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Victorian seamen

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Paul Barton, Special Agent

Paul Barton, Special Agent Report 30 Apr 2014 16:49

I've just been reading an 1842 copy of the Colonial Observer in which it reports the arrival at Sydney of the Proteus, from the Whale fisheries, carrying 1350 barrels of sperm.

I always wondered how those sailors amused themselves on those long sea voyages. Now I know. ;-)

Astra

Astra Report 30 Apr 2014 16:58

:-D :-D :-D

Researching:
More in hope than expectation!

MargaretM

MargaretM Report 30 Apr 2014 17:24

Oh Paul! You naughty boy! Perhaps the title of the thread should read "Victorian semen:?

Researching:
Great grandmother Dorothy Bean nee Abbott (1858-1908)

Paul Barton, Special Agent

Paul Barton, Special Agent Report 30 Apr 2014 17:59

I thought I was being subtle Margee!

MarieCeleste

MarieCeleste Report 30 Apr 2014 22:52

Come on Paul, you know it was sperm oil!!

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/31735336?searchTerm=proteus&searchLimits=l-decade=184|||l-year=1842

;-)

(How many whales would have been killed to get that cargo?)

Paul Barton, Special Agent

Paul Barton, Special Agent Report 1 May 2014 10:50

Apparently sperm oil was used for making candles and it had may other applications too. Whalebone was of course used for making corsets.

The slaughter of these wonderful mammals is a shameful thing bust we must be thankful at least that most civilised nations have now come to their senses.