14th annual Moby Dick Marathon
Noon, Saturday, January 9, 2010



A young bearded sailor will appear at noon Saturday, January 9, 2010, in the 19th-century garb of a whaleman on the deck of the New Bedford Whaling Museum's half-scale whaling bark Lagoda and say, "Call me Ishmael."

Thus begins the Museum's 14th annual Moby-Dick Marathon, a nonstop reading of the great American classic commemorating the anniversary of the departure from the whaling port of New Bedford of the Fairhaven ship Acushnet with 21-year-old Herman Melville aboard.

From the moment those words are uttered to approximately 25 hours later when Ishmael is rescued from the Pacific by the Rachel, about 150 readers each will have read a short passage from this novel. Some will have read in Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, Danish, Spanish, or French, followed by that same passage in English. Traditional whaleship fare will have been consumed, washed down by coffee and cider. And a few hardy souls will have stayed for the whole adventure.

Readers will include descendants of Herman Melville and their families, professors, fishermen, schoolteachers, selectmen, students, journalists, legislators, physicians, clergy, and other lovers of Melville and Moby-Dick. Spectators are welcome at any time. Admission for the entire event is free.

Saturday Jan. 9, 2010- Sunday Jan. 10, 2010
Starting at 8 bells in the forenoon watch (noon for lubbers) in front of the giant Moby-Dick mural in the Lagoda Room.

The pre-marathon dinner is on Friday, January 8th from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Jacobs Family Gallery to be followed by the free pre-marathon lecture at 7:30 p.m. in the Museum Theatre. For more information, please check our online calendar or call our front desk at 508-997-0046, ext. 101.

Starting at 4 bells in the 1st dog watch (6 p.m.), light whaleship fare, including grog and cider will be served. Coffee and snacks will be available throughout the night, with breakfast to follow at 8 bells (8 a.m.) in the morning watch. Join with us in this celebration of our heritage. Come at any time. Leave at any time. The Marathon lasts approximately 25 hours.

Interested in reading?
Call to request an 8-10 minute reading slot beginning at 12:01 a.m., Jan. 9, 2010. Please be sure to give us several alternative times when you could ready by calling 508 997-0046. Please follow voice prompts and we will get back to you during the first week of December to confirm your reading time.