Mather & Co.


Mather & Co. were three brothers that began in commerce and contracting for the British Royal Navy. They became owners of whalers and between them at one or another time were owners or part-owners of up to 29 vessels that engaged in the British Southern Whale Fishery between 1775 and 1815.
The brothers operated from premises at Orchard Place, Blackwall, London, 12 Birchin Liane, Cornhill, London, Mark Lane and Mincing Lane, Tower, Copthall buildings, Throgmorton Street, and Finsbury Square.
The three Mathers were:
James Mather : James Mather began in the 1770s trading with North America and during the American War of Independence chartered storeships to the Royal Navy. When he died three of his sons continued the business until 1803.
Thomas Mather : Thomas Mather was a mariner in the whaling business, and a member of the London Corporation in 1800.
John Mather : John Mather was a mariner in the whaling business, and a member of the London Corporation in 1800.

Ships

The University of Hull's database of vessels engaged in the British Southern Whale Fisheries lists 28 whaling vessels that the Mathers owned or part-owned at one time or another. However, some of these vessels may have traveled to the South Seas as convict transports to Australia, or supply ships. There are other vessels associated with Mathers & Co. that were not whalers.
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