Down to the Sea in Ships

The film's premiere was September 25, 1922, at the Olympia Theater in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and was in general distribution from March 4, 1923. 

Though Patience Morgan is sought by many suitors, her father, Charles, insists that she marry a man who is both Quaker and a whaleman. Because Samuel Siggs convincingly poses as both, he is favored by Charles Morgan--despite the fact that Patience loves Allan Dexter, who is neither. Allan embraces the Quaker faith, proves himself worthy as a whaleman when he is shanghaied and tossed by stormy seas, and returns to New Bedford just as she is about to marry Siggs.

The film contains semi-documentary footage of whalers at work and was shot in historic locations in New England, most notably in New Bedford,  at the Apponegansett Meeting House in Dartmouth, and on Water Street in Mattapoisett.

The authenticity of the whaling scenes are noted in the opening screen credits, which praise the bravery of both A.G. Penrod and Paul H. Allen, the cameramen, "who, in small boats, stood by their cameras at the risk of their lives to photograph the fighting whales." The Charles W. Morgan was one of the whaling ships used in the film.

Doors at 6:30 for a 7:00 PM start. Pay what you wish for a ticket with a minimum price of $5. Thank you for supporting the Mattapoisett Museum!