The Cruise of the Poll Parrot

In 1858, the whaling ship Poll Parrot set forth from New Bedford, Mass., under Captain Roy Dalton and First Mate George Wainwright, to have her adventures chronicled in The Cruise of the Poll Parrot, a serial of 39 episodes of 15-minutes each. Along for the adventures are two children, Johnny Robbins and Suzanne Grange.

Though fictitious, the show's creators took pride in historical accuracy (except, of course, for the bit about two teens on a whaling expedition--they went to sea because the show's sponsor was the manufacturer of the "Poll Parrot" line of children's shoes).

I have not listened to many children's shows of the era--I'm first and foremost a mystery buff--but the episodes I've heard lead me to believe it is likely one of the better children's shows of the era. The shows were syndicated via transcription, which is why all the episodes have survived.

Learn more at The Digital Deli Too.

Series description provided by Frank Bell.