Definition of "whale-fishery" [whale-fishery]

• The occupation or industry of taking whales; also, the men, vessels, etc., engaged in this pursuit. (noun)
• A locality that is or may be resorted to for the taking of whales; a place where whale-fishing is conducted, or where whales abound. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "In sum, gentlemen, what the wildness of this canal life is, is emphatically evinced by this; that our wild whale-fishery contains so many of its most finished graduates, and that scarce any race of mankind, except Sydney men, are so much distrusted by our whaling captains."
• "For nowadays, the whale-fishery furnishes an asylum for many romantic, melancholy, and absent-minded young men, disgusted with the corking care of earth, and seeking sentiment in tar and blubber."
• "Now when a country dandy like this takes it into his head to make a distinguished reputation, and joins the great whale-fishery, you should see the comical things he does upon reaching the seaport."