2022: Semester by the Sea, MAR 355 - Coastal Cultural Experience

Commodification of Whaling Byproducts by Vandana Menser   Whalers would often pass time between catches engraving either leftover teeth or bones, but the only requirement for the carvings to be considered scrimshaw was that it must be material from a cetacean mammal. Because sperm whales were considered to be the most valuable economically, most scrimshaw was done on the teeth of said species purely due to availability. Scenes depicted often included either dramatic happenings on board or portraits of the whaleboats themselves.   Upon scrimshaw’s increasing popularity, indigenous groups like the Inuit from the polar regions of North America began to sell walrus tusks to sailors and artists. Walrus tusks were larger, flatter, and longer, making them easier to carve on than rotund and short sperm whale teeth. Scrimshaw is known as one of the only completely original American art forms.   Shown here are three preserved fetal whales, likely one from a blue whale and two from sperm whales.

The Tale of the End: A Brief History of Montauk Point by James Callaghan There is a place at the easternmost point of Long Island in East Hampton, New York known as Montauk Point. It is called The End by locals since after Montauk Point there is only the Atlantic Ocean. While this area is very picturesque and the atmosphere is very laid back, making for an awesome get away spot; these aren't the only reasons to be interested in this part of Montauk Point. The historical significance of Montauk Point is another very good reason to visit this very breathtaking sight.   Cohen, History: Old Time Photos of Montauk 2019   Montauk Point Lighthouse 2019   The Montauk Lighthouse was a very important structure that was created in 1796 after being requested by the then President of the infant United States. It was very important as a navigational guide to warn sailors that they were close by to the rocky and dangerous shores on Montauk Point. It also signaled to the various ships tha

The Tallest Lighthouse on Long Island by Amanda Cruz   In 1964, Fire Island was named a National Seashore. However, for more than a hundred years before this, the seashore had been significant to navigators and earlier towns and settlements. This shore used to be connected to neighboring islands, but through years of natural events, it was sometimes disconnected and reconnected through inlets and man-made adjustments. Today, it is separated from the neighboring Westhampton Beach Island by the Moriches Inlet.   In 1826, the first Fire Island Lighthouse was built. It was 90 feet tall, and its visibility reached about 10-14 miles offshore. This picture is an etching of the original lighthouse, no pictures exist of it.   In 1858, the current lighthouse was built. The original one was torn down due to not being in an ideal location and not being the highest point on the island. The current lighthouse reused the materials from the old lighthouse and more materials were added to make it talle