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Waterfront Workshops

Dozens of artisans had their workshops along the waterfront. This was the busiest part of the city of New Bedford. People everywhere got supplies ready for whaling voyages.

Parts of the whaling vessel were made here. At a spar shop, trees were trimmed and shaved down into masts and spars, beams used to support sails. At the workshop of a whaleboat maker, white cedar planks were steamed in a steambox until they were supple enough to stretch over a frame. Across the street, a ship artist carved a ship's figurehead, a decoration for the bow or front of the ship.

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Martha's Vineyard Museum