Musicians at Leith Harbour

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Musicians at Leith Harbour

 

These men are from Shetland and Norway, and were staying at South Georgia, an island near Antarctica, for a period of 15 months! They were working for Chr Salvesen & Co, a British whaling company that based its Antarctic operations from South Georgia. The whaling season only lasted for three months, but Salvesens required some men to remain in South Georgia to renovate the station and boats. The men had 50% added to their wages for over-wintering, but it meant they were away from home for a long time. There was nothing to do on South Georgia, as there are no inhabitants. The
whalers had to make their own entertainment. As well as playing
instruments, they would play card games, do craft work, or would go
skiing. They also often attempted to make their own home-brew.

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