new bedford whaling museum

NEW BEDFORD WHALING MUSEUM

A n d r é P i n t o B e s s a

Contrary to other industries, whaling required a lot of technique. As a consequence, there was a need for skilled and specialized labor, which contrasts with most of the industries

(textiles, automobile, steel), where there was a predomination of unskilled employees. This significant difference is relevant because at that time this was one of the few industries that

generated demand for skilled labor.

The specificities of this activity implied that the selection of workers was of the utmost importance. The whaling agents, who organized the voyages, carefully selected the workers

who were better suited for each job. This idea of worker selection is one of the key aspects of Scientific Management.

Various tools used in the processDue to the extreme difficulty of the activity, the people who were on board disposed of

several tools in order to succeed in their purpose of extracting the oil.

Storage of the oilEither the sperm oil or the whale oil were stored in these barrels at first. Then, using those tools

(on the right), the oil was moved to smaller recipients, so that it would be easier to sell.

New Bedford Custom House• Created in 1836• Place where whaling

agents registered their ships and cargo• Shows how well

organized the industry was and attests of its importance for the region, which depended economically on the success of the voyages