The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-07-25
THE DECLINE OF THE WHALING IN
DUSTRY.

1t has been often said that if
whaling could profitably be followed
in the highest Arctic regions, the at.
tainment Of the Pole would be an
almost immediate consequence. Both
north and south, whale fishermen
have been the pioneers. and exploring
expeditions have followed them, and
it is not one Of the least sources of
regret, now that the whaling industry
OF this country has declined to meager
dimensions. that these bravest of
seamen will no longer open the way
through uncharted seas. or make
known to civilization the remotest
quarters Of the globe.
For the year 1875 the total value of
the importation of oil and bone
amounted to but 1868, 463. This is
the lowest recorded total since 1929.
and it is about one fourth of that
for the year 1854. In 1845, 73l vessels
aggregating 233.149, tons, were en-
ployed in the trade. In 1879 there
were but 172 vessels, and the total
tonnage was 81, 1913 tons.
1t will at first sight be considered
remarkable that so profitable an in
dustry should have met with decline
which is amounting to a virtual aban.
donment. The History of the Whale
Fishery by Mr.. Alexander Star
buck, which we find embodied in the
recent report of the United States
Commissioner Of Fish and Fisheries,
gives large number of instances
where the voyages of whaling vessels
have hatAn attap1o1
profits. The most extraordinary voy-
age ever made is stated to he that of
the Envoy of New Bedford, which
sailed in lS4S This vessel returned
from cruise ami was condemned as
worthless. but her owner decided to
lit her up for another trip at cost OF
s.. 900. The result of the voyage was
Il profit Of $al3S ,450. The Pioneer of
New London. worth with her outfit
$50 500. sailed in June. 1864. and re-
turned III September. 1865. with oil
and bone worth Sl5O.0 200. On the otht r
hand. there have been many enor-
monsly heavy losses. such as those
accrulng from the beleaguering of
whole fleets in the ice of the Arctic
regions in 1871 and 1876.
~ VIII II ali lHt ADVANTAGES OF the
Wfale fishery are summed up. the
exploration Of unknown regions. the
education of a skilled and hardy race
OF seamen. the support of the sperm
candle industry. besides the profits
we have indicated, it will appear
that the benefits gained were large.
and that the decline Of the trade may
be viewed rs Il loss in more ways than
one. Still. when the causes which
have led to this result are considered.
1t Will be seen to have been inevitable.
The development of the PENNSYLVANIA
coal oil resources. occurring at "A
time when the expense of procuring
whale oil was yearly increasing.
proved the most powerful of the
antagonistic forces. The whales
themselves became scarcer. and it is
said shyer and more difficult to cap
ture. so that the length of the voyage
has become entirely disproportioned
10 the quantity of oil returned The
Government. by the abandonment Of
sperm oil in favor of coal oil for light
houses. is aiding in Fastening the
abandonment of the pursuit: and in
addition to All these reasons are those
of the increased cost OF fitting ont
and refitting vessels AMI the difficulty
III procuring good crews.