text: william pearson captained a ship called the pryde of whitby around the 1860's i want any info about him or the   check out these two sites ,  www.merchant-navy.net    ,  . . .  or . . .  www.allatsea.cx   .   these are both excellent sites for seafaring types and very helpull in finding info on anything nautical and could probably tell you who invented the oar . . . good luck .