Episode Details

From 1750 to the early 20th century, fleets of 'Greenlanders' -- specially strengthened sailing ships -- headed north each spring from Britain to the ice-filled Arctic seas between Canada, Greenland and Spitsbergen. Their business was whaling, their purpose to bring home oil and whalebone -- raw materials for Britain's growing industries. Arctic whaling involved more than 9000 voyages from 35 British ports: Rotherhith's 'Greenland Dock' is a reminder that London was a prominent whaling port. Each voyage involved dangers unique to the trade, demanding extraordinary measures of skills and seamanship. Dr Stonehouse tells of the ships, the men, and the profits and losses of a long-forgotten industry.

Uploaded 17-10-11

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the on the Gresham College website:
http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/the-greenlanders-arctic-whaleships-and-whalers

Gresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website.
http://www.gresham.ac.uk



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