“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.

Antarctic Whaling explores how British whalers came to claim so large a share of the whales taken from the Southern Ocean in the first half of the twentieth century, and, more particularly, where, when, how and why the British Government came to play so large a part in whaling history through its endeavour to regulate the whaling grounds.

This publication gives an in-depth analysis of a very important but complex case before the International Court of Justice. It deals with substantive and procedural aspects of the case, analysed extensively by eminent international lawyers and practitioners. The Whaling in Antarctic case is a landmark case in international law. Contributors: Malgosia Fitzmaurice and Dai Tamada (eds.); Caroline E. Foster; Shotaro Hamamoto; Theodore Christakis; Christian Tams; Mika Hayashi; Joji Morishita; Donald R. Rothwell; Hironobu Sakai; Anthony Press; Akiho Shibata; Yuri Takaya.

Publisher description

In October, 1923 a Norwegian whale factory ship and five catchers called into Hobart to obtain fresh provisions. Twelve young Tasmanians signed on to go a-whaling in the freezing water of Antarctica's Ross Sea. Altogether 132 young Tasmanians joined Norwegian whaling expeditions over the eight following summers. All of them sought adventure, and none was disappointed. They called themselves 'Tassie's whale boys'. Their diaries tell of long arduous days among stench and filth and of the cruelty of industrial whaling; they tell of biting cold, the omnipresence of danger from ice and storms, dreadful food, and the minuscule pay at journey's end. They also tell of the special camaraderie engendered when spirited young men share such an adventure, and of their unbounded admiration for the solid, dependable Norwegians in whose trust they put their lives. The contrast of industrial whaling with the supremely beautiful Antarctic environment was not lost on any of the young men. Even the least articulate among them tried to express something of the grandeur of Antarctica as the iridescent sun shimmered over the summer horizon. This is their story.

Expedition commanded by Captain Carl A. Larsen.