Sources of crew experience / how to level them up?

[Tranicos]

What are the sources of experience for crew? I keep losing crew members so am hiring cabin boys at a rapid pace, but wondering best way to level them.

I'm assuming whaling is the best way--do they get more experience when you lead the attack vs doing the "autoroll" option?

Do they get any experience from just sailing around and completing missions? (cargo delivery, etc.)

Any tips appreciated! I keep losing my Scientists and Craftsmen before I can train 'em up. :)

[Crocket]

I think the open minded skill grants xp as you sail.

[mordolek]

I've never used auto roll option as it cuts off half of the game and results are expected less than optimall. Hunting is main source of experience. Don't take open minded trait at the beggining as it will make you level faster than your crew and I assume main reason for your cabin boys dying is that fights were generated to match your level rather than theirs. Take smart trait, take one point in sailing and one point in science take two cabin boys with you, make one harpooner the other one carpenter, If you don't know where to find humpbacks take additional science dice side (i suppose its emergency kit) then develop whaler man arm of sailing skills tree. Untill you get another whaler boat stick to additional side on science dice then switch to sailer dice as it has sides that can help not only one boat (on each level-up you can completly reassign active skills). Don't develop sailing attribute as it does not help you in combat, invest in combat and science attributes. Use your captains boat as sink for hits while you protect others because you can always switch to science dice to help wounded crewmates. Search for my other posts in Nantucket general forum there are more clues (and also spoilers - all hidden)