106 THE FISHING INDUSTRY 



Sperm Oil. Sperm oil is really a liquid wax. It is 

 an excellent lubricant particularly for rapidly moving 

 machinery, e.g. spinning spindles, or for delicate 

 machinery such as watches. It does not become 

 gummy or rancid, and retains its viscosity at high 

 temperatures. It has no corrosive action. 



When cooled to low temperatures, it deposits a solid 

 wax spermaceti which is used in the manufacture of 

 high grade candles. Sperm oil is also used for dressing 

 leather, in oil tempering steel, and as an illuminant. 



Ambergris. Ambergris is a solid, fatty, inflammable 

 substance, dull grey in colour, which occurs as a concre- 

 tion in the intestines of sperm whales. It is generally 

 found floating in the sea or on the shore. It is used in 

 the perfume industry mixed with other perfumes. 



The development of the whaling industry in the south 

 seas has led to the industrial development of previously 

 uninhabited islands. On South Georgia, which was 

 previously uninhabited, actual industrial villages have 

 been established. A church has been erected, and there 

 are three slips for cutting up the whales, two guano 

 factories, reservoirs for the oil, and houses for the staff. 

 This Antarctic island has a floating population of many 

 hundreds of sailors and workmen. A doctor resides 

 there during the whaling season and, since 1908, the 

 British Government has established a post office in this 

 polar land. In 1922 the eyes of all the world were 

 turned to this far-away land, the Gate of the Antarctic, 

 as the body of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the hero of the 

 Antarctic, was laid to rest there. 



