How big is the ornament?

3 inches (76 mm) across, faceted crystal glass with a red ribbon hanger, in a white or gold gift box.

What is the Whaleship ornament?

An original line drawing of a three-masted whaling ship at anchor with its whaleboats hung from the rail and a red waterline, set in a three-inch faceted crystal round with a white back and a red ribbon hanger. Part of the Merlin Classics Heritage Series.

What was a whaleboat?

A light, double-ended rowing boat carried on the side of a whaleship. When a whale was sighted, crews of six lowered the whaleboats and rowed and sailed after it; the ship itself stayed back.

How long were whaling voyages?

In the mid-1800s American whaling voyages to the Pacific commonly lasted three to four years, sailing from New England ports such as New Bedford.

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Whaleship · Five Small Boats and a Three-Year Voyage · Heritage Holiday Ornament

$28.00 USD

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Size One size

Shape Circle + White Gift Packaging Circle + Gold Gift Packaging

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Whaleship. Three masts, sails furled, riding at anchor with five small boats slung along her side and a thin red stripe at the waterline. The big ship just carried them; the real hunting happened from the whaleboats.

By the 1840s the American whaling fleet counted hundreds of ships sailing out of New England ports, New Bedford above all, on voyages that lasted three or four years. A whaling ship rounded Cape Horn for the Pacific grounds and stayed out until the hold was full of oil for a country that had not yet found petroleum. When a whale was sighted the whaleboats went over the side, six men to a boat, and rowed after it.

It was hard, dangerous, badly paid work, much of it done by young men a long way from home, and it built some of the richest towns in America. Herman Melville shipped out on a whaler in 1841 and came back with a book. Most of the men who went never wrote anything down.

Our own line drawing, set in crystal so every line of rigging holds under the lights, with the red waterline as the one color. Three inches across, five boats.

For maritime museums, tall ship volunteers, ship model builders, descendants of whaling families, and everyone drawn to old sailing ships.

Faceted crystal, three inches across, with a white back so the line work reads from across the room once the tree is lit. Red ribbon. Boxed in gold or white, your call at checkout. Ships free anywhere in the U.S.

QUICK FACTS — WHALESHIP CRYSTAL ORNAMENT

Series: Heritage Holiday Ornament

Art: Whaleship (Five Small Boats and a Three-Year Voyage), original Merlin Classics engraving printed to the glass

Blank: 3-inch (76 mm) round clear crystal glass ornament, faceted gem-cut edge

Print: white-backed for contrast; red ribbon hanger

Packaging: white or gold gift box, chosen at checkout

Made to order in the USA

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Product FAQs

How does your sizing work?

Every item is made to order, so please check the size chart on this page before you buy. Women's fitted tees run small; size up for a looser fit. Caps are one size with an adjustable strap.

How are items made and when will they arrive?

We make each item to order using premium blanks, embroidery and soft-hand prints. Production takes 2-5 business days (weekends and holidays excluded), then 4-10 days in transit via USPS, UPS or FedEx to U.S. addresses; most orders arrive within 6-15 business days. You'll get a tracking link the moment it ships. Any current shipping offer is shown in the bar at the top of every page and applies automatically at checkout, no code needed.

How do I send a gift?

Enter the recipient's address as the shipping address and your own as the billing address at checkout. Nothing ships with a price; the package includes a plain packing slip. Tracking goes to your email, not theirs. For birthdays and holidays, order two weeks ahead to be safe.

What's the return policy?

Made-to-order items can't be returned or exchanged for size or color, so please use the size chart and photos before ordering. If anything arrives defective, misprinted or damaged, send a photo and your order number within 30 days and we'll replace it or refund you.

How do I care for my item?

Apparel: wash cold, inside out, with like colors; no bleach; tumble dry low or hang dry. Embroidered pieces: iron inside out to protect the stitching. Caps: spot clean. Printed glasses and water bottles: hand wash only, no dishwasher, so the artwork lasts. Mugs and engraved glasses are dishwasher safe. Any item-specific care notes are in the description above.

Who makes this?

Merlin Classics is a small Connecticut brand making original retro designs for the towns people love. Every piece is printed, embroidered or engraved to order in the USA, and the business supports hunger relief in the communities our collections celebrate.