Object Number: 2010.9
The whaling stations in South Georgia each had their own company flag. This flag carries the logo for Compañía Argentina de Pesca (Pesca) the longest running of the 6 whaling stations that operated in South Georgia. Pesca operated in Grytviken for close to 60 years.
Each whaling station provided housing, food and leisure spaces for their workers. The companies could dictate the rules for their workers while they were on the island. The station managers had major authority over their workers lives, at times operating their stations as little nation states.
The stations were often in touch with each other. They swapped books, films, and met for inter-station events and competitions. Each station put together teams to compete in skiing, shooting, football and other sports. At inter-station sports days and competitions, each station could bring their company flag to fly. Often the workers would decorate the side- and finish lines of sporting events with flag garlands off the ships and their national flags of Argentina, Norway and the United Kingdom.