Genealogy Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Quick Search

Single word search

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

Victorian seamen

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Paul Barton, Special Agent

Paul Barton, Special Agent Report 30 Apr 2014 16:49

I've just been reading an 1842 copy of the Colonial Observer in which it reports the arrival at Sydney of the Proteus, from the Whale fisheries, carrying 1350 barrels of sperm.

I always wondered how those sailors amused themselves on those long sea voyages. Now I know. ;-)

Astra

Astra Report 30 Apr 2014 16:58

:-D :-D :-D

MargaretM

MargaretM Report 30 Apr 2014 17:24

Oh Paul! You naughty boy! Perhaps the title of the thread should read "Victorian semen:?

Paul Barton, Special Agent

Paul Barton, Special Agent Report 30 Apr 2014 17:59

I thought I was being subtle Margee!

MarieCeleste

MarieCeleste Report 30 Apr 2014 22:52

Come on Paul, you know it was sperm oil!!

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/31735336?searchTerm=proteus&searchLimits=l-decade=184|||l-year=1842

;-)

(How many whales would have been killed to get that cargo?)

Paul Barton, Special Agent

Paul Barton, Special Agent Report 1 May 2014 10:50

Apparently sperm oil was used for making candles and it had may other applications too. Whalebone was of course used for making corsets.

The slaughter of these wonderful mammals is a shameful thing bust we must be thankful at least that most civilised nations have now come to their senses.