Portsmouth's Dark Secret: How Whaling Lit Up the World and Nearly Extinguished Whales

Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Where Whales Once Lit the World Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a charming coastal town, holds a dark secret within its picturesque harbor. For centuries, this area was a major hub for whaling, an industry that fueled the Industrial Revolution but came at a devastating cost to whale populations. TheHistoryHusband, a history enthusiast, recently highlighted this in a short video. "It's crazy to think," he states in his video, "that whale oil literally fueled the industrial revolution." His video shows him standing next to a whale statue, a poignant reminder of the town's whaling past. He explains how the demand for whale oil for lamps led to the depletion of whale populations in the North Atlantic. The video also touches upon the cultural legacy of whaling, noting the numerous sea shanties that originated from this era. This unexpected connection adds another layer to the story, showing how even dark chapters in history can leave behind surprising cultural artifacts. The video's informal style, however, limits the depth of historical analysis. Despite this, the video serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between human progress and environmental consequences.