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Period: 1493 to
The discovery of the New World
Starting with Columbus' arrival to the "New World", to the American Colonies -
Birth of Commercial Whaling
In the 1650s it is said that the Southhampton English settlers made a deal with the Shinnecock Indians. It was in the 1690s that Nantucket joined. -
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Conflicts in the colonies: Seven Years' War - Independence
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First Huge Expansion in the whaling industry
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Independence; the creation of a new country
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First New England Whalers rounded Cape Cod, entering the Pacific Ocean
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First Industrial Revolution
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First New England Whaling Ship to Hunt in Japanese grounds
The Maro, under captain Joseph Allen, hunted sperm whales midway between Japan and Hawaii -
Peak Fleet of Whaling ships
The peak amount of whaling ships in New England was 736 vessels. -
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale published
Moby-Dick was published when the Whaling Industry was at its peak; it is also worthy to know how progressive the book was. -
The Whaling Industry at its Peak
After 50 years of steady growth, the Whaling Industry hits it peak with 199,000 tons. After which you begin to see a decline, with the Civil War, which began to affect the industry. -
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Civil War
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Reconstruction Era
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Second Industrial Revolution
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The Gilded Age
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Decline
With the second industrial revolution and the rise of new fuels, such as coal oil and turpentine, Blubber had become obsolete. This being evident in the New England Fleet dwindling to a fleet of just 51 vessels. -
The Final Vessel
After the decline, only Boston, New Bedford and San Fransisco remained. Boston leaving the trade in 1904, San Fransisco following in 1921; New Bedford, being the last, would send its last ship, the John R. Mantra, in 1927, ending the once phenomenal trade.