Whaling station

W00210

Whaling station

 

Whaling station at Leith Harbour, South Georgia. There are very mixed reports about living conditions at whaling stations in South Georgia, and amenities and sanitation certainly improved in later years as Leith Harbour and the other shore-based whaling stations became more established. Whalers were sometimes initially struck by the overpowering smell of carcasses, and it took a few days to get used to it. It has been said that a shore-based whaling station was probably 'about the filthiest habitation of men the whole world over'. However, the majority of whalers seemed to be of the opinion that it was perhaps a little shabby, but reasonably clean. Many whalers have fond memories of their whaling days, and many went back to work enthusiastically season after season, with few criticisms of food or amenities. The old sail ship is the coal hulk James Turpie.

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