211. Leviathan: New Englanders and the History of Whaling

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Jun 15, 2025

Eric Jay Dolan, an accomplished author with a focus on maritime history, dives into the compelling world of American whaling. He discusses how whale oil powered the Industrial Revolution and the significant role of New England ports like New London. The podcast uncovers the gritty realities of whaling sailors and their economic struggles, while highlighting the resilience of the women who managed households during long voyages. Dolan also connects historical whaling logbooks to modern climate science, showcasing their relevance today.

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INSIGHT

Origins and Growth of American Whaling

The American whaling industry grew from European practices and began with drift whaling in the 1600s.
The industry expanded offshore by 1712, targeting sperm whales whose oil was highly valuable for illumination.

INSIGHT

Whale Products and Their Uses

Whales provided three main valuable products: whale oil, spermaceti oil from sperm whales, and baleen.
Ambergris, a rare byproduct from sperm whales, was prized for use in perfumes and could be worth its weight in gold.

INSIGHT

Harsh Realities of Whaling Careers

Whaling jobs promised adventure and pay, but most sailors earned very little after expenses.
Crews became more diverse and challenging to manage as the industry expanded, leading to more mutinies and desertions.

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American whale oil lit the world. The Industrial Revolution couldn’t have happened without it. Connecticut was part of the whaling industry of the nineteenth century that sent thousands of American ships manned by tens of thousands of men to hunt whales across the world’s oceans. Stonington, Mystic, New London, and New Haven were part of New England’s predominance in successful whaling. In fact, New London, Connecticut is known today as the “Whaling City”.

My guest Eric Jay Dolan is the author of sixteen award-winning books on maritime history. In this episode, we will be talking about the history of American whaling taken from his work in Leviathan The History of Whaling in America published in 2007 byW.W. Norton Press. His latest book, is Left for Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World. Dolin lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Note: Listeners may find this episode disturbing. Whaling was a brutal trade - we are describing the industry in its historic context.

To find out more about the other books that Eric has written, go to his website: www.ericjaydolin.com/

His website also has information on upcoming events he’s doing and contact information. He is available for book talks and lectures both in person and remotely.

You’ll find the link to the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park here:

www.nps.gov/nebe/index.htm

Don’t forget that our August 1st episode will feature Mystic Seaport’s new whaling exhibit.

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This episode of Grating the Nutmeg was produced by Mary Donohue and engineered by Patrick O’Sullivan at highwattagemedia.com/ Follow GTN on our socials-Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky.

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