Quakers and the Whaling Industry

Quaker House museum in downtown Dartmouth.

Hunting for whales.

Quakers and the Whaling Industry in Dartmouth

In the 18th century, whaling was a major industry dominated by Quakers who had moved to Nantucket to avoid persecution in England. Nantucket, a tiny, isolated island off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, became a major whaling centre in America. Large fortunes were made as whaling ships ranged the whaling grounds from the South America to Greenland. The main target was the sperm whale whose oil and spermaceti fetched high prices in Europe and America.

During the American War of Independence (1775 – 1783) whaling ships were targeted by the British Navy with nearly fatal consequences to the industry. Nantucket’s fleet is reduced from 150 vessels to fewer than 30. Many Nantucket merchants relocated their whaling operations to Canada and abroad.

Whaling Comes to Halifax Harbour
In 1785 Dartmouth, Nova Scotia saw the arrival of whalers from Nantucket. These settlers were Quakers, they were hard working and industrious, and quickly established new homes and businesses. Along with whaling, they also established a spermaceti candle factory along with wharves, warehouses and workshops. They were so successful that they became a serious rival to the mighty British whaling industry. Britain offered the Quakers an impressive package to move their whaling operation to Ireland, after having been in Dartmouth for only a decade.

A Brief Stay, a Lasting Legacy
While they did not stay long, these settlers were instrumental in giving Dartmouth a new start and a new hope. One of the original homes built by the Quakers, still exists and has been turned into a museum. Originally the home of William Ray, a cooper (barrel maker), Quaker House tells the story of the Quakers and of the whaling industry in general.

End of an Era
In the 1850s, petroleum was discovered. It was cheaper, more abundant and more easily obtained than whale oil. By the early 1900s, the whaling industry had come to an end.