History of Whaling

1. History of Whaling By Jared Klinger

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

8. 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

10. Whaling at New Bedford in 1901