 These made 125 voyages from Port Jackson during his thirty or so years involvement in the trade, this in spite of the fact he arrived late on the scene, the industry having peaked in the 1830s.His strategy was to purchase old and inexpensive vessels and crew them with South Sea islanders who were more tractable and prepared to work on the "lay" or share system of payment.He chose experienced and capable masters to command these vessels and keep them at sea in the face of the manifold difficulties routinely experienced on their long and demanding voyages.