The A. T. Gifford was an American schooner-rigged whaleship constructed in March 1883 in Essex, Massachusetts. She was a relatively small sailing vessel, measuring 82.6 feet (25.2 meters) in length and displacing approximately 82 short tons (74 metric tons). As a schooner, she was rigged with two or more masts that allowed for efficient sailing, particularly useful for her whaling and Arctic expeditions. Throughout her service life, the Gifford operated primarily in Arctic regions, including Hudson Bay, undertaking whaling voyages and fur trading missions. Initially owned by George Dennis from 1884 until after 1900, her home port was Gloucester, Massachusetts. Later, from 1913 to 1915, she was owned by furrier F. N. Monjo of New York City. The vessel was commanded by several notable captains, including E. M. Joyce, who commanded her from 1884 to at least 1900, and George Comer, who captained her during two voyages out of Stamford, Connecticut in 1907 and 1910. Captain Comer had a distinguished career, including spending winters frozen in the ice at Cape Fullerton, during which he recorded Inuit folklore and collected local legends, as well as capturing five small whales that yielded a substantial amount of whalebone valued at $10,000. The last captain was Arthur O. Gibbons, who took command in 1915. In July of that year, the Gifford departed Provincetown, Massachusetts, on her final voyage. After delivering supplies and acquiring a two-year catch of furs from Cape Fullerton, she was never heard from again. Investigations in 1917 confirmed that she had caught fire and sank in Hudson Bay, with evidence indicating her gas tanks exploded. The wreck resulted in the loss of all 15 crew members, including Captain Gibbons. In 1921, the remains of some of the crew were discovered at Coats Island, with one skeleton positively identified as Captain Gibbons. The A. T. Gifford holds historical significance as the last American schooner-rigged whaleship to operate in Hudson Bay, marking the end of an era in Arctic whaling and maritime exploration. Her sinking and the subsequent investigation highlight the perilous nature of Arctic voyages during that period.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.