The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-23
DECAY OFTHE WHALING BUSINESS


The city of New Bedford Massachusetts, in pro-
portion to its size, is of the wGathies cities in
the United States, having, with population of
about twenty three thousand, taxable property
OF at least tSenty-three millions of dollars. The
wealth of the city was derived almost wholly from
the whale fishery, in which, for several years, New
Bedford has occupied a more prominent position
than any other city in America, and has, in fact,
been the principal whaling mart of the world. This
was in the year 1882, and from that time till 1857
the business grew from small beginning till 40
less than three hundred and twenty-nine vessels,
comprising one hundred and eleven thousand three
hundred and sixtyfour tons, belonged to that port
alone, being one half of the whole number of YES
sells and ffty-fye per cent. of the tonnage of the
entire whaling feet of America.
Since 1857, however, this once important interest
has been gradually declining. The almost uuiver-
sal use of gas, the various explosive, and non ez-
plosive matters 'make light of and the recent
extensive discoveries of coal Oilal of which fur
nish cheaper as well as better substitute for
sperm-have so reduced the whaling business that
within the past four years the decrease in the total
tonnage of American vessels devoted to this enter
prise has b5eG twenty-five per cent, and New Bed
lord alone has suffered a falling Off of twelve per
| cent.-its present whale fleet comprising but two
hundred and ninety-one vessels, with an aggregate
| of $500 tons. few ships only have been lost,
but most of those sent out from that port Just pre-
! vous to January, 1858, were fitted out at heavy
cost some OF them sailing at an expense OF S6U,OUO.
The ships were many of them new ones, and provi-
sions and outfits ruled at higher prices than were
ever known before. The fishery itself is every year
becoming more hazardous-the whales are getting
"wd" and are constantly changing their ground,
ani the enterprise is annually attended with more
expense, more danger, and less profit. The returns
of New Bedford whalers since 1857 have averaged
/ losses to all, amounting, in single year, as est
mated to one million OF dollars; that the "great
whale. mart of the world'' has had its due proper
| ton of whale martyrs.
The increased difficulties in catching whales has
ltoI ll,- shnG
! falling off in quantity has been accompanied by a
considerable depreciation in price. Thus, in 1881,
vessels engaged in right whaling averaging sou
barrels, in 1860 averaged but 500 barrels, showing
loss of 45 600 barrels to the $50 vessels engaged
exclusively in this branch of the whaling business;
and in the time the price has fallen from sew
enty-three cents to fifty cents per gallon. The
| sperm whaling interest has done better in "catch-
ings," and The prices have been sustained at more
remunerative rates. saving amounting to twenty
per cent. has also been effected in the charges fol
outfits over those of 1857. But the business has Sc
diminished that, while in 1858 two hundred ships
sailed from New Bedford to the North Pacific fol
whale oil, this year less than one hundred will b.
sent.
The city of New Bedford has every facility fo
successfully continuing this business, if it can b.
attended with profit anywhere, and the merchant
of that place have at present about 600 In
| vested in whale ships, and, besides their capita
and experience, and a good port, with wharves
sheds and storehouses, the place affords the bes
facilities for selling and for speedy transportation
to consumers. OF the yearly sperm-oil "catch,
amounting to SIS, 500 barrels, one-half, valued a
81, 800, 900 goes to England. The bone, value'
yearly at 81 100000, is mostly sent to France an
Germany, while the whale oil finds ready sal
and is all consumed in the United States.
Within the last year six vessels from New Bed
ford and five from New London Connecticut, hay
gone to Cumberland Inlet, Davis Strait, and vii
return this fall. The result of this new enterpris
will have an influence in determining the future o
the right whaling business.
At all the whaling ports of the country, Will
the increase from 1914 to 1857 was only twent
vessels the decrease since 1857 has been one hun
dred and forty-one vessels, comprising an aggre
gate of IS 1853 tons.