Ganges (1809 whaler)

The Ganges was a whaling ship built in the United States and launched in 1809. Historical records indicate the Ganges primarily operated in the Pacific whaling grounds during the first half of the 19th century. Whaling ships of this era, like the Ganges, were typically engaged in voyages that lasted for several years, hunting whales for their oil and baleen. The voyages were often perilous and could cover vast distances across the globe. Archival research, specifically logbooks and shipping manifests, provides insights into the Ganges's captains, crew, ports of call, and the quantity of whale products harvested. The precise details of its construction, owners, and ultimate fate may be dispersed across various historical sources or, in some instances, lost to time. Records relating to whaling vessels such as the Ganges are valuable for understanding the economic and social significance of the whaling industry during that period.