«j».. 



Figure 3.— View of Woods Hole from Harbor Hill about I88O. 



Buildings of the Pacific Guano Works at upper right j 

 candle house at left. 



now serves as a warehouse for the Marine Biological Laboratory 

 for storing preserved zoological specimens. About 1860, whaling 

 became less profitable and Woods Hole entered into the second 

 phase of its economic life which was dominated by the establishment 

 and operation of a new commercial venture known as the Pacific 

 Guano Works. 



During the years from 186 3 to 1889, when the Pacific Guano 

 Works was in operation, the life of Woods Hole centered around 

 the plant which was built at Long Neck near the entrance to what 

 is known now as Penzance Point (fig. 3). Many large sailing 

 vessels carrying sulphur from Italy, nitrate of soda from Chile, 

 potash from Germany, and many schooners under the American 

 flag loaded with guano and phosphorus from the Pacific Coast of 

 South America were anchored in Great Harbor waiting for their 

 turn to unload their cargoes. The number of laborers regularly 

 employed by the Guano Company varied from 150 to 200 men, 

 mostly Irishmen brought in under contract. Several local fishermen 

 found additional employment as pilots for guano ships. The company 



