46 A History of the American Whale Fishery. 
for most of the period from 1785-1815, it seems doubtful 
if the whaling fleet ever reached a total of 200 vessels. 
The size of the vessels had increased and the length of 
the voyages had been extended until whaling in the 
Pacific was well established. But at best the towns 
participating were few and the number of vessels was 
small. It was truly a critical period in the history of the 
whale fishery. In 1815, for the second time in a half 
century, the declaration of peace found the whaling 
industry in a practically ruined condition, to be rebuilt 
almost anew. But from the ruins a whale fishery was to 
grow up, slowly and steadily, during the next three 
decades, of such importance and prosperity as no other 
time or country has ever seen. 
