Antarctic Whaling

“An eruption, black, shimmering object breaks the oily surface, the giant tail rises, hovers, then gently slides back, disappearing smoothly without splash or ripple; a further disturbance occurs in the placid water, another similar black object, this time a bulbous shape giving vent to a high, misty spout of water; the object moves slowly, akin to a `Polaris’ submarine submerging to join his companions, a pod of sperm whales, generally milling around but moving steadily southwards.”

“this unique story of life aboard a whaling factory ship, told by a junior whalerman has never been told before. The writings remain factual, embellishments being unnecessary”

“landing a whale is analagous to that of a fishing rod. The line in this instance being a two inch nylon rope attached to the harpoon which is fed under the gun platform, running to the top of the mast, the latter performing as a fishing rod. The winch or reel, situated below the bridge helmsman and sometimes in conjunction with the catchers engine helps to `play’ the victim.”

“a steamy haze swirls around mid-ships bridge; there is shouting and swearing, the steel cable becomes taut, pulling a shiny, creamy looking mass, an inverted sperm whale skull with eye sockets agape, a scene from the comics could not offer more horror. It skids across the slimy, blood red deck, expertly winched by the forward winchman”

“...icebergs, different sizes and shapes, a sculptors dream, always with the white cap of frozen snow. Sometimes stark, silhouetted against a blue horizon or with edges, similar to a Turner seascape, disappearing into mist; suns reflections, miraculous, beautiful rainbow colours, contrasting colours of pink, orange to deep vermillion and red, all forming the rich, colourful, awe inspiring palette of nature.