Whaling Station
In 1908 a Norwegian called Lorentz Bruun began an
adventure in Blacksod, which had a big impact on Erris peninsula. Bruun set up
the Blacksod Whaling Company. He had obtained a site in a place called Ardelly in
1908, but did not receive a licence to operate until 1909. The reason for this
delay was due to the increasing opposition to whaling off the West coast of
Ireland. One of the main objectors to the planned whaling station was the
Collooney – Blacksod Railway Company. This company had major plans for Blacksod
including the construction of a magnificent railway station. Their intention
was to make Blacksod the main hub for all trans-Atlantic traffic. Two
significant factors contributed to the failure of this venture. Firstly there
was no railway line and secondly the outbreak of World War 1.
The smell and disposal of the entrails were cited as the main reasons for the objections and the matter was even raised in the British House of Parliament. Despite the objections a licence was granted in August 1909 and building began in December of the same year. There was another whaling station already in existence. The Arranmore Whaling Company had been operating since 1908 on nearby Inniskea Island. This company was also Norwegian owned and Lorentz Brunn (a first rate harpooner) had been supplying whales to this company before deciding to start his own venture.
Bruun enjoyed considerable success and was a major employer in an area bereft of proper jobs. Operations were suspended for the duration of the war 1914-18 and when resumed things did not run as smooth as before. Oil prices, troubled times in Ireland were amongst the reasons for this. The death knell was a major fire at the plant in 1923. The Company was eventually wound up and the assets were finally sold some 10 years later (Nolan, 1997).The amount of whales caught during the operation of both whaling stations is quite staggering. To illustrate this point, one particular ship the “Carsten Bruun” caught 895 during 9 seasons of whaling (West, 1968).
The smell and disposal of the entrails were cited as the main reasons for the objections and the matter was even raised in the British House of Parliament. Despite the objections a licence was granted in August 1909 and building began in December of the same year. There was another whaling station already in existence. The Arranmore Whaling Company had been operating since 1908 on nearby Inniskea Island. This company was also Norwegian owned and Lorentz Brunn (a first rate harpooner) had been supplying whales to this company before deciding to start his own venture.
Bruun enjoyed considerable success and was a major employer in an area bereft of proper jobs. Operations were suspended for the duration of the war 1914-18 and when resumed things did not run as smooth as before. Oil prices, troubled times in Ireland were amongst the reasons for this. The death knell was a major fire at the plant in 1923. The Company was eventually wound up and the assets were finally sold some 10 years later (Nolan, 1997).The amount of whales caught during the operation of both whaling stations is quite staggering. To illustrate this point, one particular ship the “Carsten Bruun” caught 895 during 9 seasons of whaling (West, 1968).