Please be advised: this website contains the names, images and voices of people who are now deceased.

Collections WA has a responsibility to preserve and make accessible the history and culture of Western Australia in all its various forms. The intention of Collections WA is to support research, and to reveal actions of the past that have impacted upon communities, families, and individuals.

In doing so, Collections WA acknowledges the need to respond sensitively and appropriately in cases when accessing this material may be confronting to Aboriginal visitors and clients.

Please also note: Some historical materials within this portal may include language or opinions that today are considered inappropriate or even offensive. Collections WA does not endorse this language and apologises for any distress caused.

Continue

Continue showing cultural advice

Stop showing cultural advice

Collections WA brings together collections from libraries, galleries, museums, archives, historical societies, cultural organisations, community groups and other collecting organisations across Western Australia.

Busselton Historical Society > Records

Harpoon

« Prev Item Next Item »

Subcollections

Overview

Cast iron harpoon that was used in whaling at Castle Bay. Something has been engraved on the harpoon head but it is not readable.

Historical information

Whaling was one of the first industries established in WA. The Castle Rock Whaling Company based itself at Castle Bay between 1845 to 1872, as it provided shelter, water, firewood and a high point from which to spot whales. Running a whaling station at such a remote spot had its problems like drunkenness, absconding workers and in 1849 all boats and sheds were destroyed by fire.

The two main species of whales targeted by whalers at Castle Bay were the Humpback Whale and the Southern Right Whale which migrate north-south along the Western Australian coastline stopping in Geographe Bay to feed and strengthen their calves before continuing to the Southern Ocean.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2020.942

Item type

Material

Width

10 cm

Height or length

97 cm

Depth

5 cm

Themes

Keywords

Castle Bay Whaling Station

Primary significance criteria

Social or spiritual significance

Related Objects

Related Objects

Parent records

ROOM 1.7 Marine

Busselton Historical Society

Busselton Historical Society

Organisation Details
View Collection
Item Feedback

Other items from Busselton Historical Society

Cast iron harpoon

Cast iron harpoon

Harpoon head where some letters are visible on the shaft but not readable

Harpoon head where some letters are visible on the shaft but not readable

Media Reuse | View Full Size | Item Feedback

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

Full size unavailable (you're already seeing this image in its highest resolution available on Collections WA)

Loading...