534 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
WHALING "4 
The history of whaling presents one of the most romantic chapters 
in the annals of seafaring life. Since its inception, in the Bay of Biscay 
early in the twelfth century, whaling has been carried on at one time 
or another in all the oceans of the world. 
At the beginning of the eighteenth century the New England colo- 
nists became prominent in the industry, and by 1846 there were 735 
American vessels engaged in the fishery. 
The American fishery continued to expand and flourish until the 
discovery of petroleum in the United States about 1850. Due to 
lower production costs, the distillation products of petroleum quickly 
replaced whale oil for illumination purposes. In 1871 practically 
the entire Arctic fleet was destroyed by ice. This catastrophe, 
followed by the substitution of steel for whalebone, marked the end of 
American supremacy. 
The relentless, unrestricted pursuit of these huge marine mammals 
led inevitably to the virtual extermination of certain species in first 
one sea and then another. In 1887 new impetus was given the stricken 
industry by the invention of the harpoon gun by a Norwegian sailor, 
Svend Foyne. The harpoon gun, shooting a heavy harpoon with an 
exploding bomb, and mounted on the bow of fast boats of 100 to 150 
tons, made it possible to capture the large finback, blue, sei, and 
humpback whales, which previously had been too speedy and danger- 
ous to hunt. <A few years later a violent controversy, which cul- 
minated in a successful protest by the Norwegian cod fishery, closed 
Norwegian waters to whaling (Norwegian Fisheries Act of Jan. 7, 
1904). This led to the exploitation of distant fields, the establish- 
ment of new shore stations, and ultimately to the introduction of the 
huge modern factory ship. With the advent of the factory ship the 
Antarctic, hitherto unexplored, was invaded. 
Shortly after the beginning of the twentieth century, oil chemists 
learned the manner of converting whale oil into hardened fat. Later, 
the World War created a demand for gylcerine and once more whale oil 
returned as an important product of commerce. 
By 1930 Antarctic whaling had developed to such amazing pro- 
portions that for the first time leaders in the industry were forced to 
heed the warnings of eminent biologists and conservationists who had 
long followed with misgivings this unremitting warfare against these 
creatures. In 1931 the League of Nations provided for a committee 
of experts to consider the question. This committee adopted a Con- 
vention for the Regulation of Whaling. The Convention was signed 
by 26 nations, including the United States. In the United States,- 
the Whaling Treaty Act of May 1, 1936, and the Joint Regulations 
of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce, 
of October 9, 1936. promulgated thereunder, gave effect to this 
Convention. 
An International Whaling Conference, held in London, England, on 
June 8, 1937, drafted an Agreement to supplement and extend the 
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. This 
agreement was ratified by the United States and the new Joint 
ne This section was prepared by Ralph A. Ferrandini, Special Whaling Agent, Law Enforcement 
1V1sion. 
