History of Whaling

ByJared Klinger

Early History• The practice of hunting

whales began in prehistoric times.

• Whale’s, dolphin’s, and porpoises were hunted as a means to get food.

• In the 12th century it was discovered that whale blubber could be boiled down to produce whale oil.

• Whaling at this time was done by the Vikings and the Basque peoples of present day Spain and France.

Early History Continued• Popular whales at this

time to hunt were Baleen whales (Right Whale’s)as they were easy to catch and stayed near the coast line.

• In the 12th century whale oil was used for lighting, leather, and wool as well as in the manufacturing and production of soap.

• By the 15th century the English, Norwegioner’s, and Dutch were involved in whaling.

• Around 1500 Japan and parts of present day Russia were whaling as a means of producing products.

History of whaling

• By the 1600’s American whaling started in the colonies.

• Whaling was occurring at this time in Canada off the coast of Newfoundland.

American Whaling• Whaling towns that

sprung up during this time : Cape Cod, Nantucket, Long Island, and New London, CT.

• Others could include: New Bedford, and Boston Massachusetts's.

• These towns were centers of colonial trade.

• Other industries that were thriving in these towns at this time due to whaling: ship building, fishing, and the soap and wool making trades.

Whaling Terminology

• Lancing- this was the process of killing a whale using harpoons to rope the whale until it could not survive

• Claw- the tool used for hooking the tail fin of a whale

Whaling at New Bedford in 1901