Container of spermaceti

Datebefore 1978

Object number00001859

NameSpermaceti

MediumSpermaceti, plastic

DimensionsOverall: 1.7 kg

ClassificationsAnimals and animal products

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis plastic container of spermaceti, a waxy whale by product, was manufactured at Albany. The last whaling station in Australia, The Cheynes Beach Whaling Company, was located east of Albany and was closed in 1978. Spermacaceti was extracted from the head cavity of sperm whales and was used as an ingredient in cosmetics, ointments, lubricants and in earlier years in candles.HistoryDespite Australia’s strong anti-whaling stance, the last whaling station to operate in Australia was only closed in 1978. It was named the Cheynes Beach Whaling Station and was based in Frenchman Bay, Albany, Western Australia. It had operated from 1952 and at the time of its closure, ran three whaling ships, a spotter plane and employed 102 people. It was a high cost business to run and although there had been huge technological advances made in the industry, it was still a labour intensive and gruesome profession. Despite this however it was noted that even in 1978, "Every boy at school wanted to be a whaler because they were big tough guys and they earned big money and it was a wonderful adventure. In town, they were regarded very well; they were paid well and contributed to the economy". (The ABC TV program "Can we Help?” Friday, April 24, 2009). There was still, in the early years of the company, a market for whale oil due to its ability to perform at extreme temperatures - both hot and cold. This served the aviation and space industries. In the later years however, economic pressures of running the company and local and international demands to ban whaling by environmental groups became too great and the plant closed. The last whale, a female sperm whale, was caught was a 20th November 1978. SignificanceWhaling was a significant and vital industry in the early days of colonisation of Australia and certainly was the foundation of Albany’s growth and history. The Cheynes Beach Whaling Company was the last station ever to operate in Australia with the last whale caught in 1978.