A VOYAGE IN TIME
#2
Departure...City of New Bedford
Joseph Rotch came from Nantucket, in 1765 where he had been a very successful whale ship owner. It was this man who really started the whaling industry in new Bedford.
the New Bedford fleet, like that of Nantucket, was captured or driven from the sea during the two wars with England. After the second war ended the New Bedford whaling fleet grew steadily. Soon New Bedford had become the largest whaling port in the world. In 1857 New Bedford owned 329 ships which was half the world's fleet.
On voyages to the warm waters, the ships would be gone from New Bedford three of four years. On those long voyages, some of the captains took their wives and children with them. For the most part, the wives and children stayed ashore and had to wave good-bye and await the return of their loved ones.
A WHALE OF A TAIL
Cost per Cup Plate is $12.00. S/H/P $3.50 Insurance $2.70
