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Descendants of Whaling Masters, Inc., was founded in 1974 at the instigation of Mrs. Dorothy Howland of New Bedford, widow of whaling-tales author Chester Scott Howland. The best-selling writer's father was Captain George Lyman Howland of the New Bedford whaler Canton, and his elder brother was James Lyman Howland, whose daughter Ellen became the Descendants' first chairman. She was elected at the organization's initial meeting in New Bedford on October 23, 1974, and served with distinction until her unexpected death in 1993.
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Programs have included stimulating talks by mariners, scientists, docents, authors from here to Australia, performing artists, and historical dramatizations. The organization also plans group whale watch trips and visits to locations of historic significance such as Provincetown, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and Salem, etc.
The Descendants' contributions to the community are highlighted by the ongoing restoration of deteriorating portraits of whaling masters, all of which have been exhibited by the New Bedford Whaling Museum over the years; supportive assistance for numerous museum projects, such as whale recapitulations; and by welcoming the public to its special events.
To fund its outreach, the Descendants in 1980 published a book of whaling-era letters supplied by members ("My Dear Husband"), which has been reprinted under the new title "Whaling Letters."
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