 Not only were we carrying practically all of our own goods, but the reputation of Yankee ship builders for turning out models which surpassed in speed, strength, and durability any vessels to be found, brought about the sale between 1815 and 1840 of 540,000 tons of shipping to foreigners.Not withstanding higher wages, it cost less to run an American vessel, for a smaller crew was carried.Of the world's total whaling fleet in 1842, it was estimated that of 882 ships 652 were American vessels.