South Georgia at Grytviken - A Whaling Factory
Feb 28, 2020 20:34:47 #
This factory location was built by the Norwegian Captian Carl Anton Larson. It was much more efficient to render the whale fat here close to the source and ship only the refined oil back to its destinations. This factory was highly profitable until the discovery and processing of crude oil became the new energy source. We can judge those folks from back then and the near extinction of all types of whales only if we take into account the need for energy and the lure of huge profits. Now, it's just a relic of another time. Theres a museum, post office and church there, but the village and factory are more like museum pieces than anything else.
Walking around the site and hiking up the hill to the reservoir (Gull Lake) gives you a huge sadness over the decimation of the whales that occurred here. What is uplifting is the thought that that business is long gone and the creatures they harvested have made great strides in restoring lost populations.
Hope you enjoy this set of rusty old relics.
Pete
Walking around the site and hiking up the hill to the reservoir (Gull Lake) gives you a huge sadness over the decimation of the whales that occurred here. What is uplifting is the thought that that business is long gone and the creatures they harvested have made great strides in restoring lost populations.
Hope you enjoy this set of rusty old relics.
Pete
A view of the village from the cemetery
(Download)
Abandoned whaling boats, Elephant seals, fur seals and King penguins line the shore
(Download)
Agitated Elephant seal - a fur seal was passing by
(Download)
Female Fur seal in the hillocks
(Download)
Relics - Whale bones and the ship that brought them in
(Download)
Whale fat rendering took place here - no more old Tripots
(Download)
Harpoons - weapons of mass extinction
(Download)
Big objects need a big saw to cut them into little pieces
(Download)
The village as seen from the mouth of the bay
(Download)
The mouth of the bay into Grytviken
(Download)
Feb 28, 2020 20:49:56 #
Feb 28, 2020 20:51:20 #
Feb 28, 2020 21:02:45 #
A fabulous and educational set. Bringing back a time prior to crude. Mahalo for sharing.
Feb 29, 2020 07:41:34 #
Feb 29, 2020 09:03:34 #
Feb 29, 2020 09:11:20 #
Feb 29, 2020 10:25:49 #
Feb 29, 2020 11:00:59 #
That is a beautiful place to visit. Love the last shot. the others tell quite an interesting story.
Feb 29, 2020 11:04:14 #
Feb 29, 2020 11:09:57 #
Nice series. I especially like the download in your first shot. 
Feb 29, 2020 11:16:34 #
Feb 29, 2020 12:27:47 #
pmorin wrote:
This factory location was built by the Norwegian C... (show quote)
Wow....what a SAD Place and it's lie a Museum now as you mentioned. I saw the Whale Bones and the Harpoons and Cannon sitting there by the building...all painted-up for display. I am happy they went out of business and your images are very nice of all of it despite it's history. Thanks man !
Feb 29, 2020 12:40:03 #
Feb 29, 2020 14:09:46 #
Longshadow wrote:
Wow, great shots!
Love number five.
Love number five.
Thanks. Rust buckets have their day too.
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