Dear Viv: Nye was one of the big whaling families in New Bedford, where I went to high school, and where my parents still live. Thomas, or someone else in the family, produced and marketed "Nyeoil," a machine lubricating oil made from, of course, whale oil. For information on him, or on New Bedford ships, there are several places and you can contact: The New Bedford Free Public Library, 613 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 999-6291 and 6292. They have a Genealogy and Local History Room, run last time I checked by Paul Cyr, a genealogist with an encyclopedic memory. He should be able to point you in the right direction. There's also the Old Dartmouth Historical Society, at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Johhny Cake Hill [that's the name of the street], New Bedford, MA 02740. They may be able to provide additional information. Hope this helps. Mr. Lauren J. Cook Principal Archeologist/Project Manager John Milner Associates, Inc. 1216 Arch Street, 5th floor Philadelphia, PA 19107