The Golden Era of Whaling. 57 
the New Bedford harbor to be used as a whaling port. 
As the industry flourished, its promoters and followers 
did not have to contend with the same unfavorable 
natural conditions as those which had to be met on barren 
Nantucket. Success created new capital and attracted 
still more for investment in whaling ventures. The 
New Bedford whalemen soon became well known for 
their skill and success. Because there were important 
interests at New Bedford others were attracted. Hence 
the fact that the Golden Age of whaling was very largely 
the prosperity of the New Bedford fishery. 
