On the 27th of March 1849, the barque Truelove, under Captain J. Parker, left Hull bound for the Davis Straits and the season's whaling. Taking up his duties as cabin boy was her youngest apprentice, William Barron, who would serve his apprenticeship in her, receiving 35.00 pounds for his six years service, plus 6/- shilling per week when Truelove was in port. Thus begins the story, set down in the closing years of Hull's most famous sailing whaler - of her people and of her youngest apprentice, who in 1861 would become her master.