SPERM FISHERY. 189 



. 



In the year 1785 . .51 per Tun, Imperial measure. 



1800 . . 84 



1810 . 126 



1820 . . 85 



1822 . . 50 



1830 . . 72 



1836 . . 82 



1839 . . 93 



The Americans, who commenced the Southern Whale 

 Fishery with so much ardour and success, have con- 

 tinued zealous in its prosecution. The number of whale- 

 ships they at present possess, is estimated at about 

 three hundred and fifty, a large proportion of which is 

 engaged exclusively in the pursuit of the Sperm Whale. 

 With this nation, also, the whale-trade is more generally 

 diffused amongst the commercial classes than in England, 

 and instead of one merchant possessing many South- 

 Seamen, as with us, it is more usual to find one whale- 

 ship the property of several owners an interest in her 

 being held by many men of small capital, and not un- 

 frequently by the commander and officers who prosecute 

 the voyage. Sperm oil is so much cheaper in the 

 United States than in England, that its exportation to 

 this country would be a source of considerable revenue 

 to the Americans, did not our heavy duty on foreign 

 oil prohibit the introduction of their produce to the 

 British market at a lower price than 90 per tun. 



The ships engaged in the Sperm Fishery, (and which 

 are for the most part vessels of from 250 to 400 tons 

 burden,) derive a peculiar interest from the roving and 

 enterprising nature of the service to which they are 



