Whenever we see a beached whale, we also see dozens of concerned volunteers working to get the whale back out to sea. Most of us don’t eat whale and many of us admire and respect the sea giant. The article below, from 1903, gives detail of how a community reacted when 143 whales were beached. In those times, whales were food and a good source of fat. The community hit the shores with knives and other utensils to reap the bounty that washed up. It must have been a horrific sight, and one that I am glad won’t happen today in countries that respect the lives of whales.
WIND BLOWS WHALES ASHORE
Villagers Turn Out in Force to Reap Fortune
One hundred and forty-three whales stranded on the shore near the village of St. Mary’s Bay, N.F. [Newfoundland, Canada], last week. The entire population turned out and slew the creatures. The storm that drove the school of whales upon the shore brought fortunes to the fisher folk. When the glad news spread through the village the men ran to the shore and waded into the water. They were followed by their wives and daughters, hardly less sturdy than the men.
Axes, pitchforks, carving knives, scythes, hatchets, and the women’s weapons, stove hooks and hat pins were directed against the bodies of the big animals struggling helplessly in the shallow water. Before noon every soap kettle in the village was on the fire. The women were taking the precious blubber from the flesh of the whales which an ill wind, for the whales, had blown upon St. Mary’s beach. Some of the catch were large and worthy the skill of the old time whalers. To capture one as large they would have considered a month’s cruise a small price to pay for the oil in its body. [Source]
