Built in 1828 in Falmouth, Mass. as the MARCELLA, a bark rigged vessel of 210 tons.
Her first whaling voyage was from New Bedford what her homeport was during all her whaling voyages.
At that time she was owned by David Coffin, New Bedford.
26 May 1836 she left from New Bedford under command of Capt. Derreck for the whaling grounds of the Pacific, returned home 29 February 1840 with on board 837 barrels sperm oil and 43 barrels of whale oil.
27 April 1840 she sailed again for a whaling voyage to the Atlantic, on sailing her owner given as C.R. Tucker and Capt. as Benjamin Ellis.
Returned home 12 October 1841 with on board 869 barrels sperm oil and five barrels whale oil. Her logbook of this voyage survived and can be found in the Kendall Whaling Museum, Sharon, Mass. U.S.A.
1869 Her tonnage listed as 166 tons.
Her subsequent fourteen whaling voyages were all as owned by C.R. Tucker, New Bedford under different captains.
The book History of the American Whale Fishery by Alexander Starbuck give her last voyage when she sailed on 01 August 1876 from New Bedford under command of Capt. Frederick P. Tripp for the whaling grounds in the Pacific not a return date given.
Whalemen’s Shipping List and Merchant Transcript of 6 August 1879 gives:
A letter from on board bark MARCELLA under command of Capt. Tripp reports her at Mahe, Seychelles on 11 June 1878 having taken 250 barrels sperm oil and she sailed on 13 June from this place.
The “Record of American and Foreign Shipping” mentioned her till 1883 last voyages under Capt. John R. Sturgis, but not a fate given.
She was a very successful whaler during her more as 40 year career, and her total recorded catch during this years were 8.918 barrels of sperm oil and 837 barrels of whale oil.
Most probably she visited during her career Tristan da Cunha.
Her fate not found.
Tristan da Cunha 1982 5p sg323, scott306.
Watercraft Philately 2000/11. History of the American Whale Fishery by Alexander Starbuck.