Book Review-‘Whale Factory Ships and Modern Whaling 1881–2016’ by I. Hart

Abstract

The author of this book has already written two important works on the Antarctic whale fisheries and this volume provides an overview of factory whaling, both north and south. A lengthy historical introduction gives us details of the Norwegian pioneers of modern whaling, individuals such as Svend Foyn and C. A. Larsen. Starting with makeshift conversions, the first purpose-built factory ship appeared in 1920 and in 1925 the slipway was introduced, allowing the whales to be hauled on to the deck rather than being flensed alongside, or on land. Pelagic whaling became the norm with fleets of catcher boats servicing the mother ship without the need of shore installations. Hart also traces the effects of two World Wars during which the oil was of strategic importance for converting into margarine for domestic consumption, and production of glycerine for explosives…

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Filed under: Other (Twentieth C) | Other (Nineteenth C)
Subjects include: Whaling & Fishing