New Bedford Whaling Museum

Jonathan Ciulla

NEW BEDFORD WHALING MUSEUM

New Bedford became the largest whaling port in the world between 1815-1825. The residents primarily

hunted wale for the sperm whale oil. Factories, Oil Refineries, candle works, and

manufacturers used the oil for dozens of products. Many immigrants chose to make a living hunting in the

lucrative whale industry.

A TREMENDOUS UNDERTAKING

A scale model of an artic fishing vessel that traveled vast distances for different kinds of whale toward Greenland in the Atlantic.

Young men would brave blistering cold in the search for the oil. The Ladoga went on more than a dozen whaling voyages before

being retired.

THE LAGODA

Part of the local trade involved local merchants who could craft vessels for the hunt. A niche trade existed in the manufacture,

repair, and accessories toward hunting whales.

HISTORICAL TRADE

Several products using whale oil as a fuel source, watch oil, soap, candles, wax, and paste. Baleen was an ingredient in many early

plastic-like products.

PRODUCTS

Above are sever different sizes of spears an a blunderbuss rifle used for the dispatching of the whalers’

giant foe.

TOOLS

A cannon powered harpoon , the product of Norwegian innovation, became prevalent in the early 20th century.

TOOLS

I had a blast!

THANK YOU!