THE SPERM WHALE FISHERY. 
149 
addition in the importation of sperm oil, amounting this 
year to 1258 tons; making an increase over the import- 
ation in the year 1786, of 931 tons. 
In 1791, the bounties were again altered; but the 
alteration merely related to the time the ships should 
remain out. The ships which were at this time engaged 
in the fishery carried from twenty-two to thirty men 
each. This enterprising branch of commerce was carried 
on year after year with considerable success, subject to 
but slight variations in the annual and gradual increase 
in the importation of oil, giving employmen|^to a vast 
number of persons, many of whom were enriched to an 
immense amount by the success which attended their 
exertions in this now profitable pursuit. 
In the year 1802, ships were sent to whale off the 
island of New Zealand, where they frequently met with 
considerable success. In 1803, many vessels were 
ploughing the China Seas about the Molucca Islands in 
search of the sperm whale, and with the same encourag- 
ing results. In passing over a lapse of sixteen years, 
we have nothing to remark except that there was still a 
gradual increase in the importation of sperm oil, from a 
greater number of ships being employed in this adven- 
turous trade, to which every year added fresh experience, 
by which they became better fitted and manned, and 
therefore the more qualified to war with and capture the 
“giant of the main.” 
In 1819, another great impulse was given to the 
fishery, by the indefatigable and enterprising Mr. 
Enderby, who had not only joined the government in 
