FROM DOLDRUMS TO STU'N'S'LS 



45 



significance. Each year this publication assiduously gathered 

 figures concerning the total number of whaling vessels (in- 

 cluding ships, barks, brigs, schooners, and sloops), the total 

 tonnage, the amounts of sperm oil, whale oil, and whalebone 

 brought into American ports (listed as imports), and the aver- 

 age annual price of each of these three products. As soon 

 as possible after each thirty-first day of December these fig- 

 ures were then assembled and published in one of the regular 

 January issues j and when placed in the proper sequence they 

 spoke eloquently of whaling progress. The compilations 

 which depicted the fishery at its period of highest develop- 

 ment were these: ^^ 



American Whaling Vessels, Tonnage, Imports, and Prices, 1838-1860 



11 The complete figures of the Whalemen's Shipping List began with the 

 year 1843, although reports for some items go back to 1838. Alexander Star- 



