Whalers

[John Albert Evans]

During my time at sea I often heard chat amoungst shipmates about 'Whalers' but I never sailed with anyone who had actually sailed on one.
Has anyone on here ever sailed on one and if so what was it like. I have often wondered.
I'm sure some others on here would like to know as well.

John Albert Evans

[robpage]

I joined British and Commonwealth in 1966 they still had Hector Whaling although I believe all the ships were disposed of by 1967 . I only ever came across one guy in B & C who had sailed on them , and he mentioned that the smell on board was gut wrenching . They were called Terrier I too Terrier VII and I believe ran out of Cape Town

There is a short article here Capt Sam Kent Williams Llyn Whaler

[John Albert Evans]

Thanks Rob,
That was a wonderful article by Captain Williams and the photographs were very interesting, I think it sums up everything I'd heard about whalers.
It would still be interesting for someone on here to give us a first hand account of what it was like including the smell which must have been nauseating.
John

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, posted before on this subject, My mate john was on one on top money, the crew were japanese who use to eat whale meat for breakfast and every meal they had, some had a disease from this ,He dont like it minky whale is the best to eat so they say ? The smell is awful but after a few days you dont notice it,I will ask him more question next time I see him,I forgot most of what he told me he is the only shipmate, I know who was on a whaler who still going strong. Not a british flag ship he was on it for over for a year tax free payoff.

[riptide]

I sailed with one or two who sailed on whalers when I sailed with Christian Salvesons Shipping comp.I think the smell was worse on the factory ships rather than the chasers,but it does not seem to have bothered them after a while.Google A history of Christian Salvesons it might help.Kenny

[Jim Brady]

They used to come into the Gladstone Dock here in Liverpool once a year.These were the actual factory ships,I think they were the Abraham Larsen and Southern Harvester full Norwegian crew as far as I am aware.When I was a sea cadet I went aboard and had a show around they were just like factories from pulling the whale up the slipway cutting it up,lots of conveyor belts,the smell was quite high I think this was the dried blood and could be smelt in the areas that we lived outside the dock.At one time the Norwegian crew were given the full pay off on arrival at Liverpool "the girls" came from all over the country,they say the Caradoc till was that hot it had to have asbestos on it.The last few years they only got a sub in Liverpool and were paid off back in Norway as many went home skint,the sub wasn't bad though it was only £300 and this was in the 50's.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Doc Vernon]

Was never on a Whaler as such,but in themid/ late 50's went aboard the Willem Barendzs factory Ship in Cape Town,as my late Father In In Law used to work on her for a while he never stayed on her for very long and returned to Durban later ,it was an Eye opener to say the least,and yes the stench of all that mess really made me quite ill,i didnt stay on board too long,but ws also amazed at all the Machinery they carried on board!
She was then still quite new built i believe in 1955!
She later became a regular Icon in and around Cape Town and Blaauberg and Robbin Island and was used as a fish Factory Ship.
This brings to mind the one day after the Ship had returned from the Antartic and the Crew as usual needed a good break (Bleedin Hard Guys i can tell you) anyway they all went up to the old Carlton Hotel or was it the Grand Hotel,yes possibly it was Upstairs and they had one massive party,myself and my late Brother joined in with them,there were a few other Lads as well from other Ships in Dock from the UK, There is the slight posibility that one or two of you were amongst that crowd! Oh Boy did those Guys live it up,one of the best Parties i had ever been to,lots of Babes and Booze flowing! Mostly Dutch and Norwegian Blokes there!
Oh the good old times we had! And just a brick and a half high ! LOL!


Cheers

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/bi...query/01275100

[happy daze john in oz]

I joined British and Commonwealth in 1966 they still had Hector Whaling although I believe all the ships were disposed of by 1967 . I only ever came across one guy in B & C who had sailed on them , and he mentioned that the smell on board was gut wrenching . They were called Terrier I too Terrier VII and I believe ran out of Cape Town

There is a short article here Capt Sam Kent Williams Llyn Whaler

Do recall the smell in Durban when we docked in the old part early 60's, it was so strong at times I am sure you could have ridden a bike down it.

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, had a word with john and his Mrs{ The Captain} my old shipmate told me a bit more about his time on a whaler he was on the factory ship, and a few others the smell was like open city sewers, but you were part of it was in your skin, but when you was ashore every one could smell it ? no matter how many showers you had, but the money was very good and all the gear was free? after his trip over a year he had enough gear to open a business More to come !! I told him to write it all down

[Bill Cameron]

I agree with Louis, the stench of the factory ships was horrendous, was in drydock in South shields along side the Salvesens Factorty ship the Southern Reaper, you could taste it the smell was that bad