January 12, 2024 | Uncategorized, General,

History of Whaling in New England

Whaling has a strong history in New England, and that isn’t just because of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Colonial whaling in New England dates back to 1644, when the first attempt at a whale hunt was documented. Crews of Europeans and Indigenous people came together in 1672 to officially hunt whales in the sea.

The hunting of sperm whales specifically, the species of Moby Dick, began in 1712.

Whaling was a dangerous proposition that could, and did, result in deaths. The profits mostly went to owners and captains. Crews were comprised of sailors from different backgrounds, including members of the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe and African Americans. Despite the diversity, people of color were given less opportunities for advancement.

The hunting increase led to a falling number of whales along the coast. So in the 1720s, whalers resorted to smaller, single-masted and double-masted vessels in order to pursue whales further into the ocean.

Over the next hundred years, whaling periodically rose and fell as it was impacted by the Revolutionary War, political acts, and the War of 1812. But when the War of 1812 ended, the whaling industry resurged — in New Bedford especially.

In 1841, the same year Melville himself left New Bedford on the whaler Acushnet, 75 ships left New Beford for the ocean. The whaling industry brought wealth to New Bedford. In 1857, the town’s fleet boasted 329 vessels worth over $12 million.

But just prior to the Civil War, the discovery of petroleum as an alternative fuel method to whale oil started the decline in demand for whale by-products. The dwindling industry continued to fall thanks to the Civil War and several Arctic expedition disasters.

Whale Products

Whalers sought whale by-products of sperm oil, spermaceti, whale oil, baleen, and ambergris.

Whale oil was important as lighting and lubricant. Of this, Sperm oil was the highest-caliber whale oil because it could withstand high temperatures (ideal for lubricating machinery) and it burned clearly with no odor.

Also coveted was Spermaceti, a liquid wax that came from the heads of sperm whales and made high-quality candles. A product sometimes found in whales, Ambergris was one of the most lucrative products and was primarily used in perfumes.

The Whale Chase

The whale pursuit started at the crow’s nest, where a lookout kept watch at all times. An experienced scout could identify the type of whale from up to eight miles away. Once the captain and crew discerned the location from the lookout, the captain, mates and crew dashed into the whaleboats and sped away.

Because whales have sharp hearing, the crew would either paddle as quietly as possible or wait for the wind to carry them along. Once close enough, the harpooner would take his shot. A harpoon was not meant to kill — its duty was to puncture blubber to keep the whale from escaping. Whaleships embarking around Melville’s seafaring days carried about 150 of these weapons. The most common type of harpoon was created by Lewis Temple, an African-American in New Bedford.

Once the whale was shot, the crew retreated immediately as the whale thrashed and could smash a boat. The whale then dove, dragging the boat along. There was a chance the boat could be pulled too far away from the whaling ship, never to be found again. Once the whale grew tired, the boatheader switched places with the harpooner and lanced the whale in the lungs or heart. The crew then had to tow the whale back to the ship.

For more information about whaling in New England, visit The New Bedford Whaling Museum’s resources, including seafaring terminology, the variety of whales, whaling logbooks and journals, and life aboard a whaleship.