03/19/2021 -- Essex Disaster via the Nantucket Historical Association.