The Nantucket Association of Aeronautical Enthusiasts, 1886

acrylic on wood, 25” x 17”

$7,500

The whaling industry on Nantucket began to decline in the mid-19th century due to overhunting, changing technologies, and the discovery of petroleum. The American Civil War also dealt a final blow to the industry when Confederate commerce raiders destroyed most of the remaining whaling vessels.

By the latter part of the 19th Century the island also suffered a severe population decline as residents left the island for better opportunities on the mainland. However where some saw decline others like Jedediah Starbuck the 4th, last of a former prominent whaling family, saw opportunity.

In 1886 Jedediah founded the Nantucket Association of Aeronautical Enthusiast in an effort to revitalize the floundering economy. At first the idea worked as pioneering Aeronauts, drawn by Nantucket’s constant wind and open beaches, flocked to the island to show off and display their variety of airborne craft. Unfortunately the association was short lived as several craft and their occupants were blown out to sea and one unfortunate individual crashed into Nantucket Sound where he and his craft were swallowed by a passing Right Whale. The surviving Aeronauts left the island for less dangerous conditions. With the success of the Wright Brothers on the beach at Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903. A bitter Jedediah Starbuck left Nantucket on his family's last whale boat for Argentina never to be heard from again.