The Twilight Days
A Nantucket wharf without much whaling activity, 1900.
The British Navy in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 effectively crippled America's whaling industry. It intercepted and destroyed ships, it scared sailors, and it showed America what life was like without whaling.
New England's primary source of income had steadily changed since the early 19th Century. Manufacturing in factories became it's leading economic contributor, and whaling became a steadily smaller and less profitable industry. By 1900, it had all but disappeared in the region. Nantucket's economy had also seen change. When it was discovered to be a beautiful summer vacation destination, people began flocking there and tourism became the foundation for the economy.
New Bedford had become a major city in Southern Massachusetts as well. Manufacturing took the place of whaling in the economy, and the rest of the city became trade based and whaling was less emphasized-- though still practiced.
The discovery of oil was also a major reason for the whaling industry's demise. Crude oil replaced the oil of the Sperm Whale, and it was much easier to find. The glory days of whaling were in the past, and it was time to modernize.
New England's primary source of income had steadily changed since the early 19th Century. Manufacturing in factories became it's leading economic contributor, and whaling became a steadily smaller and less profitable industry. By 1900, it had all but disappeared in the region. Nantucket's economy had also seen change. When it was discovered to be a beautiful summer vacation destination, people began flocking there and tourism became the foundation for the economy.
New Bedford had become a major city in Southern Massachusetts as well. Manufacturing took the place of whaling in the economy, and the rest of the city became trade based and whaling was less emphasized-- though still practiced.
The discovery of oil was also a major reason for the whaling industry's demise. Crude oil replaced the oil of the Sperm Whale, and it was much easier to find. The glory days of whaling were in the past, and it was time to modernize.