In September 1773, the Leviathan, a whaling vessel from Newport, Rhode Island, entered the port of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. This chance landing would give rise to a whole new whaling industry in Brazil, as the North American crew would teach their Portuguese counterparts how to hunt sperm whales. Sperm whales were one of the most valuable species pursued by whalers, due to the treasured spermaceti and ambergris that could be extracted from their bodies. The long-term commercial exploitation of sperm whales for these commodities has left their populations diminished and their future uncertain.
