About Whaling City Rowing
Whaling City Rowing, a nonprofit educational organization, is dedicated to preserving the traditions of New Bedford, Massachusetts' historical past while encouraging an appreciation for the area's modern-day maritime beauty. WCR rows replicas of whaleboats once carried on the whaleships that called New Bedford their home.
WCR currently has three boats in its fleet - the Skylark, Flying Fish, and Herman Melville. Each is a twenty-eight foot long, fiberglass hulled whaleboat built by Edey & Duff, Ltd. in Mattapoisett, MA. Funding for the boats' construction was provided by area businesses, corporations and individuals.
These boats are authentic replicas of the five-oared whaleboats originally designed and built at the Beetle Boat Yard in Clark’s Cove during the mid-nineteenth century. Their lines are the same as the originals. These boats represent the proud history of New Bedford’s maritime heritage.
We offer youth and adult educational programs that focus on whaleboat rowing, the marine environment and the region’s maritime heritage.
WCR members row year round in New Bedford harbor and have rowed to Cuttyhunk Island and back, up the Acushnet River, down the Westport and Slocums rivers, and off West Island and the coast of Hull, Massachusetts. No rowing experience is required to become a WCR member.
All are welcome to join. Membership includes training, beautiful views of New Bedford harbor and other waterways. We like to think that rowing whaleboats, which use no motors or fossil fuels, is about the "greenist" hobby to be found anywhere!
Questions? Contact Liz Labelle here. Or call Liz at 508-264-3639.