From 1752 to 1876, at least six shipyards flourished along the Mattapoisett waterfront from the foot of Pearl Street to Ship Street in Cannonville. A fine harbor, an abundant supply of virgin timber, and a ready market for whaling and maritime commerce drew outstanding shipbuilders, who built and launched barks, brigs, schooners, sloops, and merchant ships here. When the whaling industry reached its height in New Bedford, Mattapoisett became world famous for its whaleships, and more than 350 vessels went down the ways during this period. Among the most famous were the ship Acushnet, built in 1840 and carrying Herman Melville as a crew member on her maiden voyage, after which he wrote the whaling saga Moby Dick ten years later; the ship Platina, built in 1847 and distinguished for capturing a white whale; and the bark Wanderee, built in 1876 as the last whaleship constructed in Mattapoisett yards and one of the last whalers to sail from New Bedford.