British South Sea whaling had never been so successful according to the Dutch newspaper Ommelander courant dated 1 August 1788

An item dated London, England 25th July reported that the British South Sea whaling had never been so successful. In 1785 were 18 ships fitted out with a combined result of 30.000 pound sterling. Thanks to the support of the government were in 1787 38 whalers fitted out with 100.000 pound as result. In 1788 were even 50 ships fitted out with an estimated result of nearly 200.000 pound. The Greenland whaling also increased. For the last war [Fourth Anglo-Dutch war 1780-1784] were never 100 whalers fitted out, in 1787 however 151 and in 1788 despite the decreased premiums even 248 with and estimated catch of around 4 million pound.