California, Los Angeles County, Rancho Palos Verdes
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On the slopes below and west of this plaque stood the quarters of Portuguese whalemen who put out through the surf in boats under oars and sail to harpoon passing gray whales to be towed ashore where the blubber was stripped and "tried out" in large black iron try-pots to produce valuable whale oil for lamps and lubricants. Active from 1860 to 1885, this station began its decline with the advent of fossil oil; however, three of the original structures, the try-pots and crumbling furnaces remained until about 1928. This site is registered as California Historical Landmark #381.
(Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
On the slopes below and west of this plaque stood the quarters of Portuguese whalemen who put out through the surf in boats under oars and sail to harpoon passing gray whales to be towed ashore where the blubber was stripped and "tried out" in large black iron try-pots to produce valuable whale oil for lamps and lubricants. Active from 1860 to 1885, this station began its decline with the advent of fossil oil; however, three of the original structures, the try-pots and crumbling furnaces remained until about 1928. This site is registered as California Historical Landmark #381.(Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.