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For the first half of the 20th century a massive industrial enterprise took place on and around the remote sub-Antarctic island and British Overseas Territory of South Georgia. That enterprise was whaling – in pursuit of products from whales that were essential to industry and everyday life during that period. For the whales – well it nearly pushed them to extinction. For the men and women involved it could be a tough, dangerous and challenging way to make a living – and an experience that marked them for life.

The Whalers’ Memory Bank is dedicated to those men, women and their communities and brings together in one place their personal experiences. This is a huge untold story and by visiting the Whalers’ Memory Bank we hope you will get a real sense for how tough this job was – often the only option for work for many of these men. You will hear tales of loss and sadness as well as more light-hearted recollections that give us insight into the spirit, camaraderie and unique sense of humour of the whalers.

Our shared memory of what was once an essential industry is fading so we thank them for working with us. It is their voices and recollections, photographs, films, treasured objects and mementos that have helped shaped the Memory Bank – and will continue to do so.

This short film offers some pointers to help you explore the Whalers’ Memory Bank or you can just dive right in.

Explore the whalers' memory bank

WARNING

The Whalers’ Memory Bank includes imagery and descriptions of historic whaling throughout, including photographs and film footage of whales being caught and processed.

“On behalf of Shetland ex-Whalers Association veterans, we are pleased to help shape the Whalers' Memory Bank. We have an extensive collection of photos from the whaling years which we were at a loss as to what to do with until Whalers' Memory Bank came along and will save them for future generations to see. For many of us the whaling was a great adventure as well as a hard life and we really wanted to share this with the wider world. We hope people will get a better understanding of what life was like for us, our families and communities 8,000 miles away back home in Shetland."

Gibbie Fraser, Chair of Shetland Ex-Whalers’ Association

“As Chair of Salvesen’s Ex-Whalers’ Club, we are thankful that our history has been captured in one place. The whaling was an essential part of Britain’s post-war industries. And the men working in it was the backbone. It gave many people work and adventure, and we are glad it will be remembered through the Whalers’ Memory Bank.”

George Cummings, Chair of Salvesen’s Ex-Whalers’ Club

“The Government of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands are delighted to invite you to explore The Whalers’ Memory Bank. Ensuring that South Georgia’s whaling heritage is captured and available in an accessible way allows people all over the world to connect with the social history of South Georgia. It is important this story is shared before the history slips into the past.”

Laura Sinclair-Willis, Chief Executive of Government of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands

Acknowledgements

The Whalers’ Memory Bank would not have been possible without generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and support by our partner museums and organisations.

We owe a huge thanks to the whalers, their families and their communities for their generosity of spirit, time, stories and memories which have allowed us to create the Whalers’ Memory Bank. Their personal collections – objects and photographs stored in attics, cupboards and drawers – each with a story to tell, has helped us create something really special which unlocks a chapter in Scottish and South Georgia social history that has been untold for many decades.

 

Using money raised by National Lottery players, the National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. The Whalers’ Memory Bank has been made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Support the South Georgia Museum to grow the Whalers' Memory Bank and preserve more cultural heritage on island

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