Process Paper
After much debate between the New England whaling industry and the Battle of Hampton Roads, I chose the New England whaling industry from 1690-1880 as my research topic for two main reasons: New England was the most one of the most important places for whaling and I love learning about history on the ocean.
Finding sources was rather difficult. I would Google-search terms such as “New England whaling industry”, “New Bedford industry”, and “Nantucket whaling industry”. They yielded many of the same results, but those results were very useful. The websites were very long, sponsored by very respectable institutions, and they were filled with information. I addressed the problem of finding similar sources by rewording my searches, but also looking for books and magazines on the topics. Nantucket features a quarterly periodical on the history of the island. I found primary sources, Captain’s Journals, and loads of whaling history through Historic
Nantucket. My most impressive source is the Smithsonian-sponsored “On the Water” website. It is an overview of the whaling industry from 1840-1920. A couple of my other important sources are the Captain’s Journals. They give me a good look at the daily struggles and needs of a whaling captain.
I found one book on the internet: A History of the American Whale Fishery. This book, which is capable of being read on Google, contains information that is separated by time period, making my research easier.
I did not choose my category of the project; it was assigned as a website. I chose to work individually because for major graded assignments I like to do all the work. I like to be in control of all the work being done, so I can assure myself of a good grade. I also wanted to work alone because my schedule is so jam-packed with sports and other extra-curricular activities. I did not want to let a group down.
My argument will focus on the New England whaling industry’s influence, impact, and change due to geography. It will include major arguments such as how the industry came to be, overfishing in the Atlantic and the change as a result, the innovation of ships, and the sheer magnitude New England had on the worldwide whaling industry. My thesis, in short, is: Nantucketers introduced the whaling industry to the world; they had the heaviest impact on it, and their influence over the Eastern Seaboard to the tropical islands of the Pacific was astounding. Additionally, New England’s whale fishery was a major reason that the rest of the world had to
eventually shift to the Pacific in order to make a profit.
Finding sources was rather difficult. I would Google-search terms such as “New England whaling industry”, “New Bedford industry”, and “Nantucket whaling industry”. They yielded many of the same results, but those results were very useful. The websites were very long, sponsored by very respectable institutions, and they were filled with information. I addressed the problem of finding similar sources by rewording my searches, but also looking for books and magazines on the topics. Nantucket features a quarterly periodical on the history of the island. I found primary sources, Captain’s Journals, and loads of whaling history through Historic
Nantucket. My most impressive source is the Smithsonian-sponsored “On the Water” website. It is an overview of the whaling industry from 1840-1920. A couple of my other important sources are the Captain’s Journals. They give me a good look at the daily struggles and needs of a whaling captain.
I found one book on the internet: A History of the American Whale Fishery. This book, which is capable of being read on Google, contains information that is separated by time period, making my research easier.
I did not choose my category of the project; it was assigned as a website. I chose to work individually because for major graded assignments I like to do all the work. I like to be in control of all the work being done, so I can assure myself of a good grade. I also wanted to work alone because my schedule is so jam-packed with sports and other extra-curricular activities. I did not want to let a group down.
My argument will focus on the New England whaling industry’s influence, impact, and change due to geography. It will include major arguments such as how the industry came to be, overfishing in the Atlantic and the change as a result, the innovation of ships, and the sheer magnitude New England had on the worldwide whaling industry. My thesis, in short, is: Nantucketers introduced the whaling industry to the world; they had the heaviest impact on it, and their influence over the Eastern Seaboard to the tropical islands of the Pacific was astounding. Additionally, New England’s whale fishery was a major reason that the rest of the world had to
eventually shift to the Pacific in order to make a profit.