A reference book listing almost 600 whale ships employed in the Southern Fishery from Britain for the first forty years of that industry. A snapshots of the 'life histories' of each ship in terms of owners, masters and voyages is provided for this global trade.

A reference book providing a snapshot of the life histories of more than fifty shipowners investing in the South Sea Whale Fishery over a forty year period. It gives details of their places of business, the number of whaling ships they owned and biographical information about their commercial dealings and personal lives. A map of London showing the River Thames and the location of the businesses of the majority of these shipowners is enclosed.