Object Number: 1992.1.126
In the South Georgia whaling stations the workers worked shiftwork. A normal shift was 12 hours but during busy times there was plenty of opportunities for overtime. The whalers’ time in South Georgia was punctuated by the blowing of the steam whistle signalling shift changes and break times. This whistle was used in the Grytviken whaling station.
It has been said that the blows of whaling station whistles could be heard from far afield on the island. Most famously, Shackleton, Worsley and Crean are said to have heard the whistle of Stromness whaling station as the first sign of civilisation after their traverse across the island.
Below are photographs of both work and breaktimes on whaling shore stations in South Georgia.