South Georgia Shore Whaling Stations
Whales and Whaling pictures, thumbnails page 4  - page 1 -   - page 2 -   - page 3 -

Pictures from South Georgia of the whaling industry from 1947-48. There were a number of shore-stations which would process whales caught nearby by small fast whale catchers using explosive harpoons. Other larger ships would also bring captured whales back to shore for processing.

Pictures used courtesy of Rob Moss.

1947-48 appraoching a settlement by ship.

1947-48, a South Georgia whaling station seen from a hill ashore. The two large ships are either factory whalers or transport ships. The smaller boats are whale catchers. The large tanks ashore will hold whale oil as it is generated before it is transported north.

A group of whale catcher boats in harbour at South Georgia.

1947-48, Shore processing of a large baleen whale at South Georgia using a large powerful steam-powered saw.

1947-48, A giant baleen whale at the beginning of the flensing process. The flenser is carrying a flensing knife, a large razor-sharp blade fixed to a sturdy shaft. The first cut has been made most of the length of the whale at about the level of his waist.