Essay On Colonial Whaling

The United States had the most fascinating whaling history. Whaling is the practice or industry

of hunting and killing whales for their oil, meat or whalebone. Colonial Whaling started in the early 20th

century when the pilgrims landed. Whaling was a powerful force in the evolution of the country. Due to

that everything revolved around it. For example it revolved around their economy, culture and spirit.

Many men and many ships were used to kill hundreds of thousands of whales. They were

getting a satisfying profit off of it since hunting for whales was very popular. There is one particulary

whale that was constantly hunted for. Which is called Sperm whales. They are distinctive from other

types of whales in many ways.

One of

Another way that they are distinctive is that

the spermaceti found in the head of the sperm whale was used to create the most exquisite candles and

many more. Two other whales that were also hunted were the rorqual and mysticete. A bone that grows

on top of their mouth instead of their teeth is called baleen. Baleen was used to make a wide variety of

products.

For example, tools, buggy whips, and corset stays. Native Americans and Europeans hunted for

sperm whales. They both developed into integral members of the first colonial shore whaling operation.

They created a unique type of ship which was a factory ship. Hunters created these types of ships for it

would be quicker and easier to catch them.

On their voyages they went through many challenges. Through the years sperm whales began to

decrease. Hunters started to notice throughout the seasons they would hunt for them. Whalers also

known as hunters started to outfit individual masted floating vessels called sloops to go after the whales

into deeper water. Those voyages led the whalers beyond out to the sea.

And helped them know the whaling grounds better. The American Revolution halt