Rendering Pot

Subcollections
Overview

Brass rendering pot or "try pot" with iron handles and a dimpled brass base. Salvaged from the Castle Bay Whaling Company (1848-1870) where it was used to melt the whale blubber into whale oil.

Historical information

In 1845 John Bateman formed the Castle Bay Whaling Company with three other Fremantle businessmen and a whaling station called ‘The Fishery’ was set up at the Bay to process the whales to extract whale oil. The ‘whale lookout’ on the hill above Castle Rock was used to sight whales swimming past. Harpooned whales were brought ashore and whale oil was obtained by boiling their blubber in huge cauldrons stirred with long handled spoons. The oil was then poured into casks for shipping. The Castle Bay Whaling Company closed down in 1872 as the price of whale oil declined with the commercial development of petroleum.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-124-2024.115
Item type
Material
Width
62 cm
Height or length
72 cm
Depth
45 cm
Contextual Information

Whaling vessels from the 19th century used large iron pots, called try pots, to liquify whale blubber. Once boiled down, the liquid oil would be stored in wooden casks beneath deck.

Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Related Objects

Related Objects

Parent records
Busselton Historical Society

Busselton Historical Society

Organisation Details
View Collection
Item Feedback

Rendering Pot from Castle Bay Whaling Station
Rendering Pot from Castle Bay Whaling Station
Rendering Pot from Castle Bay Whaling Station
Rendering Pot from Castle Bay Whaling Station

Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->