News:
Now in the library; "Genealogy of the Cooke and Cook family". New under the Moments in Time section: my "I Love Me Wall". (purely self-indulgent, I know.)
Mathew was the second mate on the doomed voyage of the "Essex" when she was struck and sunk by a sperm whale on November 20, 1820. He was among the crew trying to survive in the whaling boats when he died on January 10. 1821. He was buried at sea.
SS Essex. The whaling ship Essex being attacked by a Sperm Whale. The drawing as made by Thomas Nickerson, cabin boy and, a survivor of the wreck of the Essex.
Thar She Blows! (11) While many cultures and countries engaged in whaling this page is concerned with the history of the New England whaling industry. In no way should this be seen to justify modern whaling.
Commercial whaling in the United States began in the 17th century in New England. The industry peaked in 1846–1852 when the availability of petrochemicals and over-hunting made the practice increasingly impractical.
At one time whale oil was absolutely necessary. It's main uses were for household lighting and lubrication of machinery. There were alternatives to whale oil, but they were inferior in performance and cleanliness of burn. While the oil was the primary driver there were secondary products. The baleen some whales used to strain food from the sea were a secondary harvest. They were used in applications that would be accomplished in the modern world with plastic or steel. Simply put whale hunting allowed civilization to grow and prosper.
1793 - 1821 (27 years) 
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