Basberg, Bjørn L.: The Shore Whaling Stations at South Georgia, 2nd ed.

A Study in Antarctic Industrial Archaeology

This book brings together two rather esoteric topics: whaling and industrial archaeology. The focus is on the remains of the shore whaling stations on South Georgia in the Southern Ocean – a centre of Antarctic whaling for the first half of the 20^th century. Being left to deteriorate primarily through natural processes, most of the whaling stations still, decades after business closed, have an authenticity that few industrial remains in more populated areas of the world can offer.

The book reviews a research project on the industrial archaeology on South Georgia and places the project in a wider context. It reviews the history of South Georgia from the early discoveries, the sealing industry of the 19^th century, the whaling industry of the 20^th century and the development afterwards, when the attitude towards the former whaling stations gradually shifted from being seen as mere scrap to being considered cultural heritage.

The main part of the book describes and analyses how the whaling stations were designed and operated. The emphasis is on the main functions and functional relationships: the processing plant, the power supply, workshops, accommodation and recreational facilities.

Contents

Preface & Acknowledgements

Introduction


I. INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY

Industrial archaeology on South Georgia
Background
Field surveys

Industrial archaeology and whaling
Industrial archaeology – an overview
Archaeology of whaling sites


II. FROM LARGE-SCALE INDUSTRY TO INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE

Antarctic Whaling and South Georgia
Before whaling
In search of new whaling grounds – from North to South
Creating an industry
Heydays – and the pelagic challenge
The long decline of South Georgia whaling

South Georgia in the post whaling era
Scientific research station and fishing grounds
Military base
Tourist destination
From scrap to industrial heritage

III. THE SOUTH GEORGIA WHALING STATIONS

Industrial plants and landscapes
The layout and design of the South Georgia whaling stations
Grytviken
Leith Harbour
Husvik Harbour
Stromness Harbour
Prince Olav Harbour
Ocean Harbour
Was there a “typical” South Georgia whaling shore station?
Building methods and architecture
The industrial landscape of South Georgia
Whaling stations in other areas – South Georgia compared

Production
The whaling station production process – an overview
The vessels
The flensing platform
The blubber cookery
The meat cookery
The bone cookery
Ancillary functions in the cookeries
Separator and recovery plants
Oil storage tanks
The whale meal (“guano”) plant and store
The meat extract plant
The refrigeration plant
The laboratory
Transport systems
Mechanization – how far?
Oil or meal?

Power supply
The boiler house
The electric power station
Hydro-electric plants and dams

Workshops
The engineering workshop
The blacksmith shop
The foundry
The plating shop
The welding shop
The plumber’s shop
The tinsmith’s shop
The carpenter’s shop
The cooper’s shop
The tailor’s, sail-maker’s and upholsterer’s shops
The electrician’s shop
The radio, radar and ASDIC shops
Stores
The ship repair yard – a plant within the plant

Living quarters
The villa
Barracks
Separate and individual bedrooms
The bath house
The laundry

Food and catering
Kitchen and messes
Provisions stores
The slop chest
The butcher’s shop
The bakery
The pigsty
The henhouse
The coffee-roasting house
The greenhouse

Recreational facilities
The cinema
The library
Common rooms
The soccer field
The ski jump

Other Functions
Hospitals
Offices
Defense installations
The church and cemeteries


Conclusions
Supplement for the Second Edition

IV. APPENDICES

APPENDIX I: Survey methods and techniques
APPENDIX II: Reports and publications from the project
APPENDIX III: Employment categories
APPENDIX IV: Grytviken, general map and index
APPENDIX V: Leith Harbour, general map and index
APPENDIX VI: Husvik Harbour, general map and index
APPENDIX VII: Stromness Harbour, general map and index
APPENDIX VIII: Prince Olav Harbour, general map and index
APPENDIX IX: Ocean Harbour, general map and index

Notes

Bibliography

Author: 

Bjørn L. Basberg (b. 1952) is Professor Emeritus in Economic History at the Norwegian School of Economics in Bergen. He has studied the economic history of the 20^th century Antarctic whaling industry for many years, and initiated a research project on industrial archaeology at the former whaling shore stations at South Georgia. He has published internationally, written and edited books on the history of whaling, shipping and industry and he has received several awards for his work in general and for this book in particular.

Paperback: ISBN 978-82-8390-199-3, 265 pp., format: 21x27 cm, weight 0,8 kg,, year of publication 2026, language: English