INDEPENDENCE II, a whaler, sailing out of Nantucket, Mass. U.S.A. Ship rigged 352 ts. Owner Aaron Mitchell.
She sailed out on 23 July 1819 for the whaling grounds in the Pacific and the waters around New Zealand, under command of Capt. George Barrett. Where she was built I could not find, it was her first whaling voyage from Nantucket. She sailed off Tuvalu and the crew of the "INDEPENDENCE II" sighted Nukulaelae, and rediscovered Rocky Island now named Niulakita on 6 November 1821. Most probably they landed also on the islands. During the voyage Capt. Barret died. Returned to Nantucket on 16 June 1822, with on board 2.150 barrels sperm-oil and 18 barrels whale-oil.
3 Sept. 1822, she sailed for her second whaling voyage out of Nantucket under command of Capt. William Plaskett, again for the whaling grounds in the Pacific. Returned home on 24 July 1825 with on board 1.954 barrels sperm-oil.
Her last voyage from Nantucket was again under command of Capt. Plaskett. She sailed out on 30 Oct. 1825 for the Pacific and returned on 8 Aug. 1828 with on board 1.850 barrels of sperm-oil. Her fate is not know, the book History of the American Whale Fishery by Alexander Starbuck did not mention her again.
Tuvalu 1981 35c sg164, scott ?.
Source: Tuvalu history from a web-site. History of the American Whale Fishery.