A Glance into the Past

Pictures taken at Te Kaha when the whaling industry was in full swing. Melted down whale blubber then commanded a price of £22 per ton - big money in those days. Consequently the catching of a whale was a time for jubilation, as well as hard work. Each group had their own set tasks, including the women whose duty it was to keep the workers fed.

(pictures supplied by Mr Leo Fowler)

×

 

• 

A Right whale on Te Kaha beach. Alongside is the whaleboat "Agnes", a sister ship and similar in design to "Greyhound". At left a strip of blubber is being torn from whale's body.

×

 

• 

Gang on rope helps tear blubber strips as cutters knife it off.