The Largest Whaling Port on the West Coast, 1880s: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:pothill$arctic-oil-works-drawing.jpg]]
[[Image:pothill$arctic-oil-works-drawing.jpg]]


'''Arctic Oil Works was established at end of 23rd Street in 1883 to produce refined oils from [[ALASKA COMMERCIAL CORPORATION|seals, whales and elephant seals]]. It anchored the largest whaling port in western North America for two decades. Before petroleum oil the early industrial revolution depended on the mass slaughter of the biggest mammals on the planet to supply lubricants and luminating fluids.'''  
'''Arctic Oil Works was established on Illinois between 17th and 16th Streets in 1883 to produce refined oils from [[ALASKA COMMERCIAL CORPORATION|seals, whales and elephant seals]]. It anchored the largest whaling port in western North America for two decades. Before petroleum oil the early industrial revolution depended on the mass slaughter of the biggest mammals on the planet to supply lubricants and luminating fluids.'''  


''Image: Bancroft Library, Berkeley, CA''
''Image: Bancroft Library, Berkeley, CA''

Revision as of 19:00, 2 February 2010

Historical Essay

by Chris Carlsson

Pothill$arctic-oil-works-drawing.jpg

Arctic Oil Works was established on Illinois between 17th and 16th Streets in 1883 to produce refined oils from seals, whales and elephant seals. It anchored the largest whaling port in western North America for two decades. Before petroleum oil the early industrial revolution depended on the mass slaughter of the biggest mammals on the planet to supply lubricants and luminating fluids.

Image: Bancroft Library, Berkeley, CA

File:Pothill$baleen-harvest-1890.jpg

In 1890, baleen from the jaws of whales dries in the Arctic Oil Works yard. After drying it was cut into stays for corsets, collars and umbrellas, as well as for buggy whips.

Image: Bancroft Library, Berkeley, CA


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