American whaler London Packet visited Tahiti, French Polynesia according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 4 September 1841

Wellcome Collection

Fishermen in boats have been attacking a whale but one boat is upset and a man is falling out. 

Coloured engraving by F. Duncan after W.J. Huggins 1834

An item reported the presence at Tahiti, French Polynesia on 8 March of the American whaling ship London Packet captain J. Howland of Fair Haven, USA 16 months out 1.000 barrels sperm oil.