Refresh ----- Related Humpback Whaling Thread

The Song
When I found the DT Lyrics, yesterday, I was totally intrigued, as it described a similar NZ operation, Perano Whaling Station which I knew in the late 1950s, and Gavin Maxwell's book, Harpoon at a Venture, of the same vintage. I knew Bob Bolton's erudition would be involved, so started my search for background here on Mudcat. All I can say is Whewww... I'd like to share a few of my findings.

Harry Robertson - What a guy! It must've been a privilege knowing him Bob. His 1972 recording Whale Chasing Men is available from ScreenSound Australia (their national film/sound archive. I may even give in and get a "plastic fantastic" so I can get the CD (and others you guys are pointing me to).
YE GODS - go to the SoundScreen Search Page and type in 'whaling' - what a resource! There's even a 1959 home movie of "Whaling at Byron Bay" listed. Don't know if you can get a video of it - check it out Bob, "It's no use to me / Don't have TV" (Song Topic?).

Ballina - Yhe town's been involved with whaling for yonks. Bob, any idea if the name comes from Balleen = [14th century. Via Old French balaine, from Latin balaena "whale", from Greek phalaina]? Balin/Ballina keeps popping up in old whaling literature referring to 'balleen' (eg Right) whales rather than 'toothed' (eg Sperm) whales.

Byron Bay - "The whaling industry in Byron Bay had a short life. In July 1954, the first whale was taken for Mr Anderson's Byron Bay Whaling Co. The whaling station was built next to his meat works, handy to the railway line. His quota was for 120 humpback whales. This was increased to 150 in 1959, but the yield was lower than at first, and it continued to decline. By 1962 another of the Bay's industries had gone." - from Byron Bay History

Fairmile - That word takes me back to schooldays and 'Sea Cadets' in the 50s - I did my "sea time" in Wellington Harbour on one. Considering how widespread variants of this British ML/MTB were during WWII, and the varied uses they were put to post-war, I had a hell of a job tracking down decent pictures. UK Coastal Defence Heritage have the best descriptions, with another on RAN Navy News. I also found photos of excellent large scale model Fairmiles.

I'd love to see pictures of how they cobbled up the "tractor as a whalewinch", I've seen a few 'creative' crayfishing and paua (abalone) diving adaptations of ex-RNZN Fiheries Protection Fairmile MLs, there was one based here on Stewart Island for a while.

My last trips on a Navy MLs where to White Isand, an active volcano in the Bay of Plenty. Once we were past the 10 mile limit, Navy OP Rum was anly ten bob a bottle - we drank heaps. Those were the luxury trips. more adventurous ones were in an open 20' dory. Those were the days, back in the 60s now they fly tourists in by bloody helicopter

Enough for now - my Aussie mate "Compo" has just walked in the door. He's the proud owner of a lathe with a 30' bed, that was originally here on the Island at the Rosshavet Whaling Co workshops. Must show him the South Georgia websites I found - you lot can wait.

Slainté - Sam