New Bedford received this nickname "The Whaling City" because during the 19th century, the city was one of the most important, if not the most important, of whaling cities in the world. That reputation lasted until oil was discovered in 1859. This put an end to the whaling industry with the last whaling ship The Morgan leaving New Bedford harbor in 1849.
When the whaling industry was decreasing New Bedford had to really on another industry. That industry would become textile industry. Textiles came to New Bedford, White’s “Factory” built by the White brothers about 1799, was the first cotton yarn mill on the Acushnet River. In 1814, Capt Whelden, a retired whaling captain and shareholder in the White Bros. mill, apparently saw further need for textiles and built the stone building just upstream from White’s Mill. Whelden Mill is reputed to be the first all-inclusive cotton factory in Massachusetts. By 1888 there were over 6,200 mill workers in the city. But, like most mill cities in Massachusetts that came to an end by the early to mid 60’s when the textile industry moved to other countries because the labor was cheaper.
Other historical facts about New Bedford are;
• The development of the harpoon
• The Under Ground Railroad to free slaves that were running away from the South
• Then Senator Abraham Lincoln visiting the city in 1840
New Bedford today is the largest fishing ports in the United States. It is a working seaport with 100’s of fishing vessels. On any given day you can see fishermen and women working on these vessels getting ready for their next fishing voyage.
This is but a brief history of the City of New Bedford and its many industries. If you are not a local resident of the city or the area I suggest that you visit the Whaling Museum.
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