Nantucket Mem

Nantucket, MA USA (KACK / ACK)

One cannot really discuss whaling without reflecting on the importance of Nantucket to this now virtually extinct practice. The sperm whale, and its valuable, spermaceti is what drew skilled Nantucket sailing men around the world to hunt this prized mammal. From the spermaceti, oil and candles were derived in an era that predated plastics and fossil fuels. Whaling put Nantucket on the map as one of the wealthiest trade ports on the east coast and ironically today it is the summer destination of some of the wealthiest people in the world who genuinely desire to be on the island or simply can’t bear not to rub shoulders with others of their own kind.

One thing that is not commonly known about Nantucket, whales and the civil war, was a skunk works project of the north to build a whale shaped submarine to sneak an attack on Charleson, SC at a critical juncture in the war. This whale shaped behemoth was not only difficult to navigate, but was prone to sink uncontrollably only to be rise back up after frantic pedalling of the crew on the stationary bicycles that powered the main drive, ballast valve and other “Rube Goldberg-esque” devices which actually terrified the crew far more than the site of an iron clad whale did for the enemy. After careful deliberation Abe Lincoln personally scuttled the project by edict and desparately tried to sweep the whole thing “under the rug” before any public inquiry became too embarassing.

While innovation may have had its debut on Nantucket, no Nantucket resident today is as innovative today when it comes to air charter as Robert Walsh and Nantucket Express, a veteran pilot of Nantucket (KACK) as well as White Plains (KHPN). Bob knows that a Friday afternoon, mid-summer in Nantucket is some of the most congested traffic at a small controlled field as may be seen anywhere in the world. Thankfully, due to his acumen and experience, he is adept at getting people to and from their homes on Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and many other locations throughout the Northeast quickly and easily.

Nantucket Express is a proud sponsor of this airport, service Nantucket, New York, and all point in between and many more beyond. To learn more about Nantucket Express, visit their website and see their online schedule of availability. PO Box 127 Nantucket, MA 02554 tel. 508.364.4277